{"id":8750,"date":"1998-10-20T14:49:17","date_gmt":"1998-10-20T18:49:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=8750"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:04:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:04:14","slug":"heritage-of-honor-book-3-a-dream-imperiled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=8750","title":{"rendered":"Heritage of Honor, Book 3-A Dream Imperiled (by Puchi Ann)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0The Cartwrights are caught up in ever-increasing conflict between\u00a0Indians\u00a0and white settlers, culminating in the greatest peril of all, the Pyramid Lake Indian War.<\/span><\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a0222,074 \u00a0\u00a0Rating: T<\/p>\n

Heritage of Honor Series<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

A Dream Deferred
\n<\/a>A Dream’s First Bud
\n<\/a>A Dream Imperiled
\n<\/a>A Dream’s Darkest Hour
\n<\/a> A Dream Divided<\/a><\/p>\n

Heritage Companion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Never Alone<\/a>
\nCentennial! A Journey of Discovery<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CHAPTER ONE<\/p>\n

A Small Cloud on the Horizon<\/h1>\n

No fire burned in the huge stone fireplace that dominated the main room of the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0 Much as Ben Cartwright relished the idyllic charm of firelight\u2019s warm glow on the faces of his loved ones, the summer heat wouldn\u2019t permit the fire he kept burning whenever possible.\u00a0 The light from the hanging lamp above him wasn\u2019t quite as romantic, of course, but it served to light a scene that never failed to enchant him.<\/p>\n

The lamplight fell on the golden head of his beautiful wife Marie as it bent close to the dark-haired one of fourteen-year-old Adam.\u00a0 Though Adam had been slow to accept his father\u2019s third wife, he had come to look upon her as a friend and, in these last few months, a teacher.\u00a0 Tonight, as they waited for their cook Hop Sing to call them to supper, she was helping him conjugate French verbs in preparation for his studies at the academy in Sacramento.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d be taking French this fall, but he enjoyed study and the language was both interesting and beautiful.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t count his summer hours wasted even if he couldn\u2019t immediately put the new knowledge to use.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s second son, chunky six-year-old Hoss lay sprawled on the striped Indian rug shaking a rattle in the face of Ben\u2019s third boy, a gift doubly precious because both Joseph and his mother had almost perished at his birth just seven weeks earlier.\u00a0 Hoss was grinning because the baby was awake for a change, Hoss\u2019s chief complaint being that his new brother spent far too much time sleeping.\u00a0 His parents didn\u2019t share that opinion, for despite his diminutive size, Little Joe could emit the most ear-piercing shrieks, with which music he generally chose the middle of the night to favor his mother and father.<\/p>\n

Hoss, Ben recalled, had been an easy-going, sunny-dispositioned baby, happy as long as he was well fed, sleeping through the night by the time he was a few weeks old.\u00a0 Not so Little Joe.\u00a0 Everything bothered him\u2014\u2014a wet diaper, an empty tummy or too bright a shaft of sunlight falling across his face\u2014\u2014and he had no qualms about letting the world hear his discontent.\u00a0 But the smile Ben flashed as the baby\u2019s tiny fingers waved at the rattle plainly declared his prideful joy in the newest member of the family.<\/p>\n

As his brown eyes swept the scene, Ben\u2019s face reflected the satisfaction of a man watching his dreams unfold.\u00a0 For so many years settling in the West had been just that, a dream.\u00a0 It was a dream he had shared with three wonderful women: Adam\u2019s mother Elizabeth, the daughter of a New England sea captain, with whom the dream had been birthed; Hoss\u2019s mother Inger, the Swedish shopkeeper whose gentle courage had brought him to the brink of its fulfillment; and, finally, Marie, the Creole beauty with whom Ben hoped to share the flowering of all he had dreamed before.\u00a0 With her and with his three sons, each a cherished gift from one of Ben\u2019s beloved wives.\u00a0 Ben released a sigh of deep contentment, and Marie looked up briefly to smile at him, her emerald eyes shining with quick comprehension of his sentiment.<\/p>\n

A loud insistent knocking battered the front door.\u00a0 Ben started to get up, but before he could leave his mauve armchair, a soft-slippered shuffling told him Hop Sing had, as usual, hurried from the kitchen to answer the door.\u00a0 And, as usual, he was chattering complaints in a mixture of Chinese and broken English.\u00a0 The little Cantonese cook, whose life Ben had saved and who had, in gratitude, attached himself permanently to the Cartwright family, took fierce pride in protecting the areas he considered his exclusive territory, which included both answering the door as a proper houseboy should and, of course, the kitchen.\u00a0 As absolute ruler over that domain, Hop Sing did not welcome interruptions at mealtime, and it was the unseen caller at the door who was the intended recipient of the expletives being hurled in its direction.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing opened the door and a fiery-headed, grinning boy of fifteen with a newspaper folded under his arm sauntered in.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s for dinner?\u201d Billy Thomas snickered in answer to the Chinaman\u2019s grumbling.<\/p>\n

\u201cLoast beef,\u201d Hop Sing grunted.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe so, you stay, eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, thanks, Hop Sing,\u201d Billy replied enthusiastically, \u201cI reckon you talked me into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmph!\u201d Hop Sing snorted and stomped back to the kitchen, secretly pleased to have another person to savor his food.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Billy?\u201d Ben drawled.\u00a0 \u201cPantry running so low at your place you have to sponge a free meal wherever you can find it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy just grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, I figured it was the least you could do after me riding all this way just to deliver your paper.\u201d\u00a0 He drew the latest issue of the Scorpion<\/em> from under his arm and tossed it to Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben scowled eloquently.\u00a0 As pleased as he was to get the local news earlier than usual, he knew better than to credit Billy Thomas with so selfless a motive.\u00a0 Obviously, the boy was up to something.\u00a0 Had his mother Nelly been there, she\u2019d have been sure to point out that the \u201csomething\u201d was bound to be mischief.<\/p>\n

While Ben perused the paper, Billy said hello to Marie and Adam, then wandered over to the cradle.\u00a0 Bending over it, palms on his knees, he asked, \u201cWell, how\u2019s life treatin\u2019 you, little Wet and Wail?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glared up at the older boy.\u00a0 \u201cThat ain\u2019t his name!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t, Hoss,\u201d his father corrected absently.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Hoss sighed.\u00a0 He\u2019d done so poorly in school last year that Pa was making him spend the whole summer doing lessons, but Hoss\u2019s grammar showed little improvement.\u00a0 \u201cBut that ain\u2019t\u2014\u2014I mean, isn\u2019t\u2014\u2014his name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what we used to call you,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo such thing!\u201d Hoss denied vigorously.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Billy confirmed.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Chief Wet and Wail, to be specific\u2014\u2014\u2019cause that\u2019s all you did, just like this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s lower lip thrust out.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s a sweet baby,\u201d he announced, \u201csweet as pumpkin pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPumpkin pie!\u201d Billy hooted.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially when his diaper needs changing,\u201d Adam commented dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, make \u2018em quit,\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hush, Hoss,\u201d Ben chided softly.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re just teasing, and if you want my opinion, Wet and Wail\u2019s a far more accurate name than Pumpkin Pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are all so cruel, to make sport of my sweet little Fran\u00e7ois,\u201d Marie said, rising and lifting her baby to her shoulder.<\/p>\n

As she had expected, everyone groaned.\u00a0 \u201cPumpkin Pie sounds real fine next to that!\u201d Billy snorted.<\/p>\n

Standing next to Marie, Hoss patted the baby\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cYou like that better, don\u2019t you, Punkin?\u00a0 Sure you do.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed back and forth in what Hoss took as a gesture of agreement.<\/p>\n

Marie flashed Ben a triumphant smile that let him know she\u2019d tossed out the baby\u2019s French middle name just to make peace by giving everyone something they could join forces against.\u00a0 Ben wagged a playful finger at his wife to tell her he\u2019d seen through her stratagem.\u00a0 He was sure he\u2019d seen through Billy\u2019s, as well.\u00a0 \u201cThis article about the upcoming dance wouldn\u2019t have anything to do with giving us the pleasure of your company tonight, would it, Billy?\u201d he asked with a smirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cDance, what dance?\u201d Adam demanded, reaching for the paper.\u00a0 Ben handed it to him, and as Adam read about the grand ball to be held at Lucky Bill\u2019s hotel in Genoa, his black eyes brightened.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of interferes with some other plans we\u2019d made,\u201d his father pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe picnic?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t see why.\u00a0 That was gonna be the Fourth of July, Pa; the dance isn\u2019t \u2018til the fifth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the energy of youth!\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cTwo major outings\u2014\u2014in opposite directions, I might add\u2014\u2014in two days is more than my poor old bones want to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not old, Ben,\u201d Marie scolded, \u201conly thirty-six.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 Compared to her mere twenty years, thirty-six certainly felt old, but he didn\u2019t contradict her.\u00a0 Nor did he mention the true cause of his reservations.\u00a0 Marie had suffered through a difficult breech delivery and still seemed to tire easily.\u00a0 Ben hesitated to plan more than her recovering strength could stand. \u201cYes, my love,\u201d he said agreeably, \u201cbut I still think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course, we should change our plans,\u201d Marie interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo picnic?\u201d Hoss wailed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Hoss, think what fun a dance will be,\u201d Marie urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot as much as a picnic!\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather fish at Tahoe any day as flounce around a floor with frillies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere now, I\u2019ve got an idea,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if we picnic at WashoeLake instead of Tahoe, like we\u2019d planned?\u00a0 It\u2019s closer, so we could get home early and be ready for another day of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTahoe\u2019s a better place,\u201d Hoss muttered, still disgruntled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut there\u2019ll be other times.\u201d<\/p>\n

A broad grin split Hoss\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cMy birthday!\u201d he yelled.\u00a0 \u201cLike last year!\u201d<\/p>\n

The first response to Hoss\u2019s idea came from his little brother.\u00a0 Along with wet diapers, an empty tummy and bright light, Little Joe had little toleration for loud voices in his ear.\u00a0 He screamed vociferously and Hoss looked immediately chagrinned.\u00a0 He reached for the baby and when Marie released him, rubbed the small back until Little Joe began to settle down.\u00a0 \u201cThere, there, Punkin Pie,\u201d Hoss soothed.\u00a0 \u201cBrother\u2019s sorry.\u00a0 Don\u2019t cry, Punkin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDinnah leady; you come now!\u201d Hop Sing scolded from the dining room.\u00a0 Everyone laughed and dutifully filed around the table to the appropriate chair, Hoss still holding the little brother he obviously adored.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about it, Pa?\u201d Hoss ventured more quietly.\u00a0 \u201cA picnic at Tahoe for my birthday?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cSounds fine.\u00a0 You\u2019ll relate the change in plans to your folks, Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMa and Pa figured you might want the dance, instead of the picnic, so I offered to ride over and ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd arriving at dinnertime is just a coincidence,\u201d Ben said with a dubious arch of his blue-black eyebrow.<\/p>\n

Billy helped himself to a slice of roast beef.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d he cackled.\u00a0 Then he turned an ominous face toward Adam as he passed the platter to his friend.\u00a0 \u201cReal reason I came is to let buddy boy here know I\u2019ve staked my claim to Miss Sally Martin for the dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe know that?\u201d Adam taunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked and she said she\u2019d come with me,\u201d Billy replied loftily, \u201cso keep your hands off, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFat chance,\u201d Adam informed him as he piled his plate full of beef.<\/p>\n

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

Nelly Thomas, seated in a straight chair in her bedroom, gave a contented sigh.\u00a0 \u201cLands, Marie, but you got a gentle hand with hair.\u201d\u00a0 The Cartwrights had taken Sunday dinner with the Thomases and since they wouldn\u2019t have time to return to the Ponderosa before the grand ball that evening, had brought their evening clothes along.\u00a0 The men had long since been dressed, but the ladies were taking their time, taking as much pain with their toilet as if tonight\u2019s ball were hosted by President Buchanan, instead of hotel owner William Thorrington.<\/p>\n

Standing behind Nelly, Marie gave the light strands another stroke.\u00a0 \u201cYou have nice hair to work with, Nelly, fine but so thick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I sure never thought it could be fixed fancy as you\u2019re doing,\u201d Nelly tittered.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t I be a sight at that ball tonight?\u00a0 Folks won\u2019t know me, all primped up like a china doll!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will look beautiful,\u201d Marie purred.\u00a0 \u201cI would like to steal that gorgeous green gown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly gave her head a slight shake.\u00a0 Green would have been the perfect color for Marie, of course, almost a match for those unusual eyes of hers, but the dress was much too large for the Creole woman\u2019s slight figure, even this soon after her pregnancy.\u00a0 Besides, Marie\u2019s blue satin, crafted by a New Orleans dressmaker, was stylish beyond what any other woman in the valley would be wearing.\u00a0 She\u2019d be the one taking every man\u2019s eye tonight, and that would have been true had she worn faded calico.\u00a0 Marie was the beautiful one, Nelly thought, and she had to know it for all her acting unconscious of her looks.\u00a0 A good thing Ben Cartwright wasn\u2019t the jealous type.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere!\u201d Marie said, stepping back, brush still in hand.\u00a0 \u201cTake a look, Nelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly stood, approached the mirror over her washstand and gasped.\u00a0 That couldn\u2019t be her reflected in its polished surface!\u00a0 Forget other folks not knowing her; Nelly didn\u2019t know herself.\u00a0 \u201cLands, I wish I had your talent with hair,\u201d Nelly cried, turning to hug her young friend in appreciation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I yours in handling children,\u201d Marie sighed.<\/p>\n

Nelly\u2019s hug turned compassionate, concerned.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, honey lamb?\u00a0 Adam ain\u2019t bein\u2019 fractious again, is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, all is well between us, except that I shall miss him when he goes to school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you don\u2019t have to cross that bridge for another couple months,\u201d Nelly said, then smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I know Hoss ain\u2019t givin\u2019 you a lick of trouble, so it must be our new little darlin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBen keeps talking of how different he is from Hoss, how much less he eats, how much more he cries.\u00a0 I am sure I\u2019m doing something wrong, but I am too ignorant to know what.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not doing anything wrong,\u201d Nelly soothed.\u00a0 \u201cChildren are different, that\u2019s all, and if anyone ought to know it, it\u2019s Ben Cartwright!\u00a0 Why, the three I birthed were different as night and day, so how Ben can expect three boys by three different mothers to be anything alike is beyond me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe seems all right to you?\u201d Marie asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cHe is so small.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarted out that way,\u201d Nelly agreed, \u201cand likely will be all his life.\u00a0 Honey lamb, he\u2019s you all over, even got your eyes, and you\u2019re small.\u00a0 I reckon his appetite fits his size.\u00a0 You can\u2019t go comparin\u2019 him with Hoss.\u00a0 That boy could eat a side of beef when he was Little Joe\u2019s age!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are exaggerating,\u201d Marie accused, but she was smiling again.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot by much,\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd don\u2019t fret about the cryin\u2019 either.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s extra sensitive, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 Likely he\u2019ll grow out of it, but if you ask me, a baby that hollers about wet diapers is just showin\u2019 good sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThen I think I have the most sensible baby there ever was.\u00a0 Ben teases me about bathing him every day, but my little boy likes to be clean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly bit her lip.\u00a0 A daily bath went beyond her ideas of what was best, but she didn\u2019t want to make the young mother feel more insecure than she obviously already did.\u00a0 \u201cWell, let\u2019s see what the menfolk think of our finery,\u201d she suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Bout time,\u201d Clyde Thomas grumbled as the bedroom door opened, but the complaint died on his lips when he caught the first glimpse of his wife.\u00a0 \u201cNelly, hon,\u201d he purred, \u201cyou look plumb gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, Ma!\u201d Billy exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cNever knew you was such a looker.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly blushed, but she was obviously pleased.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Marie\u2019s doin\u2019,\u201d she deprecated.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe done good work,\u201d Billy agreed, \u201cbut it ain\u2019t all her, Ma.\u00a0 Can\u2019t make a silk purse out of a sow\u2019s ear, you always said, so she must\u2019ve had somethin\u2019 pretty fine to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, go practice your flatterin\u2019 ways on that Martin gal,\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou gents ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThought I was,\u201d Clyde chuckled, \u201cbut maybe I ought to dude up some more if I\u2019m gonna be seen with the likes of you, Nelly gal.\u201d\u00a0 Clyde\u2019s worn tweed suit did look a little ragged next to his wife\u2019s polished appearance.<\/p>\n

Nelly hooked an arm through his elbow.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re duded up enough for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd altogether too duded up for fighting off those miners who are bound to throng your lady tonight,\u201d Ben teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest worry about your own duds,\u201d Clyde sniggered.\u00a0 \u201cThat gal on your arm ain\u2019t exactly hard on the eyes, Ben boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, do I have to go?\u201d Hoss pleaded again.\u00a0 Having no interest in dancing, he had offered to stay at the house and watch the baby.<\/p>\n

Five-year-old Inger Thomas, her strawberry blonde hair set off by her new red calico, answered before Ben could.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Course, you have to go, Hoss.\u00a0 You\u2019re my partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 As girls went, his mother\u2019s namesake was nice, but he felt clumsy as an ox when it came to dancing.<\/p>\n

Sharply dressed in his gray cutaway jacket and maroon satin vest, Ben offered Marie his arm.\u00a0 As they walked outside, Marie whispered, \u201cI hope we have made the right decision.\u00a0 What if the music makes Little Joe cry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it does, we\u2019ll ask Lucky Bill if we can\u2019t bed the boy down in a spare room,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather not leave them home alone, and Hoss can use a little work on the social graces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Ben, don\u2019t turn a dance into a lesson,\u201d Marie scolded gently.\u00a0 \u201cPoor Hoss thinks he has had little else this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben laughed as he handed her up to the seat of their buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cNo lessons tonight.\u00a0 We\u2019ll just dance our toes sore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strains of lively music greeted the party as they entered Lucky Bill\u2019s Hotel.\u00a0 Clyde took a firm grip on Nelly\u2019s elbow.\u00a0 \u201cI may not be able to hold you for long,\u201d he said, \u201cbut the first dance is mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly stroked his short auburn whiskers.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t hear me arguin\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 She willingly let herself be led to the dance floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to grab you while I have the chance,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cbut I see another fellow already has you tied down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled, knowing he meant the baby in her arms.\u00a0 \u201cTake the basket over by the others,\u201d she requested.\u00a0 \u201cI want Laura to see how our little one is growing before I put him down.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and carried the basket to the side of the room where two other babies lay snoozing.\u00a0 Ben sent a quick prayer heavenward that Little Joe would follow their cooperative example.<\/p>\n

Seeing no help for it, Hoss took Inger\u2019s small hand and headed for the dance floor.<\/p>\n

Billy spotted Sally Martin dancing with her father and made a beeline to cut in.\u00a0 Though, technically, Sally was Billy\u2019s date for the evening, his family owned only one multi-passenger vehicle.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t wanted the whole family along when he picked up Sally and she hadn\u2019t wanted to ride horseback in her new evening gown of violet silk, so the young couple had agreed to meet at the dance.<\/p>\n

Adam started after Billy, intending to challenge his friend\u2019s claim to the young beauty, when another pretty face caught his eye and he veered toward her, instead.\u00a0 \u201cThocmetony!\u201d he cried, grasping her bronze hand as soon as he reached her.\u00a0 \u201cWhat a surprise to see you here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of in my grandfather\u2019s karnee, you mean?\u201d the Paiute girl asked with a mischievous smile.\u00a0 \u201cI live here in Genoa now, with the Ormsbys.\u201d\u00a0 She turned toward the younger girl standing shyly at her side.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember my sister Elma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cElma?\u201d Adam asked, brow furrowing.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not the name I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thocmetony laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWe took Christian names while we were in California.\u00a0 Mine is Sarah, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Adam said with a smile, \u201cbut I still think your Indian name has a prettier meaning, Shellflower.\u201d\u00a0 Shellflower was the English equivalent for the pink desert flower after which the thirteen-year-old Paiute was named.<\/p>\n

Sarah\u2019s deep gold flesh darkened from the neck up.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I still think of you as Red Man, Adam,\u201d she said, \u201cbut perhaps it is time to put aside childish things.\u00a0 The Ormsbys prefer white women\u2019s names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd white women\u2019s dress I see,\u201d Adam added, noting the simple yellow gingham his friend wore.\u00a0 \u201cYou look real pretty in it, Sarah.\u00a0 Would you like to dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is new to me, but if you will be patient, I would like to learn,\u201d Sarah replied, taking the hand Adam offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, and you can tell me all about why you\u2019re living with the Ormsbys instead of your own folks,\u201d Adam said as he led her to the dance floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is simple,\u201d Sarah responded.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy father wishes us to have the white man\u2019s learning.\u00a0 We will go to Genoa school soon, but now Elma and I do housework and help serve the stage passengers to earn our board.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving his partner an energetic twirl, Adam nodded.\u00a0 He knew William Ormsby owned a local store, which also served as a stage stop for the Carson Valley Express.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be taking that stage before long,\u201d Adam offered, \u201cwhen I leave for school in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I will see you then, at least,\u201d Sarah said, flushed with the vigor of the dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe more,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll just\u201d\u2014\u2014a hand tapped him on the shoulder.\u00a0 Adam frowned as he glanced sideways and caught sight of Billy Thomas.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Adam demanded.\u00a0 \u201cThought you had a partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHard to keep around here,\u201d Billy shrugged, \u201cwith all these miners cuttin\u2019 in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re no miner,\u201d Adam grunted.<\/p>\n

Billy just grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNo, but I\u2019m cuttin\u2019 in, same as they done me.\u00a0 What\u2019s your name, pretty?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Indian girl smiled, pleased as any other to have two fellows vying for her attention.\u00a0 \u201cSarah,\u201d she said and took Billy\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

Across the room Laura Ellis was smiling into the face of Marie\u2019s baby.\u00a0 \u201cOoh, you pretty thing, you,\u201d she cooed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re just the prettiest baby boy I ever saw, yes you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe evidently appreciated the compliment, for he smiled cheerily, his little head bobbing as his bright eyes took in the new surroundings.<\/p>\n

Marie giggled.\u00a0 \u201cClyde says that most fathers have to keep a shotgun handy to protect their girls, but Ben will need one to drive away all the girls that will want to marry our beautiful Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura laughed.\u00a0 \u201cClyde\u2019s right.\u00a0 This one won\u2019t have to do much skirt-chasing; they\u2019ll chase him.\u00a0 But you\u2019ll probably be the one wielding the shotgun to hold them at bay!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>, I will,\u201d Marie began, but she was suddenly aware of a swarm of men swooping down on her.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t surprised.\u00a0 Even in populous New Orleans men had flocked around the Creole beauty, but here in CarsonValley, where anything in a skirt was a rare and cherished sight, the homeliest woman would be the recipient of more requests for a dance that she could possibly fill.\u00a0 The fact that Marie was, beyond argument, the loveliest woman in the room guaranteed she\u2019d be kept busier than most.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the man leading the pack as James Finney, Marie made a desperate search of the room for Ben, but he had his back to her, talking to Dr. Martin.\u00a0 Marie remembered with distaste the last dance she\u2019d shared with the man everyone called Old Virginny, after his home state.\u00a0 Not only had the miner tromped on her toes, his breath had reeked of alcohol.\u00a0 But Marie would have considered herself ill-mannered to turn him down.<\/p>\n

Just as Finney was stretching out his scrawny fingers to claim his prize, another lanky man stepped in front of him and, sweeping off his black stovepipe hat, announced loudly, \u201cHenry T. P. Comstock at your service, ma\u2019am.\u201d \u00a0Comstock didn\u2019t ask for a dance; he simply assumed it was his for the taking.\u00a0 He gripped Marie\u2019s elbow and guided her toward the dance floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, my baby,\u201d Marie protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see to him,\u201d Laura called, her lips twitching with amusement.<\/p>\n

Irritated, but not despairing, Old Virginny and the scruffy miners behind him turned hopeful eyes on Laura, who merely laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m in charge of the refreshment table tonight, gents; I\u2019m too busy right now to dance, but maybe later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, for sure,\u201d called a not unhandsome miner in his middle twenties, who was far to the rear of the pack.<\/p>\n

Laura smiled at the likeable young man who, like Finney, had come west as a teamster for John Reese in 1851 and stayed to mine the nearby canyons.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Sandy; I\u2019ll save my first dance for you.\u201d\u00a0 Sandy Bowers might be a little rough around the edges, but he was good-natured and open-hearted.\u00a0 Laura figured she\u2019d enjoy dancing with him far more than her friend was likely to be enjoying her turn around the floor with pompous Henry T. P. Comstock.<\/p>\n

Finishing his conversation with Paul Martin, Ben searched the room for Marie.\u00a0 He spotted her and groaned audibly.\u00a0 \u201cI should know better,\u201d he explained to the doctor.\u00a0 \u201cI should know better than to expect a dance with my own wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine she\u2019d welcome your cutting in,\u201d Martin chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOld Pancake\u2019s dance technique is a mite vigorous for most ladies\u2019 taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at the miner\u2019s nickname.\u00a0 Though Comstock had only been in the territory about a year, his reputation for laziness had earned him the moniker of Pancake because he rarely went to the trouble of making sourdough bread, choosing to drop the batter on a hot griddle instead.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right; it would be an act of charity,\u201d Ben said, the smile on his lips belying the solemnity of his tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharity,\u201d Martin scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cOn that note, I believe I\u2019ll adjourn to the punch bowl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf James Finney hasn\u2019t drunk it dry,\u201d Ben commented saucily.<\/p>\n

Ben claimed his wife for a dance, but couldn\u2019t for long hold off the eager horde seeking the same privilege.\u00a0 Throughout the evening partners changed regularly as lonely men satisfied their craving for female company.\u00a0 Even Hoss lost his partner, to a gray-whiskered miner, but he didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 The boy navigated a straight course to the refreshment table, where Mrs. Ellis obligingly filled his plate full of sandwiches and cookies.\u00a0 Hoss plunked himself on the floor behind the table next to three-year-old Jimmy Ellis and settled down to enjoy his favorite part of any social gathering.<\/p>\n

Ben counted himself lucky to have danced with every woman, young and old, at the dance, so whenever he lost his latest partner to another eager-faced gentleman, he contented himself with roaming the room in search of a neighbor with whom he hadn\u2019t chatted in a while.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help noticing, however, that many conversations seemed to break off abruptly when he approached.\u00a0 The occasional snatches he caught were disturbing, for their tone was almost belligerent.\u00a0 \u201cI stand with Brigham,\u201d one of Ben\u2019s closest neighbors, Alec Cowan, hissed to another Mormon.\u00a0 \u201cIf the United States thinks it can\u201d\u2014\u2014in response to the other man\u2019s curt nod, Cowan broke off and pasted a thin smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Warm for July, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJuly\u2019s always warm here,\u201d Ben replied lightly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve lived here long enough to know that.\u201d\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t much else to say about the weather, though, and Cowan seemed disinclined to discuss anything more serious, at least until Ben wandered off toward the refreshment table.\u00a0 As he left, a quick glance over his shoulder told Ben the heads of his Mormon neighbors were once again bent in earnest grappling of some problem that evidently wasn\u2019t considered the business of any gentile in the territory.<\/p>\n

Hating to feel shut out by his neighbors, Ben nonetheless shook off his irritation.\u00a0 Tonight was a celebration in honor of the birth of their nation and a rare opportunity to come together for fun and frolic.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t intend to spoil it by worrying over how other folks acted.\u00a0 Passing the three baskets of babies, Ben peered into the one nearest the refreshment table, hoping to see a slumbering son, but Little Joe was wide awake, face smiling, arms and legs kicking.\u00a0 To Ben\u2019s imagination, it seemed as if the tiny boy were keeping time to the music, almost dancing in his basket.\u00a0 \u201cLike parties, do you, Little Joe?\u201d Ben asked gently.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Pa\u2019s glad to see that\u2014\u2014mighty glad to see that.\u201d\u00a0 He let the baby waggle his finger for a moment, then headed for a glass of punch.\u00a0 He was thirsty.<\/p>\n

As he stepped toward Laura Ellis, however, he once again had the unpleasant experience of seeing a conversation broken off the moment he came within hearing distance.\u00a0 The two blond-haired, blue-eyed Grosch brothers had been talking animatedly with Mrs. Ellis, but, spotting Ben, they stopped, and though they greeted him amiably enough, they soon wandered away in search of dance partners.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is going on?\u201d Ben all but exploded to Laura.\u00a0 He\u2019d gathered that the Mormons were talking about Brigham Young\u2019s growing controversy with the new President, but though that couldn\u2019t possibly concern the Grosches, sons of a Universalist minister, the two brothers were acting equally secretive.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you know miners,\u201d Laura laughed nonchalantly, \u201calways chattering about some big strike they hope to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 Perhaps that\u2019s all it was in the case of the Grosch brothers, but Laura\u2019s answer seemed just a bit evasive.\u00a0 Then he shook his head.\u00a0 No sense imagining slights where none were intended.\u00a0 \u201cThat middle boy of mine left anything for his famished father?\u201d Ben joked.<\/p>\n

From behind the table Hoss looked up and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good, Pa; better get some while you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed loudly.\u00a0 \u201cSound advice, if ever I heard it.\u00a0 Fix me a plateful, would you, Laura?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d she said smoothly and began to cover a plate with sliced meat and cheese, sandwiches and cookies.<\/p>\n

In the wee hours of the morning, Ben lifted the basket containing his, at last, sleeping son and herded his family toward the door.\u00a0 They paused to express their appreciation to their host, Bill Thorrington.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad you could come, folks,\u201d the powerful man with the handsome face and convivial manner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a real pleasure,\u201d Ben replied earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cLike to stay longer, but these youngsters are getting drowsy and we still have a long ride ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got vacant rooms, if you care to spend the night,\u201d Lucky Bill suggested with a cheerful grin.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, but I favor my own bed.\u201d\u00a0 He loaded his family into the buckboard, Marie on the seat beside him and the two older boys in back with the baby between them.\u00a0 \u201cDid you have a nice time?\u201d he asked his wife.<\/p>\n

Marie snuggled close.\u00a0 \u201cEspecially when I was dancing with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t happen often enough for my taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

They rode in silence for a while.\u00a0 Then Hoss asked, \u201cPa, what\u2019s a monster vein?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019d you hear that, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThem Grosch boys,\u201d Hoss yawned.\u00a0 \u201cThey was sayin\u2019 somethin\u2019 about findin\u2019 a monster vein.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI imagine they were just dreaming of a big gold strike, son.\u00a0 Not too likely around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomebody\u2019s gonna give \u2018em six hundred dollars,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cThey told Jimmy\u2019s ma\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, it is not polite to eavesdrop,\u201d Marie chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t aimin\u2019 to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you weren\u2019t,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve been eavesdropping all night, too.\u00a0 Something\u2019s going on among our Mormon friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt troubles you?\u201d Marie asked, for she\u2019d heard an edge to his voice.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know enough to be troubled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard some folks talking about leaving the valley,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I hope not,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cThere are so few of us now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cFew?\u00a0 Why, there\u2019re more than five hundred people settled this side of the Sierras, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 The territory\u2019s growing by leaps and bounds!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie tittered softly, knowing she was being teased about her cosmopolitan upbringing in New Orleans, so different from life in sparsely settled western Utah.\u00a0 \u201cYes, it feels very crowded.\u00a0 Perhaps it would be well if some left.\u201d<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t serious, of course, but her words proved prophetic.\u00a0 Within two weeks sixty-four of the Cartwrights\u2019 Mormon neighbors had departed for Salt Lake City.\u00a0 Ben could only surmise that the Mormons felt threatened by President Buchanan\u2019s desire to install a secular governor in place of Brigham Young, who had held tight rein over the territory for the last decade, and had left to close ranks against the intrusion of the United States in the affairs of the Saints.<\/p>\n

The repercussions of that exodus by far exceeded the small drop in population.\u00a0 The Utah legislature soon rescinded the creation of CarsonCounty, attaching it to Great Salt LakeCounty for elective, revenue and judicial purposes and demanded that all records of probate and county courts be sent to Salt Lake City.\u00a0 Ben, along with everyone else remaining in western Utah, was infuriated by the transfer.\u00a0 Salt Lake City was, as always, too far away to provide effective government, and now the former CarsonCounty wouldn\u2019t even have a representative to voice their concerns.\u00a0 They were back to the situation that had existed when the first squatter government was set up, and once again the cry to separate from the territory of Utah rang through the hills and valleys along the eastern Sierras.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWO<\/p>\n

Unexpected Reunion<\/h1>\n

Sighing, Marie handed the slate covered with figures back to Hoss, who was sitting cross-legged on the carpet before the fireplace.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Hoss.\u00a0 Five plus three is not nine.\u00a0 And two plus four is not five.\u00a0 Try again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss groaned.\u00a0 He was tired of sums.\u00a0 He cast an imploring glance at the cradle near him.\u00a0 If Little Joe would just wake up, his mother would have to stop his lessons long enough to care for the baby.\u00a0 But Little Joe showed no signs of providing the relief his older brother craved more than cookies, heretofore the first love of his life.\u00a0 Hoss stared at the printed problems and, hiding his fingers beneath the coffee table, began tediously to count out the answers.<\/p>\n

A rap at the door made the boy\u2019s head jerk up and drove the total he\u2019d just calculated from his mind.\u00a0 Marie frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWhoever it is does not concern you, Hoss.\u00a0 Do your sums.\u201d\u00a0 Supporting his weary brain on a crooked elbow, Hoss slumped over his slate once more.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing answered the door and waited for the tall, well-muscled stranger to announce himself.\u00a0 \u201cIs this the Cartwright place?\u201d the man asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPondelosa,\u201d Hop Sing replied with an air that indicated everyone should recognize the name of the Cartwright\u2019s ranch.<\/p>\n

The man swept an unruly lock of brown hair from his sun-bronzed face.\u00a0 \u201cYes, but what I need to know\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Marie came to his rescue.\u00a0 \u201cI am Mrs. Cartwright,\u201d she said pleasantly as she walked toward the door.<\/p>\n

The stranger\u2019s gray eyes clouded with bewilderment.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Cartwright?\u201d he stammered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m sorry, ma\u2019am, but it was Ben Cartwright\u2019s place I was looking for.\u00a0 I thought this place matched the directions I was given.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s golden head tilted.\u00a0 \u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d she replied.\u00a0 \u201cI am Mrs. Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 My husband is not here now, but should return shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Ben Cartwright,\u201d the man mumbled, shaking his head as if trying to absorb words that made no sense.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s married again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed softly.\u00a0 \u201cAh, I see.\u00a0 It has been some time since you saw my husband?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSix years, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you could not know,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cWe have been married just over a year now.\u00a0 Please come in, Monsieur<\/em>\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn,\u201d the man replied as he entered and walked toward the furniture grouped before the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, Monsieur<\/em> Jean,\u201d Marie repeated.\u00a0 \u201cYou are an old friend of Ben\u2019s?\u00a0 From California, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

An impish smile lifted one corner of John\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben and I go back a lot further than that,\u201d he commented as he sat in the blue armchair near the cradle.\u00a0 He stared in amazement at the sleeping baby.\u00a0 \u201cBen and I were boys\u2014\u2014and, I hope, friends\u2014\u2014together back in New Bedford.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie clasped her hands in delight.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben will be so pleased to see you, I know\u2014\u2014and you will, of course, stay with us.\u00a0 We have plenty of rooms, though not all are furnished yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

John\u2019s eyes scanned the large room, taking in the stairs to the second story.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I can see how it might take time to furnish this much house.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s doing well, I take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie thought that question a bit presumptious, even for a boyhood friend, but she nodded politely.\u00a0 She laid a slender hand on Hoss\u2019s head.\u00a0 \u201cSix years ago, you said.\u00a0 Did you meet this boy then?\u201d<\/p>\n

John laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWe met, but he was a good deal smaller then, eh, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t \u2018member you, mister,\u201d Hoss said with a grin, tickled that the man knew his name without being told.<\/p>\n

John gestured toward the cradle.\u00a0 \u201cYour boy, ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Ben\u2019s, of course.\u00a0 We call him Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger\u2019s head rose abruptly.\u00a0 Then he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cA fine name,\u201d he said softly, as if it had special meaning for him.<\/p>\n

Just as Marie sent Hoss to the kitchen to request Hop Sing to serve coffee and cookies for their guest, the youngest Cartwright woke, crying, as usual, to have his diaper changed and his stomach fed.\u00a0 Marie excused herself and took the baby upstairs to clean and nurse him.\u00a0 In the meantime Hoss happily munched cookies with John and bemoaned his sad fate of doing lessons all summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, matey, but how will you learn to navigate without knowing your numbers?\u201d John asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou a sailor?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cMy Pa was, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, most New Bedford boys dream of going to sea the way youngsters out here dream of herding cattle or panning for nuggets,\u201d John laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas you on the same boat as Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, never that,\u201d the man chuckled.<\/p>\n

Little Joe rode downstairs in his mother\u2019s arms, head almost erect, not bobbing nearly as much as it had at the dance earlier in the month.\u00a0 When they reached the first floor, John stood.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think I might hold the lad?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Marie, always overprotective when it came to her precious Joseph Fran\u00e7ois, immediately felt nervous.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to relinquish her boy to a total stranger, but John\u2019s arms were outstretched and he was, after all, a guest and an old friend of Ben\u2019s.\u00a0 With a gracious smile that belied her true feelings, Marie let him take Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Far from sharing her qualms, Little Joe chortled contentedly as the man bounced him playfully.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get along fine, won\u2019t we, wee Joseph?\u201d John chuckled.<\/p>\n

Hoss snickered.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019s what we call him, mister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuits him,\u201d John said, \u201clike your name does you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside, Ben and Adam had just arrived home from their day\u2019s work.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like the Thomases are here,\u201d Adam commented, seeing the wagon and horses in the yard.\u00a0 \u201cI thought they weren\u2019t coming until tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the way I heard it,\u201d Ben mused.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s birthday had been the day before, but the picnic at Lake Tahoe had been planned for Sunday.\u00a0 The Thomases were to spend the night Saturday so they could get an early start the next day.\u00a0 Yet here their wagon sat a day earlier than expected.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s puzzled brow drew into still greater furrows when he glanced inside that wagon.\u00a0 The wooden crate aroused no questions.\u00a0 Probably something Nelly was bringing for the meal, but a seaman\u2019s bag?\u00a0 Where had they even found one in this land-locked territory?<\/p>\n

Ben sauntered toward the house, running his fingers through dark brown hair, sprinkled here and there with a few gray hairs.\u00a0 He opened the front door and walked in, expecting to see Clyde and Nelly.\u00a0 His mouth dropped in total shock, however, when he saw the man holding his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cJohn!\u201d he shouted joyfully and rushed to embrace him, baby and all.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle John!\u201d Adam, walking in behind Ben, cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle John?\u201d Marie asked, totally perplexed.\u00a0 \u201cBut\u2014but you said you and Ben were friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

John chuckled, mischief glinting in his gray eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI said I hoped we were.\u00a0 We are friends, aren\u2019t we, little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie dropped onto the sofa, overcome.\u00a0 \u201cYour brother?\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThat John?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMy brother,\u201d he responded, \u201cand I see I\u2019ll have to take him to task for playing such a trick on my bride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake me to task!\u201d John snorted.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about the trick you played me, keeping both a new wife and son a secret?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSecret?\u00a0 No,\u201d Ben protested, \u201cI wrote you\u2014\u2014about Marie, at least.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been a bit slack in writing about Little Joe, I confess, but I promise I wrote about my marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

John shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI never got it.\u00a0 Likely, the letter\u2019s lost at sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt happens,\u201d Ben admitted, then gave his brother a chagrinned smile.\u00a0 \u201cLet me introduce my wife Marie, then, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

John chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve met.\u201d\u00a0 He bounced the baby on his arm and Little Joe responded with an excited gasp.\u00a0 \u201cHer and our father\u2019s namesake.\u00a0 I always hoped to name a boy Joseph, but you\u2019ve beat me to that, as you did other things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasier to name boys if you stay home long enough to have them,\u201d Ben observed, a trifle self-righteously, it seemed to John.<\/p>\n

John arched an eyebrow in a gesture so reminiscent of Ben\u2019s characteristic one that their resemblance became pronounced.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t start that,\u201d the older brother warned.\u00a0 \u201cI came near disowning you after you sent a certain letter correcting me for my vagabond ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss edged close and stared into John\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYou really my uncle?\u201d<\/p>\n

John ruffled the boy\u2019s straight sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cAye, lad, your wayward uncle finally on his way home.\u201d\u00a0 He looked back to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThe letter angered me, Ben, but I finally saw the wisdom of your words.\u00a0 I have been too long away from my wife and my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going overland?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.\u00a0 It was late in the season for such a journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ll go back to San Francisco, then by way of the isthmus,\u201d John said, \u201cbut I wanted to see you once more before I left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou picked the best time,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cYou gotta come to Tahoe with us day after tomorrow, Uncle John.\u00a0 It\u2019s the purtiest place there is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t think of missing it, lad,\u201d John smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I\u2019ve brought along a contribution for the outing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave a knowing grin.\u00a0 \u201cI bet that\u2019s what\u2019s in that crate outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

John uttered a loud laugh.\u00a0 \u201cAlways was hard to hide anything from your sharp eyes, Adam.\u00a0 Come along, then and help me carry my things inside.\u201d\u00a0 He offered Marie a repentant smile.\u00a0 \u201cThat is, sister, if I\u2019m still invited to stay after the trick I played.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are most welcome,\u201d Marie said, \u201cbut, please, no more tricks.\u201d<\/p>\n

John nodded and raised his right hand.\u00a0 \u201cUpon my word, no tricks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben threw an arm around his brother\u2019s broad shoulders, broader even than his own.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get your gear in, matey, and unhitch that team.\u00a0 I notice you stopped by the Thomases first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow else was I to get directions?\u201d John demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, but we\u2019ll need to get the rig back to them tomorrow, for they\u2019re coming on that picnic, too,\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

As they walked outside, John shook his head, perturbed.\u00a0 \u201cThey didn\u2019t tell me that when they insisted I take the team, and after carrying that load from the stage depot to their place, I was more than eager to accept the kind offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fetch them,\u201d Adam offered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do for my favorite uncle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep butterin\u2019 me up, lad, and I just might find a special keepsake for you in that bag of mine,\u201d John laughed.<\/p>\n

Trotting behind them, Hoss nibbled his lower lip, hoping Uncle John would find something for him in that bag, as well.<\/p>\n

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

The picnickers set off early Sunday morning, August 2nd, as soon as they\u2019d finished the mammoth breakfast Hop Sing served.\u00a0 Ben and John rode on the seat of the buckboard, wanting to spend as much time together as possible, since John planned to leave the next day.\u00a0 Clyde perched directly behind them on a box of food for the picnic.\u00a0 The ladies sat gossiping at the back of the buckboard with Inger and Hoss near them, taking turns holding Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Hoss was put out by the bigger boys\u2019 insistence that they wanted to ride alone, but he consoled himself with the thought that Little Joe was better company anyway.\u00a0 He, at least, never pushed his big brother away and always seemed glad to see him.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s dog Klamath trotted along beside them, yipping in happy expectation of exceptional table scraps.\u00a0 Klamath had been on picnics before and recognized the signs of good things to come.<\/p>\n

Billy and Adam were riding behind the wagon, close enough for everyone in the buckboard to hear Adam\u2019s recital of how brave Uncle John had fought against pirates while he\u2019d been at sea and had given Adam the cutlass taken from one of the blackguards.\u00a0 Ben smiled, as he had when John regaled the boys with his exploits on Friday night.\u00a0 Having sailed himself, he suspected more than half of the story had substance only in John\u2019s imagination, but he didn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n

After everyone was in bed Marie had whispered that she thought the tale too stimulating for small boys so near bedtime and the gift too dangerous.\u00a0 Ben had made light of her worries.\u00a0 \u201cAll boys enjoy tales of adventure,\u201d he\u2019d argued, \u201cand you know Adam will be responsible with that cutlass.\u00a0 He won\u2019t be out playing pirates with it at his age, and it\u2019ll spark a lot of interest hanging on his wall at the boardinghouse in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Marie had conceded, \u201cbut I am glad John\u2019s gift to Hoss was better suited to a little boy.\u201d\u00a0 John had brought Hoss a lacquered Chinese chariot, complete with a driver in a square hat and two red-plumed horses guided by matching reins of silken cord, a gift which seemed to excite Hop Sing as much as Hoss.\u00a0 Evidently, the toy reminded the Cantonese of one he\u2019d had when he was a boy in KwangtungProvince.<\/p>\n

John\u2019s other gift, the crate of juicy California oranges had pleased everyone.\u00a0 The Cartwright boys had more opportunities to enjoy citrus fruit than youngsters back east, who were lucky to find an orange in their Christmas stocking, but they had the fruit rarely enough to think it a treat.\u00a0 Hoss had wanted to feed one to Little Joe, but had finally agreed the baby would probably choke on the pulp.\u00a0 Hop Sing helped him squeeze out enough juice to give the baby a few spoonfuls.\u00a0 The tiny mouth had puckered piteously, but Little Joe hadn\u2019t cried, so Hoss insisted his little brother really liked oranges and was glad Uncle John had brought a whole crate.\u00a0 The remark had brought a chorus of laughter, for everyone knew who was most glad of the oranges\u2014\u2014or anything else that appeared on the table.<\/p>\n

Some of the oranges were in the buckboard now, to be eaten by the shore of Lake Tahoe, along with fried chicken, bread-and-butter pickles, beef and cheese sandwiches and assorted pies, cakes and cookies.\u00a0 Far more food than any of them should eat, Ben mused, but the boys, especially, tended to grow ravenous on the extra exercise of swimming, fishing, and running among the trees.\u00a0 Klamath would be lucky if he got the scraps he craved.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou headed for Zephyr Cove, Ben?\u201d Clyde asked when Ben made a slight turn to the south as they neared the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest place I\u2019ve found so far,\u201d Ben commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s a fine one,\u201d Clyde agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cZephyr Cove?\u201d John asked, lips curving gently upward.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve taken to naming your new world, eh, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben jerked John\u2019s hat down over his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cActually, Adam\u2019s the one who came up with that name,\u201d he chuckled, \u201cand just wait \u2018til you get a feel of that zephyr that comes across from the opposite bay this afternoon.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked over his shoulder to wink at Clyde.\u00a0 As both of them knew, that afternoon wind was too strong for anyone but a vocabulary-crazed boy to call a zephyr.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled the wagon to a halt near the shore of a crescent-shaped inlet, well sheltered by tall Jeffrey, ponderosa and sugar pines.\u00a0 He reached up to clap John\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWell, brother, what do you think of our picnic site?\u201d<\/p>\n

John said nothing at first.\u00a0 He vaulted over the side of the buckboard and walked to the water\u2019s edge, Ben ambling along behind him.\u00a0 Staring at the incredibly clear water, its depth making the lake so blue the sky above seemed pale and washed out by comparison, the older Cartwright heaved a sigh of contentment.\u00a0 \u201cNo wonder you don\u2019t miss the sea, little brother, with this in your backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fragrance is different, but it gives me the same feel as the sea,\u201d Ben admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ever sail her?\u201d John asked with a sudden sharp look at his brother.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could build one, couldn\u2019t we, Pa?\u201d Adam queried.\u00a0 He had just swung down from his horse and trotted over to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam!\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cNo time for that with you off to school in three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNext summer then,\u201d Adam suggested, and in his own mind it was a commitment.\u00a0 \u201cThink what fishing we could do from out in the middle, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exploring,\u201d John chuckled.\u00a0 He knew his inquisitive nephew.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, then shrugged and returned to his original reason for rushing up to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cCan we swim before lunch?\u201d he begged.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, that sounds fine!\u201d John declared.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t mind a dip myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWater\u2019s pretty cold,\u201d Ben informed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpoken like a true landlubber,\u201d John jibed.<\/p>\n

Ben threw a light punch into his brother\u2019s ribs.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll see who cries \u2018uncle\u2019 first, Uncle<\/em> John!\u201d\u00a0 He looked over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, we\u2019re gonna take a swim.\u00a0 Need anything before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the food box,\u201d Nelly called, \u201cbut Clyde can get it.\u201d\u00a0 In answer to Clyde\u2019s frown, she said, \u201cWell, someone\u2019s got to watch the young ones.\u00a0 You know Hoss won\u2019t want in that cold water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr any other deeper or colder than a bathtub,\u201d Inger snickered.\u00a0 Hoss gave the little girl, whom he usually counted a friend, a hard glare.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind your manners, young lady!\u201d Nelly ordered brusquely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d Inger said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cCould we pick berries, Ma?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter lunch,\u201d Nelly replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou and Hoss watch Little Joe while Marie and me set out the food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat what I\u2019m supposed to do?\u201d Clyde grumbled, setting the food box at his wife\u2019s feet.\u00a0 \u201cWatch them watch the baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, go on with you!\u201d Nelly capitulated.\u00a0 She faced Marie, arms akimbo.\u00a0 \u201cHonestly, men ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 but babies grown big.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t see anything wrong with the menfolk carrying on like boys on a summer holiday.\u00a0 Ben worked so hard most days, she couldn\u2019t begrudge him a little fun, even if her day so far resembled work more than play.<\/p>\n

Ben and John swam side by side, each taking strong strokes through the sapphire ripples.\u00a0 They easily outdistanced both the two boys and latecomer Clyde Thomas.\u00a0 Finally tired, they turned to float on their backs.\u00a0 \u201cHow far across is it?\u201d John asked, hands sculling lightly at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, ten, twelve miles,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cAll the way to California.\u201d<\/p>\n

John turned his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s California, is it?\u00a0 I never heard of a Lake Tahoe in California, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey call it LakeBigler over there,\u201d Ben laughed, \u201cbut I prefer the Washo name.\u00a0 I think it means \u2018big water in high place.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny of them around?\u201d John queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight be,\u201d Ben conceded, \u201cbut it\u2019s nothing to worry about.\u00a0 I get on with my neighbors, brother, red and white.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re happy here, aren\u2019t you, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t be happier,\u201d Ben replied dreamily.\u00a0 \u201cWhat more could any man want than a loving family and land so grand it draws his heart to God?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d John said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cTime I remembered that, I guess.\u00a0 The loving family, at least, I have, if they haven\u2019t disowned me by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Ben assured him.\u00a0 \u201cEvery letter I get from Martha speaks of how she yearns to have you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t know that boy of mine,\u201d John said edgily.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I see how Adam\u2019s grown, I realize the years I\u2019ve missed with Will.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s cousin was a year older than Adam, so John could gage his own boy\u2019s growth fairly accurately by observing his nephew\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t respond.\u00a0 The thing he\u2019d most criticized in his brother was his separation from his family.\u00a0 It was outright neglect in Ben\u2019s eyes, but there was no need to chide John now when he\u2019d plainly seen his own error.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better head back,\u201d John stated.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re getting pretty far from the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben agreed, but made no move to turn from his back.\u00a0 \u201cJohn, do you think there\u2019s any chance of your bringing your family out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019d like that,\u201d John sighed, \u201cbut I doubt Martha would hear of it.\u00a0 Not a pioneering bone in her body, I fear, but I\u2019ll ask, Ben.\u00a0 I think I could be content in a land like this, more than on that Ohio rock pile we call a farm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s good land here for the asking,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWe lost more than threescore neighbors last month, so you could pick up a place, improvements and all, for little or nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask, Ben,\u201d John repeated, \u201cbut don\u2019t hold your breath.\u00a0 After what I\u2019ve put her through, Martha deserves the last say, and I\u2019m afraid it won\u2019t be to your liking\u2014\u2014or mine.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to his stomach.\u00a0 \u201cBeat you back to shore,\u201d he challenged and began to pull away with smooth strokes.<\/p>\n

Ben turned quickly and swam after his brother.\u00a0 John, of course, had a slight head start, but Ben suspected his brother would have won the race anyway.\u00a0 John, half a head taller, had arms and legs to match and had always been a step ahead of his younger brother in any competition they\u2019d ever waged.\u00a0 The other three swimmers soon followed the Cartwright brothers to shore.<\/p>\n

The picnic cloth was spread, so everyone gathered around it, appetites whetted by vigorous exercise and brisk mountain air.\u00a0 John finally flopped back with a groan.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t had a feed like that in years,\u201d he declared.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you avoid growing fat enough to butcher, Ben, with such as this in your feed trough?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI work it off, brother,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, farming\u2019s hard work,\u201d John grunted, obviously dreading his return to it.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWe call it ranching out here, Uncle John.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u00a0 Do not feed that chicken leg to your baby brother!\u201d Marie said sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just playin\u2019 with it,\u201d Hoss mumbled.\u00a0 He\u2019d been dangling the chicken just out of Little Joe\u2019s reach and watching the tiny fingers stretch for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cFood is to eat, not to play with,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be teaching your brother bad habits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss muttered and put the chicken leg to better use between his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ladies goin\u2019 berry pickin\u2019?\u201d Clyde asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure are,\u201d Nelly replied.\u00a0 \u201cMay go up to one of the higher meadows and see if them Washos left us any strawberries.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou clear out if you see injuns!\u201d\u00a0 Clyde ordered tautly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, they are peaceable,\u201d Marie argued.\u00a0 A year before she\u2019d been terrified at her first sight of a \u201cwild\u201d Washo, but she\u2019d lost much of her earlier fear of the tribe of gatherers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight not be if you pilfer their food supply,\u201d Ben cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t dispute them over a few berries, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI cannot go, anyway.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t pick many berries with Little Joe on my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see to him,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMight teach him how to bait a hook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone laughed at the idea of Little Joe\u2019s holding a fishing pole in his diminutive hands.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be expectin\u2019 a fine mess of trout to fry up for supper,\u201d Nelly challenged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, and a brimming pail of strawberries to nibble for dessert,\u201d Ben threw back at her.<\/p>\n

The party split along gender lines, the ladies taking Inger with them to pick strawberries and the male contingent electing to angle for trout.\u00a0 Marie had nursed Little Joe before she left, so the baby was sleeping contentedly on a pallet in the shade of one of the Ponderosa\u2019s namesake pines.\u00a0 The men and boys enjoyed a couple of hours uninterrupted fishing and had collected a good supply for supper when Little Joe woke and threatened to drive away every fish within sound of his earnest cries for attention.<\/p>\n

Ben was pulling in a steel-blue silver trout, large enough to put up quite a fight, so he hollered to Adam, \u201cSee to him, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 He\u2019d had his fill of changing diapers when Hoss was a baby and never volunteered for the chore, but with nothing on his hook, he had no good reason to refuse.\u00a0 He elbowed Billy\u2019s ribs.\u00a0 \u201cCome on; give me a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy scowled, but came along.\u00a0 One sniff told both boys a dirty diaper was, as they\u2019d feared, the source of Little Joe\u2019s discomfort.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t never changed a smelly diaper in my life, and I ain\u2019t startin\u2019 now,\u201d Billy stated flatly.<\/p>\n

Adam gave his friend a hard look.\u00a0 \u201cNo one\u2019s asking you to, yellow belly.\u00a0 You want to hold this little stinker or fetch the diaper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fetch,\u201d Billy said quickly, holding his freckled nose between his thumb and index finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cFigures,\u201d Adam snorted, picking up the squalling baby.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, nuisance,\u201d he grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you cleaned up.\u201d\u00a0 He followed Billy back to the wagon, holding the baby while Billy scrounged through the wagon in search of the basket that held the baby\u2019s things.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I got an idea,\u201d Adam called as Billy returned with the diaper.\u00a0 \u201cTake him a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s nose crinkled, but he took Little Joe and held the bellowing baby at arm\u2019s length.<\/p>\n

Laughing at Billy\u2019s expression, Adam started to shed his shirt and trousers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you doin\u2019?\u201d Billy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI figure the easiest place to clean him up is out there,\u201d Adam replied, jerking his dark head toward the sapphire lake, \u201cand I could use another swim.\u201d\u00a0 Stripped to his underwear, he took Little Joe, pulled off his soiled diaper and started toward the water.\u00a0 \u201cYou comin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I reckon I had my fill of fishin\u2019,\u201d Billy said, pulling off his own outer clothing and trotting after Adam.<\/p>\n

When his naked buttocks hit the chilly water, Little Joe uttered a loud shriek of protest, his small legs kicking furiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, none of that,\u201d Adam scolded softly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not putting up with another little brother that\u2019s scared of water.\u201d\u00a0 He bounced the baby gently and Little Joe slowly settled down.\u00a0 \u201cThere, see,\u201d Adam soothed.\u00a0 \u201cJust like a big bathtub, and you know you like baths.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy reached out to tickle the baby under his chin.\u00a0 Little Joe grinned and began to spat the water with his tiny palm.\u00a0 \u201cHe likes it,\u201d Billy cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, he\u2019s got good sense,\u201d Adam replied loftily.\u00a0 Supporting Little Joe firmly with one arm, he used the other hand to wash the baby\u2019s bottom.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go out deeper,\u201d Billy suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but not too far,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better not get in over my head with this little squirmer to keep hold of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy had no similar constraint, of course, but loyalty kept him close.\u00a0 Adam finally laid Little Joe on his chest and lay back to float.\u00a0 Billy, assuming a similar position, sighed contentedly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, this here\u2019s the life.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe babbled in apparent agreement.<\/p>\n

A sudden shriek of terror ripped the air.\u00a0 Back amid the rocks where they\u2019d been fishing, Ben leaped to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Marie,\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cInjuns!\u201d Clyde yelled.\u00a0 \u201cI knew we shouldn\u2019t\u2019ve let the womenfolk go off alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

The two husbands took off with John and Hoss right behind them.\u00a0 They clattered down the rugged slope to their picnic area and found Marie screaming hysterically at the water\u2019s edge.\u00a0 Ben enfolded her in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie couldn\u2019t speak.\u00a0 Sobbing uncontrollably, she pointed out toward the lake.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s anxious gaze followed her finger.\u00a0 Then he coughed with relief.\u00a0 \u201cOh, sweetheart, he\u2019s all right,\u201d he soothed, holding her with one arm and waving Adam in with the other.<\/p>\n

The gesture was unnecessary.\u00a0 Adam had begun moving shoreward at Marie\u2019s first shriek.\u00a0 Soon he and Billy were wading out of the water.\u00a0 Little Joe started to cry, his fingers fluttering back toward the lake.\u00a0 He liked his new playground and didn\u2019t appreciate being deprived of it.<\/p>\n

Marie snatched Little Joe from Adam\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you horrible boy!\u201d she fumed.\u00a0 \u201cHow could you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, Marie,\u201d Ben chided softly.\u00a0 \u201cNo harm done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo harm!\u201d Marie sputtered, her emerald eyes glinting.\u00a0 \u201cHow can you say \u2018no harm\u2019 when the water\u2019s icy, and just feel that wind!\u201d\u00a0 From the glimmering green bay on the California shore a stiff gust, Adam\u2019s so-called zephyr, had begun to blow.<\/p>\n

While Marie cradled her shivering, shrieking infant, she rounded on Adam once again.\u00a0 \u201cSee how you\u2019ve upset this baby!\u201d she spewed hotly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Adam yelled, his own temper erupting.\u00a0 \u201cHe was just fine \u2018til you made him come out!\u201d<\/p>\n

Still perturbed, Marie stalked away and with Nelly\u2019s help, dried and dressed the baby once again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the joys of family life,\u201d John chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll not be in such a hurry to go home after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes narrowed, but he smiled when he saw he was being teased.\u00a0 \u201cRemember, brother,\u201d he said saucily, \u201cladies are made of both sugar and spice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a little of either goes a long way,\u201d Clyde cackled.<\/p>\n

Ben gave his friend a push as punishment for his sass.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, can you go back and bring all those fish we caught?\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about time to fry \u2018em up, don\u2019t you reckon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon,\u201d Ben responded with a wink at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon Marie needs something to fry besides your gizzard,\u201d he sniggered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean any harm,\u201d Adam alleged, hanging on, as usual, to his offense, \u201cand I don\u2019t think it did him any.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put an affectionate arm around his oldest son.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think so, either.\u00a0 All things considered, I\u2019d just as soon this boy had an early introduction to the water.\u00a0 Less likely to turn out like his other brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts exactly,\u201d Adam said with a determined nod.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve sired a cowardly landlubber,\u201d John accused gruffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid so,\u201d Ben admitted, obvious embarrassment in his tone.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve tried to be patient with Hoss, but he\u2019s terrified in anything over his waist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToss him in; let him sink or swim,\u201d John instructed loftily.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cI remember how that method felt, big brother.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve forgiven you yet for throwing me in the drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t\u2019ve let you drown,\u201d John protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that now,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut I\u2019ll never forget those first few moments of absolute terror.\u00a0 I won\u2019t do that to a boy of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter a moment of fear than a lifetime of it,\u201d John sputtered defensively.<\/p>\n

Seeing Ben bristle, Clyde started to laugh.\u00a0 \u201cLike the man said,\u201d he cackled.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019 like the joys of family life!\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly realizing the ridiculous spectacle they\u2019d been presenting, Ben and John started to laugh, too.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, little brother,\u201d John said.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see if you remember how I taught you to clean fish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHad more experience lately than you, I\u2019ll bet.\u201d<\/p>\n

John arched an eyebrow and gave his younger brother a sly smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re on, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three boys took charge of gathering wood and building a fire while the men raced to see who could skin and filet the most fish.\u00a0 To Ben\u2019s disgruntlement, John won, as usual.\u00a0 \u201cYou forget, little brother,\u201d John laughed, \u201cthat fish are readily had at sea.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had as much experience at cleaning them as you, my boy\u2014\u2014maybe more.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a shake of his head, Ben delivered the trout to the ladies.\u00a0 Nelly was the expert where frying fish was concerned, Marie\u2019s experience leaning more to gourmet cuisine, so the older woman dredged the pieces in cornmeal and set them sizzling while Marie set out the cold items left from the noon meal.\u00a0 Inger sprawled on the pallet alongside Little Joe and soon fell asleep, having missed her afternoon nap.\u00a0 Klamath curled up at the foot of the pallet and sniffed the air in anticipation of his share in the feast to come.<\/p>\n

While Klamath enjoyed the scraps of the meal, the human partakers sat dreamily around the fire, reluctant to leave though each knew they couldn\u2019t afford to stay much longer.\u00a0 Inger cozied up to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cTell a story, Uncle Ben,\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and put an arm around her.\u00a0 \u201cMy stories are likely to seem tame after the ones John\u2019s been telling my boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I want yours,\u201d Inger insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou tell the best stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave the strawberry curls a tender tousle.\u00a0 \u201cI do have one that might fit the occasion.\u00a0 Learned it from Tuquah awhile back.\u201d\u00a0 Tuquah was the Washo man who worked off and on at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about how Lake Tahoe was formed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t heard that one,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been saving it,\u201d his father chuckled.\u00a0 His voice dropped and he began.\u00a0 \u201cOnce upon a time, when the world was young, a Washo brave was running from the Evil One.\u00a0 He was a strong runner, but the Evil One was closing in when the Good Spirit appeared and gave the Washo lad the branch of a magical tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat made it magic?\u201d Hoss asked, eyes wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach leaf had the power to create a body of water,\u201d his father explained.\u00a0 \u201cIf the Indian boy dropped a leaf when the Evil One drew near, the water would be an obstacle between them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he could get away!\u201d Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, the Washo brave ran harder than ever, but he was getting tired and the Evil One was catching up.\u00a0 Right here where we\u2019ve been picnicking today he decided to throw down his first leaf.\u00a0 He picked one off, but the Evil One was so close, the brave panicked and instead of dropping the single leaf, he dropped the rest of the branch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no!\u201d Inger cried.\u00a0 \u201cDid the Evil One get him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, you see what a huge lake that branch formed, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 It took the Evil One hours to get around it.\u00a0 The brave ran on to the west, looking over his shoulder from time to time.\u00a0 Finally, he saw that the Evil One had rounded the south shore of the new lake and was closing in again.\u201d\u00a0 Ben could feel the little girl shiver against him, so he hurried to the story\u2019s conclusion.\u00a0 \u201cThe Indian had only one leaf left, so he dropped it.\u00a0 A smaller lake was formed and it took the Evil One just long enough to go around it that the brave had time to cross the mountains safely and escape into the valley of the Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger sighed with relief, but Hoss\u2019s lips were puckered in thought.\u00a0 \u201cWhat lake is that, Pa?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cThe little one, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s called FallenLeafLake, son, for obvious reasons,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cand I hear it\u2019s a fine one for fishing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go there,\u201d Hoss said eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might sometime,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cBut now, friends and family, I think it\u2019s time we packed up and headed for home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone groaned, but there was no argument, not even from the children.\u00a0 They all knew it would\u00a0 be dark before they reached the Ponderosa as it was, and everyone except the youngsters had to be up early Monday morning.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THREE<\/p>\n

Memorials and Memories<\/h4>\n

In the faint light of dawn\u2019s first rays, Ben and Clyde hitched the Thomas wagon, while John gathered his belongings and the two ladies said their farewells.\u00a0 Billy Thomas yawned sleepily as he saddled his roan horse.\u00a0 He was accustomed to rising about this time, but today it seemed harder than usual to get his eyes open and functioning.<\/p>\n

Adam, on the other hand, was fully alert as he tossed saddle blanket and saddle on the back of his sorrel mare with snowy mane and tail.\u00a0 Ben looked up with surprise when his oldest son led the horse out of the barn.\u00a0 \u201cWhere do you think you\u2019re going, young man?\u201d he demanded, but his voice wasn\u2019t harsh.\u00a0 Adam generally had a good reason for any actions he took.<\/p>\n

\u201cI figured to see Uncle John off,\u201d Adam replied casually.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all right, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s all right.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get many chances, do we, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, not many,\u201d Adam said, giving his bulging saddlebag a pat.\u00a0 Not many chances for what he had in mind once he got to town, either.<\/p>\n

Billy leaned close to his friend\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you got planned?\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t seem reasonable to him for Adam to ride all the way into Genoa just to say good-bye.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of your business,\u201d Adam whispered back, then mounted with a maddening grin.\u00a0 Billy didn\u2019t have to know everything.\u00a0 Fortunately, Uncle Clyde could be counted on to keep the mischievous redhead hard at work at home this morning, so Adam wouldn\u2019t have to put up with any nosy interference.<\/p>\n

Ben, however, remained totally unsuspecting of Adam\u2019s hidden motive for the early morning ride until they had separated from the Thomases and gone on to Genoa, so John could catch the first stage for the west.\u00a0 Saying good-bye to his uncle appeared to be the last thing on Adam\u2019s mind as he sauntered into William Ormsby\u2019s store on Main Street, which also served as the stage depot.\u00a0 While the men asked Ormsby when the next stage would leave, Adam edged along the counter until he stood before the Paiute girl now known as Sarah.<\/p>\n

The girl smiled broadly, her straight, white teeth gleaming in welcome.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI did not think you meant to leave for school so soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I\u2019m here a few weeks more.\u00a0 My uncle\u2019s taking the stage back to Placerville this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d the girl responded, then looked demurely at the counter between them.\u00a0 Feminine instinct told her Adam was deliberately making an opportunity to see her.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get free?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cI brought something to show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will need to stay until the stage leaves,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to keep up the appearance of being in town to see Uncle John off, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Adam,\u201d giggled a little girl who had sidled up to him moments before.<\/p>\n

Adam gave her a quick glance.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Lizzie,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Ormsby\u2019s nine-year-old daughter warranted no great attention in Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 It was clear from the worshipful gleam in young Lizzie\u2019s brown eyes, however, that Adam Cartwright was an idol worthy of lasting devotion.\u00a0 She folded her arms on the counter and stared up at him, hoping he\u2019d throw one more glance her direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in luck,\u201d Ben said to John.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, only an hour to wait,\u201d John agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s just about what I\u2019ve got available,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou needn\u2019t wait for me, if I\u2019m keeping you from your work,\u201d John sputtered.<\/p>\n

Ben laid a calming hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cNot work exactly.\u00a0 John Reese, who\u2019s sort of a leader hereabouts, has called a meeting of some of us for ten this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

John raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou into government, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat government?\u00a0 Look, we\u2019ve got time for a cup of coffee.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we walk down to Lucky Bill\u2019s and relax \u2018til stage time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo long as we don\u2019t miss it,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a chance,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have a front row seat at the hotel.\u201d\u00a0 He looked around for Adam, spotting him between two pretty girls, only one of whom seemed to have his undivided attention.\u00a0 Ben frowned, suddenly understanding his son\u2019s eagerness to rise early that morning.\u00a0 That little schemer<\/em>!\u00a0 Then Ben shrugged.\u00a0 So what if Adam were attracted by a pretty face.\u00a0 Normal enough for a boy his age.\u00a0 Besides, he\u2019d soon be safely installed in Sacramento with enough bookwork to keep his mind off the Paiute princess back home.\u00a0 And from the moon-struck look on Adam\u2019s face, the sooner the better.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, we\u2019re going over to the hotel.\u00a0 You coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shot a questioning look at Sarah.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll ask,\u201d she whispered and went in search of William Ormsby.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, I\u2019ll hang around here,\u201d Adam called.<\/p>\n

John laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re losing him, Ben,\u201d he taunted as the brothers walked outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that way, I\u2019m not,\u201d Ben snorted, \u201cnot at fourteen.\u00a0 Losing him soon in another way, though.\u00a0 Don\u2019t know how I\u2019ll stand nine months with him gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

John said nothing.\u00a0 Nine months may have seemed long to his younger brother, but John couldn\u2019t help comparing that short span to the time he\u2019d been away from his own boy.\u00a0 Not nine months, but nine years, almost, from the time he\u2019d left home until he\u2019d get back.\u00a0 Half a lifetime for a boy.\u00a0 What a fool he\u2019d been to let the years slide past!<\/p>\n

The brothers found a table by the window, for John felt more anxious than ever to avoid missing the stage, and sipped hot coffee by the cupful.\u00a0 \u201cTell me about this meeting of yours,\u201d John said after the first cup.<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNot much to tell.\u00a0 It\u2019s just a preliminary meeting, anyway.\u00a0 We\u2019ve tried for years to establish a real government for this part of the territory, but everything we\u2019ve worked on has come to naught.\u00a0 Salt Lake City is just too far to provide any real help, and now they\u2019ve taken back what little they\u2019d given.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded as a waitress offered to refill his cup.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s not talk about that,\u201d he said to John.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m likely to have my ears full by evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

John laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, little brother, we\u2019ll talk of other things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike your moving west,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna write Martha myself and add a little brotherly persuasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA little womanly persuasion might be more useful,\u201d John mused.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head lifted.\u00a0 \u201cMarie?\u00a0 Yeah, maybe so.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019d be glad to write and give Martha a special invitation to join us out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThrow in a few words about that grand house and having your own hired servant,\u201d John suggested, \u201cand maybe Martha won\u2019t think it\u2019s all uncivilized wilderness out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHide the truth, eh?\u201d Ben teased.\u00a0 \u201cHired servant, indeed!\u00a0 I assure you, brother, it\u2019s Hop Sing who gives the orders in that house!\u201d\u00a0 The brothers laughed, for as short as John\u2019s stay had been, he\u2019d had opportunity enough to understand what Ben meant.<\/p>\n

William Ormsby had agreed to Sarah\u2019s request for a few minutes to talk with Adam, so the boy and girl had walked across the street to the triangular green area that served as Genoa\u2019s public square.\u00a0 Sitting down beneath a shady cottonwood, its dark leaves stirred by the drifting breeze, Adam opened one of the books he\u2019d brought for Sarah.\u00a0 \u201cThis was my first primer,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you might like to take a look at it, to give you an idea of what you\u2019ll be studying this fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Sarah cried, eagerly reaching for the thin volume.\u00a0 She turned it over in her hands.\u00a0 \u201cIs this all the white man\u2019s learning?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNot even close, but this book will teach you the white man\u2019s language\u2014\u2014well, English, anyway\u2014\u2014then you can read other books that will teach you anything you want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike those?\u201d Sarah asked, pointing to the other two volumes in Adam\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

Adam opened the blue-backed speller.\u00a0 \u201cThis one goes with the primer,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt teaches how to put letters together in the right order to make words.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, good, and the red one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cArithmetic,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cHow to count, add and subtract.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI can count.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but there\u2019s more,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 \u201cAnyway, I thought you might like to borrow the books \u2018til school starts.\u00a0 Then, I\u2019m sure, the Ormsbys will get you your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like much,\u201d Sarah said, chocolate eyes shining.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam opened the primer to the first page and began to teach the Indian girl the alphabet.\u00a0 Sarah was a quick learner and before long could successfully recite the twenty-six letters that would become building blocks in the white man\u2019s language.\u00a0 Adam had just started to show her some three-letter words when six horses charged down Main Street.<\/p>\n

Sarah sprang to her feet.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I must go!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cI promised to help if there were passengers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I have to go, too,\u201d Adam said, \u201cto say good-bye to my uncle.\u201d\u00a0 The two youngsters joined hands and ran across the street.\u00a0 Adam found his father and uncle standing on the boardwalk in front of the store and endured a little good-natured ribbing from both.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome give me your farewell, boy,\u201d John teased, \u201csince that\u2019s why you came to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and willingly wrapped his arms around his uncle\u2019s broad chest.\u00a0 Then Ben took his son\u2019s place, holding John in a long embrace.\u00a0 There was mist in both Ben\u2019s brown eyes and John\u2019s gray ones as they gazed fondly at each other.\u00a0 In each face was mirrored the fear that they might never meet again, though they hoped differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrite when you\u2019re safely home,\u201d Ben urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, and you keep the mail service busy, too, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

John stepped into the stage, the driver flicked the six reins, and the horses leaped away.\u00a0 Ben and Adam stood on the street, waving until the coach faded to a dot in the distance.\u00a0 Then Ben turned to his son.\u00a0 \u201cNow, if you have no further business in town, young man, you\u2019ll find your chores waiting at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be home for supper?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShould be,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t expect today\u2019s meeting to hold long.\u00a0 Now, no more dawdling, Adam.\u00a0 Off with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded to show he\u2019d heard and, gathering the reins of his sorrel, mounted and rode toward the Ponderosa, while Ben headed toward Gilbert\u2019s Saloon, where the meeting was ready to start.<\/p>\n

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

Later that afternoon Ben walked down to the garden plot where his two sons were gathering fresh vegetables for the evening meal.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, come here, son,\u201d he called from the edge of the garden patch.<\/p>\n

Adam carefully made his way across rows of green beans and around hills of cucumber and squash to meet his father.\u00a0 Hoss hadn\u2019t been called, but he followed gladly in his brother\u2019s wake, tromping green leaves with almost every step.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need me, Pa?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do,\u201d Ben said brightly.\u00a0 \u201cCommittee wants me to ride up to HoneyLake and invite folks there to our conference on creating a new territory, and I\u2019d like you to accompany me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA new territory?\u00a0 That\u2019s exciting, Pa!\u201d Adam exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too, Pa?\u00a0 You want me to go, too?\u201d Hoss pleaded eagerly.<\/p>\n

Ben gave the boy\u2019s chunky shoulder a consoling pat.\u00a0 \u201cNot this time, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Hoss wheedled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m as good company as Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave his younger brother a hard look, but Hoss didn\u2019t notice.\u00a0 His imploring eyes were focused on Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 The expression he read there was kinder than\u00a0 Adam\u2019s, but just as firm.\u00a0 \u201cI said no, Hoss,\u201d Ben stated.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long, hard ride, with little time to spare.\u201d\u00a0 He reached out to ruffle the boy\u2019s sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I need you to watch out for Mama and Little Joe while we\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s lower lip thrust out.\u00a0 He knew perfectly well Pa didn\u2019t really trust him to take care of his mother and baby brother.\u00a0 That was just the kind of excuse grownups gave kids to make them feel better about something there was nothing to feel good about.<\/p>\n

The look didn\u2019t escape Ben\u2019s notice.\u00a0 \u201cNo pouting,\u201d he ordered gruffly.\u00a0 \u201cFinish picking the vegetables and bring them up to the house.\u201d\u00a0 He threw an arm around Adam\u2019s slender shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYou come on with me.\u00a0 We\u2019ll need to get our gear ready this evening \u2018cause we\u2019re leaving before dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving Hoss to take out his irritation by snapping beans off their vine with far more energy than the task required, Ben and Adam walked toward the house.\u00a0 \u201cWhy\u2019d you want me along, Pa?\u201d the ever curious Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t really need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBecause we don\u2019t have much time left to be together before you head off for school.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be much of a trip, I\u2019m afraid.\u00a0 The mass meeting is scheduled for August 8th, so we\u2019ve got five days to get there and back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be pushin\u2019 it,\u201d Adam murmured.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a good ways to HoneyLake, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good ways,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I couldn\u2019t take Hoss along.\u00a0 He\u2019d slow us down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a fact,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 Hoss was comfortable on a horse now, but he still preferred a walk to a gallop.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we\u2019ll be in too much of a hurry to stop by PyramidLake, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no time for a visit with our Paiute neighbors this time.\u00a0 Why do you care, though?\u00a0\u00a0 I thought the only Paiute you were interested in these days was staying in Genoa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s face flushed crimson as Ben pulled him close in a light-hearted, one-armed embrace.<\/p>\n

The sun was still asleep when Ben and Adam left the next morning, as was the rest of the household except Hop Sing.\u00a0 Although Ben hadn\u2019t expected it, the inexhaustible Cantonese had prepared their breakfast and had a substantial lunch packed, as well.<\/p>\n

The two Cartwrights headed north, riding hard all day, too hard to enjoy much conversation.\u00a0 But when night fell, they made camp and cooked the beans and bacon they\u2019d packed for the trail.\u00a0 As they sat next to each other, spooning beans from their tin plates, Ben finally had a chance for the talk he\u2019d been looking forward to all day.\u00a0 \u201cYou getting excited about leaving, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cNot much longer now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much longer,\u201d Ben agreed, but his voice revealed a faint tinge of regret.\u00a0 \u201cAny qualms, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked offended.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not scared, if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNot exactly, but there is a difference between courage and cockiness, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

The offense melted from Adam\u2019s visage.\u00a0 \u201cI know that, Pa,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cand I think I know the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s natural enough for you to see only the good in going away to school, but there\u2019ll be some rough times, too, son.\u00a0 After all, you\u2019ve never lived away from your family before, and that can be hard the first time.\u00a0 I remember how lonely I felt when I went to sea after my parents died.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ll miss us a bit, as we will you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI will, Pa; I know that.\u00a0 Especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas and my birthday, but I\u2019ve already thought it through and decided it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so, too,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cand likely you\u2019ll make new friends who will keep you from pining away from loneliness.\u00a0 I want you to be sure to keep in touch with us, however.\u00a0 We can trust Snowshoe Thompson to get mail to us twice a month, even if the mail stage can\u2019t get through, so I\u2019ll expect a letter with every post, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get it, Pa,\u201d Adam promised, \u201cand I\u2019ll be expecting letters from you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get them,\u201d Ben promised in return, \u201cbut I don\u2019t want you to write just to me, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean Marie? \u00a0You want me to write to her separately?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, laughing.\u00a0 \u201cOnly if you like.\u00a0 I meant your younger brother, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

Ben slapped his son\u2019s leg playfully.\u00a0 \u201cI had in mind the one who can read.\u201d<\/p>\n

A mischievous glint flashed in Adam\u2019s black eyes.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, which one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t mock your brother, Adam.\u00a0 He\u2019s doing better and will improve even more quickly if he can look forward to reading mail of his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll write Hoss, too, Pa,\u201d Adam pledged with a grin.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled then.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll need to keep it simple\u2014\u2014and print, not write\u2014\u2014but I think you\u2019ll find it\u2019s worth the effort.\u00a0 You boys have always been close, and writing to one another will help keep you that way, as it always has you and Jamie Edwards back in St. Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded thoughtfully, then mused, \u201cNo way to keep close to Little Joe, I guess.\u00a0 You think he\u2019ll even remember me by next spring?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you\u2019ll have to start over with him, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s funny,\u201d Adam yawned, his body responding to the long day\u2019s ride, \u201cbut I never thought I\u2019d want another brother.\u00a0 Now I think I\u2019m gonna miss watching him grow.\u00a0 He\u2019ll do a lot of that this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you\u2019ll miss a lot,\u201d Ben said, but what he was really thinking was how much he\u2019d miss his oldest son.\u00a0 He took Adam\u2019s plate.\u00a0 \u201cTurn in, son,\u201d he suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve another hard day ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the months he\u2019d spend away Adam would cherish that trip with his father, the days of steady riding side by side and the nights of talking around the campfire.\u00a0 It had been a long time since Adam had spent so many hours alone with his father.\u00a0 They left him with much to mull over on lonely days in Sacramento\u2014\u2014his father\u2019s hopes and dreams for him, as well as much advice on handling himself in the new situations he was likely to encounter.\u00a0 Adam sopped up his father\u2019s wisdom as thirstily as he had his first lessons in the little primer he\u2019d loaned the Paiute girl and found it even more useful once that guiding voice was distant.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights reached HoneyLake and delivered invitations to all interested in forming a new territory to convene at Genoa on August 8th.\u00a0 Though technically the HoneyLake settlers lived in California, their location on the eastern side of the Sierras gave them more in common with the residents of western Utah, so they expressed great interest in joining them to petition Congress for the new territory.\u00a0 Though they had almost no time to prepare, several men quickly gathered their gear and hit the trail behind Ben and Adam.\u00a0 No more opportunity for private talks then, but Adam listened with interest to the political discussions that flared around the campfire on the way home.\u00a0 The men\u2019s reasoning made sense to him.\u00a0 Now, if only Congress could be made to see clearly how men like his father needed to be set free of Salt Lake City\u2019s government in name only and how men like Isaac Roop and Peter Lassen needed a government closer than Sacramento, from which HoneyValley was separated for months out of the year by snow-blocked passes.<\/p>\n

Ben had only one night at home before the mass meeting began in Genoa.\u00a0 Expecting to be gone overnight, since the meeting wasn\u2019t scheduled to begin until 1 p.m., he packed a carpetbag and secured lodging at Lucky Bill\u2019s Hotel.\u00a0 When the delegates gathered, Ben was gratified to see representatives from EagleValley, CarsonValley, WillowTown, Ragtown, the 26-Mile Desert, Humboldt RiverValley and LakeValley near Lake Tahoe, as well as the ones he\u2019d escorted from HoneyLake. Ben felt proud to be numbered among such prominent settlers as William Ormsby, Richard Sides, Elijah Knott and James McMarlin, the clerk who had taken over Spafford Hall\u2019s Station and renamed it after himself.\u00a0 A good selection of men, not numerous enough, Ben feared, to make an impression on Congress, but men who understood the problems well and could articulate them effectively.<\/p>\n

Articulate they did, hour upon hour, grievance upon grievance.\u00a0 No one disagreed about the problems; the discussions all concerned the best way to present them to Congress.\u00a0 Even a visiting Californian, renowned journalist James M. Crane, who was in their area to collect material for a series of geologic lectures, was asked to address the meeting.\u00a0 He spoke for over an hour to rousing applause, for his extensive political experience made him an excellent orator.<\/p>\n

Finally, the debate culminated with the drafting of a memorial listing their reasons for requesting separation from the Territory of Utah.\u00a0 The memorial, written down by Richard Sides, declared that no law existed in western Utah except theocratic rule by the Mormon Church and complained vigorously about the recent rescencion of CarsonCounty, along with its courts.\u00a0 With western Utah reduced to little more than an election precinct, no one cared to vote because their vote carried no weight in far-off Salt Lake City, now the county seat.\u00a0 The factor of distance was a major grievance for both the HoneyLake residents and those of the former CarsonCounty.\u00a0 Cut off by snow for four months of the year from California and from Salt Lake City by hundreds of miles, the settlers felt the only solution was a government of their own, one that could actually be in touch with them.\u00a0 In conclusion, the memorial requested the formation of a new territory to be called Columbus with Genoa as its capitol.\u00a0 Its boundaries were to be the Sierra Mountains on the west and the Goose Creek Mountains to the east, with the Colorado River forming the southern boundary and, of course, the border of Oregon Territory on the north.<\/p>\n

A vote was taken to determine who would carry the memorial to Congress.\u00a0 Ben was pleasantly surprised to find his name suggested, but he politely declined.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t feel he could leave his wife and young sons alone that long, not when the territory abounded with unattached men equally qualified.\u00a0 In the end James M. Crane, who had demonstrated his ability to present their case, was selected.\u00a0 After that a committee of twenty-eight was appointed \u201cto manage and superintend all matters necessary and proper in the premises,\u201d and this time Ben couldn\u2019t talk his way out of serving, though he suspected the position would carry no real authority unless and until Congress approved their petition.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss grinned happily as he walked through the woods beside his brother Adam.\u00a0 Since Adam was leaving for school in just one week, Ben had made both boys a gift of that time.\u00a0 \u201cMake some memories,\u201d their father had said and had released them from all but the most urgent of their regular chores. \u00a0For Hoss it was enough that he\u2019d been set free from the interminable book learning of the summer.\u00a0 Not until school actually started would he have to do more lessons, his father having finally decided he\u2019d earned a vacation, however short.<\/p>\n

Adam had suggested that they set some rabbit snares.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m in a mood for rabbit stew,\u201d he\u2019d said, feeling sure no one in Sacramento could prepare one as savory as Hop Sing\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me, too,\u201d Hoss had said agreeably and had begged Hop Sing to prepare them an extra large lunch to take along.\u00a0 Hop Sing, as always, had exceeded even Hoss\u2019s hopes, for the Chinese cook liked to see his family well fed.<\/p>\n

Adam stopped to set the first snare.\u00a0 \u201cYou watch me close,\u201d he urged Hoss, \u201cso you can do this yourself once I\u2019m gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, licking his lips in anticipation of the tasty rabbits he\u2019d be bringing home, studied Adam\u2019s actions carefully.\u00a0 \u201cI can do that easy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Adam stood.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll let you try setting the next one.\u201d\u00a0 About ten yards away he stooped to point out a good spot for Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see you do it, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss squatted beside his brother and made the attempt.\u00a0 Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cClose, but he\u2019ll slip that noose easy as a snake slithers through sand,\u201d he said and showed Hoss how to make his trap cinch tighter.\u00a0 Hoss tried again at the next location and won his brother\u2019s smile of approval.\u00a0 \u201cNow you can snare all the rabbits you want all winter long,\u201d Adam announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s eat,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s early yet, greedy belly.\u00a0 Let\u2019s set a few more snares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow much rabbit stew you plan on eatin\u2019?\u201d Hoss scoffed.<\/p>\n

Adam laid an instructive hand on his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t count on taking one in every snare, little brother.\u00a0 If we catch more than we need, the men in the bunkhouse will like having stew, too, and you can always use the pelts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face brightened.\u00a0 \u201cCan I have the skin, if we get a rabbit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have any use for it,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want one for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo make me a pouch like yours,\u201d Hoss explained quickly.\u00a0 Adam had made a rabbit skin pouch in which to store his marbles, and Hoss had eyed it longingly ever since its creation.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d show me how, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThe pelt should be good enough for that, but the best ones for trading can\u2019t be had \u2018til later, when the rabbits put on thicker fur for winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTradin\u2019?\u201d Hoss pondered.\u00a0 \u201cWhat could I trade \u2018em for, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPocket knife, maybe,\u201d Adam suggested, \u201cif Pa\u2019ll let you have one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t likely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had a different opinion; he figured Hoss wouldn\u2019t have to bring home many rabbits before Pa decided to teach the boy to skin them himself and agreed to his having the tool to do it.\u00a0 He\u2019d let Pa and Hoss work that out on their own, however.\u00a0 In the meantime he offered an alternative.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe you\u2019d rather keep them anyway.\u00a0 If you get enough, you could take them to Aunt Nelly.\u00a0 I bet she could turn them into a nice Christmas present for Marie or Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s toothy grin flashed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019d be the best!\u00a0 Somethin\u2019 to keep \u2018em good and warm this winter.\u00a0 That\u2019s a good idea, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tousled the youngster\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s countenance drooped just a bit.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna miss you, Adam,\u201d he muttered gruffly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got another brother to take my place,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can\u2019t do anything,\u201d Hoss moaned.<\/p>\n

Adam chucked the other boy\u2019s pudgy chin.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re ready to call him \u2018Wet and Wail\u2019 now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Hoss sputtered loyally.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s still my Punkin, but I sure wish he\u2019d take to trottin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, grinning.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll happen soon enough, take my word, and then you\u2019ll wish you had a rope to tie him down.\u00a0 I remember how it was with you.\u00a0 Underfoot and into everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to call his older brother a liar, but he found it hard to believe Little Joe would ever afford the kind of companionship he enjoyed with Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWe have good times together, you and me,\u201d Hoss said, trying to explain what he was feeling.<\/p>\n

Adam understood.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll miss you, too, but I\u2019m gonna be writing to you and I want you to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally to me?\u00a0 Just me?\u201d Hoss asked, blue eyes shining.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sometimes just to you,\u201d Adam promised, genuinely glad his father had made the suggestion when he saw the pleasure it gave his younger brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou ready for lunch now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was always ready to eat, so he bobbed his head happily and helped Adam search for the perfect place to spread out the riches of the basket Hop Sing had packed to overflowing.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FOUR<\/p>\n

Farewell to Adam<\/h4>\n

When the rap sounded on the door, Marie, for once, had no desire to race Hop Sing to answer it.\u00a0 She had her hands full\u2014\u2014both literally and figuratively\u2014\u2014with her baby son.\u00a0 Nothing seemed to please Little Joe today.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing bustled to the door and opened it, a warm glow in his almond eyes.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Laula,\u201d he bubbled.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Cahtlight be velly happy see you.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d been with the Cartwrights long enough to know their favorite visitors on sight.<\/p>\n

Marie came at once to greet her friend, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Cahtlight is indeed happy to see you,\u201d she said, \u201cor anyone else who is not crying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura Ellis laughed, reaching for Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, little one?\u201d she cooed, holding him to her shoulder and patting the small, vibrating back.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he has been fussy all day,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and Adam are spending extra time together this last week, and I think Little Joe misses his playmates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActs more like colic to me,\u201d Laura mused, rubbing Little Joe\u2019s tiny tummy, \u201cbut we can try your theory.\u201d\u00a0 She looked down at the dark-eyed three-year-old standing beside her.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to play with the baby, Jimmy?\u201d she asked sweetly.<\/p>\n

Jimmy pulled his finger from his mouth long enough to mutter \u201cUnh-uh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed at the embarrassed look on Laura\u2019s face, then bent over to bring herself to Jimmy\u2019s level.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a good, honest boy,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cHow about some of Hop Sing\u2019s cookies, instead, Jimmy?\u201d<\/p>\n

The little boy beamed his response, so Marie took his hand, led him to the kitchen and delivered him to Hop Sing\u2019s care.\u00a0 Hop Sing wasn\u2019t overly fond of little boys in the kitchen and assumed the best way to keep them out of his way was to give them plenty to eat, so Jimmy soon found himself faced with a pile of cookies guaranteed to spoil any boy\u2019s dinner.<\/p>\n

By the time Marie returned to the front room, Laura seemed to have soothed Little Joe\u2019s present discomfort.\u00a0 Marie fought down a pang of insecure jealousy.\u00a0 There were times she felt that every other woman had better mothering skills than she, but today she was too grateful for a quiet baby to worry much about whether he was more responsive to someone else\u2019s touch than to her own.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019s got a little gas on his tummy,\u201d Laura said, \u201cbut he\u2019s just about cried himself out now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded and seated herself beside her friend.\u00a0 \u201cIt is so good to see you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought those clothes I\u2019ve been making for Adam,\u201d Laura replied softly to avoid disturbing the baby, whose eyes were beginning to blink drowsily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did not need to make a special trip, or were you in the neighborhood?\u201d Marie giggled.<\/p>\n

Laura chuckled.\u00a0 The Ponderosa wasn\u2019t in anyone\u2019s neighborhood, unless you counted the Mormon ranchers in WashoeValley.\u00a0 You had to want to visit the Ponderosa to travel that far into the hills.\u00a0 \u201cSort of,\u201d she said, lips twitching.\u00a0 \u201cI delivered some laundry and some news to the Grosch brothers at American Flats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked momentarily puzzled. \u201cThe news was important?\u201d she asked, since her friend didn\u2019t normally deliver the laundry she did for many of the local miners.\u00a0 They were always glad to come to her.<\/p>\n

Laura nodded gravely as she stood to lay the sleeping baby in his cradle by the fire.\u00a0 \u201cI had to tell them of the death of a friend,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I am sorry,\u201d Marie said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWas it anyone I know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Laura answered.\u00a0 \u201cGeorge Brown.\u00a0 He runs\u2014\u2014well, ran\u2014\u2014the trading post and mail station at Gravelly Ford on the Humboldt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head; neither the man\u2019s name nor the geographical description had any meaning for her.\u00a0 \u201cWas he a good friend?\u00a0 Are the brothers much grieved?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura gave an almost bitter laugh.\u00a0 \u201cWell, a friend who believes in you when no one else will is as good a friend as most of us need,\u201d she said cryptically, \u201cbut I\u2019m afraid the Grosch boys were grieving more for the $600 Brown promised them than for the man himself.\u00a0 Whoever killed Brown robbed him, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey need money?\u201d Marie queried.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps Ben could\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d Laura said with a secret smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to sell some of my land in California, and they\u2019ll make me a partner for the use of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie pressed her slender fingers against her lips to stifle her amused smile, but it just wouldn\u2019t stifle.\u00a0 \u201cYou are to be a mine owner?\u00a0 Ah, soon you will no longer be willing to make clothes for my boys, so rich you will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmph!\u201d Laura snorted with mock offense.\u00a0 \u201cI might have more chance of that than you think.\u00a0 The Grosches think they\u2019ve found\u2014\u2014oh, never mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are keeping secrets now?\u201d Marie chided.\u00a0 \u201cAm I not a friend to be trusted?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are,\u201d Laura smiled, \u201cbut I gave my word to keep this particular secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, you must, then,\u201d Marie smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cSo I need not worry about the brothers?\u00a0 You have solved all their problems?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura sobered quickly.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not all, and I\u2019m kind of worried, Marie.\u00a0 Seems Hosea hit his own foot with a pick while he was out mining.\u00a0 He was soaking it in a tub on the porch when I went by, and I didn\u2019t like the look of it.\u00a0 Looked mighty red to me.\u00a0 I told them they ought to call Dr. Martin, but they didn\u2019t want to waste money.\u00a0 Ethan was boiling up a poultice when I left.\u00a0 Hope it does Hosea some good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you said you would give them money\u2014\u2014\u201d Marie began.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, my friend, that will be for mining,\u201d Laura intoned mystically, \u201cand you don\u2019t know the Grosch brothers if you think they\u2019d touch that.\u201d\u00a0 She stood up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hoped Adam would be home, so I could check the fit of his trousers, but it\u2019ll be past dark by the time I get home now.\u00a0 I spent more time at the Grosches than I\u2019d planned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laid a restraining hand on her friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou must not think of leaving now,\u201d she scolded.\u00a0 \u201cStay the night, Laura dear.\u00a0 Hoss will be happy to sleep with Adam, so you and Jimmy may use his bed, and I would like your opinion on the things I am packing for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura nodded, easily convinced.\u00a0 \u201cTruth to tell, I\u2019d rather wait \u2018til morning to drive home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The day had finally come\u2014\u2014the day toward which Adam had aimed all his yearning hopes, the day his father had dreaded with equal intensity\u2014the day of Adam\u2019s departure for Sacramento.\u00a0 Ben was going with him this first time, of course, to see the boy well situated and settled in, so he\u2019d still enjoy his son\u2019s company a few more days, but there was a clenching around Ben\u2019s heart already.\u00a0 He and Adam had known few separations, the only lengthy one being Ben\u2019s trip to New Orleans just over a year ago.\u00a0 They\u2019d been apart months then, both during and after the trip, for Adam had felt betrayed when his father returned home from his errand of mercy with a new wife and had remained distant until he\u2019d finally come to love Marie, too.\u00a0 Ben laughed lightly.\u00a0 Just so he doesn\u2019t come home with a wife to surprise me!<\/em> he thought, amused by the foolishness of the notion.<\/p>\n

From her seat next to him on the buckboard, Marie turned quizzical eyes to his suddenly merry face, but Ben didn\u2019t feel required to explain his abrupt change of mood.\u00a0 Adam, who perched, beaming, on his trunk full of belongs in the back of the wagon, likely wouldn\u2019t appreciate the humor of his father\u2019s thoughts.\u00a0 No, Ben wouldn\u2019t spoil the radiance of that countenance with a careless joke.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s normally sunny face, however, looked dismal today.\u00a0 The week he\u2019d spent making memories with Adam had done them both good, but it seemed to intensify Hoss\u2019s misery now that he was losing his constant companion of the week before.\u00a0 He was disgruntled, too, that his hard-hearted father wouldn\u2019t take him along to Sacramento.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous, Hoss,\u201d Ben had scoffed in answer to the boy\u2019s passionate pleas.\u00a0 \u201cYou know school begins next week for you, as well as Adam, and you can\u2019t afford to start late.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss had moped in soundless eloquence at that rejoinder.\u00a0 As if it weren\u2019t bad enough to be losing his brother and the chance to explore the wonders of Sacramento\u2019s candy stores once again, Pa had to bring up school!\u00a0 Hoss saw nothing but gray skies on his horizon, and his countenance reflected the gloom.<\/p>\n

The buckboard pulled to a halt along Main Street in Genoa near Ormsby\u2019s store.\u00a0 All five Cartwrights trooped inside, for even Little Joe was along to see Adam safely off.\u00a0 Ben moved directly to the appropriate counter to purchase the tickets, while Adam meandered over to the one manned by Sarah Winnemucca, as she now called herself in the white man\u2019s fashion, Winnemucca being the name by which most white men knew her father Poito.\u00a0 Hoss pressed his nose against the jar of licorice at that same counter, while Marie examined the yard goods at a table across the store.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee anything you like?\u201d Ben asked, coming up behind his wife.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled and shook her head.\u00a0 Ormsby carried only the most practical of calicos, and nothing on that table appealed to Marie\u2019s fine sense of fabric.\u00a0 \u201cDid you get your tickets?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and, slipping an arm around her slender waist, drew her out to the porch.\u00a0 \u201cI wish you were coming,\u201d he whispered in her ear.\u00a0 \u201cYou could fill your arms with silks and satins in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have clothes enough,\u201d Marie replied, \u201cand you know I cannot come with you.\u00a0 I must see Hoss to school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he wouldn\u2019t be likely to go without a shove in the right direction.\u201d\u00a0 He touched his wife\u2019s smooth cheek with a tender hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be all right,\u201d he assured her.\u00a0 \u201cEnos will handle the men, and you can count on him for whatever you need at the house.\u00a0 And there\u2019s always Clyde Thomas.\u00a0 He\u2019d do anything for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you must not forget Hop Sing,\u201d Marie teased.\u00a0 \u201cHe will let no harm come to his Pondelosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pinched her small nose.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s possessive pretensions weren\u2019t really a cause for banter; the little Chinese cook took them too seriously himself for others to discount.\u00a0 But Marie was probably right.\u00a0 Let anyone so much as threaten a hair on one of their heads, and he\u2019d have to contend with a meat-cleaver-wielding Chinaman, a daunting prospect for most felons\u2014\u2014or innocent bystanders, for that matter.<\/p>\n

Hoss wandered outside, glum as ever.\u00a0 Seeing the downcast face, Ben stooped and put his arms around his second son.\u00a0 \u201cPerk up now,\u201d Ben soothed.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019ll be back before you know it, and we\u2019ll plan a trip of our own, soon as I can spare the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust you and me, honest?\u201d Hoss queried, excitement edging his voice.\u00a0 Adam had taken such trips with their father before, but Hoss had always been the tag-along third when he got to go at all.\u00a0 If Pa took him by himself, it had to mean Pa thought he was growing up.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust you and me,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThink about where you\u2019d like to go, son, but nowhere too far.\u00a0 It\u2019ll have to be on a weekend, so you won\u2019t miss school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s chin bobbed up and down quickly, his mind already running through possible destinations.<\/p>\n

Adam joined them, having said his good-byes to his Paiute friend, just as the stage rolled to a stop at Ormsby\u2019s door.\u00a0 With the help of the stage agent, his trunk and his father\u2019s carpetbag were soon loaded.\u00a0 Nothing left then but to say good-bye to those who were staying behind.\u00a0 Adam took Little Joe and held him close for a minute.\u00a0 \u201cGonna miss you, little fellow,\u201d he whispered, then looked up at Marie.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I, you,\u201d Marie said softly, placing a kiss on his cheek as she took Little Joe back.\u00a0 \u201cI hope the French we learned will be of use to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt already is,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He meant that the lessons had been useful in drawing him closer to his stepmother, and though he didn\u2019t say that clearly, he had a feeling she understood.\u00a0 Then Adam turned to Hoss, who wrapped him in a tight bearhug, holding on as if he meant to keep his brother there by sheer force.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t squeeze me in half, little brother.\u201d\u00a0 But Hoss didn\u2019t turn loose until his father spoke his name firmly.\u00a0 His real name, too\u2014\u2014Eric.\u00a0 No point in either arguing or resisting when Pa went that far.\u00a0 Hoss released his older brother.<\/p>\n

As soon as he did, Adam wrapped him in a return embrace, not as hearty as Hoss\u2019s, of course, because the older boy was no match for the younger in bodily strength, but Adam\u2019s hug was just as full of affection.\u00a0 \u201cThe first letter\u2019ll be to you,\u201d Adam promised and felt rewarded by the toothy grin he got in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest get aboard,\u201d Ben said after giving Marie a good-bye kiss and planting another on Little Joe\u2019s wispy curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Adam said brightly and dashed for the buckboard to get his guitar.\u00a0 Not trusting it with the rest of the baggage, he planned to carry it all the way to Sacramento.<\/p>\n

As the stage pulled out, Hoss turned to his mother.\u00a0 \u201cWant me to drive home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, please, but not just yet.\u00a0 First, there is the matter of your pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss cocked his head, not understanding.\u00a0 He needed no pay for driving the team.\u00a0 The responsibility was its own reward.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie replied in answer to his unspoken question, \u201cbut I am afraid a penny\u2019s worth of licorice is all I can afford.\u00a0 Will that be enough, monsieur<\/em> driver?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave a happy crow.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 Just the right price for a ticket on my stage!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Molly Maguire pushed the door open with a stout arm, freckled to the elbow beneath her rolled up sleeve.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m still sprucin\u2019 up the rooms,\u201d she said, \u201cbut this one\u2019s ready and a fine one for your boy, I\u2019m thinkin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben entered, with Adam following, and looked with satisfaction at the immaculate quarters.\u00a0 Far from being Spartan, snowy curtains framed the window that looked out on the yard behind and thick comforters graced the two narrow beds on either side of it.\u00a0 Next to each bed stood a simple pine chest of drawers and mirrored washstand and on the wall nearest the door a sturdily crafted desk for each of the room\u2019s would-be occupants.\u00a0 \u201cThis looks fine,\u201d Ben said, \u201creal homey, even.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to keep it that way,\u201d Mrs. Maguire said with a warm smile beneath her freckled nose.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the first one in, school not startin\u2019 for a few days yet, but you\u2019ll soon have company enough, me boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam replied politely.\u00a0 He\u2019d liked Mrs. Maguire on sight; it had been impossible not to, for she exuded a kind of motherly warmth that made her the ideal proprietress of a rooming house designed for schoolboys far from home.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to use the other bed if you\u2019re stayin\u2019 over a few days,\u201d Molly said to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cNo extra charge, unless you take your meals here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than fair,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cand I will be staying a couple of days, at least.\u00a0 We may be dining out most of the time, however, a last treat for the boy, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly Maguire laughed as she flipped her dark auburn hair across her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cMost of the boys think my cookin\u2019s a treat, but your lad will have plenty of time to sample that.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve no more questions, I\u2019ll be gettin\u2019 back to me work.\u00a0 I\u2019ll bring fresh towels soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo hurry,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be out most of the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

As she left, Adam walked across to the window and looked down into the yard.\u00a0 It was a small one, but there was a wide swing under a trellis covered with climbing roses.\u00a0 \u201cMarie\u2019d like that,\u201d Adam murmured.<\/p>\n

Ben gazed over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, it\u2019s real pretty,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you have a room at the back of the house.\u00a0 Should make it quieter for studying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, they were right at the school,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cThis\u2019ll be a good place to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best available, they said, and that\u2019s what I want for my boy.\u201d\u00a0 After enrolling Adam that morning, Ben had inquired about lodging for his son and been referred to Molly Maguire, who had opened the rooming house to earn her living after her husband was killed in a mining dispute two years before.<\/p>\n

Adam turned around.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the room?\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you think I\u2019d do, pitch a tent for you in the schoolyard?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, picturing the tent in his mind.\u00a0 \u201cThat could get cold, even in California.\u00a0 What did you mean when you said we\u2019d be out all afternoon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have to move our things from the hotel, of course,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThen there\u2019s a few errands to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave his father an inquiring look, but Ben just laughed in a way that told Adam he\u2019d get no answer.\u00a0 Pa was a man who liked to spring surprises, usually good ones, so Adam decided to bide his time and let the day unfold.<\/p>\n

They checked out of the hotel they\u2019d stayed in the night before, brought their things to the boardinghouse, then went in search of lunch, both ordering vegetable soup and rhubarb pie.\u00a0 \u201cWhere to next, Pa?\u201d Adam asked as his father laid a token tip on the table, the service having been only average.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoot store,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI brought a pattern of Hoss\u2019s foot, remember?\u00a0 And I figure you could use a new pair to start school with, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave his father a contented grin.\u00a0 He knew he\u2019d been right to keep his mouth shut and just trust the kind of surprises Pa had planned, and the first one confirmed his decision.\u00a0 After ordering boots for the boys, Ben turned to Adam on the street.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t even ask where we\u2019re headed next; you\u2019ll see soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and fell into step beside his father as they walked down J Street, turning in at No. 87, Beal\u2019s Daguerrean Studio.\u00a0 \u201cMe or you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, of course,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThis is where Marie and Hoss had their pictures made last year, and I\u2019ve wanted one of you ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like having one of you, too, Pa,\u201d Adam said quietly.<\/p>\n

Ben gazed tenderly down at the boy.\u00a0 \u201cGonna miss your old pa, are you?\u00a0 With all those wonderful new books to read?\u201d\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t purchased any of Adam\u2019s required texts yet, but just reading the list had made the boy drool with anticipation.<\/p>\n

\u201cA picture\u2019d help,\u201d Adam pressed, knowing that he had a good chance of getting his way.<\/p>\n

The photographer approached them.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Beal?\u201d Ben asked and when the man responded in the affirmative, continued, \u201cA picture of each of us, please, to remember each other by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d never forget you, Pa,\u201d Adam whispered as the photographer set up the materials needed, \u201cbut I\u2019ll treasure the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pleasure,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cand I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam knew better than to ask.\u00a0 Take your pleasures one at a time; that was the way to keep them coming when it was Pa they were coming from.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s tricks that afternoon including a fitting for a new suit and the purchase of several small items of clothing.\u00a0 The final stop, however, was the biggest surprise of all.<\/p>\n

When Ben first announced that they were going to the bank, Adam assumed his father needed to draw out some money for expenses after spending so much on his son, but as they walked toward the establishment Ben favored, he explained a different purpose.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve tried to provide you with everything you\u2019ll need while you\u2019re here, Adam, but there may be things I haven\u2019t thought of or some emergency may arise.\u00a0 If you\u2019re ill, for instance, I don\u2019t want you to hesitate to call a doctor.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to open an account in your name in the amount of two hundred dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as Adam\u2019s mouth gaped in astonishment.\u00a0 \u201cThat should be far in excess of what you\u2019ll actually need, and I only expect you to use it for necessities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cI understand, Pa; I won\u2019t touch it unless I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed the boy\u2019s neck affectionately.\u00a0 \u201cI know I can trust you, Adam, but you should understand that I also consider necessities some things you might not ordinarily place in that category.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I don\u2019t understand,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, a night at the theater, perhaps.\u00a0 As long as you choose wisely, I consider that part of your education and, therefore, necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShakespeare,\u201d Adam chirped happily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t go wrong with him,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut I don\u2019t mind your sampling some other playwrights.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t overdo it.\u00a0 About once a month, I\u2019d say, give or take a play.\u00a0 You\u2019re welcome to dinner out with your friends once in a while, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut don\u2019t overdo it,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t have to if Miss Molly\u2019s cooking is as good as she claims.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be buying you a ledger,\u201d Ben went on, \u201cand I\u2019ll expect a strict accounting of every penny you spend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be an honest one,\u201d Adam promised as they reached the bank.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben chided gently, \u201cI wouldn\u2019t expect anything else from you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think I know my own boy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam flushed with pleasure at the compliment.<\/p>\n

Their banking business completed, the two Cartwrights again found themselves on the sidewalk.\u00a0 \u201cThat should about finish our business for the day,\u201d Ben said, \u201cunless you can think of something I\u2019ve forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy textbooks?\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no!\u201d Ben hooted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll get those before I leave, but I will not have your nose in those books while I\u2019m here.\u00a0 I plan to enjoy you, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner, then?\u201d Adam proposed, instead.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m getting kind of hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me, too,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go by a couple of theaters first, though, and see what\u2019s playing.\u00a0 You won\u2019t miss those books if you\u2019ve a play to watch, I\u2019ll wager.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir!\u201d Adam declared, beaming happily.<\/p>\n

They headed first for the Forrest Theater at 2nd and J streets.\u00a0 Adam, always alert for reading material, found himself glancing in the windows of every store they passed, reading posted notices of sales and events in the community.\u00a0 Suddenly, he jerked to a stop.\u00a0 \u201cPa, look!\u201d he cried, staring at a poster that announced the opening of the California State Agricultural Fair in large block letters.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t that be a fine thing to see!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben paused to glance at the notice attracting his son\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cNot today,\u201d he laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOctober 10 through 17, it says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould\u2014\u2014could you call that a necessity?\u201d Adam asked, a note of wheedling in his tone.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes brightened.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say so, and maybe not just for you.\u00a0 What would you think if we met you here that week and went together?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Adam agreed eagerly, \u201cbut who\u2019d you have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, all of us, of course,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHoss would have to miss a little school, but I think the experience would be worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Marie?\u201d Adam queried, his nose crinkling.\u00a0 \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t like it much, I\u2019m guessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll be able to tempt her easily enough,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s been wanting to get some more things for the house.\u00a0 And Little Joe\u2019s no problem; Nelly Thomas would gladly look after him while we\u2019re away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnh-uh,\u201d Adam declared, head shaking in vigorous denial.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t know your own wife if you think she\u2019d leave her precious baby boy with anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow, not liking to admit his son was a sharper judge of character than he.\u00a0 In this instance, however, he had a feeling Adam was right.\u00a0 Pulling the boy away from the window, Ben made light of the suggested problem, though.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll just bring him with us then.\u201d\u00a0 The more he mulled the idea, the more he liked it.\u00a0 Yes, it would be a fine opportunity to let his friends in California meet his bright-eyed youngest boy, and Marie would relish showing him off as much as Ben himself.<\/p>\n

Seeing his father lost in thought, Adam grinned, sure he could guess the gist of the thoughts.\u00a0 He was pretty sure, too, that Pa\u2019d have a harder time convincing Marie than he had any notion as he walked along J Street toward the theater.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FIVE<\/p>\n

Mormon Exodus<\/h4>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss cried happily as his father rode up to the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0 Ben swung down from his bay gelding to accept his second son\u2019s heartfelt welcome home.<\/p>\n

The Ponderosa\u2019s foreman, Enos Montgomery, who had taken the bay to meet the stage on the evening of Ben\u2019s anticipated return, grinned and gathered up the gelding\u2019s reins.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll stable your mount, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be wanting to see the missus right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled his thanks.\u00a0 \u201cThat I will,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Marie, alerted by the ever vigilant Hop Sing of her husband\u2019s arrival, glided out the front door as quickly as she could with a baby in her arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cI am so glad you are home again.\u00a0 We have missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben kissed her and took the baby.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what about you, sweet boy?\u201d he asked, cuddling the child against his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cDid you miss Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe responded with a vigorous burp.<\/p>\n

Marie giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI just fed him,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

Ben scowled playfully at his youngest.\u00a0 \u201cSome welcome you give!\u201d he snorted, then laughed and held the baby high overhead.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you, just the same.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe laughed and kicked his bare feet energetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, be careful,\u201d Marie cautioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, my love, you worry too much,\u201d Ben chided, but he brought the baby down obediently.\u00a0 He needed to stay on Marie\u2019s good side if he hoped to persuade her to follow his plans for the second week in October.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s school?\u201d he asked Hoss as the four Cartwrights headed inside.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face screwed up piteously.\u00a0 \u201cPlumb awful!\u201d he reported.\u00a0 \u201cExcept for recess.\u00a0 I like that fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, fine!\u201d Ben guffawed.<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 Pa didn\u2019t seem to understand how important it was that things were going well at recess.\u00a0 Last year even that brief break had given him no respite from the misery of school.\u00a0 The taunting of his Mormon schoolmates had been torture for the boy who, to that time, had considered everyone his friend\u2014\u2014well, everyone except Jewel Larrimore, who remained a safe distance away in San Francisco.\u00a0 But Hoss had gotten off to a better start this year, even if Pa was unlikely to see it that way.\u00a0 The two youngsters who had repeated last year\u2019s jeer of \u201cfat, stupid gentile\u201d the first day had been made to pay for their mockery with a blow from Hoss\u2019s solid fist and quickly decided to mend their ways.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t as much to mock, anyway, for Hoss\u2019s summer-long schooling had paid off.\u00a0 He still wasn\u2019t a good student, but he was, at least, keeping up.<\/p>\n

Hoss trotted to catch his parents and scooted next to his father on the sofa as soon as Ben sat down.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I been thinkin\u2019, like you said,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Ben responded absently, bending his face to blow kisses at the baby perched, with support, on his knee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI been thinkin\u2019,\u201d Hoss repeated with strained patience.\u00a0 \u201cAbout our trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s large head jerked up.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, well I\u2019ve had an idea of my own, Hoss, if you don\u2019t mind Mama and Little Joe coming along, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face fell.\u00a0 \u201cYou promised!\u201d he squealed.\u00a0 \u201cJust you and me.\u00a0 You promised, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked genuinely shocked, having never dreamed that good-natured Hoss would object to a change in plans.\u00a0 \u201cBut, son, I think you\u2019d enjoy what I have planned much more than the little trip I promised you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss clearly looked dubious.\u00a0 Marie, certain Ben\u2019s plans were wonderful before she even heard them, asked the question Hoss wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have you planned, Benjamin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben flashed her a grateful\u2014\u2014and hopeful\u2014\u2014smile.\u00a0 \u201cA trip to the California State Agricultural Fair at Sacramento next month,\u201d he announced triumphantly.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face cleared at once, and his blue eyes brightened.\u00a0 \u201cSacramento?\u201d he whispered in awe.\u00a0 \u201cHonest, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but no, Ben,\u201d Marie murmured almost as quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThat is not possible, not for me.\u00a0 I do not even think it wise for Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMama,\u201d Hoss whined.<\/p>\n

Ben patted his middle boy\u2019s stocky thigh with a silencing hand and turned his most persuasive smile on his wife.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, dearest, there\u2019s no reason in the world you can\u2019t go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is this one,\u201d Marie said, brushing Little Joe\u2019s soft curls.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Ben cooed soothingly.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t be a bit a trouble, though you could leave him with Nelly Thomas if you\u2019d rather.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Marie cried sharply.\u00a0 \u201cHe stays with me\u2014\u2014always.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Ben said with a grand attempt at nonchalance.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll take him with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie frowned exquisitely, feeling she had been tricked and not liking the feeling.\u00a0 \u201cI have not said I would go,\u201d she declared hotly, \u201cand you may cease practicing your wiles on me, monsieur<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shifted Little Joe to his other knee and took her hand with his now freed one.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, I would very much like you to come to California with me,\u201d he said directly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been wanting to furnish one of the guest rooms.\u00a0 This would be a good opportunity for that, and I\u2019d really like to show off our beautiful new son to my friends in California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben, it is such a long journey for a baby,\u201d Marie protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot by stage,\u201d Ben argued.\u00a0 \u201cYou could ride in comfort, my love, and cover the distance much more quickly than we have before.\u00a0 Only eighteen hours to Placerville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cB\u2014but Little Joe may not be a good traveler,\u201d she argued, \u201cand you know how loudly he can make his displeasure known.\u00a0 Would you want to be trapped in the stage with a screaming baby for eighteen hours?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the one problem Ben hadn\u2019t foreseen, but he quickly countered her objection.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t know \u2018til we try,\u201d he said, \u201cand if the boy doesn\u2019t do well, you can stay in Placerville with Ludmilla Zuebner while I take Hoss on to the fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time Marie looked as though she were giving the proposed expedition some thought.\u00a0 \u201cWell, perhaps,\u201d she conceded.\u00a0 \u201cStill, Ben, there is Hoss\u2019s schooling to consider.\u00a0 He has barely begun, and I would hate to see him fall behind again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss groaned inwardly.\u00a0 School\u2014\u2014the one fly in the pudding.\u00a0 Pa\u2019d never let him miss school for anything as interesting as a trip to Sacramento.\u00a0 His plunging spirits rose to new heights, however, as he listened to his father explain the educational benefits of a trip to the state fair.\u00a0 \u201cBesides,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cwe can take along his books and he can study in the hotel of an evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about the weather?\u201d Marie queried.\u00a0 \u201cIs not October late to be making a trip to California?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be a problem,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cIt does occasionally snow that early in the Sierras, but the roads aren\u2019t usually impassible until later.\u00a0 We\u2019ll keep an eye on the weather, and if there\u2019s the least hint of danger, we won\u2019t go.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t put you or our boys at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014\u2014\u201d she murmured thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

Sure of victory now, Ben beamed expansively.\u00a0 \u201cLet me tell you what I thought we could do,\u201d he began.\u00a0 \u201cFirst, of course, we\u2019ll stay overnight at Placerville.\u00a0 Ludmilla and the girls will need time to dote on our new baby.\u00a0 Then, on to Sacramento.\u00a0 We\u2019ll take in a night at the theater in addition to the fair, and I thought we might have Little Joe\u2019s portrait taken at Beal\u2019s.\u00a0 That way we\u2019d have one of all the boys, since I\u2019ve already had Adam\u2019s taken.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie suddenly smiled, clasping her hands like a happy child.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI would like that.\u201d\u00a0 Then another thought struck her and she reached eagerly to touch Ben\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cMais oui<\/em>!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cWe will all be together.\u00a0 Why not a family portrait?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not, indeed!\u201d Ben enthused.\u00a0 \u201cThen, if the weather seems to be holding, I thought we might go on down near Monterey and let my dear friends the Paynes meet my beautiful bride and her beautiful baby boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey them folks that gave me the birthday party that time?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled him close.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right, son.\u00a0 You\u2019d like to see them again, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Hoss agreed readily, \u201cespecially if they got more ice cream.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie both laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Hoss,\u201d Ben chided.\u00a0 \u201cThink of something besides your stomach once in a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave them a sheepish look.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re nice,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see \u2018em even without the ice cream.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Just two days after Ben arrived home, breakfast was interrupted by someone knocking on the door.\u00a0 Setting the platter of scrambled eggs on the table, Hop Sing frowned.\u00a0 Unexpected guests were not welcome at the breakfast table.\u00a0 Not by Hop Sing, at least, as he informed the guest in vociferous, and thoroughly unintelligible, Chinese when he answered the door.<\/p>\n

Ben rose quickly to rescue the unknown caller.\u00a0 \u201cEthan, come in,\u201d he called when he saw the tow-headed young man dressed in the traditional red flannel shirt and denim britches of a miner.\u00a0 \u201cJust in time for breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, no, thanks,\u201d Ethan Grosch muttered, twisting his slouch hat between his hands.\u00a0 \u201cUh, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019m looking for work, if you need an extra hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had all the hands he needed, but something in the young man\u2019s face prevented his making a quick reply.\u00a0 \u201cMining not going so well, son?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Ethan flushed crimson.\u00a0 \u201cEnough to eat on,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I\u2019m in need of extra cash, Mr. Cartwright, enough to pay back what I borrowed to bury my brother in a decent set of clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie suppressed a shocked outcry, stood and came quickly toward the two men.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Monsieur<\/em> Grosch, I am most sorry to hear of your loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d Ethan said quietly, raising clouded blue eyes to her compassionate face.\u00a0 \u201cHosea\u2019s beyond the pain of this world, and I can\u2019t begrudge him the leaving, suffering as he was.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to get my debt paid quickly, though, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2014I have business in California that won\u2019t keep, but I can\u2019t leave owing any man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, appreciating the young man\u2019s dedication.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t need anyone until we start roundup in about a week,\u201d Ben confessed.\u00a0 \u201cBe glad to use you then, son, but ranch work doesn\u2019t pay much.\u00a0 Mind if I ask what you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSixty dollars,\u201d Grosch replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could loan you that,\u201d Ben offered.<\/p>\n

Grosch smiled crookedly.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t that just be trading one debt for another, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGuess so.\u00a0 Some of the other ranchers in the valley might need help now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethan shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been asking, but it seems no one\u2019s looking to hire right now.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep looking, and if I don\u2019t find anything else, I\u2019ll come back in about a week, if I may.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to have you,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how about that breakfast?\u00a0 I know bachelor cooking, and I\u2019ll wager you had nothing but biscuits and bacon before you left this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the biscuits,\u201d Ethan admitted with a wistful glance at the bountiful breakfast spread for the Cartwrights.\u00a0 \u201cIf\u2014if there\u2019s plenty\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie reached to take his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThere is plenty; come,\u201d she urged and gently pulled him toward the table.<\/p>\n

After eating, Grosch left to continue his search for work.\u00a0 \u201cI was sorry to have to put him off,\u201d Ben said to Marie when the bereaved brother was gone, \u201cbut he\u2019d have quickly realized I didn\u2019t have any real need of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, he would,\u201d Marie assured him, then shook her head, frowning.\u00a0 \u201cI do not understand this need for money, though, Ben.\u00a0 Surely, he need not work here for money, for Laura Ellis has promised him some.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust another debt to be paid, my love,\u201d Ben pointed out with only half a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you do not understand,\u201d Marie insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThe brothers are making Laura a partner in their claim.\u00a0 I do not know how much she was to give, but, surely, Ethan is free to use it as his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben disagreed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019d see that money as an investment, Marie, and, therefore, off limits to his personal use.\u00a0 At least, that\u2019s how I\u2019d see it, and I\u2019ve always felt the Grosch brothers were honorable men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonor is a fine quality, mon mari<\/em>,\u201d Marie said, \u201cbut I have seen it cost men their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her hand and held it to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t New Orleans, my love,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThe Code Duello does not reign here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded, saying nothing, but she continued to feel uneasy about Ethan Grosch and the price he might yet pay for honor.<\/p>\n

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

The news arrived in Genoa September 5th, but the Cartwrights didn\u2019t hear it until the next day when they took Sunday dinner with the Thomases.\u00a0 Clyde was so gleeful he could hardly contain himself until his guests were seated in the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to the celebration, folks,\u201d he burbled.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t got no fatted pig, but my woman\u2019s done killed two fat hens in honor of the occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat occasion?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Before Clyde could answer, Nelly interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cLands, I ain\u2019t celebratin\u2019 nothin\u2019 except that them two hens done quit layin\u2019 and I don\u2019t see no use in feedin\u2019 \u2018em if they won\u2019t give eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they done quit layin\u2019 at a proper time for celebratin\u2019, anyhow,\u201d Clyde cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cCelebrating what?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, gettin\u2019 shed of another nest of Mormons,\u201d Clyde announced, handing his friend the previous day\u2019s copy of the Scorpion<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cThe whole hive, if we\u2019re lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, come help me set the chicken to fryin\u2019,\u201d Nelly suggested, \u201cand leave these men to their foolishness.\u201d\u00a0 Marie stood readily, taking Nelly\u2019s rare request for help in the kitchen to mean that she wanted to share the news in her own way.<\/p>\n

Ben had no difficulty finding the article that had Clyde so excited, for in large letters the headline read \u201cA CALL TO ALL SAINTS.\u201d\u00a0 Ben scanned the words quickly, growing more sober with each sentence he read.\u00a0 Alarmed by rumors that President Buchanan was sending soldiers to Utah to enforce the rights of the federal government against the Mormon theocracy, Brigham Young had ordered the return to Salt Lake City of all Mormons in the CarsonValley, with the further charge of bringing as much ammunition as possible with them.\u00a0 The Saints, evicted from the settled regions of the east, would not give up their sacred city so meekly this time.\u00a0 \u201cIf it is war President Buchanan wants, then war he will get,\u201d declared the Scorpion\u2019s<\/em> publisher Stephen Kinsey in an accompanying editorial.<\/p>\n

Ben tossed the paper down.\u00a0 \u201cYou think this is a cause for celebration?\u201d he asked tersely.\u00a0 \u201cIf the Mormons answer this call, it\u2019ll depopulate the valley, man!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood riddance to bad rubbish,\u201d Clyde snapped.\u00a0 \u201cOr maybe you like takin\u2019 orders from Brigham Young.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know better.\u00a0 The man\u2019s a law unto himself, considers himself governor of the territory by divine appointment and\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd every one of them so-called \u201csaints\u201d follows him around like a feeble-minded sheep,\u201d Clyde groused.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cNot quite all, but I agree most of his flock considers his word a law that supercedes the law of the land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight!\u201d Clyde exclaimed, firing his index finger at Ben\u2019s nose.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we\u2019re better off rid of such puling lambs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pushed the finger away.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not thinking, Clyde,\u201d he argued.\u00a0 \u201cI find their religion and their idolatry of Brigham Young repulsive, but the Mormons built this territory, and we won\u2019t be stronger if they leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll form our own territory,\u201d Clyde insisted.\u00a0 \u201cAlready in the works, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head in disbelief at the other man\u2019s naivet\u00e9.\u00a0 \u201cYou can kiss the Territory of Columbus good-bye, my friend.\u00a0 With even less residents than when we petitioned Congress, we\u2019ll be lucky if they so much as read our memorial.\u201d<\/p>\n

That remark effectively dampened Clyde\u2019s elation, and for the first time he found himself considering that, perhaps, after all, Mormon neighbors were better than none at all.<\/p>\n

Nelly called everyone to dinner, but though the chicken was crisp and savory, Ben had no appetite for it.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help wondering how many settlers would return to Salt Lake City to defend their faith and pondering what that would mean for those left behind in Carson Valley.<\/p>\n

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

Over the next three weeks it became clear that, as Ben had feared, the settlements on the eastern side of the Sierras were going to experience a dramatic drop in population.\u00a0 Some of the Mormons, taking Brigham Young\u2019s order as an urgent call to arms, headed out almost immediately, abandoning their ranches and taking time only to load a wagon with their families, a few personal possessions and all the ammunition they had available.\u00a0 Most, however, made more prudent preparation for the long journey and took more provident care of their possessions.\u00a0 With more sellers than buyers in the territory, the market was glutted with property for sale, and the prices dropped far below the previously perceived value of the land.\u00a0 Even so, few of those remaining in CarsonValley were disposed to buy from the departing Mormons when they could take the land for nothing within a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t resist casting a hungry eye on the ranches in Washoe Valley, for the later immigrants from Salt Lake City had carved their homes from land he had once hoped to call his own.\u00a0 Much of it adjoined the Ponderosa and would make a profitable addition to his holdings.\u00a0 One evening after the boys were in bed, Ben broached the subject to his wife.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather not lose our neighbors,\u201d he explained after discussing the possibilities with her, \u201cbut if they\u2019re set on leaving, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime for us.\u00a0 It would mean some sacrifice, though, and I hate to ask it of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked pensive.\u00a0 \u201cI do not understand, Ben.\u00a0 What sacrifice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo genuine hardship, I promise,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t stretch our finances that thin, but it could mean foregoing some of the finer things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike our trip to California?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, we\u2019ll still manage that.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss are both looking forward to the fair, but you might have to be more circumspect in your purchases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, if that is all,\u201d Marie laughed, \u201cit is no great hardship.\u00a0 I did not marry you for your money, Benjamin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cast a rebuking glance at her teasing face.\u00a0 Though he\u2019d considered himself prosperous when he met her in New Orleans, he knew she could have had her pick of far wealthier men.\u00a0 \u201cWill you be serious?\u201d he chided.<\/p>\n

Marie sobered instantly, fearing she had given offense.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t quite understand, Ben,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIf they are abandoning the land, what need will you have of money?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her hand, the gesture a plea for understanding.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t just take it, Marie.\u00a0 Call me foolish if you like\u2014\u2014I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll hear it from others\u2014\u2014but I can\u2019t take a man\u2019s property, hewn out of a hard land, and give him nothing in return.\u00a0 I can\u2019t afford to pay the real value of the land\u2014\u2014at least, what it was before this crisis\u2014\u2014but the little that\u2019s being asked now I will pay, even if I have to pay it out over time.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t call the land my own if I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Marie said, pressing his hand to assure him of her support.\u00a0 \u201cWith you, it is a matter of honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grimaced, recalling her recent remarks about Ethan Grosch\u2019s sense of honor.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, my love,\u201d he vowed, \u201cyou need never fear that I would place my honor above either you or our sons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie snuggled close to him.\u00a0 \u201cI have feared nothing since that morning in New Orleans when you risked your life to vindicate my good name, my honor.\u00a0 You ask me now to sacrifice a little comfort for yours, and I tell you, Ben, it is no sacrifice.\u00a0 Buy the land, and we will work together to build it and preserve it for our sons.\u201d\u00a0 Ben wrapped strong arms around her and kissed her with the same passionate fervor he\u2019d felt that morning in New Orleans when she agreed to be his bride.<\/p>\n

The word spread quickly.\u00a0 Once the Mormon ranchers learned someone was willing to pay actual cash for their property, Ben found himself besieged with more offers than he could possibly afford.\u00a0 True to his word to Marie, he used his available funds cautiously, refusing to consider any properties that did not border the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Several hopeful sellers left disappointed, but unable to argue with Ben\u2019s reasons for declining their offers.<\/p>\n

Late one afternoon Ben caught his breath in anticipation when Hop Sing ushered the Cartwrights\u2019 closest neighbor into the front room.\u00a0 If there was a piece of property Ben coveted above all others, it was the one belonging to Alex Cowan.\u00a0 \u201cAlex, good to see you,\u201d Ben greeted him heartily\u2014\u2014a shade too heartily, he scolded himself the minute the words were out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you, Cartwright,\u201d Cowan responded.<\/p>\n

Ben spread a welcoming hand toward the fireplace.\u00a0 \u201cHave a seat, please.\u00a0 Getting chilly out these evenings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, it is that,\u201d Cowan replied, taking the seat nearest the fire.<\/p>\n

Ben settled onto the sofa, close to the other man.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t bring Eilley with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d the Mormon answered tersely, almost biting the word off half-said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll come straight to the point, Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard you\u2019re in the market for land in WashoeValley and paying as fair a price as can be expected these days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m trying to,\u201d Ben said, working saliva into his suddenly dry mouth.\u00a0 \u201cAre you planning to leave the valley, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Cowan said, his face grim.\u00a0 \u201cNo true Saint would refuse our leader\u2019s call.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been a good neighbor,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cthe kind I\u2019ll hate to lose, but I\u2019ll be honest with you.\u00a0 There\u2019s not a piece of property I\u2019d be more interested in buying than yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for sale,\u201d the Mormon muttered.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 What on earth had brought the man here if he didn\u2019t want to sell his property?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I was wondering,\u201d Cowan explained quickly, seeing Ben\u2019s bewilderment, \u201cis whether you\u2019d like to lease my land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLease?\u201d Ben queried.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re planning to return, then?\u201d\u00a0 Ben had heard that some of the Mormons were offering to rent their land in the hope that, once the immediate crisis ended, they could come west again.\u00a0 Foolish hope for most since, if they returned at all, they\u2019d probably find their property already occupied.<\/p>\n

Cowan, however, shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot likely,\u201d he said, his face taut with stubborn pride, \u201cbut my wife refuses to return to Salt Lake City with me.\u00a0 Obviously, her devotion to the faith and to me is less than her devotion to the land, so we\u2019ll be separating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pressed his mouth shut, not daring to make a comment on the Cowans\u2019 marital discord.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019ll be staying on at the ranch, then,?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowan nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t, of course, sell the property out from under her.\u00a0 She\u2019ll need the cabin to live in, but she won\u2019t be farming or running cattle, so the pastures are available if you need extra grazing land.\u00a0 I\u2019d like Eilley to have a little outside income she can count on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d\u00a0 Ben fought to keep the disappointment from his face.\u00a0 He\u2019d have gladly purchased the property outright, but with all the cash he\u2019d expended lately, it would be some time before he could afford to fully stock the pastures he already owned.\u00a0 He had no reason to lease more, but he hated the thought of anyone else\u2019s using that particular plot of land, so close to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 And, perhaps, if Cowan later decided to sell, he\u2019d be in a better position to bargain for the land if he held it on lease.<\/p>\n

Ben made a quick decision.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m interested, Alex,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I\u2019ve bought so much this last week or so that I couldn\u2019t afford to pay much to lease property I may not need for some time to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t ask much,\u201d Cowan stated bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cYou know as well as I there aren\u2019t likely to be other offers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied honestly, \u201cbut I have no desire to hold your feet to the fire just because I know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure we can come to terms, then,\u201d Cowan said, and after brief negotiation Ben found himself in possession of a lease on his favorite property with an option to buy should Cowan or his wife later decide to put it on the market.<\/p>\n

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

A haze of purple splashed the sky when Ben rode into Genoa early on the morning of September 26th\u2014\u2014not actually into town, of course, for the Mormon wagon camp was just outside.\u00a0 Ben expelled a long breath as he saw the wagons beginning to line up.\u00a0 He was in time, then, to see the party, many of them friends and neighbors, off on their journey.<\/p>\n

He rode to the head of the line and paused at the wagon of each person he knew to give them his best wishes for a safe trip.\u00a0 He offered his prayers, too, though he wasn\u2019t sure these \u201csaints\u201d would value the prayers of a mere \u201cgentile.\u201d\u00a0 No matter.\u00a0 God, Ben was sure, would.<\/p>\n

Whatever they may have thought of his prayers, however, the Mormons seemed to appreciate his gesture in seeing them off.\u00a0 Few of those remaining in the valley had thought it worth their time to venture out this morning, though Ben could see John Reese and his nephew Stephen Kinsey standing opposite him.\u00a0 Kinsey had a notepad in hand and was jotting down something.\u00a0 Ben smiled.\u00a0 Notes for an article in the Scorpion<\/em>, of course.\u00a0 After all, this was about the most newsworthy event the territory had seen in quite some time.<\/p>\n

Seeing Kinsey apparently counting the wagons as they rolled past, Ben began to keep his own tally as he said farewell to others down the line.\u00a0 When he reached the last one, he turned and rode back toward Reese and Kinsey.\u00a0 \u201cI count one hundred twenty-three,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMatches my count,\u201d Kinsey said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cGlad of the confirmation, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAny tally on the number of people?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot as precise,\u201d Kinsey admitted, \u201cbut around four hundred fifty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben whistled.\u00a0 \u201cBig loss to the valley.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuge,\u201d Reese grunted.\u00a0 \u201cOnly about two hundred of us left now, thanks to Brigham Young\u2019s infernal interference, and I suppose you know what that means, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Territory of Columbus,\u201d Ben muttered in defeat.\u00a0 \u201cNo hope of a working government.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still have our Committee of Twenty-eight,\u201d Reese insisted.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 Reese had to know, as he did himself, that the Committee couldn\u2019t function effectively without real governmental authority behind it, but neither man wanted to voice the grim reality.\u00a0 Ben tipped his hat in farewell and rode northeast.\u00a0 He\u2019d managed to sneak out of the house before Hop Sing caught him that morning, so he\u2019d had no breakfast.\u00a0 Hungry now, he knew he could count on Nelly Thomas to offer him a plate of her best, so he aimed his bay toward the Thomas cabin on the shores of the Carson River.<\/p>\n

He found, as always, a hearty welcome from Nelly and a snickering one from Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cOut early beggin\u2019, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d Clyde teased.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t that yeller fix breakfast these days?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben scowled at his friend, who, of course, knew better than to question Hop Sing\u2019s breakfasts, having eaten that meal at the Ponderosa himself.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been seeing off our Mormon friends,\u201d he admitted and waited for the sparks sure to fly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour friends, maybe,\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI never called \u2018em that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSnakes is what he calls \u2018em,\u201d Billy chuckled, slopping a sizable pool of sausage gravy over his biscuits.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind your tongue, boy,\u201d his mother cautioned as she spread plum jam on little Inger\u2019s biscuit.\u00a0 \u201cI never heard your pa speak such language, even of Mormons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa speaks all kinds of language you never hear, Ma,\u201d Billy snickered and ducked the exasperated cuff she aimed toward his ear.\u00a0 A good thing, too, for Nelly had forgotten the jam-smeared knife was still in her hand.\u00a0 She missed his ear, but Billy\u2019s tangled red tresses sported dollops of sticky purple.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled wryly.\u00a0 Clyde watched his words around Nelly, true enough, but, like Billy, he\u2019d heard Clyde blast the air with cuss words when there were only men around.\u00a0 Not often, though, in all fairness.\u00a0 It took a lot to rile his old friend to profanity.\u00a0 Ben tried hard not to push that far.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie busy gettin\u2019 packed up for your trip?\u201d Nelly asked, grabbing up a napkin to repair the damage to Billy\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n

Ben leaped at the welcome change of subject.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, she\u2019s started, although we don\u2019t leave for two weeks.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t realize what a major expedition I was suggesting when I mentioned taking Little Joe along.\u00a0 A whole carpetbag just for diapers!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know you can leave him here, if you\u2019re a mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I can\u2019t<\/em>,\u201d he replied with a significant arch of his eyebrow, and they all laughed at the intended joke at Marie\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell Marta I\u2019ll be over her way a couple of days after you pass through,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWe got to pick up supplies for the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarta?\u201d Ben chuckled, tossing a wink at Billy\u2019s father.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it was Sally Martin you were sparking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, when I\u2019m here, but there\u2019s other daisies in other fields.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben roared with laughter.\u00a0 \u201cBilly, my boy, we\u2019d send you to sea, except you\u2019d leave a broken heart in every port.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy figured he knew just how to get back at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon Adam\u2019s sniffin\u2019 a few daisies in Sacramento, too,\u201d he declared, grinning triumphantly at the horrified look on Ben Cartwright\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER SIX<\/p>\n

Darkening Clouds<\/h4>\n

The sun shone brightly as Ben turned his team toward the Thomas cabin by the Carson River.\u00a0 \u201cThought we was goin\u2019 to Genoa,\u201d Hoss commented.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t say nothin\u2019 about seein\u2019 Uncle Clyde and Aunt Nelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we might beg a meal,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cShould be close to noon by the time we get the lumber loaded.\u00a0 I\u2019m just stopping to see if it\u2019ll be all right to eat with the Thomases afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 He\u2019d never seen Aunt Nelly turn down a request for food.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it will be,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cbut it\u2019s only fair to give the cook some warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, maybe she\u2019ll bake a pie,\u201d Hoss bubbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde Thomas exited from his trading post and gave Ben a wave.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t expect to see you here of a weekday.\u00a0 What\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust going in to the sawmill for a load of lumber,\u201d Ben replied as he climbed off the buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cGonna build a birthing barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould have got it the other day, when you was seein\u2019 them Mormons off, saved yourself a trip,\u201d Clyde teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t want to be slowed down by a wagon that day and you know it,\u201d Ben muttered back.\u00a0 \u201cI just stopped by to ask Nelly if we could take lunch with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to ask that,\u201d Clyde scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou and your folks are welcome anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe was hopin\u2019 Aunt Nelly\u2019d bake a pie, if we gave her warnin\u2019,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Clyde guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cNow the truth comes out.\u00a0 You run in the house and tell her that, Hoss.\u00a0 Tell her we\u2019d all like pie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Hoss cried and ran for the cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not ask for pie,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u00a0 More for me and Hoss,\u201d Clyde cackled.\u00a0 \u201cYou want some help loading that lumber?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReese\u2019ll help load it,\u201d Ben said, \u201cand I wouldn\u2019t want to take you away from your trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde scowled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat trade?\u00a0 Ain\u2019t had anyone stop by all week.\u00a0 Not that I\u2019d\u2019ve had much to sell if they had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProvisions getting low, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, always do this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I buy mine in bulk when they\u2019re plentiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde clapped his friend on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYup, we learned that lesson early on, didn\u2019t we, Ben boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d Ben agreed.<\/p>\n

Although Hoss had been looking forward to the trip to Genoa, he decided to stay and supervise the baking of the dried peach pie Aunt Nelly had promised him.\u00a0 Clyde took his place on the buckboard seat beside Ben for the short drive into town.<\/p>\n

They turned off Main Street, down the side road to the Reese mill, where Ben ordered the lumber he needed and, with Clyde\u2019s help, loaded it.\u00a0 Then, their tummies yearning for fresh pie, they started to leave.\u00a0 When the wagon pulled back onto Main Street, however, Ben noticed a large crowd gathered in front of Ormsby\u2019s store.<\/p>\n

Ormsby was standing on the wood slat porch, trying to address the crowd, but Ben couldn\u2019t hear what the merchant was saying for the noise of those milling the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like trouble,\u201d Clyde commented.\u00a0 \u201cReckon we ought to check it out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019d better,\u201d Ben replied as he reined the team to a halt.\u00a0 He and Clyde both climbed down and headed across the street.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s happened?\u201d Ben asked a man on the outskirts of the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouple of dead bodies found out in the mountains,\u201d the man said.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s countenance grew grave.\u00a0 \u201cHave they been identified?\u00a0 Any idea how it happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s them traders from east of here, John McMarlin and James Williams,\u201d the man replied, \u201cand it was injuns done it; them bodies was full of arrows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pained, Ben closed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPaiute or Washo?\u201d<\/p>\n

The man shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNobody knows.\u00a0 Ormsby\u2019s tryin\u2019 to line up volunteers to go after the bodies, but I ain\u2019t about to head into them hills if there\u2019s injuns on the warpath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t scared of injuns,\u201d Clyde declared.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon Ormsby can count on me.\u00a0 Have to go back to my place for my horse, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink I could borrow Billy\u2019s?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about that load of lumber?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss can drive it back to the Ponderosa,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIf we\u2019ve got Indian problems, I want to know it sooner, rather than later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, let\u2019s see Ormsby,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to have you,\u201d Ormsby responded to their offer of help.\u00a0 \u201cSome of these folks are ready to fly off the handle and charge into Winnemucca\u2019s camp.\u00a0 Maybe you can help calm them down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing, but he doubted he could have much effect on the crowd.\u00a0 He\u2019d had too many people yell \u201cIndian lover\u201d at him to feel he had enough influence to counter fear fueled by accusations of Indian attack.<\/p>\n

The force of that fear was indicated by the number of men in the party, thirty in all.\u00a0 For safety\u2019s sake, Ormsby had refused to leave until the group reached that size.\u00a0 They came upon the bodies, just before darkness descended, beside a steep, switch-backed trail.\u00a0 Evidently, McMarlin and Williams had made their first overnight camp here, and the rescuers did the same, eager to make an early start back to Genoa the next morning.\u00a0 As reported the bodies were riddled with arrows, making it hard to refute the charge of an Indian attack.\u00a0 Neither body, however was scalped or mutilated, and the only property missing was the money with which the two traders had planned to buy supplies in California.<\/p>\n

\u201cInjuns wouldn\u2019t have no use for money,\u201d Clyde grunted and Ben nodded his agreement.\u00a0 This looked to him like the work of white men masquerading as Indians.\u00a0 It was some consolation to Ben that his best friend accepted that assessment, but no one else seemed to.\u00a0 To them, the arrows were the most convincing evidence and the Paiutes the most likely source for those feathered messengers of death.\u00a0 To resounding applause, William Ormsby announced he would send a courier to Winnemucca, summoning the chief to Genoa to answer the accusations.\u00a0 \u201cIf he refuses, it establishes his guilt,\u201d Ormsby declared.<\/p>\n

The summons itself was an insult and, if improperly framed, might only exacerbate the conflict.\u00a0 Feeling that he, of them all, was the most likely to approach the Paiute leader with respect and persuade him to come to Genoa in peace, Ben volunteered to ride to Winnemucca\u2019s camp to deliver the message.\u00a0 Ormsby accepted gratefully, but as Ben saddled his mount to leave the next morning, Clyde told him he was being \u201ca consarned fool.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone\u2019s got to do it,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know any man better suited to the job?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde looked away and, without a word, mounted his own horse.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t relish the job Ben had given him of telling Marie, but figured it was the least he could do.\u00a0 If Ben can face a whole injun camp<\/em>, Clyde thought, I ought to be able to handle one hysterical female<\/em>.\u00a0 Then he scowled, wondering if, after all, Ben hadn\u2019t taken the easy job.<\/p>\n

As Ben rode into the Paiute camp at PyramidLake, he observed carefully the demeanor of the Indians.\u00a0 The Indians were busy, not with preparations for war, but for the approaching winter.\u00a0 Men were building their karnees<\/em> thicker than usual, while women busily sewed rabbit skins into robes to keep out the icy wind and children ran here and there, either playing games or getting underfoot as they tried to help their parents.\u00a0 Some of the older ones, recognizing Ben, ran to welcome him to the camp.\u00a0 Hardly the behavior of Indians on the warpath, Ben thought wryly.<\/p>\n

As he approached the central karnee<\/em>, Winnemucca walked out and stood tall in the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cYou are welcome, Ben Cartwright,\u201d the Paiute chief stated with dignity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Poito,\u201d Ben replied, using the name by which he had first known the Paiute.\u00a0 He wanted to emphasize their long-standing friendship as a preparation for the unpleasant words he would have to speak later.\u00a0 \u201cHave you been in good health, my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

Poito grunted, nodding toward the karnee<\/em>.\u00a0 Ben nodded in acceptance and entered the Indian\u2019s home, sitting with crossed legs on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cI hope also to visit with Captain Truckee before I leave,\u201d Ben began.\u00a0 \u201cIs he also in good health?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe grows weak with the years of his journey,\u201d the Paiute replied, \u201cbut he has strength to travel a few moons more.\u00a0 He will be glad you come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Captain Truckee was always a good friend,\u201d Ben commented, \u201cand I have counted that friendship a privilege.\u201d\u00a0 Unlike his father-in-law, Poito had less trust of the white man, though Ben was an exception, having years before saved the life of the chief\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see your people are preparing for winter,\u201d Ben continued.\u00a0 Though the words seemed like idle conversation when he\u2019d come on so grave an errand, he knew it was important that he follow all the courtesies of a visit between friends.<\/p>\n

Poito nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be a hard time, with so many white men taking the wild game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took the thinly veiled hint.\u00a0 \u201cI can spare a few head of cattle to help my friends through the hard time,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 He thought the beef a small price to pay for continued friendship with these potentially violent neighbors.<\/p>\n

When Poito dipped his chin in acknowledgement of the gift, Ben took a deep breath, readying himself for the difficult words he must say next.\u00a0 \u201cI have come to you as a friend, Poito, but what I have come to say is most serious.\u00a0 Would it not be well if we smoked together before we have words, so that we may look into each other\u2019s faces and read each other\u2019s hearts?\u201d<\/p>\n

Poito grunted his acceptance, then waited for Ben to offer a gift of tobacco, as he usually did.\u00a0 It was a breach of courtesy Ben regretted, but he hadn\u2019t taken tobacco with him to Genoa that day and hadn\u2019t taken time to stop by the Ponderosa before coming to PyramidLake.\u00a0 Poito\u2019s brow wrinkled, as if he read in Ben\u2019s silence a signal of the seriousness of the matter he had come to discuss, and he rose to prepare the pipe.<\/p>\n

After sharing the pipe, Ben came straight to the point.\u00a0 \u201cPoito, two men have been found dead in the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany fools cross mountains,\u201d Poito grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut it was not the mountains that killed these men.\u00a0 Many arrows pierced their bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Poito immediately understood the unspoken accusation.\u00a0 \u201cNot Paiute arrows,\u201d he alleged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe my friend,\u201d Ben said quickly, \u201cbut there are those whose fear clouds their reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould I make war while my daughters live in the white man\u2019s camp?\u201d Poito asked, the curl of his lip emphasizing the four-inch bone worn through his nose, which made him look ferocious, although Ben knew him to be peace-loving unless provoked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you would not,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI bring a message from the man with whom they live.\u00a0 William Ormsby asks that you come to Genoa to help him learn who is behind these murders.\u201d\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t quite the message Ormsby had dictated, but Ben planned on leaving PyramidLake with his hair intact.<\/p>\n

Poito drew himself up, holding his spine rigid.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I do not go to the white man\u2019s camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben leaned forward, ready to plead for the chief\u2019s cooperation, but Poito held up a silencing hand.\u00a0 \u201cNatchez and Numaga go with you.\u00a0 They will know who made these arrows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Ben said, breathing more easily.\u00a0 It was a good compromise: it avoided the possibility of insult to the chief, but provided able representatives in his son and the warrior the whites called the Young Winnemucca.<\/p>\n

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

Hearing hoofbeats thunder into the yard, Marie rushed out the front door.\u00a0 As she had hoped, Ben was vaulting off Billy\u2019s roan, quickly encircling her in his arms.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t, however, expected the entourage he brought with him and could barely conceal her alarm.\u00a0 \u201cBen, what\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held a finger to her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss yelled, running out of the barn.\u00a0 Then he stopped abruptly and, like his mother, stared anxiously at the dark-skinned visitors.\u00a0 Hoss was old enough to have picked up the tension when his father and Uncle Clyde came back from town, and though he\u2019d never been fearful of Paiutes before, he regarded them warily now.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled persuasively at his wife.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve brought some guests for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome!\u201d she whispered anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cBen, there must be a hundred of them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t counted,\u201d Ben said wryly.\u00a0 Evidently intending to make an impression on the white population, Winnemucca had sent a hundred warriors with his official envoys.\u00a0 \u201cNatchez and Numaga will be dining with us in the house, and we\u2019ll need to provide food for the others outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you wish to tell Hop Sing this?\u201d Marie hissed in his ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re in charge of the kitchen,\u201d Ben replied slyly.\u00a0 \u201cYou tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCoward,\u201d Marie accused and, ordering Hoss to come with her, hurried inside.<\/p>\n

By the time the guests entered, Marie had managed to compose both herself and, by some miracle, the Chinese cook.\u00a0 Natchez and Numaga perched uncomfortably on the sofa as Ben loaded his pipe with fresh tobacco and offered it to each man in turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will have caf\u00e9<\/em> soon,\u201d Marie said graciously, though she carefully placed herself between the Indians and her children. At her orders, Hoss had already posted himself protectively in front of the cradle, where Little Joe lay sleeping.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, my love,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 When the coffee arrived, the Indians cautiously sipped the unfamiliar brew, then began to drink with noisy, appreciative slurps.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s eyes flicked this way and that, like a watchful snake, as he placed the food on the table.\u00a0 At Marie\u2019s instruction, he served Hoss in the kitchen, and though he would normally have hovered around the table to make sure everyone was giving proper attention to the meal, Hop Sing seemed content to stay in the kitchen tonight.\u00a0 He absolutely refused to carry the platters of sliced beef outside to the other Indians, so Ben delegated the task to Hoss, an action which earned him a barrage of abuse once Marie had him alone in their bedroom.<\/p>\n

After being placated with kisses, Marie huddled close to Ben\u2019s side beneath the covers.\u00a0 \u201cI fear for you, Ben,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cIf all does not go well, it is you who will be blamed\u2014\u2014by both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you\u2019d better pray that everything goes well,\u201d Ben said lightly, brushing her golden hair with another kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am serious, Ben,\u201d she rebuked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he murmured, \u201cand it is a serious matter, but there\u2019s no sense in borrowing trouble.\u00a0 I do think you should keep the children close to the house until everything\u2019s settled, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u00a0 There was no need to tell me that, mon amour<\/em>!\u00a0 When you bring Indians to sleep at our doorstep, you may be certain that I will keep our children safe inside.\u201d\u00a0 Though Ben had offered Natchez and Numaga a bed in the house, the Indian leaders had chosen to stay outside with the other warriors.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I meant even after I\u2019m gone,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cuntil we know which way the wind is blowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald eyes glistening, Marie nodded, then laid her head on his shoulder.\u00a0 She remained in his arms throughout the night, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing.\u00a0 Ears stretched for the faintest sound of movement that might be a moccasin creeping up the stairs, she herself could not sleep.\u00a0 Like Hop Sing, she eagerly anticipated the unexpected guests\u2019 departure from the Ponderosa, but she dreaded it, as well, for Ben would be riding with them, into dangers her active imagination painted in lurid colors.<\/p>\n

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

Since the Paiutes had made it clear that they preferred to enter town without an escort, Ben rode into Genoa alone, straight to the Ormsby house.\u00a0 \u201cWinnemucca wouldn\u2019t come himself,\u201d he reported, \u201cbut he\u2019s sent his son, as well as Numaga, in his place.\u00a0 They should be here within the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung Winnemucca, the war chief?\u201d Ormsby asked, black brows meeting.\u00a0 \u201cThat doesn\u2019t bode well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt needn\u2019t bode ill,\u201d Ben said stiffly, \u201cbut I\u2019d advise you to treat them with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your advice on handling Indians, Cartwright,\u201d Ormsby declared.\u00a0 \u201cI know the Paiutes as well as you.\u00a0 I have two living in my house, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben thought there was considerable difference between two young Paiute maidens and one hundred stalwart warriors, but he shrugged, unwilling to dispute the point.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re not coming alone,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWar party?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cA display of strength, perhaps, but they come in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell and good, then,\u201d Ormsby announced.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get to the bottom of these killings quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing Clyde would be interested in what the Indians had to say and calculating that he had time, Ben rode the single mile to the Thomases, feeling a little disconcerted by Ormsby\u2019s demeanor.\u00a0 Not that he\u2019d expected a lavish display of appreciation, but a word of thanks would have been welcome.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t find one waiting in the Thomas parlor, either.\u00a0 In fact, when Nelly learned that one hundred Indians had camped outside the Ponderosa ranch house the previous night, she stated flatly that it was a wonder any of the Cartwrights still had their scalps.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re honorable people!\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo a point,\u201d Clyde admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, my parlor is past that point,\u201d Nelly muttered.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you be expectin\u2019 me to invite \u2018em in here for a cup of coffee, Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just bet Marie was fit to be tied when you paraded them redskins into her front room!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFit to tie me would be more like it,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t invite the Paiutes in for coffee, Nelly, but you\u2019ll offer me a cup, at least, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, yes!\u201d Nelly exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cShould have done that first thing.\u201d\u00a0 She poured him a cup, then asked, \u201cDid you have your breakfast \u2018fore you left?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, a hurried one,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t really have time to eat now, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you stop back by here when it\u2019s all over,\u201d Nelly urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot no more time for jawin\u2019, woman,\u201d Clyde said edgily.\u00a0 \u201cI want to be in town when them injuns ride in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men reached town shortly before the Paiutes made their entrance.\u00a0 With Natchez and Numaga in the lead, the Indians rode in from the northeast and proceeded down Main Street, past hotels and boardinghouses, saloons and stores.\u00a0 The procession was impressive, as the Indians had clearly meant it to be.\u00a0 All along their route stood the town\u2019s residents, watching as the Paiutes\u2019 long, dark hair swished back and forth across their erect backs, covered in traditional rabbit skin robes.<\/p>\n

Numaga swung gracefully from his paint pony to stand before William Ormsby.\u00a0 Behind the merchant, Sarah and Elma Winnemucca flanked Mrs. Ormsby, the two girls obviously interested in the discussion about to take place.\u00a0 Without any inquiry about the health or welfare of the older Winnemucca or Captain Truckee, without even the courtesy of smoking together, Ormsby displayed an arrow taken from the body of one of the white men and demanded that Numaga identify its origin.<\/p>\n

Ben gasped at the abruptness of Ormsby\u2019s behavior and chided himself for not being more specific in his request for respectful treatment of the Paiutes.\u00a0 He\u2019d assumed, with the two Winnemucca girls in his household, Ormsby would know the proper ritual to follow, but the man was obviously either ignorant or unconcerned.<\/p>\n

Though Numaga certainly saw Ormsby\u2019s manner as discourteous, he maintained his dignity.\u00a0 \u201cArrow is not Paiute,\u201d he stated.\u00a0 \u201cIs Washo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI accept your word, Numaga,\u201d Ormsby said, \u201cbut to demonstrate to all that the Paiutes bear no guilt in this matter, I ask you to go to the Washo chief and instruct him to turn those responsible over to us for judgement.\u00a0 You may assure the chief the men will be treated fairly, as any white man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben saw Numaga\u2019s six-foot frame stiffen, his face grow hard, and Ben felt his own muscles tighten.\u00a0 Though Ormsby had claimed to know the Paiutes, this one request revealed how shallow was that knowledge.\u00a0 The Paiute and the Washo were traditional enemies, only at peace now because the harshness of the environment made the war for survival take precedence over tribal rivalry.\u00a0 To ask a Paiute to deliver such a message to a Washo was the grossest insult Ben could imagine, but the damage was done. \u00a0The words could not be unsaid.<\/p>\n

Ben expected Numaga to refuse haughtily, but the Paiute war chief, obviously anxious to preserve peace with the white men, agreed to send five warriors to Captain Jim of the Washo tribe.\u00a0 The rest of the Paiutes would remain in town until the matter was settled Numaga, eagle-like nose raised regally, informed the white merchant.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t much cotton to havin\u2019 them savages camp out in town,\u201d Clyde muttered as he and Ben rode back toward Clyde\u2019s cabin.\u00a0 \u201cSure will make my Nelly skittish, havin\u2019 \u2018em so close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cSo long as we don\u2019t make them<\/em> skittish,\u201d he added, meaning the Paiutes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re aimin\u2019 to head back to the Ponderosa I reckon,\u201d Clyde said tentatively.<\/p>\n

It was clear to Ben that Clyde was hoping he\u2019d say no, and while Ben\u2019s dearest wish was to return to his home and family, he felt he needed to stay.\u00a0 With both Indians and settlers edgy in each other\u2019s company, any spark could ignite an inferno.\u00a0 Maybe Ben could help prevent that, and even if he couldn\u2019t, he\u2019d at least be there to defend his friends.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019d better stay, if you\u2019ll loan me the use of a bedroll,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI warned Marie I might not get back tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde looked relieved.\u00a0 \u201cYou can take Billy\u2019s bed,\u201d he said, then reached over to lay a hand on his friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou got to promise me, Ben, you won\u2019t let them injuns touch my two girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Clyde,\u201d Ben groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather see \u2018em dead than squaw to some red devil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I\u2019d do all I could to keep them from harm,\u201d Ben assured him, \u201cbut I\u2019m hoping it won\u2019t come to that.\u201d\u00a0 If Clyde was asking him to take the lives of Nelly and Inger to prevent their disgrace, that was a promise Ben wasn\u2019t sure he could carry out, but he\u2019d do his best to see Clyde\u2019s wife and daughter were not taken captive.<\/p>\n

The Paiutes scattered throughout town, picketing their horses and unpacking supplies on any vacant spot they found.\u00a0 They dug fire pits and sat huddled around them throughout a frosty afternoon.\u00a0 As darkness fell, the fires were visible, even a mile away as a jittery Nelly called her family and Ben to supper.\u00a0 She, however, merely pushed her food around her plate with a fork.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t reckon I\u2019ll sleep a wink tonight,\u201d she muttered, laying the fork aside.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, neither,\u201d Inger whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, there ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 to be scared of, Ma,\u201d Billy soothed, shoveling in boiled carrots as though not getting enough were the greatest danger facing him.\u00a0 \u201cYou got three men here to protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give yourself airs, boy,\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t more than half-growed yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy jerked his chair back and stood abruptly.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone it, Pa, I\u2019m fifteen.\u00a0 I carry my own weight around the place, and I reckon if it did come to fightin\u2019 injuns, I could shoot as straight as you.\u201d\u00a0 The boy tossed his napkin to the table and stalked out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI swear,\u201d Clyde grumbled, shaking his head, \u201cI don\u2019t know what gets into that boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not a boy, Clyde,\u201d Ben said softly, \u201cor, at least, won\u2019t be much longer.\u00a0 He\u2019s at the age when boys get an itch for a man\u2019s respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bein\u2019 an expert, I reckon,\u201d Clyde snuffled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen the same symptoms in Adam, that\u2019s all, and he\u2019s a year younger.\u00a0 And I suspect, old friend, if you and I could remember our own feelings at that age, they\u2019d be no different.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde grinned then.\u00a0 \u201cReckon you\u2019re right.\u00a0 I oughtn\u2019t to twit the boy.\u00a0 He does do a man\u2019s work, and if trouble comes, I\u2019ll be mighty glad to have him close at hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy, who rarely stayed angry for long, burst back in.\u00a0 \u201cHey, there\u2019s somethin\u2019 goin\u2019 on in town,\u201d he reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cInjuns?\u201d his father asked, getting up.\u00a0 Nelly\u2019s hand flew to her throat and Inger leaned close to her mother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Billy replied.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like they\u2019re building a big fire.\u00a0 Figured you and Uncle Ben might want a look-see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Billy, you come back here and finish your dinner,\u201d his mother ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t hungry,\u201d Billy said, turning away.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly, you mind what I say!\u201d Nelly protested, voice quavering.<\/p>\n

Clyde placed a supportive hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon the boy\u2019s old enough to know when his own belly\u2019s full, woman.\u00a0 Leave him be.\u201d\u00a0 Billy tossed his father a grateful look and headed outside, Clyde and Ben right behind him.\u00a0 Since they didn\u2019t have three horses available and the distance was short, they just walked. Nelly didn\u2019t want to stay alone, so she took Inger\u2019s hand and followed them.<\/p>\n

They all headed to the center of town, where residents of Genoa flanked the triangular plaza, watching a huge bonfire splash the sky with an auburn glow.\u00a0 Ben saw people he knew and counted friends on the other side of the fire, but he didn\u2019t cross to greet them.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t seem like a night for socializing, especially when the Paiutes began to shuffle ceremonially around the fire.\u00a0 The warriors raised their knees high, bringing them down again with repeated thuds.\u00a0 Their heads moved up and down, back and forth in rhythm with their stomping feet, and they chanted loudly, \u201cHey yah, hey yah, hey yah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly, holding tight to Inger\u2019s hand, slipped to Clyde\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cSends shivers up my spine,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cYou reckon it\u2019s a war dance?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Clyde said, pulling her close to his side, \u201cbut you got nothin\u2019 to fear, Nelly gal.\u00a0 Like our boy said, you got three men to protect you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy looked back over his shoulder and grinned.\u00a0 It was the first time he\u2019d ever heard his pa call him a man and it felt good.<\/p>\n

The white spectators watched the dance in almost total silence.\u00a0 Then, as the thudding footsteps ended, the wailing of coyotes accented the eeriness of the night.\u00a0 William Ormsby stepped into the fire\u2019s dwindling light, and said, as a host might at the conclusion of a dress ball, \u201cWe will sing the Star-Spangled Banner<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave a short laugh, for it seemed a strange way to conclude an Indian ceremony.\u00a0 As the citizens began to sing, however, he realized Ormsby had made a wise suggestion.\u00a0 The patriotic music seemed to remind the men and women of Genoa that they were part of a great nation, and the deep breaths they took trying to reach the high notes provided an automatic relaxation.\u00a0 Everyone went back to their houses feeling a little lighter in spirit.<\/p>\n

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

As Ben stepped out of the cabin early the next morning, the crisp air made his cheeks tingle.\u00a0 Each morning seemed colder than the last, but so far there\u2019d been no bad weather.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t want to be caught away from home with a storm on the way, so he was glad to see the clear, almost cloudless, sky.<\/p>\n

No one else was awake yet.\u00a0 He, Clyde and Billy had taken turns keeping watch through the night, Ben standing guard during the early morning hours.\u00a0 There\u2019d been no real need for the precaution, as Ben had predicted, but he knew his friends felt safer knowing someone was keeping an eye out for Paiutes.\u00a0 Ben had a feeling similar watches were being kept in the households of Genoa, and there were probably wakeful Paiutes sitting around their fire pits, too.\u00a0 There was wariness on both sides.<\/p>\n

When Ben reentered the house, Nelly was in the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s quiet,\u201d he assured her.<\/p>\n

Nelly nodded.\u00a0 \u201cClyde and Billy\u2019s still sleepin\u2019, but I can fix you some breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t go to extra trouble; I can wait for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though she normally would have insisted on serving her guest, Nelly sat on the sofa, seeming satisfied to cook only once.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you reckon them other injuns\u2019ll get back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cHard to say.\u00a0 Depends on how much argument the Washos put up.\u00a0 Should be today, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t be soon enough for me,\u201d Nelly murmured.<\/p>\n

Ben understood her eagerness to have the Indians out of town and was glad she didn\u2019t have long to wait.\u00a0 Before noon the Paiutes rode in, followed by eight or nine Washos on foot.\u00a0 Their chief, Captain Jim, was even taller than Numaga, standing over six feet, but with none of the Young Winnemucca\u2019s noble bearing.\u00a0 Most of Captain Jim\u2019s height was in his upper body, which was slumped as he walked into town.\u00a0 Though his short, heavy legs were bare, his wide feet were clad in light-colored buckskin decorated with beadwork and porcupine quills in a flying-geese pattern.\u00a0 The rest of his apparel drew attention to his better features.\u00a0 A rabbit skin robe was draped across his broad shoulders, and his round face, which made his head seem even larger than it was, was framed by five or six strands of bone necklace, constructed to resemble the rib cage of some animal Ben couldn\u2019t identify.\u00a0 Obviously, Captain Jim, like the Paiutes, had dressed to impress, but the wary way he carried himself detracted from that impression.<\/p>\n

Ben, Clyde and Billy moved to the front of the crowd gathered before Ormsby\u2019s store.\u00a0 Again without preliminaries, Ormsby held out the arrows found in the bodies of McMarlin and Williams.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know who makes such arrows?\u201d he demanded, his manner that of one who already knew the answer.<\/p>\n

Captain Jim spoke slowly, as if measuring every word.\u00a0 \u201cYou ask me if these are my people\u2019s arrows.\u00a0 I say yes.\u201d\u00a0 Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd behind Ben.\u00a0 Clearly, they felt the response constituted an admission of guilt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must bring the men responsible\u2014\u2014and all the money\u2014\u2014and they will not be hurt and all will be right,\u201d Ormsby announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know my people have not killed the men,\u201d Captain Jim protested, \u201cbecause none of my men have been away.\u00a0 We are all at PinenutValley, and I do not know what to think of the sad thing that has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga stepped forward, regarding Captain Jim with unwavering black eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou must bring the men within ten days or the Paiute will fight at the side of our white friends.\u201d\u00a0 The statement amazed Ben.\u00a0 Was Numaga so fearful of arousing the white population that he had become their advocate?\u00a0 From the expressions he saw on their faces, he was sure Natchez and the other Paiutes were also stunned.<\/p>\n

In previous battles the Paiute had subjugated the Washo, even denying them the privilege of riding horses, so Ben was not surprised to see Captain Jim give in to the threat.\u00a0 With eyes downcast, the Washo leader agreed to bring in the guilty parties within the time specified.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like we\u2019re gonna see justice done after all,\u201d Clyde commented as they returned to his home for the noon meal.<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t respond.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t get away from the look on Captain Jim\u2019s face when he first denied knowledge of the killings.\u00a0 He\u2019d looked completely believable.\u00a0 Perhaps, however, the chief didn\u2019t really know the whereabouts of all his braves.\u00a0 Ben certainly couldn\u2019t account for the moment-by-moment movements of his hired hands, and they were far fewer in number than the Washos.\u00a0 Perhaps further investigation would produce the guilty men.\u00a0 For the time being, there was nothing Ben could do, so he returned to the Ponderosa to calm the fears of his wife.<\/p>\n

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

On the seventh morning after Ben\u2019s departure, a slight figure slipped out of his house and headed toward the Ponderosa under an ebony sky.\u00a0 The boy rode hard, harder than was wise in the dim light of the waning moon, but the luck of youth rode with him, and he arrived without incident.<\/p>\n

Billy flung himself from his roan and ran to the front door, pounding it loudly.\u00a0 When there was no response, he ran to the south side of the house.\u00a0 Grabbing a pine cone, he tossed it at the window he knew was Ben and Marie\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cWith my luck, the only one who\u2019ll wake up is that baby,\u201d Billy muttered, his breath condensing in white puffs.\u00a0 Then he grinned.\u00a0 Waking Little Joe was probably the surest way to get the others out of bed anyway.\u00a0 Should have aimed at his window in the first place<\/em>, Billy chuckled to himself.<\/p>\n

Just as he was about to choose that course of action, the window opened and Ben stared out.\u00a0 \u201cHey, let me in!\u201d Billy yelled up.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s cold out here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth!\u201d Ben ejaculated.<\/p>\n

Marie stirred in the bed behind him.\u00a0 \u201cBen?\u201d she queried.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shut the window and started to put on his robe and slippers.\u00a0 \u201cBilly Thomas,\u201d he said, \u201cthough what on earth brings him here this early, I can\u2019t imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sat up.\u00a0 \u201cMore trouble, you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWith Billy, who can say?\u00a0 Maybe he just got lonesome for Hop Sing\u2019s cooking.\u00a0 Stay in bed, my love; I\u2019ll see what he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking her head, Marie waited until Ben had left, then rose and slipped into her warm flannel wrapper, thinking how infuriating even the best of men could be.\u00a0 As if she could rest when something was obviously wrong!\u00a0 With all the tension in the territory, that something just might be an Indian attack.\u00a0 Perhaps Billy was the sole survivor from Genoa!\u00a0 Shivering, and not just from the cold, Marie hastened downstairs.<\/p>\n

Ben gave her a reproachful look, but explained quickly.\u00a0 \u201cCaptain Jim brought in three men last night to answer the charges.\u00a0 They locked them up for the night, but evidently Ormsby intends to question them this morning.\u00a0 Billy knew I\u2019d want to be there, so he came to fetch me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019ll have my hide,\u201d Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cHe said not to bother you, but Ma\u2019ll feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 She glided over the floor to rest her petite palms on Ben\u2019s chest.\u00a0 You will be careful, mon mari<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took both slender hands and tenderly kissed her delicate fingertips.\u00a0 \u201cI will be careful.\u00a0 You watch out for our boys; keep them close to the house today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 There had been no need for that instruction, as Ben well knew.\u00a0 Citing the cold weather and Hoss\u2019s need for extra time with his books, she had kept the boys inside almost constantly since the first threat of Indian trouble.\u00a0 She started for the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI will prepare your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped her with a hand on her elbow.\u00a0 \u201cNo time for that, Marie.\u00a0 We\u2019ll eat in Genoa.\u201d\u00a0 Marie nodded, anxious eyes following him as he exited the house with Billy.<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s mount was tired, so he stabled it at the Ponderosa and borrowed Adam\u2019s sorrel for the return trip.\u00a0 The sun was rising by then, so the two riders were able to run their horses in the better light.\u00a0 They rode straight to Genoa, assuming Clyde Thomas was already there.\u00a0 As they entered town, they passed the encampment of the Washos.\u00a0 Though the air was frosty the Washo women seemed oblivious to the cold as they rocked back and forth on their knees, keening and wailing rhythmically.\u00a0 Praying, probably<\/em>, Ben thought and wondered if they\u2019d been at it all night.<\/p>\n

While Billy led the two horses to the livery stable, Ben headed directly for the Ormsby house.\u00a0 \u201cI understand you have three Washo prisoners,\u201d Ben began as he encountered Ormsby.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ormsby replied.\u00a0 \u201cCaptain Jim brought in the guilty trio last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know they\u2019re guilty,\u201d Ben pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what trials are for, Cartwright,\u201d Ormsby said stiffly.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow knitted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to put them on trial?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby drew himself erect.\u00a0 \u201cI will question the men to see if there\u2019s sufficient evidence to hold them.\u00a0 If there is, I intend to send them to California for trial.\u00a0 That should satisfy you, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does,\u201d Ben said at once.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t have been more pleased to hear that the matter would be heard before a more appropriate legal authority than a vigilance committee.\u00a0 With Indians involved, it seemed paramount to Ben that the highest standard of justice be administered.\u00a0 If the Paiutes and the Washos saw the proceedings as fair, surely an uprising could be avoided.\u00a0 Ben suspected that hope was what had motivated Ormsby.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re looking for volunteers to escort the prisoners to California, I\u2019m available,\u201d he offered, knowing the duty might interfere with his family\u2019s plans to visit the agricultural fair.\u00a0 Marie wouldn\u2019t like taking the stage alone with the boys, might even refuse to go, but if they had to sacrifice their pleasure outing to maintain peace in the territory, the price seemed a small one to pay.<\/p>\n

Ormsby nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAppreciate it, Cartwright.\u00a0 That will bring our party up to thirty.\u00a0 Should be enough to prevent any attempt to rescue the prisoners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben muttered, hoping there\u2019d be no such attempt.\u00a0 Following Ormsby out, he noted the whipped attitude of the Washo men as they were led from the small house in which they\u2019d been held for the night.\u00a0 Their hang-dog expressions made them look guilty, but as he passed some of the Paiutes, Ben heard them debating among themselves whether these were, indeed, the killers of McMartin and Williams.\u00a0 Ben hoped Ormsby\u2019s interrogation would be rigorous enough to remove all doubt that they had the right men.<\/p>\n

Almost every resident of Genoa pressed close to hear the questions Ormsby put to the three Washo men, using Numaga as his interpreter, and the mood of many was ugly as they hurled degrading epithets at the Indians.\u00a0 Young boys aped their elders, hooting and jeering at the Indians, repeating the same vile catcalls they heard the men shouting:\u00a0 \u201cConsarned Diggers!\u00a0 Bug eaters!\u00a0 Filthy bastards!\u00a0 Killing sons\u2014of\u2014bitches!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby tried in vain to quiet the crowd so the interrogation could proceed in an orderly manner.\u00a0 Hours passed as he asked questions and strained to hear the answers over the ranting of the crowd that met the Indians\u2019 every protestation of innocence.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s stomach started to rumble, for he\u2019d had no breakfast nor lunch, and it was now the middle of the afternoon.\u00a0 The mob showed no signs of dispersing, though, so he couldn\u2019t afford to give attention to his belly.<\/p>\n

The cries of the crowd grew more heated.\u00a0 No longer content with name-calling, they began to yell threats, \u201cHang the red devils right off!\u201d becoming the prevalent theme of their bellows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is pointless,\u201d Ormsby finally muttered and gave orders for the thirty men who would march the Washos to California to assemble at his hotel.\u00a0 As they started down Main Street toward the Indians, Clyde Thomas fell in beside Ben, bringing the number of armed men to thirty-one, more than enough to ensure the safe removal of the accused.\u00a0 \u201cBilly can tell Nelly and Marie what we\u2019re doing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

When the Washo women saw the marchers, however, they misunderstood their intent.\u00a0 \u201cOh, they have come to kill them!\u201d one cried, and the others joined in her wailing.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s knowledge of the Washo language was only rudimentary, but he managed to pick up a word here and there and piece together the gist of what the women were screaming.\u00a0 Protesting the innocence of their men, the Washo women accused Captain Jim of picking them only because they had no fathers to speak up for them or maybe because they had no children in need of a father and, thus, could be spared.\u00a0 Ben wasn\u2019t sure which.\u00a0 \u201cSomething\u2019s not right here,\u201d he told Clyde.\u00a0 Clyde just looked back at Ben, clearly confused, not knowing what to believe.<\/p>\n

Ben spotted Sarah Winnemucca standing to one side and made his way toward her.\u00a0 As a Washo woman threw herself at Numaga\u2019s feet, clutching at his buckskin-clad legs, Ben asked Sarah, \u201cWhat\u2019s she saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah leaned close so Ben could hear her interpretation.\u00a0 \u201cShe says, \u2018Oh, you are going to have my poor husband killed.\u00a0 We were married this winter, and I have been with him constantly since we were married.\u00a0 Oh, Good Spirit, come!\u00a0 Come into the hearts of this people.\u00a0 Oh, whisper in their hearts that they may not kill my poor husband.\u00a0 Oh, good chief, talk for him.\u00a0 Our cruel chief has given my husband to you because he is afraid all of us will be killed by you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman spun to face Captain Jim, her face contorted with the fear and outrage swirling in her heart.\u00a0 Again Sarah interpreted her words for Ben: \u201cYou have given my innocent blood to save your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDear God, no!\u201d Ben moaned.\u00a0 \u201cThat can\u2019t mean what I think it does, can it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The other white guards had now reached the prisoners, and the screams of the women grew louder.\u00a0 Natchez moved toward them, obviously trying to reassure them that the white men were only taking the men to jail, not to kill them, but the women refused to be consoled.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, as if driven to desperation by the uproar around them, the three accused men panicked and bolted across an open meadow toward the Carson River.\u00a0 But they never reached the shelter of the cottonwoods along the river.\u00a0 Almost by instinct, their white pursuers took aim and fired.\u00a0 Two of the Indians fell immediately, the third dropped to his knees, raising his arms in surrender.<\/p>\n

The women rushed to the meadow to cradle their dying husbands, rocking the limp bodies and keening over them as hot blood sprayed their bare arms and soaked through their dresses.\u00a0 Still in shock, Ben watched the grisly scene.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t fired a shot, would have prevented the killings if he could, but he still felt responsible, cursing himself for not seeing soon enough the terror that spurred the Washos\u2019 flight.<\/p>\n

Sarah Winnemucca had raced to the meadow at Ben\u2019s heels.\u00a0 Now, as she stood with an arm around her sobbing younger sister Elma, Ben heard her say, \u201cIt is enough to make the mountains weep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSave your sympathies, girl, for those more deserving,\u201d Ormsby\u2019s wife muttered, taking tight grip on Sarah\u2019s arm and pulling her back toward town.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I am sure the men were innocent,\u201d Sarah murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow came the Washo arrows there?\u201d Elizabeth Ormsby countered.\u00a0 \u201cThe chief himself has brought them to us, and my husband knows what he is doing.\u201d\u00a0 Looking up, she saw Ben staring at her and, lifting her head in defensive pride, marched the two Winnemucca girls back to the store.<\/p>\n

Captain Jim looked down in sorrow at the grieving widows.\u00a0 \u201cIt is true what the women say,\u201d he said, so softly only a few heard him.\u00a0 \u201cIt is I who have killed them; their blood is on my hands.\u00a0 I know their spirits will haunt me and bring me bad luck while I live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned away, no longer hungry.\u00a0 Had there been food in his stomach at that moment, he would have vomited it up.\u00a0 Little Elma Winnemucca did become ill over the events of that afternoon, and her brother Natchez, no longer willing to leave his sisters among the whites, decided to remain in Genoa until she was able to travel.\u00a0 No one objected; no one felt threatened.\u00a0 The white settlers, so rabid with rage before, now passed the Indians with averted eyes.<\/p>\n

Ben was glad the trouble had ended in time for his family to make their anticipated visit to California, and not just for the boys\u2019 sake.\u00a0 He wanted to put some distance between himself and CarsonValley, to give his heart time to heal itself of the pain and guilt he carried.\u00a0 He scrawled a quick note to Adam, telling him they\u2019d be a couple of days later than planned, and left it with the postmaster, then rode home at a gallop, as if trying to outrun the stench of Genoa justice.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER SEVEN<\/p>\n

California Expedition<\/h4>\n

As the stagecoach hit another rough spot, Ben glanced apologetically at Marie.\u00a0 \u201cNot much longer now,\u201d he promised, \u201cand they use a better quality coach between Placerville and Folsom.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled feebly.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, Little Joe does not seem to mind the bumps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMind!\u201d Ben hooted.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s positively in his element.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe, whose traveling capacity had been the greatest concern to his parents, had embraced the new experience eagerly.\u00a0 Before they\u2019d traveled ten miles, Ben knew his real concern would be to keep the curious little lad inside the coach, for Little Joe insistently stretched toward the open window, fascinated by the scenery rushing past.\u00a0 When he grew tired of sight-seeing, the rocking motion of the stagecoach seemed to lull him to sleep, so the only real problem arose when he needed a diaper change, no small feat in the fast-moving vehicle, and no welcome occurrence to any of the other, thankfully tolerant, passengers.<\/p>\n

Hoss soon tired of looking out the window, but he never seemed to weary of reading the letter Adam had sent just to him.\u00a0 Of course, Adam had written about boring things like what subjects he was taking at the academy this term: geometry, American history and Greek, in addition to the reading, writing and elocution he was required to study each term.\u00a0 Hoss sympathized, though, with Adam\u2019s disappointment in being refused a place in the French class and shared his hope that he might be accepted next term if he made a good start with his Greek.<\/p>\n

Hoss had been most interested in reading about Adam\u2019s roommate Harold Lissome, a boy just one year older than Adam.\u00a0 He sounded nice, and the nicest thing of all had been Harold\u2019s offer to bunk in with someone else so Hoss could sleep in his brother\u2019s room.\u00a0 Adam had made it sound like they should do it to give their parents time alone, but Hoss didn\u2019t think that made sense.\u00a0 How could they be alone with Little Joe sleeping in the same room?\u00a0 No, Hoss understood his brother really wanted to be with him, and he had begged to be allowed to stay at the rooming house.\u00a0 Eyes twinkling at each other, Ben and Marie had quickly agreed.<\/p>\n

The stage pulled to a stop before the depot in Placerville and all the passengers climbed gratefully down.\u00a0 \u201cNow<\/em> can I hold my brother?\u201d Hoss demanded petulantly.\u00a0 He\u2019d asked earlier and discovered his parents didn\u2019t trust him to keep a good grip on feisty Little Joe in the moving coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cMercy, yes,\u201d Ben teased, plunking the boy into Hoss\u2019s outstretched arms.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll gladly carry the baggage that doesn\u2019t wiggle.\u201d\u00a0 He collected their assortment of carpetbags and led the way to the Empire Hotel, where he usually stayed when he had a layover in Placerville.\u00a0 There was an adequate restaurant just off the lobby, but the Cartwrights would, of course, eat at Mama Zuebner\u2019s Cafe a block or two down the street on the other side.<\/p>\n

Though they were hungry, they took their time getting situated.\u00a0 Marie wanted Ludmilla Zuebner and her daughters Katerina and Marta to see Little Joe at his best, so she fed and changed him into clean clothes, as well as a fresh diaper.\u00a0 Then she quickly brushed her gold tweed traveling dress free of the dust it had collected on the road.\u00a0 Ben and Hoss freshened up their own apparel and washed their faces and hands, and everyone was ready for the evening meal.<\/p>\n

Entering the cafe, Hoss licked his lips in anticipation.\u00a0 Hop Sing cooked really well, and Mama even better, when the Chinese cook let her in the kitchen, but Mama Zuebner still reigned supreme in Hoss\u2019s estimation.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t cook fancy things like Mama sometimes did, but Hoss, who had cut his teeth on Nelly Thomas\u2019s homespun meals, preferred plain fare anyway.<\/p>\n

Both Ben and Hoss, however, began to wonder if they\u2019d get to eat at all.\u00a0 Ludmilla, normally so busy she could spare little time to visit with her old friend Ben, evidently had all the time in the world when there was a new baby to ogle.\u00a0 Her two flaxen-haired daughters were just as absorbed in examining his tiny fingers, only laughing when they took tight hold on one of Katerina\u2019s braids.\u00a0 Little Joe, Ben noted somewhat ruefully, was responding like a lone rooster in a henhouse.\u00a0 Being the center of attention suited him just fine.<\/p>\n

Ludmilla finally took her eyes off the baby long enough to notice the hungry-eyed boy standing by.\u00a0 \u201cYou look like you need plate of stew right away,\u201d the buxom German said with a deep, rolling laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am!\u201d Hoss crowed.\u00a0 \u201cOxtail stew, if you got it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got,\u201d Ludmilla chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014and will you have Hangtown Fry for breakfast?\u201d Hoss queried quickly.\u00a0 Pa fixed the combination of scrambled eggs and oysters for breakfast every New Year\u2019s Day, but here, where the dish had originated, Hoss hoped it might appear on the menu more regularly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Ben chided softly, but Ludmilla just gave the boy\u2019s sandy hair a light rumple.\u00a0 \u201cFor you, I have,\u201d she whispered conspiratorially.\u00a0 Hoss grinned, content that his needs would be met, however much distraction Little Joe created.<\/p>\n

Marta, evidently, intended he should create little, at least during the meal.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll hold the baby while you eat,\u201d she offered and took him from Marie\u2019s reluctant arms.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Little Joe.\u00a0 You want to see the kitchen where we cook all the good food?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe seemed content, but Marie fluttered into an instant panic.\u00a0 Ben could read it in her face and quickly put his arms around her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got to quit clinging to him, my love,\u201d he chided gently as he seated her at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ben,\u201d she murmured, \u201cbut you know why.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 He knew exactly why Marie could barely tolerate having the baby out of her sight.\u00a0 Her first child, the one fathered by Jean D\u2019Marigny, had been taken from her at birth by Jean\u2019s autocratic mother and had died within weeks of yellow fever.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s intense attachment to Little Joe had as much to do with that remembered horror as it did love for the boy himself.\u00a0 \u201cYou know I wouldn\u2019t let anyone take our baby,\u201d Ben whispered very softly to keep Hoss from hearing.<\/p>\n

Marie gave him a weak smile, reassured, but still uneasy.\u00a0 She knew her fears were irrational; that did not, however, make them less real or less difficult to discount.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to admit it\u2019s easier to eat without a baby in your arms,\u201d Ben smiled as the food was served.<\/p>\n

Marie laughed lightly.\u00a0 That much, at least, was true.\u00a0 She relaxed a little, then fully when Marta returned to sit with them at the table and her precious baby boy was once more under her protective gaze.<\/p>\n

After Ludmilla closed the restaurant for the night, they adjourned to her house for a lengthy visit, sharing news of mutual friends.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Marta,\u201d Ben said suddenly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m supposed to tell you that Billy Thomas will be through in a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if I cared,\u201d Marta declared, tossing one long braid over her shoulder, but the sparkle in her blue eyes told Ben she did care and would be looking forward to seeing her old friend from the Overland Trail.\u00a0 Ben found himself hoping friendship was all the German girl wanted from flighty Billy Thomas, with his impish urge to sniff the daisies in every field he wandered through.<\/p>\n

Back at the hotel Marie carefully padded a dresser drawer for Little Joe\u2019s bed, but the baby would have none of it, making his displeasure known, as usual, at the top of his lungs.\u00a0 In his nightshirt Ben walked the floor with the wailing baby, patting the small back consolingly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what do you want to carry on like this for?\u201d Ben asked softly, then lowered his voice still more so Marie couldn\u2019t hear.\u00a0 \u201cPa won\u2019t take you on any more trips if you keep this up, and you know how you\u2019d miss that nice swinging stagecoach.\u201d\u00a0 Probably what I need now<\/em>, Ben told himself.\u00a0 Probably put you right to sleep<\/em>.\u00a0 Since there was no stagecoach available, however, Ben kept pacing and patting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can sleep in my bed,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Marie cried sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s too young for that, Hoss,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want to roll over on him and smother him, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t!\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t trust me with nothin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, we do, son,\u201d Ben soothed, \u201cbut you need to trust my judgement in this.\u00a0 It can happen so quickly you don\u2019t realize it when a baby\u2019s this small.\u00a0 He\u2019ll settle down soon and sleep in his own bed.\u201d\u00a0 Ben hoped he was telling the truth and was gratified to see that Little Joe did, indeed, settle down and, once fully asleep, made no further protest over his unfamiliar bed.<\/p>\n

After hearty helpings of Hangtown Fry Monday morning, the Cartwrights boarded the stage for Folsom.\u00a0 Marie moaned softly.\u00a0 \u201cRide in comfort on the stage, you said,\u201d she complained, but she smiled gently as she spoke the rebuking words.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly twenty miles,\u201d Ben laughed, \u201cthen we\u2019ll switch to the train, and that, you must admit, will be a comfortable ride.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can hardly wait,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cIt seems I am the poor traveler in the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd here\u2019s the best one,\u201d Ben replied, dandling Little Joe on his knee.\u00a0 \u201cYou happy now, baby?\u00a0 Ready for a nice, bouncy ride?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie groaned.\u00a0 Ben was cruel to remind her again, but this stagecoach, its body swinging on leather thoroughbraces, rode like a hammock slung between two trees.\u00a0 Nonetheless, Marie was grateful to leave the stage and board the infinitely smoother train for the final twenty-two miles into Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant to hold your brother?\u201d Ben asked when they\u2019d taken their places.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I?\u201d Hoss asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure; the train won\u2019t bounce around like the stage, so I think you can handle him,\u201d Ben replied, handing the baby over the wooden seat in front of him where Hoss was sitting.<\/p>\n

Hoss immediately held his little brother up to the tiny window beside him.\u00a0 \u201cSee, you got a nice view from here,\u201d he told Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re gonna like trains even better than stagecoaches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe reached out to pat the glass with his palm and cocked his head curiously.\u00a0 There\u2019d been nothing between him and the open air on the stagecoach and he couldn\u2019t figure out the meaning of this transparent barrier.\u00a0 Then the train started to roll and a look of near ecstasy sparked in the miniature emerald eyes.\u00a0 No doubt about it: Little Joe liked movement.<\/p>\n

Adam was there to meet them when the train pulled into the station in Sacramento.\u00a0 Hoss, who had surrendered Little Joe to his mother as soon as he caught sight of his other brother, waved wildly to get Adam\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 I get to stay with you at your place, like you wrote I could,\u201d he yelled as he ran over to him.<\/p>\n

Adam gave his younger brother a stout clap on the back.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s good, Hoss.\u00a0 It\u2019s on the way to the hotel, so we\u2019ll drop your gear off there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd eat!\u201d Hoss cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou said the food there was good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut Pa may have other plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss turned to his father, who had just walked up, baggage in hand.\u00a0 \u201cHow about it, Pa?\u00a0 Lunch at Adam\u2019s place?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Maguire\u2019s not expecting us, son.\u00a0 There may not be enough for extra guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s always plenty,\u201d Adam assured him, \u201cand she is expecting you \u2018cause she knew the train would be getting here before noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to see the cuisine Adam is served,\u201d Marie said, her motherly instinct aroused.<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner at the rooming house it is, then,\u201d Ben said brightly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll need to hire a carriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hired a surrey and team,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI took some money from the bank for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled his appreciation of his son\u2019s forethought.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll reimburse you,\u201d he promised.\u00a0 \u201cNow, would you care to explain what you\u2019re doing out of school at this hour, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got permission,\u201d Adam assured his father, \u201cbut I have to go back after lunch.\u00a0 I have the whole day off tomorrow, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

They loaded the surrey with their carpetbags and Adam, looking and feeling very manly, drove them to the rooming house.\u00a0 Mrs. Maguire came from the kitchen to greet them as they entered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, what a darling boy!\u201d she cried, reaching for Little Joe as soon as she saw him.\u00a0 Marie released him, always proud to see her handsome boy fawned over.<\/p>\n

Molly Maguire fingered the baby\u2019s soft, dark golden-brown curls.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you little beauty, you,\u201d she cooed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get along just fine, won\u2019t we?\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at Marie.\u00a0 \u201cNow, you mustn\u2019t worry about a thing.\u00a0 When Adam told me you\u2019d be bringing a baby along, I told him I\u2019d gladly keep the little one for you whenever you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s panicky hands stretched toward her baby.\u00a0 \u201cOh, we could not think of imposing,\u201d she said quickly, taking Little Joe into her arms again.\u00a0 \u201cAdam was presumptuous to suggest it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Adam inserted defensively.\u00a0 \u201cShe offered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed, I did,\u201d Molly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be a pure joy to me to coddle a baby again.\u00a0 I had none of my own, my husband dyin\u2019 young as he did, but I helped raise seven younger brothers back in the old country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, is that why you opened a boardinghouse for young boys?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI wondered what had caused you to take such leave of your senses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Maguire\u2019s blue eyes twinkled.\u00a0 \u201cAye, boys are what I know best, but I haven\u2019t had one as young as your babe in a long while.\u00a0 It\u2019ll pleasure me to watch him for you, and no more talk of imposing, me girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a godsend, Mrs. Maguire,\u201d Ben said enthusiastically before Marie could counter with another reason for keeping her baby glued to her breast.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Marie,\u201d he added quickly as she turned a baleful glance his direction, \u201cI want to take you to the theater tonight, and you know you can\u2019t take a baby there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not,\u201d Molly Maguire urged.\u00a0 \u201cLeave him with me.\u00a0 I\u2014I promise you can trust me.\u201d\u00a0 She had evidently noted Marie\u2019s anxious concern.<\/p>\n

Marie took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cYes, yes, I\u2019m sure I can.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep him with me \u2018til tonight, though.\u00a0 I\u2019ll need to nurse him through the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Molly smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAye, he\u2019ll keep happier if his tummy\u2019s full.\u201d\u00a0 She could not, of course, know the reasons behind Marie\u2019s near fanatic attachment to her child, but she was too secure herself to take offense at it.\u00a0 The little mother just needed reassurance, that\u2019s all, and she was glad to provide it.\u00a0 \u201cWell, now, it\u2019s about half an hour \u2018til dinner is served, so perhaps you\u2019d like to see Adam\u2019s room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Marie murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Hoss hefted his carpetbag under his arm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m stayin\u2019 with my brother tonight,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, I know,\u201d Mrs. Maguire chuckled, smoothing his wind-tousled hair, \u201cand it\u2019s welcome you\u2019ll be, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned happily, obviously feeling very grown up to be spending a night away from his parents.\u00a0 When Adam ushered his family into his room, Hoss immediately demanded, \u201cWhich bed is mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither one,\u201d Adam replied, a wry smile lifting one corner of his mouth, \u201cbut you can borrow Harold\u2019s.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed to the bed furthest from the door.<\/p>\n

Hoss plopped his carpetbag in the middle of his borrowed bed and looked out the window.\u00a0 \u201cOoh, a swing!\u201d he hollered.\u00a0 \u201cCan I swing in it, can I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so,\u201d Adam said, \u201cif you can catch it free.\u00a0 The older boys like to sit there with their girls at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s free now,\u201d Hoss pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll call you for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I take Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Marie worried aloud.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, he\u2019ll like it fine,\u201d Ben decided.\u00a0 \u201cJust hold on to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Course, I will,\u201d Hoss declared, hugging the baby tightly as he hurried out the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Adam asked Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, perhaps, your father is a little careless with his youngest son,\u201d she said, perturbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant my room,\u201d Adam added quickly.\u00a0 The other boarders would be hurrying in for the noon meal soon, and he didn\u2019t want them to hear his parents quarreling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it is a nice room,\u201d she replied, distracted momentarily from her motherly concern, \u201cand you are keeping it very tidy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, Harold\u2019s that kind of fellow,\u201d Adam responded.\u00a0 \u201cMakes it easier when you think alike.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo of a kind, are you?\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIn lots of ways.\u00a0 He\u2019s not as good a student as I am, but he tries hard.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been helping him, and he says he\u2019s doing better this term because of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cMade any other friends?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sure,\u201d Adam replied as if the answer should have been obvious.\u00a0 \u201cI especially like Martin Gallagher.\u00a0 His father\u2019s a state senator, and he lives at home, so we only see each other at school.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had some great times talking about assignments and books we\u2019ve read, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is good you make friends,\u201d Marie commented.\u00a0 Responding to a loud whoop from below, she hurried to the window.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Hoss, not so high!\u201d she cried in terror for her baby.\u00a0 Little Joe, of course, with his established love for motion of any kind, was gurgling happily without a trace of fear.<\/p>\n

Peering over her shoulder, Ben added authoritatively, \u201cIt\u2019s not that kind of swing, son\u2014\u2014slow and easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Hoss settled the swing into a gentle rock.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Punkin, but Mama\u2019s fussin\u2019,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cIt was fun while it lasted, huh?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe babbled a response Hoss was sure was an affirmative one.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should probably build that boy a swing,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cone he can swing high as the trees in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout his baby brother,\u201d Marie said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, my love,\u201d Ben soothed.\u00a0 \u201cI agree that Little Joe\u2019s a bit small to fly so high.\u00a0 See, I\u2019m not as careless as you thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr quite as careful as you ought,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 Ben chuckled and nodded acceptance of her rebuke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it\u2019s time we went down to lunch,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThe other fellows will be coming in soon.\u00a0 You can meet Harold then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut before we go down, lay out your suit.\u00a0 We\u2019ll take it to the hotel with us when we check in, and you can meet us there after school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy suit?\u201d Adam queried.\u00a0 \u201cOh, for the theater tonight, but you\u2019ll have to come by here, anyway, to drop off Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but you\u2019ll need to be dressed earlier,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cMarie\u2019s had a marvelous idea.\u00a0 We want to go by Beal\u2019s and have a family portrait made; then we\u2019ll have dinner and a night at the theater.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a grand idea!\u201d Adam bubbled.\u00a0 \u201cCould I have an extra copy, to keep here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie assured him.\u00a0 \u201cNow, please show us the way to the dining hall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThen I\u2019ll go out and fetch Hoss.\u00a0 He won\u2019t want to miss dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no!\u201d Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cOr any other meal!\u201d<\/p>\n

After a satisfying lunch, at which the Cartwrights met a number of Adam\u2019s rooming mates, they checked into the Orleans Hotel.\u00a0 Since Adam would be in school several more hours, the others elected to spend the afternoon shopping.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t think we ought, Ben,\u201d Marie argued as he directed her into a furniture shop.\u00a0 \u201cWe have little money to spare, and with Adam away, his bed is available for guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProvided they show up during the most inclement season for travel,\u201d Ben commented wryly.\u00a0 \u201cYou know we need another bed.\u00a0 Otherwise, we have to shift the boys around whenever anyone comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the expense, Ben,\u201d she protested anew.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll keep to something simple, inexpensive,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut I don\u2019t want you worrying about money, Marie.\u00a0 That is my concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, mon mari<\/em>,\u201d she whispered meekly.<\/p>\n

Both of them were oblivious to the itching ears listening in or the worried pucker on their middle son\u2019s brow.\u00a0 Hoss made up his mind not to ask for any candy, but couldn\u2019t help smiling when they bought him a sackful without being asked.\u00a0 Back at the hotel, while they waited for Adam, he rubbed a piece of peppermint across Little Joe\u2019s tongue, careful not to actually put the candy in the baby\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

When Adam arrived at the hotel, everyone freshened up and changed into their fanciest clothes.\u00a0 Even Little Joe wore a long, lacy dress with lace-edged bonnet and new linen booties purchased that very day.\u00a0 It was the sight of that beautifully decked out baby, though, that caused Mr. Beal the most concern when they stated their desire for a family portrait.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he fretted, stroking his whiskerless chin.\u00a0 \u201cHard for children of any age to sit still long enough, and a baby\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we\u2019ll keep him still,\u201d Ben assured him with his usual foundationless confidence.<\/p>\n

Mr. Beal agreed to try, and by the time the daguerreotype had been taken, everyone felt themselves wrung out.\u00a0 Little Joe saw no reason to sit still in a room full of unfamiliar and interesting sights, and Ben finally had to clamp the infant\u2019s arms to his side and forcibly hold him motionless, or as close to motionless as they were likely to achieve.\u00a0 Ben considered himself immensely fortunate that Little Joe withheld his scream of protest until their image had been taken.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe picture may be somewhat blurred,\u201d Beal warned, \u201cbut if you\u2019re determined to have the entire family in the picture, I doubt we can do better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re determined,\u201d Ben said firmly, \u201cand if the portrait is less than perfect, we\u2019ll understand, Mr. Beal.\u00a0 Thank you for your patience.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gathered his family around him on the street outside the Daguerrean Gallery.\u00a0 \u201cThat took longer than I expected, thanks to wiggle-worm here, so we\u2019ll need to eat soon to make the curtain at the theater.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarty says the Alexandria Cafe is the best in town,\u201d Adam reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe senator\u2019s boy?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cWell, he ought to know, I guess.\u00a0 Can you show us the way, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d the oldest Cartwright boy replied, \u201cand we go right past the rooming house, so we could leave wiggle-worm with Mrs. Maguire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to feed and change him first,\u201d Marie said quickly, \u201cand get the things he\u2019ll need for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHotel first, then,\u201d Ben said brightly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get our youngest squared away, then have a night on the town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss beamed their pleased responses, but Marie just looked resignedly into the eyes of the baby she felt she was abandoning and snuggled him close.\u00a0 Her gloom lasted until she read the menu at the Alexandria Cafe.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben!\u201d she squealed with delight.\u00a0 \u201cThey have escargot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSnails, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>,\u201d his mother translated.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like some?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, no!\u201d Hoss sputtered.<\/p>\n

Ben worked hard to suppress the smile twittering on his lips.\u00a0 \u201cI understand it\u2019s considered a delicacy, but I believe I\u2019ll stick to the lamb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me, too,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Hoss decided he might as well go along with his father and brother.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t read well enough to scan all the choices quickly before they needed to turn in their order, and lamb, at least, sounded safe.\u00a0 Safe and good, he concluded as he spooned another dollop of mint sauce over his meat.\u00a0 Mama could keep her nasty old snails.\u00a0 \u201cWhat play we gonna see?\u201d he asked as he cut another bite.\u00a0 \u201cThat old Shakespeare feller again or something good like Pocahontas?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither one,\u201d Adam reported.\u00a0 \u201cI looked at all the playbills yesterday and asked around school.\u00a0 Harold says we should see \u201cThe Lady of Lyons\u201d at the Sacramento Theater.\u00a0 He says it\u2019s kind of sentimental, so we figure Marie will really like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s fork paused as she was prying another snail from its shell.\u00a0 \u201cOh, but you must not choose just to please me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why not?\u201d Ben demanded with a wink.\u00a0 \u201cYou put up with our choices the last time we were here.\u00a0 It\u2019s your turn, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what do you know about this play, Adam?\u201d Marie inquired, sipping her white wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly that it\u2019s a love story and that this actor, James Stark, is supposed to be the best there is,\u201d the boy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s give it a try, then,\u201d Ben decided.<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cA love story?\u00a0 That don\u2019t sound no good at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I remind you, young fellow, that Pocahontas was a kind of love story, too?\u201d Ben said, his eyebrow arching in a way that told Hoss he\u2019d better watch his tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss mumbled and secretly gave up all hope of enjoying the evening\u2019s entertainment.\u00a0 As \u201cThe Lady of Lyons\u201d began, he was sure his despair was warranted, for he found the plight of the gardener\u2019s son in love with the beautiful Pauline, daughter of his employer, both ignorant and boring.\u00a0 Adam, on the other hand, found himself identifying with the man in his earnest quest to make himself worthy of his lady love by learning to paint and write poetry.\u00a0 Obviously, the humble gardener had poetry in his soul, too, for what could be more poetical than his declaration that \u201cart became the shadow of the starlight in those haunting eyes\u201d?<\/p>\n

Hoss thought that kind of language just plain sappy, but his tender heart became incensed when Pauline rejected letter after letter from her ardent admirer.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s mean,\u201d the country boy whispered to his slightly more sophisticated brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Adam hissed.<\/p>\n

The plot became more entangled as the proud Pauline spurned the advances of twenty others who sought her love.\u00a0 Finally, two rejected suitors decided to wreak revenge on their cruel-hearted mistress.\u00a0 The agent for their sinister plan was Claude Melnotte, played by the excellent-as-reported James Stark.\u00a0 The angry suitors pooled their funds to disguise Claude as a royal prince, who would woo and wed Pauline, then leave her to languish in a miserable hovel.<\/p>\n

When the wedding night took place, even Hoss began to feel sorry for Pauline.\u00a0 Then, just when things looked their bleakest, Claude repented of his evil intent, confessed his true identity and offered to divorce Pauline.\u00a0 Hoss gave a vigorous nod of approval, but he couldn\u2019t understand why Pauline now refused to leave Melnotte, still considering him the prince of her heart.\u00a0 How stupid could a girl get!<\/p>\n

Claude rushed off to war, a move Hoss heartily approved, and became a general, returning home only to find his wife on the auction block, being sold to pay her father\u2019s debts.\u00a0 But Claude had prospered in his new career and offered three times the amount owed to buy back the woman he had once tricked into marrying him.\u00a0 The curtain fell as the reunited lovers grasped each other in heartfelt embrace.\u00a0 Hoss stood and cheered \u2018til his embarrassed older brother jerked him back into his seat.<\/p>\n

Laying her head on Ben\u2019s shoulder, Marie sighed in contentment.\u00a0 Ben looked into the shimmering emerald pools of her eyes and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cEnjoy it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cClaude is so much like you, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Secretly considering Claude cloyingly sentimental, Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI hope not!\u00a0 But you are a jewel worth any price, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you not do as much for me as he for Pauline?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou know of what I speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d Hoss piped up.\u00a0 \u201cDid Pa have to buy you, Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now\u2019s not the time for that story.\u00a0 There\u2019ll be a brief intermission before the afterpiece, so if you boys want to stretch your legs, do it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, come on, Hoss,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Hoss willingly followed Adam into the lobby.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s an afterpiece?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA piece that comes after the first one, of course,\u201d Adam answered airily.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI hope it ain\u2019t got as much kissin\u2019 and squeezin\u2019 as that last one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think so.\u00a0 It\u2019s supposed to be a comedy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA funny play.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, that\u2019ll be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

The boys returned to the theater to watch \u201cThe Irish Tutor.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss didn\u2019t understand many of the jokes, but the general merriment of the audience was contagious, and he found himself laughing even when he didn\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n

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

A shaft of glimmering white from the almost full moon shone through the window between the boys\u2019 beds.\u00a0 Adam had dutifully tucked Hoss in as soon as their parents dropped them off at the rooming house and picked up the peacefully slumbering Little Joe.\u00a0 Both boys, however, were still too keyed up from the evening\u2019s entertainment to go directly to sleep.\u00a0 They lay on their sides, facing each other, whispering in the dark.\u00a0 After talking about his new classes and teachers, Adam inquired how Hoss was doing in school this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cCouldn\u2019t be better,\u201d Hoss giggled.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no more school!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam propped himself on his right elbow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018no more school\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what I said,\u201d Hoss bubbled.\u00a0 \u201cMormons done took off and ain\u2019t no kids left in Franktown.\u00a0 Lucky Bill even dragged the log building off to CarsonValley to use for a stable, so no more school.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s too bad,\u201d Adam muttered, easing down to his pillow again.\u00a0 \u201cI got Pa\u2019s letter about Brigham Young calling the Mormons back to Salt Lake, but he wasn\u2019t sure how many would actually go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cPa went to see \u2018em off, and he counted a hundred twenty-three wagons.\u00a0 The paper said four hundred fifty people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam whistled softly.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t be many left.\u00a0 What about Genoa?\u00a0 Are they holding school?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so,\u201d Hoss yawned.\u00a0 \u201cMama\u2019s gonna start givin\u2019 me lessons when we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 Marie could do all right, he supposed, with reading, writing and simple arithmetic, but Hoss wasn\u2019t likely to learn much else with her as a teacher.\u00a0 Well, he didn\u2019t take to book learning like his big brother.\u00a0 Maybe the three R\u2019s were all he could handle.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Hoss asked tentatively, \u201cwill that fair cost much money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you care?\u201d Adam snickered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not paying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I was just wonderin\u2019,\u201d Hoss stammered.\u00a0 \u201cThe fair sounds like fun, but we done spent a bunch on dinner and the play and\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cSince when are you so all fired worried about money?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now that we\u2019re poor\u2014\u2014\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

Adam sat up abruptly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018we\u2019re poor\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly feeling he\u2019d spoken out of turn, Hoss pulled the covers over his head and said nothing.\u00a0 Adam got out of bed and shook his brother\u2019s shoulder roughly.\u00a0 \u201cI asked you a question, Hoss, and you\u2019d better answer.\u201d\u00a0 He jerked the covers to reveal his younger brother\u2019s anxious eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I think maybe Pa don\u2019t want you to know,\u201d Hoss whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I want me to know,\u201d Adam hissed.\u00a0 \u201cYou speak up right now.\u00a0 Who says we\u2019re poor?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, nobody, exactly,\u201d Hoss replied, lips trembling.\u00a0 \u201cThey mostly quit talking when I\u2019m around, but Pa bought up a lot of that Mormon land, and Mama acts like we gotta be real careful.\u00a0 She\u2014she didn\u2019t buy the bedroom stuff she really wanted.\u00a0 Said it was too expensive.\u00a0 Don\u2019t tell Pa I told, please, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tucked his brother under the covers once more.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t be in trouble, but I have to ask Pa, Hoss.\u00a0 If things are rough, I have to know.\u00a0 Else how can I do my part?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let Pa be mad, please,\u201d Hoss pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe won\u2019t be,\u201d Adam assured him.\u00a0 \u201cNow go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss wasn\u2019t completely reassured, but Adam had protected him on other occasions, so Hoss felt he could trust his brother.\u00a0 Besides, after the long journey, a day full of activity and an unusually late evening, he was too tired not to do as he was told.\u00a0 Soon he was snoring noisily.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t exactly music to Adam\u2019s ears, but he had little choice but to listen to his brother\u2019s nasal orchestration.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t sleep, not with Hoss\u2019s unwittingly planted seeds of concern sprouting in his brain.\u00a0 It would be like Pa to spare his boys worry over money, but Adam wasn\u2019t a little boy anymore.\u00a0 Pa didn\u2019t need to spare him the way he did Hoss, and Adam intended to demand an explanation first thing in the morning.<\/p>\n

As the boys ate breakfast at the boardinghouse the next morning, Hoss, having slept away his fears, thoroughly enjoyed the ham and eggs.\u00a0 Adam, however, toyed with the small helping he\u2019d taken.\u00a0 Pa could be stubborn, especially if he thought his sons were out of line, and while Adam wasn\u2019t really afraid to ask the needed questions, he was nervous.\u00a0 Wanting to talk to their father alone, Adam sent Hoss to play on the swing in the backyard.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll call you when they get here,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

Expecting to pick up the boys and go, Ben had left Marie in the carriage with Little Joe. \u00a0Adam met him in the foyer and asked him into the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cI need to talk to you,\u201d he said soberly.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s near-black eyebrows knitted together, but he waited until he and Adam were alone.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d he asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside swinging,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not about him.\u00a0 Pa, are\u2014\u2014are we hard up for money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat gave you that idea?\u201d Ben asked gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss said you\u2019d bought a lot of land lately, and\u2014\u2014well, he thinks we\u2019re poor now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNot in land, at least.\u201d\u00a0 He sat down on the parlor sofa and patted the spot next to him.\u00a0 When Adam joined him, Ben answered his son\u2019s concerns.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Adam, there\u2019s no need for either of you to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a little boy, Pa,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 \u201cIf you need to take me out of school, I\u2019ll understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grabbed the boy\u2019s hand and pressed hard.\u00a0 \u201cAbsolutely not.\u201d\u00a0 He stood abruptly and paced across the room.\u00a0 Then, turning, he eyed Adam with pain.\u00a0 \u201cWhy is it no one in my family trusts me to take proper care of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, Pa,\u201d Adam said quickly, \u201cbut, well, you didn\u2019t tell me, and Hoss said it was because you didn\u2019t want me to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0 \u201cHoss has an overactive imagination,\u201d he said severely.\u00a0 \u201cThe only reason I haven\u2019t told you is that it happened right before that trouble with the Washos I mentioned at dinner last night, and I was too occupied with that to write.\u00a0 Then, we\u2019ve been busy since we arrived, and I just haven\u2019t thought to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen tell me now,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 He could be as stubborn as his father when he thought himself in the right.<\/p>\n

Ben returned to the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cSure, son; there\u2019s no secret.\u00a0 I bought some land that adjoins the Ponderosa.\u00a0 It\u2019s good land, a good investment, but cash is going to be a bit shorter than it\u2019s been the last year or two.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t mean there isn\u2019t enough for our needs\u2014\u2014like your schooling.\u00a0 Besides, silly son, that\u2019s already paid for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you could get a refund if you needed it,\u201d Adam choked out.<\/p>\n

Ben drew the boy close, knowing what a sacrifice Adam was offering and feeling proud of his willingness to make it.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need it,\u201d he assured his son.\u00a0 \u201cDespite Hoss\u2019s report, we are not poor.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be needing to put extra cash into building up our herd, so we\u2019ll have to watch ourselves.\u00a0 But we\u2019ve got plenty to live on, plenty to school you with, and plenty to spend on a day at the fair.\u00a0 Now, you relax and enjoy yourself, \u2018cause if you don\u2019t, I may have to blister your britches.\u201d<\/p>\n

The teasing words brought a smile to Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not just making light of it because of my age, are you?\u201d he asked for extra reassurance.<\/p>\n

Ben took his son\u2019s cheeks between his palms.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that, Adam.\u00a0 As you said, you\u2019re not a little boy; you\u2019re a young man.\u00a0 Sounds like I do have a little boy who could use some setting straight, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s worried,\u201d Adam acknowledged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe I\u2019ll just have to buy him something special at the fair,\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ought to do it,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go get him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and hurry,\u201d Ben advised, \u201cor Marie will whip us all for keeping her waiting out in that warm sun.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded brusquely and ran to get his brother.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head in consternation.\u00a0 A father did what he thought was best, tried to spare his boys needless worry, and somehow they found their way to it like iron filings to a magnet.\u00a0 Maybe it didn\u2019t pay to spare them; maybe he ought to just lay out the facts, even with a boy as young as Hoss.\u00a0 A wry smile twisted Ben\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 For now, at least, he could avoid explaining his every move to Little Joe.\u00a0 That was some consolation\u2014\u2014some, but precious small.<\/p>\n

Soon the Cartwrights were loaded into the surrey and on the way to the California State Agricultural Fair.\u00a0 As they drove, Ben tried to reassure Hoss that they were not paupers and he could feel free to enjoy himself.\u00a0 Hoss welcomed the release, for everywhere he looked inside the fairgrounds, he saw things to crave.\u00a0 He dutifully followed his parents as they viewed the exhibits of apples, pears, grapes, peaches, nectarines, figs and almonds and gladly tasted each.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll buy some to take home before we leave,\u201d Ben said, \u201cso decide what you\u2019d like best.\u00a0 We can only carry so much on the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next they visited some of the exhibits for fruits and vegetables of unusual size.\u00a0 They all gaped open-mouthed at the 93-lb. beet that had taken first prize, but the winning pumpkin was even more impressive, weighing in at a whopping two hundred and sixty-four pounds.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what I want!\u201d Hoss yelled.\u00a0 \u201cThink of the pies it would make!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think that one\u2019s for sale, son.\u00a0 Besides, we grow all the pumpkins we need at home.\u00a0 We\u2019ll save our money for something a little rarer, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNectarines, then?\u201d Hoss begged.\u00a0 \u201cThey were good, and we can\u2019t get them at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, nectarines,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, are you boys ready to try your luck at some of the games?\u201d<\/p>\n

The youngsters\u2019 eager shouts said they were, and soon both Hoss and Adam were testing the strength of their arms and the accuracy of their aim throwing hard balls at targets.\u00a0 Hoss had the strength, but his aim was wild, and while Adam\u2019s balls hit dead center, he couldn\u2019t seem to throw hard enough to knock the soft-bodied targets from the ledge.\u00a0 Finally, with a grimace of determination, Adam flung his last ball and whooped with triumph when the target flew off backwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurray!\u00a0 You get a prize!\u201d Hoss hollered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you do,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cPick what you want, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sheer rapture lighted Hoss\u2019s pale eyes as he scanned the choices pointed out to him by the man who ran the game.\u00a0 \u201cThat one,\u201d he cried, stretching his stubby finger toward a fuzzy monkey on a stick.\u00a0 The man nodded and brought the toy down to Hoss\u2019s eager hands.\u00a0 Another hand reached for the monkey almost immediately, and Hoss held it near so Little Joe could touch the monkey\u2019s fur.\u00a0 The baby gurgled with delight.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnybody hungry?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 They all were.\u00a0 The booths lining both sides of their path wafted enough tantalizing aromas to stimulate hunger in a well-fed man, and none of them had eaten since breakfast.\u00a0 Each wanted something different, and Ben indulgently let them have whatever they wanted and as much as they wanted.\u00a0 A sausage for Hoss, along with a popcorn ball and some salt water taffy, roast chicken skewered on a stick for Adam and Marie, and a meat pasty and fried peach pie for Ben.<\/p>\n

Everyone except Marie came away stuffed to overflowing.\u00a0 \u201cThey have ruined their dinners,\u201d she chided Ben softly.<\/p>\n

Ben simply laughed as he pulled her close.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s an occasion, my love, and it won\u2019t hurt them this once.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose not, but if we are to stay much longer, I must find a place to feed our smallest son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think we\u2019re ready to go,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFruit, Pa,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou promised.\u00a0 Nectarines.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hadn\u2019t forgotten,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re on our way out.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the surrey loaded with a crate of apples and pears, another of almonds and smaller bags of more perishable fruit, the Cartwrights headed back to town.\u00a0 Seated in the back with Adam, Hoss dangled the little monkey over the front seat just out of reach of Little Joe\u2019s waving fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we leave the foodstuff in your room until we come back from the Paynes?\u201d Ben asked Adam as they pulled up before the rooming house.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cMay I eat some and share some with Harold?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but don\u2019t try feeding the whole household,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI want some to take home, young man, and, after all, we\u2019re poor now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d both boys protested.\u00a0 After a day of being treated to anything they wanted, neither was now concerned about the family finances, but they didn\u2019t think their previous worry was a fit subject for teasing.<\/p>\n

Only Ben and his two older sons returned to the fair that afternoon.\u00a0 While they visited the livestock exhibits, Marie put Little Joe down for his nap and, after he awoke, went shopping.\u00a0 There were Christmas gifts to be purchased, best done while the boys were absent, and she wanted to find something special for Ben, as well.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThere it is,\u201d Ben said as the Spanish-style ranch house came into view.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Rancho Hermoso.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it is beautiful, as you said,\u201d Marie murmured and immediately began brushing back the tendrils of golden hair that had blown loose in the wind as they rode in the hired buggy toward the Payne\u2019s home.\u00a0 She touched her fingers to her tongue and wiped a smudge of dust from Little Joe\u2019s cheek.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWill you quit worrying?\u00a0 They\u2019ll love you, dust or no dust, and nothing could hide that baby\u2019s handsome features.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re nice folks, Mama,\u201d Hoss, tightly sandwiched between his parents, assured her.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled in weak acknowledgement of their consolation, but it didn\u2019t ease her tension.\u00a0 When Ben had told her that Rachel Payne was his wife Inger\u2019s dearest friend on the trail west, he had intended Marie to understand that the same friendship would be given her.\u00a0 Marie couldn\u2019t help remembering, however, those early months when Adam\u2019s loyalty to Inger had made him hostile to his new stepmother.\u00a0 Maybe Inger, whom Marie had never heard described as less than an angel on earth, had that effect on everyone.\u00a0 Maybe love for her made people stingy in their acceptance of the one who tried, not to take her place, but to fill her function in the Cartwright home.<\/p>\n

As they drove into the yard, a slender, dark-haired woman stood waiting on the porch, flanked by a brown-haired boy on one side and a girl with blonde hair and her mother\u2019s hazel eyes on the other.\u00a0 The children were the first to meet the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ben!\u201d Susan squealed.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly jumped from the carriage to swoop the little girl skyward.\u00a0 \u201cSusan, you\u2019re growing prettier all the time.\u201d\u00a0 He let her down and turned to greet her six-year-old brother, who still hung close to his mother\u2019s skirts.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Samuel?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019ve forgotten your Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI \u2018member him,\u201d Sammy said, sticking a tanned finger at Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we had fun, huh?\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou youngsters take Hoss inside and ask Ma\u00f1uela to give him a glass of lemonade,\u201d Rachel Payne suggested.\u00a0 Then, smiling, she approached the woman still seated in the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cYou must be Marie,\u201d she said, extending her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so glad you were able to visit us.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been dying to meet you since Ben wrote that he\u2019d married again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you most kindly,\u201d Marie said, nerves making her words somewhat stilted.<\/p>\n

Rachel didn\u2019t seem to notice her guest\u2019s discomfort.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you certainly didn\u2019t lie, Ben,\u201d she laughed.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s an absolute beauty, just like you wrote.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, you did not,\u201d Marie demurred, blushing furiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always speak the truth,\u201d Ben teased.<\/p>\n

As he reached to help his wife from the buggy, Rachel stretched her arms toward the baby Marie was holding.\u00a0 \u201cLet me take him.\u00a0 Ooh, you little doll,\u201d she cooed, snuggling the sleeping baby close to her breast. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re just about the most beautiful baby I ever saw, yes, you are.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled down into Marie\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not hard to see who he takes after.\u00a0 Why, he\u2019s a perfect picture of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat he is,\u201d Ben muttered with chagrin.\u00a0 \u201cNot a trace of his ugly father anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, you are not ugly,\u201d Marie protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I always thought Ben a fine-looking man,\u201d Rachel agreed, \u201cbut he is right about one thing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see a trace of him in this baby.\u00a0 He\u2019s you, my dear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled, pleased, as always, to see her baby admired.\u00a0 \u201cHis hair is a little darker than mine,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cThat, I think, is from his father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe that much,\u201d Rachel acknowledged with a light-hearted laugh.\u00a0 \u201cNow, let\u2019s get in out of this heat, and I\u2019ll show you to your room.\u00a0 I had Sammy\u2019s old crib put in with you for the baby, so we\u2019ll just put him right in it.\u00a0 Remind me of his name, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Marie whispered lovingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe call him Little Joe, though,\u201d Ben, arms loaded with baggage, added as he followed the two women into the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe surely is, compared to Hoss at this age,\u201d Rachel chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cLands, that boy just keeps growing, Ben!\u201d\u00a0 She showed them into the guest room and laid Little Joe in the crib.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have some fresh water drawn for you,\u201d she said, taking the pitcher from the washstand.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll want to freshen up and change into something more comfortable, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, thank you,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 When Rachel left, she turned to Ben with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou were right.\u00a0 These are fine people.\u00a0 I am sure now I will enjoy our visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you will,\u201d Ben declared.\u00a0 \u201cWait \u2018til you get a look at Jonathan\u2019s horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie had her first look at the horses an hour later when Samuel and Susan each took a hand and led their pretty new friend down to the pasture.\u00a0 Horses of every size and color cavorted in the waving grass.\u00a0 Hoss, who\u2019d brought up the rear, climbed onto the fence and leaned over the top rail to stare at the frolicking animals.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re gooduns,\u201d he commented.\u00a0 \u201cCan we ride \u2018em?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today, Hoss,\u201d his mother answered.\u00a0 \u201cIt is too close to dinnertime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Hoss said, not disappointed.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather eat than ride any day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re having arroz con pollo<\/em>,\u201d Susan offered.\u00a0 \u201cMama said Uncle Ben liked it, and we hope you will, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure we shall all enjoy the meal very much,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps we should return now, so you children can wash your hands and faces before dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, we should,\u201d Susan agreed.\u00a0 Tidy by nature, she felt inspired to immaculacy by Marie\u2019s ladylike appearance.\u00a0 Both Hoss and Samuel scowled, but only to each other.\u00a0 Hoss knew better than to let his mother see his reluctance to clean up, and Sammy knew tattletale Susan would carry the slightest hint of misbehavior straight to their mother.<\/p>\n

They arrived with time to spare, a good thing since Little Joe decided to wake shortly after his mother entered the house.\u00a0 By the time she had nursed him and settled him down in the crib with some of Samuel\u2019s old toys to keep him quiet, dinner was ready and the other three children served and eating in the kitchen with Ma\u00f1uela.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, arroz con pollo<\/em>,\u201d Ben enthused, \u201cmy favorite of all Mexican dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s flan<\/em>, too,\u201d Jonathan Payne laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAs I recall, that was your favorite of all Mexican dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, Ma\u00f1uela does justice to anything she cooks,\u201d Ben praised, \u201cbut I have to admit dessert\u2019s my favorite part of any meal\u2014\u2014Yankee, Mexican, French or Chinese.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChinese?\u201d Rachel sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not serious!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he is not,\u201d Marie corrected.\u00a0 \u201cOur cook is Chinese, but his cuisine is not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you have a cook now,\u201d Jonathan teased.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you thought we were getting high and mighty when you first saw ours!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot high and mighty,\u201d Ben corrected.\u00a0 \u201cI just saw it as a sign of prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess we\u2019ll take it the same way, then,\u201d Rachel tittered.\u00a0 \u201cGlad you\u2019re doing so well, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re doing well enough, but I assure you Hop Sing is not the best indication of that.\u00a0 What you have in Ma\u00f1uela is a dependable household assistant.\u00a0 What we have is a dictatorial tyrant.\u201d\u00a0 Ben threw up his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI never even hired him!\u00a0 He just attached himself to us, unasked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we are most grateful he did,\u201d Marie rebuked softly.\u00a0 \u201cYou know what a help he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, if you don\u2019t mind putting up with the annoyance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does not annoy me<\/em>,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough,\u201d Ben accused.\u00a0 \u201cYou he treats like a princess.\u00a0 The rest of us are just dust-laden enemies to his housecleaning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just say the rest of you were males?\u201d Rachel offered airily and Marie joined her laughter.<\/p>\n

They finished the main course, and Ma\u00f1uela cleared the table before serving the flan<\/em>.\u00a0 While she was dishing it up in the kitchen, Ben asked if he might request a favor.\u00a0 \u201cWe purchased some Christmas gifts for Adam while we were in Sacramento,\u201d he explained, \u201cand I was hoping I could leave them here and have you mail them at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly will not!\u201d Rachel declared to Ben\u2019s surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben stammered, confused.\u00a0 \u201cI just couldn\u2019t think of any other way to get them to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can,\u201d Rachel contended.\u00a0 \u201cThe idea of letting that boy spend Christmas in a lonely rooming house, Ben!\u00a0 He\u2019ll come here, of course, and celebrate the holiday with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, how kind you are!\u201d Marie cried.\u00a0 \u201cThat will be so much happier for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, indeed,\u201d Ben murmured gratefully.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know how to thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan slapped his friend on the back.\u00a0 \u201cNo need between old trailmates like us.\u00a0 We don\u2019t forget what a good friend Adam was to our Johnny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSharing Christmas with him will be almost like having our own boy with us again,\u201d Rachel said, hazel eyes shimmering.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s hand closed in sympathy over Rachel\u2019s larger one.\u00a0 She, too, had lost a son, and suddenly the apprehension she\u2019d felt at being compared to Inger faded into mist.\u00a0 The loss she shared with Rachel forged a bond between them, a friendship that was their own and whole, not the fragmented leavings of a relationship remembered by one and held in awe by the other.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cShe\u2019s a fantastic rider, Ben,\u201d Jonathan observed admiringly.\u00a0 The two men stood outside the corral fence watching Marie trot the chestnut stallion.\u00a0 Though Ben had been offered a mount of his own, he\u2019d excused himself, preferring to watch his wife\u2019s enjoyment of a spirited mount.\u00a0 \u201cI get all the riding I care for at home,\u201d he\u2019d joked.<\/p>\n

Now he laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI never told you how I met her, did I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan leaned back against the corral rails, anticipating a good story.\u00a0 \u201cOnly that you met her in New Orleans, when you went to tell her how her husband died saving your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes grew momentarily sober at the memory of Jean D\u2019Marigny, hearing again his awful screams as the stampeding cattle he\u2019d just turned away from Ben thundered across his body.\u00a0 Ben shook himself.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that was how I was supposed to meet her,\u201d he smiled, \u201cbut she almost ran me down my first day in New Orleans.\u00a0 I saw a fiery black stallion charging down on me and just managed to jump clear in time.\u00a0 Then I saw the rider, the most amazingly beautiful woman I\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0 I nearly dropped of shock when I learned she was the woman I\u2019d come halfway across the continent to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRachel would say you were meant to meet,\u201d Jon chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWait\u2019ll I tell her that story!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust don\u2019t tell her in front of Marie,\u201d Ben cautioned, \u201cor I won\u2019t hear the end of it.\u00a0 My beloved wife has no memory of the incident and becomes incensed when I bring it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie rode up to them.\u00a0 \u201cMay I take him outside the corral, Jonathan?\u00a0 He wants a good run as much as I.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you can handle him,\u201d Jonathan snickered.<\/p>\n

Marie cocked her head, wondering why his mouth was twitching so hard, then, as if to show him she was well capable of handling any horse, she rode to the opposite side of the corral and jumped the fence.<\/p>\n

Jonathan whistled.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you keep that one home in the kitchen, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing rules the kitchen, remember?\u201d Ben grunted.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s our new little son that keeps her in the house, and, of course, our animals don\u2019t have the mettle of that stallion, so there\u2019s less temptation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBe glad to sell you that one.\u00a0 Marie likes him, I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake you a good deal,\u201d Jon offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tempt me,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI told you last night about the land I bought recently.\u00a0 I\u2019m short of cash now, and likely to stay that way \u2018til we\u2019ve gotten the herd built up, so I\u2019m afraid my wife will have to content herself with our tame Carson Valley horseflesh for the time being.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad,\u201d Jon sympathized.\u00a0 \u201cA woman who rides like she\u2019s part of the horse ought to have a fine one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeday,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t take it now, knowing how things stand with us, but someday I\u2019m going to buy her the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know where to find it,\u201d Jonathan chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do, for a fact,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how about showing me that new bull you\u2019re so proud of?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

After three restful days at Rancho Hermoso, the Cartwrights headed home.\u00a0 Though they would have liked to stay longer, enjoying the company of Marie\u2019s new and Ben\u2019s long-time friends, the calendar read the 18th of October.\u00a0 The skies looked pleasant, without foreboding clouds on the horizon, but as they all knew, snow sometimes fell in the Sierras as early as October.\u00a0 California boasted a more congenial climate, but it wasn\u2019t home; Washoe Valley was, so they pointed their faces eastward, glad that they were carrying with them memories to warm them through the winter to come.<\/p>\n

They returned to a land still shrouded by clouds of dismay.\u00a0 More and more residents of Genoa were beginning to believe the Indians they had killed were guilty of nothing but fear.\u00a0 When later investigation proved that McMarlin and Williams had been murdered by white men over money won in a card game and the arrows placed in their wounds to divert suspicion, the whole territory seemed sick at heart.<\/p>\n

After the two actual murderers were found guilty and hanged, Captain Jim pursued Natchez and his sisters, who had left Genoa as the first major snowstorm of the winter was breaking.\u00a0 Approaching the brush shelters the Paiutes had made in the Pinenut Mountains to wait out the storm, Captain Jim appeared without warning out of the swirling blizzard.\u00a0 Elma screamed, for to her he looked like the spirit of one of the innocent dead.<\/p>\n

Captain Jim walked defiantly to Natchez, told him that the real killers had been found and demanded payment for the two men he had lost.<\/p>\n

Insulted, Natchez refused.\u00a0 It was unseemly for a Washo to make demands on a Paiute, and the chief\u2019s son stood on his hereditary pride.\u00a0 \u201cIt is you who ought to pay the poor mother and sister and wife,\u201d Natchez declared.\u00a0 \u201cYou gave them up yourself; we only did our duty.\u201d\u00a0 Although Captain Jim remained in camp, arguing with them throughout the night, he could not change the Paiute\u2019s mind and could not himself be appeased, even when Natchez condescended to loan him a pony so they could all ride into Genoa and verify Captain Jim\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

Ben, in town to pick up the mail, was there when they rode in and he watched with sorrow as the Indians later departed, heads held high, eyes scornful of the white man\u2019s rush to judgement.\u00a0 Natchez would not even look at Ben, the man who had once saved his life, when he passed.\u00a0 That in itself told Ben how deeply the relations between white man and red had been strained by the blood spilled in a meadow outside Genoa.\u00a0 From that day on he regularly strapped on his Colt\u2019s Navy revolver whenever he left the house.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER EIGHT<\/p>\n

Holiday Rescue<\/h4>\n

From long-standing habit Ben, with Clyde Thomas as his buying agent, had laid in his winter supplies early and in abundance.\u00a0 In the Sierras winter could arrive early and last late, and a wise man left nothing to chance that concerned his family\u2019s survival.\u00a0 Ben made more preparation than usual this year, however, not for the human residents of the Ponderosa, but for the livestock that had to face the winter in the open.\u00a0 With extra pastures to stock, he didn\u2019t want to lose any of the new calves to winter kill, so he built a two-stall birthing barn for cows about to calve.\u00a0 He then placed all the calves seven to ten months old in a special feed lot, where they could receive the best hay during this critical stage of their development.<\/p>\n

Marie, also, found herself busier than usual.\u00a0 Little Joe, of course, needed regular attention, and Hoss\u2019s schooling required close supervision, but the fruits of the harvest had to be saved for the winter months, as well.\u00a0 Even Hop Sing, tyrannical lord of the kitchen domain, had to admit he needed help in this crucial season, so he and Marie became allies in the quest to stock the larder with the preserved products of the garden.\u00a0 Carrots, turnips, parsnips and potatoes were stored in the root cellar, while the remaining cucumbers were turned into pickles and the cabbage into sauerkraut, the final two functions with the help of Nelly Thomas, for they were new skills to both Hop Sing and Marie.\u00a0 Pumpkins, squash and onions went to the dry storeroom, where they\u2019d keep for weeks, along with the fruits and nuts purchased in California.<\/p>\n

Hoss, whenever he was freed from the prison of schoolwork, took to the woods to set rabbit snares as Adam had taught him.\u00a0 Soon the Cartwright table and that of their ranch hands groaned under his success with fried rabbit, rabbit stew, rabbit fricassee, rabbit pot pie and rabbit with dumplings.\u00a0 Hop Sing began scolding, in clamorous Chinese, whenever another harvest of rabbits appeared, and, to keep the peace, Ben finally had to admonish Hoss about the number he was bringing home.\u00a0 It was a matter of self-preservation: not only was Ben tired of eating rabbit, but of helping Hoss skin them, as well.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to single-handedly feed the entire ranch, boy,\u201d he scolded, \u201cand you might consider leaving a few for our Indian neighbors.\u00a0 Rabbit skin blankets are all they have to keep them warm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t takin\u2019 that many, Pa,\u201d Hoss argued, \u201cand I need the skins, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever for!\u201d Ben snapped, growing irritated.\u00a0 \u201cWe feed and clothe you quite well, young fellow, and there are plenty of quilts and blankets for your bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss gulped.\u00a0 \u201cThey ain\u2019t for me, but it\u2019s a secret, Pa\u2014\u2014a Christmas secret.\u201d\u00a0 He and his father were alone in the barn or he wouldn\u2019t have felt safe sharing even that much.\u00a0 The rabbit skins weren\u2019t intended for his father, after all, so in a pinch Pa could be told.\u00a0 Hoss was definitely feeling a pinch.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face softened.\u00a0 \u201cOh, planning ahead, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s double chin bobbed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 Aunt Nelly\u2019s gonna help me make somethin\u2019 nice and warm for Little Joe\u2014\u2014Mama, too, if I get enough skins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI wondered what you and Nelly had been consorting about.\u00a0 I saw you whispering in her ear last Sunday.\u00a0 All right, Hoss, but let\u2019s take Aunt Nelly what you\u2019ve got so far and see if you need more before you head into the woods again, all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Hoss agreed, \u201cbut don\u2019t let Mama see.\u201d\u00a0 Ben promised he wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Though he hadn\u2019t made the point strongly to Hoss, Ben was concerned about how their Indian neighbors might fare during the winter.\u00a0 Since the coming of the white man, both Paiute and Washo had found it more difficult to follow their traditional lifestyle of hunting and gathering.\u00a0 Game was still available, but harder to find, and while Ben no longer cut the pi\u00f1on tree for firewood, many white men did, either in ignorance or apathy, and that staple of the Indian diet was going the way of the wild game.<\/p>\n

Ben did what he could, taking a few beef north to the Paiutes of Captain Truckee and Winnemucca and some southwest to the Washo, but he couldn\u2019t supply two nations singlehandedly.\u00a0 He took Hoss along on these trips, to the boy\u2019s delight.\u00a0 While Hoss would have been delighted with anything that gave him a day off from his books or time alone with his father, he also gleaned the lessons Ben was trying to teach him, lessons as important as any found in books.\u00a0 Hoss understood that the Indians were as much his neighbors as the Mormons had been and he came to realize he had a responsibility to them, as well as to people he genuinely loved like the Thomas family and other friends in the valley.\u00a0 White men had caused part of the Indians\u2019 troubles, Pa said, so white men ought to help solve them when they could.\u00a0 To Hoss, it made perfect sense.<\/p>\n

One of the Washo leaders, however, came up with his own creative method of getting help from the white man in feeding his people.\u00a0 Tuquah, a Washo who worked irregularly on the Ponderosa, brought the news to Ben, and Ben shared it with his family one evening during the second week of November.\u00a0 \u201cMark your calendar, my love,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re invited to a dance this Saturday night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good!\u201d Marie cried.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t danced in so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s chin twitched.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t be dancing at this one, either, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie tilted her head and examined Ben closely.\u00a0 Definitely a twinkle in his brown eyes, a decidedly mischievous twinkle.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of dance is this, where we do not dance?\u201d she demanded, her lips forming a petulant pout.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed, recognizing in her expression the need to stop his teasing.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a demonstration of Indian dances, Marie.\u00a0 Captain Jim of the Washo tribe has invited all white men to observe, so long as they bring a sack of flour as the price of admission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA sack of flour?\u00a0 That is a strange ticket,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cA perfectly logical one for hungry people,\u201d Ben said soberly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, are they truly hungry?\u201d Marie murmured sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cShouldn\u2019t be, if this idea works,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a wise people who learn to adapt to changing times and make the best of them.\u00a0 Looks to me like the Washo are doing just that, and I feel we should support them in the effort.\u201d\u00a0 Though he didn\u2019t say it, he couldn\u2019t help wishing the proud Paiute would be equally adaptable, but they clung to the old ways, fast proving unprofitable.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, we must!\u201d Marie cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe got enough flour, Pa?\u00a0 For all of us to go, even Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cThey won\u2019t charge for him, Hoss!\u00a0 And, yes, we can afford the ticket.\u00a0 We\u2019ll all go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurray!\u201d Hoss yelled, then turned to his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cHow about it, Little Joe?\u00a0 Want to see Indians dance?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe, just beginning to respond to the sound of his own name, turned and babbled something to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cHe wants to go,\u201d Hoss reported.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 Was it possible the two boys actually communicated?\u00a0 Common sense scoffed at the idea, but Hoss was convinced, and it was no secret Little Joe responded as well to his big brother as to either of his parents.\u00a0 A unique bond united Ben\u2019s two younger sons, so maybe they did understand one another, even without the benefit of language.<\/p>\n

The Washo dance was a success.\u00a0 Not only did it provide the Indians with a supply of flour for the winter, but it offered the white attendees an interesting display of native dances and games, as well as a deerskin when the entertainment ended.\u00a0 The hide was valued at only a dollar, so it wasn\u2019t a good trade for flour worth eight dollars a sack, unless you counted the gain of a good time into the bargain.\u00a0 That and the satisfaction of helping his neediest neighbors made Ben feel he\u2019d gotten more than his money\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

A week later Marie and her friend Laura Ellis were still recalling the Indian festivity fondly.\u00a0 Ben had spoken to Laura at the dance to request that she assist with the annual Thanksgiving feast for his ranch hands, and she was at the Ponderosa the following Saturday afternoon to discuss the arrangements with the lady of the house.\u00a0 Laura\u2019s help was probably unnecessary, now that Hop Sing was part of the household, but neither Ben nor Marie wanted to deprive her of the extra income she needed and undoubtedly depended on.\u00a0 However tight their own finances, hers were more so, especially since the Mormon exodus had taken away many of the former customers of her laundry and baking business.<\/p>\n

If Laura guessed the hiring of her services was an act of charity, she kept her own counsel.\u00a0 She needed the money and wasn\u2019t too proud to take it, provided she could give something in return for what she received.\u00a0 Somewhat like the Washos in that, with their token deerskin in return for the virtually donated flour.\u00a0 She and Marie had worked well together for two holiday dinners the previous year, so they had no difficulty in determining what to serve this time and how to divide the work between them.<\/p>\n

Business satisfactorily completed, Laura and Marie sipped tea and nibbled ginger cookies Hop Sing prepared and served in the front room near the fire.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019ve got some bad news, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Laura said after they\u2019d laughed together over some of the white men\u2019s attempts at imitating the Indian dances the previous week.\u00a0 \u201cBen will want to know that Allen Grosch has left for California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, dear,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBen tried to tell him it was too late to start over the mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs did we all,\u201d Laura sighed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Allen wouldn\u2019t leave until his debts were paid.\u00a0 Ben wasn\u2019t the only man who urged him to wait for spring, but Allen wouldn\u2019t listen.\u00a0 Men and their stubborn pride!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Marie agreed readily.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a great fault with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura nodded in agreement with her friend\u2019s assessment of men.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, the fool had sense enough not to go alone,\u201d she commented.\u00a0 \u201cR. M. Burke went with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat only means two fools have gone,\u201d Marie observed, \u201cbut they have, perhaps, a better chance to survive together.\u201d<\/p>\n

To hear her talk, one would have thought Marie a veteran pioneer instead of a fledgling westerner.\u00a0 The irony didn\u2019t escape Laura, but she thought too highly of her friend to point it out.\u00a0 \u201cGrosch is a fool,\u201d she said instead, \u201cand to prove it, you need only look at who he left in charge of his cabin, books and papers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is that?\u201d Marie asked, taking another sip of the warm tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cHenry Comstock,\u201d Laura sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, dear,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know the miner well, only that he was exactly Ben\u2019s age, but shared nothing of his industry.\u00a0 Ben, she knew, would consider Old Pancake a poor choice for any responsible position.<\/p>\n

Over tea and cookies the two ladies continued clucking over the foolishness of men late into the afternoon.<\/p>\n

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

The Thomas\u2019s table groaned under the abundance spread for the annual Thanksgiving feast they were sharing with the Cartwrights.\u00a0 Ben felt as if he should groan, too, from the sheer excess of what he\u2019d already stuffed into his stomach.\u00a0 And dessert yet to come!<\/p>\n

Hoss, on the other hand, seemed to have ample room for whatever was put before him.\u00a0 \u201cMore meat, please,\u201d he requested politely, holding out his plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, you\u2019ve got an appetite for stuffed grouse, ain\u2019t you, boy?\u201d Nelly chuckled, forking another piece onto his plate, along with a dollop of sage dressing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr anything else,\u201d Ben muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.\u00a0 Where did that boy get his appetite?\u00a0 His mother had been large-boned, but not a heavy eater, and Ben certainly couldn\u2019t pile food in with half Hoss\u2019s relish.\u00a0 His brother-in-law Gunnar, of course, could.\u00a0 Maybe Hoss took after him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good,\u201d Hoss said, delving in again.\u00a0 \u201cNot as good as that turkey we had once, but mighty fine, all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, how about that, Billy?\u201d Ben teased.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t bag us a big bird this year, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned, not in the least perturbed.\u00a0 He knew\u2014\u2014and knew the rest did, too\u2014\u2014that his early success in shooting a Thanksgiving turkey was likely to go unequaled.\u00a0 The wild birds just couldn\u2019t be found nearby anymore.\u00a0 Too many settlers had scared the few there\u2019d been so far into the hills a man would have to be more than lucky to find one.\u00a0 \u201cTell you what, Hoss,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see if I can\u2019t shoot us a nice, fat goose or two for Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss cried, licking his lips.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow at the impudent redhead.\u00a0 \u201cNeed I remind you, young fellow, that you\u2019re taking Christmas with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy wrinkled his nose disdainfully.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t forgot.\u00a0 Dinner and dancin\u2019 at the Ponderosa on Christmas Eve, but I reckon you won\u2019t turn down a goose if it flies into your oven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no.\u00a0 All contributions gladly accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n

A resounding squall came from the parlor, where Little Joe had been napping in Inger\u2019s old cradle near the warm fire.\u00a0 Marie patted her lips with her blue-checked napkin and slid her chair back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me check on him, honey?\u201d Nelly offered.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t finished eatin\u2019, and I can change a diaper handy as you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had plenty,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph probably wants his Thanksgiving dinner, and how can I refuse when he is what I am most thankful for this year?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly nodded.\u00a0 Much as she hated to see a guest leave the table underfed, she knew nothing but his mother\u2019s breast was likely to satisfy a hungry baby.\u00a0 As Marie went into the other room, Nelly found herself thinking of the other missing member of the family.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a shame Adam couldn\u2019t get home,\u201d she sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSure do miss him here today.\u00a0 Don\u2019t seem natural him off all alone this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he\u2019s not alone,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be spending Christmas with the Paynes, as I told you before, and we got a letter last week telling how he\u2019d been invited to take Thanksgiving dinner with that senator\u2019s son he\u2019s friends with.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019s enjoying himself, maybe even feasting on that turkey we can\u2019t get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde spooned gravy over his second helping of mashed potatoes.\u00a0 \u201cConsortin\u2019 with senators, is he?\u00a0 Ain\u2019t you afraid he\u2019ll get high and mighty on us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you mean \u2018get\u2019?\u201d Billy cackled.\u00a0 \u201cAdam always was high and mighty!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s mean!\u201d Inger sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cAnd him your best friend!\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy calmly reached around Hoss to yank one of his sister\u2019s strawberry blonde braids.<\/p>\n

\u201cMa!\u00a0 Make him quit!\u201d Inger yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe both of you mind your manners,\u201d Nelly ordered, taking their altogether too normal wrangling in stride.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam mention anything of that Mormon fracas over to Mountain Meadows?\u201d Clyde asked between mouthfuls of potatoes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cNothing we hadn\u2019t heard already, though.\u201d\u00a0 He wished Clyde hadn\u2019t brought up the horror of that day last September when the Mormons\u2019 fear of invasion by the federal government had born bitter fruit in the eastern part of the territory.\u00a0 The news hadn\u2019t reached California until mid-October and had taken longer to filter back over the Sierras.\u00a0 By this time, however, everyone in CarsonValley had heard the grisly tale of the massacre of the Fancher Party, a group of one hundred and forty immigrants from Arkansas and Missouri.\u00a0 The Mormons had incited an Indian attack against them and, under the guise of protecting the travelers from the red men, had savagely shot all but the children under seven.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappened about the time them Mormons up and left here,\u201d Clyde commented.\u00a0 \u201cThey had to know what was up and how it would set with decent folk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Clyde, you can\u2019t believe that,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how slowly news travels out here.\u00a0 That Young\u2019s recall to Salt Lake City reached here the same time the massacre was taking place hundreds of miles away is bound to be coincidence.\u00a0 The Mormons here knew the atmosphere was ripe for trouble, no more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour opinion,\u201d Clyde scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI say old Brigham was plottin\u2019 to start a war, even then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 Sometimes there was just no arguing with Clyde.\u00a0 The man was set in his opinion about Mormons, and nothing as simple as plain fact was likely to change it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s ready for dessert?\u201d Nelly suggested, sensing the tension between the two men she cared for most.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned, unable to face the prospect of another bite, but Hoss piped up cheerfully.\u00a0 \u201cMe!\u00a0 I want pumpkin pie, a nice big piece\u2014\u2014for starters.\u201d\u00a0 Ben cut him a hard sideways glance.\u00a0 No, the boy wasn\u2019t joking.\u00a0 Leaning his head in his palm, Ben watched his middle son pack away bite after bite of pumpkin pie.\u00a0 Watching from across the table, Clyde cackled, all vision of Mormon desecrations vanished in savoring the by-play between Ben and his boy.<\/p>\n

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

From the first of December on, the weather turned from chilly to outright cold.\u00a0 Marie, who\u2019d taken to wearing flannel nightgowns at the first hint of frost, shivered day and night.\u00a0 Hoss greeted the sight of her sufferings with a gleeful twinkle in his eye, for Aunt Nelly had assured him he\u2019d brought in enough rabbit pelts to make something warm for his mother, as well as for Little Joe.\u00a0 It was too bad, of course, that he couldn\u2019t present his gift right away, when Mama obviously needed it, but Hoss consoled himself that the weather would be even colder around Christmas and his mother would be truly grateful for what he\u2019d worked so hard to provide her.\u00a0 If only he could think of something equally fine for Pa.\u00a0 So far, it was a puzzle Hoss couldn\u2019t solve.<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie, though many of the gifts they\u2019d give had been purchased in California, were busy making a few homemade ones, too.\u00a0 Each evening after supper Marie knitted away at a set of winter wraps for Little Joe: sweater, leggings and booties of pale green yarn.\u00a0 Ben, who had prevailed on Hoss to donate his old blocks to his baby brother, worked each night at sanding and painting them to look like new.\u00a0 Better than new, actually; the blocks had been plain when Hoss owned them.\u00a0 Now the letters carved in each side stood out in bold red against a light blue background.<\/p>\n

In addition to their preparations for Christmas, the parents were busily engaged in a contest.\u00a0 Feeling that Little Joe\u2019s babbling vowel sounds were ripe to turn into real words, they vied to see whether his first one would be \u201cmama\u201d or \u201cpapa.\u201d\u00a0 Marie was certain she had the advantage, for she spent more hours each day with the baby than Ben could, but Ben demanded his right to cuddle his youngest at night, whispering the appropriate syllables in his ear.\u00a0 Behind their backs Hoss took every opportunity to breathe his own name to Little Joe, but so far the youngest Cartwright had refused to repeat any sound he heard.<\/p>\n

Christmas Eve arrived with no clear victor, so the competition was willingly laid aside as Ben and Marie gave warm greeting to each arriving friend.\u00a0 Laura Ellis was there first, of course, because she was again assisting with the refreshments, and Doctor Martin soon arrived with a blooming Sally on his arm.\u00a0 Billy Thomas, coming in shortly after the doctor and his daughter, made a beeline for the first daisy in sight, thrilled that Adam wasn\u2019t there to vie, as always before, for the pretty girl\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

Billy soon found, however, that he had an even more formidable rival for the attention of everyone there in a skirt.\u00a0 Sally and Sarah Winnemucca, who had come with the Ormsbys, gathered with the other ladies around a single male figure, whose slightest coo held them enthralled.\u00a0 Billy drew Hoss aside.\u00a0 \u201cHow early does he bed down?\u201d he hissed in the younger boy\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss muttered, pulling away and heading for the refreshment table for another cookie.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for Billy, Little Joe soon showed signs of needing sleep, and Hoss was commissioned to put his little brother to bed.\u00a0 Leaning over the crib, Hoss whispered, \u201cHoss.\u00a0 Say \u2018Hoss.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe yawned, but made no sound other than a weary whimper.<\/p>\n

Downstairs, Ben spotted Clyde Thomas by the punch bowl and ambled over.\u00a0 \u201cYou have something for me?\u201d he queried, a smile lifting one corner of his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cDone put your present under the tree, greedy britches,\u201d Clyde muttered, licking a drop of punch from his upper lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant my mail,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 Snowshoe Thompson had been due in that afternoon, and since Ben had known he would be busy all day with preparations for the party, he\u2019d asked his friend to pick up his mail.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Ben,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cSnowshoe didn\u2019t get in today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding!\u201d Ben exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s never late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly ever,\u201d Clyde admitted.\u00a0 \u201cHope he ain\u2019t got lost in the mountains, what with the snow and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hooted at the idea.\u00a0 \u201cNot Snowshoe!\u00a0 He told me once there was no way for him to get lost in a narrow range like the Sierras.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNarrow!\u201d Clyde yelped.\u00a0 \u201cTell that to the emigrants that got stranded there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know what you mean,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019d better mingle with my other guests.\u00a0 Don\u2019t drown in that punch bowl.\u201d\u00a0 He clapped Clyde on the back as he turned away.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Clyde\u2019s son was dividing his time between the two girls nearest his own age.\u00a0 Lizzie Ormsby, on the other hand, however much she tried to catch his eye, sparked no interest.\u00a0 Ben, noting the little girl\u2019s pouting face, motioned to Hoss as soon as he came downstairs.\u00a0 \u201cAsk Lizzie to dance,\u201d he ordered briskly.<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t enjoy dancing in the first place, and Lizzie Ormsby was two years older than he.\u00a0 \u201cIf I gotta dance, I\u2019ll ask Inger,\u201d Hoss grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re both your guests, boy,\u201d Ben admonished sternly.\u00a0 \u201cBe polite to both.\u00a0 Lizzie\u2019s older; ask her first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scuffed his shoe against the floor.\u00a0 He still didn\u2019t want to dance, but he couldn\u2019t think of any argument that would get him out of it.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir,\u201d he muttered glumly and headed toward Lizzie.<\/p>\n

Ben cast an eye around the front room, from which the furniture had been cleared for dancing, to make sure all his guests were having a good time and had someone with whom to either dance or converse.\u00a0 There were more men than women, of course, though the balance was better here than it would be at the annual New Year\u2019s Eve frolic a week later.\u00a0 That inequality couldn\u2019t be helped, but every lady, at least, had a partner, and the men who didn\u2019t seemed content to wait their turn beside the punch bowl.\u00a0 One man, in fact, looked as though he\u2019d rather be taking refreshment than dancing with the lady in his arms.\u00a0 Feeling his duties as host involved rescuing such men in distress, Ben cut in on Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n

Eilley Cowan seemed slightly disturbed by the change of partners, but she smiled graciously.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t that Dr. Martin a handsome man?\u201d she asked Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAnd so educated!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, a fine man,\u201d Ben agreed as he twirled Eilley away from his grateful friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a pretty daughter he has, too,\u201d Eilley gushed on.\u00a0 \u201cA shame to let her grow up without a mother, though.\u00a0 A girl that age needs a woman\u2019s advice.\u00a0 He really ought to marry again, don\u2019t you think so, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben worked hard to keep from laughing.\u00a0 He had a feeling Eilley would be among the first candidates for the job if Paul should ever decide to marry again for his girl\u2019s sake.\u00a0 Considering Eilley\u2019s two prior marriages, all too lightly set aside, Ben didn\u2019t think her a proper mate for the doctor with his unfading memory of his wife Agatha, who had died tragically in a fire several years before.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s his decision,\u201d Ben said as they glided smoothly to the fiddle\u2019s music.\u00a0 \u201cI know better than most men that you can\u2019t rush the mending of a broken heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course,\u201d Eilley agreed quickly, \u201cbut you also know better than most that it takes a good woman to do the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced across the room at Marie, now dancing with the subject of their conversation.\u00a0 For him it had been true, yes, that a good woman was the balm for his healing.\u00a0 Ben wasn\u2019t sure the analogy held at all for Paul Martin, and he was certain that even if it did, Paul\u2019s balm was unlikely to be the as-yet undivorced, but husband-hungry Mrs. Cowan.<\/p>\n

The hour grew late and the younger guests sleepy, so Ben and Dr. Martin gathered the children close for the annual reading of A Christmas Carol<\/em> by Charles Dickens.\u00a0 The adults drew near, as well, remembering, with pleasure, hearing the two men read the story the previous Christmas.\u00a0 Ben put his heart into the tale, at least all of his heart he had available.\u00a0 One small corner was reserved for the person to whom he\u2019d first read this story six years ago on the eve of Christmas, 1851.\u00a0 Tonight of all nights, Ben missed Adam, but the wide-eyed wonder with which Hoss and the children of dear friends heard the story, some for the first time, reminded him of his eldest son, who loved a new story above all things on earth.\u00a0 Though he knew the Paynes would do everything possible to make Adam\u2019s Christmas a happy one, Ben had a feeling his boy might be thinking wistfully of him tonight, as he was of Adam.<\/p>\n

The ghost of Christmas Past was just escorting Ebenezer Scrooge to an isolated schoolroom, where a young student had been left behind for the holidays, when the reading was interrupted by loud thumping at the door.\u00a0 Ben paused, wondering who could be calling so late on a snowy evening, since all his expected guests had already arrived.\u00a0 He put his finger in the book while Hop Sing scurried to open the door.<\/p>\n

A tall man, wearing only a Mackinaw jacket against the cold, lumbered in.\u00a0 As he lifted his wide-brimmed hat, his charcoal-covered face swept the room.\u00a0 Ben smiled broadly and, laying the book on the mantel, came forward to greet the unexpected guest.\u00a0 \u201cSnowshoe!\u00a0 Glad you made it in safe.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how you heard about our party, but we\u2019re pleased you could come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not party,\u201d Snowshoe Thompson muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI come find doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin came forward.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m the doctor.\u00a0 Someone needs me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYah, need bad.\u00a0 I find trapper\u2014\u2014James Sisson\u2014\u2014in mountains thirty miles west of Genoa, trying to amputate own feet,\u201d Snowshoe explained.\u00a0 \u201cI say \u2018Wait; I get doctor.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get my bag,\u201d Paul said at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you able to get Mr. Sisson into Genoa?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Thompson shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 Too weak.\u00a0 Twelve days he have no food, no fire.\u00a0 I chop good pile of wood, leave some biscuits, dried sausage\u2014\u2014all I carry on trip\u2014\u2014come for help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s expression grew grave.\u00a0 \u201cDo you need help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYah,\u201d Thompson admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI figure six men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde stepped to Ben\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cGot two here, I reckon, and the doc makes three.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He smiled softly at his young guests.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, children, but I\u2019m afraid we won\u2019t be able to finish the story tonight.\u201d\u00a0 His dark eyes roamed the room.\u00a0 \u201cAnyone else willing to come with us to help a man in critical need?\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos Montgomery stepped forward.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go.\u201d\u00a0 No one else volunteered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can pick up a couple of men in Genoa,\u201d Ben assured Snowshoe.<\/p>\n

Marie drew Hop Sing aside and told him to package up sandwiches and cookies for the men to take with them.\u00a0 Heading bobbing rapidly, Hop Sing scurried to the kitchen to do her bidding.<\/p>\n

Hoss scrambled up from his spot by the tree.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Pa,\u201d he called, running forward.<\/p>\n

Ben absently stroked the boy\u2019s sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, it\u2019s Christmas Eve.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t going off tonight, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben squatted down and took both of Hoss\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cSon, there\u2019s a man out there, maybe dying.\u00a0 I have to go, same as I\u2019d want someone to do for me if I were the one in a tight spot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but it\u2019s Christmas, Pa,\u201d Hoss whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough, Hoss,\u201d Ben said gruffly.<\/p>\n

Handing Ben his warm jacket, Marie laid a calming hand on his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI am sure Hoss wants you to be here when he opens his gifts, Ben.\u00a0 Perhaps, if you see Santa on the road, you could collect them, so our son will not be tempted until you return.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Ben suddenly saw what she was trying to get across.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, sure.\u00a0 Bound to run across the old boy tonight.\u00a0 I\u2019ll\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014have him leave our presents in Genoa and bring them back with me.\u00a0 How\u2019s that sound, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss wisely kept his mouth shut, for he thought the whole conversation ridiculous.\u00a0 Meet up with Santa, indeed!\u00a0 What kind of fool kid did they take him for?\u00a0 A baby like Little Joe?<\/p>\n

Snowshoe Thompson\u2019s face split in a wide grin.\u00a0 \u201cYah, I chase him down on my ski-skates,\u201d he added to give the boy extra assurance.\u00a0 Hoss just shook his head and turned away.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed as he plunged his arms into the jacket Marie held for him.\u00a0 \u201cWish we all had a pair of those.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe make some when we get to Genoa,\u201d Snowshoe suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea.\u00a0 We\u2019ll make better time,\u201d Ben said, giving Marie a swift kiss and heading for the door when Hop Sing handed him the package of provisions.<\/p>\n

Clyde looked as if he were sorry he\u2019d volunteered for the expedition.\u00a0 Skimming over the snow on ten-foot long slats of wood was not his idea of a way to save time.\u00a0 More likely, they\u2019d all crash into the first pine that got in their path and need the doctor\u2019s attention worse than the man they were going to rescue.\u00a0 He\u2019d already given his word, however, and had too much pride to back down.\u00a0 Giving Nelly a quick smack on the lips, he followed Ben and Snowshoe, with Dr. Martin and Enos close behind him.<\/p>\n

When they left, Sally Martin picked up the volume they\u2019d been reading.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t make it as exciting as my father and Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she said, \u201cbut would you like to hear the rest of the story, children?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d a chorus of young voices responded.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled gratefully at the doctor\u2019s daughter.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, let us continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Along with the other children, Hoss sat cross-legged on the floor.\u00a0 Sally read the story well, but while he enjoyed it, it wasn\u2019t the same. Christmas wasn\u2019t likely to seem like Christmas without Pa, either.<\/p>\n

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

The first few miles after the rescuers left Genoa made Ben wonder if they\u2019d made a mistake in taking time to construct ski-skates like Thompson\u2019s.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected to glide as swiftly as the more practiced Norseman, of course, but he hadn\u2019t counted on being awkward as a mule on stilts, either.\u00a0 Eventually, he and the other novices gained more confidence and made better time.<\/p>\n

As the sun began to climb, a light snow that grew slowly heavier dusted down on the six sooty-faced men.\u00a0 Like Snowshoe, they\u2019d coated their faces with charcoal, to prevent snow blindness.\u00a0 A good thing; otherwise, they\u2019d soon be the blind hauling the lame, Ben mused.\u00a0 Not precisely the problem the Good Book warned against, but still one he\u2019d rather not face.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite the way I planned on spendin\u2019 Christmas mornin\u2019,\u201d Clyde muttered as Ben helped him to his feet after the older man hit a small rock and sprawled sideways into a snowdrift.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019d rather spend Christmas rocking beside your own hearth?\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggone right, I would!\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cAnd don\u2019t pretend you feel different!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 No sense denying the truth.\u00a0 He would rather be home, watching his boys\u2019 wide-eyed pleasure as they emptied their stockings.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s first time.\u00a0 He\u2019d looked forward to that.\u00a0 He\u2019d enjoy the celebration more, however, knowing he\u2019d done his best to help a fellow creature whose only Christmas wish was survival.\u00a0 He and Marie could wait for their Christmas fun.\u00a0 Little Joe, too, for that matter, since the baby had no notion of what Christmas was supposed to be like.\u00a0 As he glided further into the mountains, though, Ben found himself worrying about Hoss.\u00a0 Hard for a boy of seven to put off his pleasures.\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t have been so hard on him last night<\/em>, Ben chided himself and resolved to make it up to his son when he returned.<\/p>\n

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

Not seeing any point in getting up early, Hoss had slept late that morning.\u00a0 Even Little Joe was awake before him, but the baby had, of course, retired earlier, too.\u00a0 Hoss wasn\u2019t exactly moping as he dragged down the stairs, but he didn\u2019t look happy, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Hoss,\u201d his mother called from the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cMerry Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss mumbled, scuffing his feet on the bare floor.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019 merry about a Christmas without Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, I understand,\u201d Marie murmured sympathetically.\u00a0 \u201cThat is why our true Christmas must wait until he returns, but we can make merry, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t see how,\u201d Hoss grumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy choosing to,\u201d his mother said, patting the seat beside her.\u00a0 \u201cI know it is hard to wait for your gifts, but\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t that,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Marie said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cOur baby is behaving much better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Face flushing, Hoss glared at Little Joe, who was smiling and babbling contentedly in his mother\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cHe don\u2019t understand,\u201d Hoss muttered defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is true,\u201d Marie said, \u201cbut you are old enough to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I know Pa had to help that feller, and I\u2019m proud he did.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that I had plans.\u00a0 It was gonna be the most special Christmas ever.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d waited weeks to surprise his mother and putting it off another day seemed unbearable.\u00a0 \u201cPa will<\/em> be home tomorrow, won\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not think that is possible, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u00a0 If he is, it will be very late.\u201d\u00a0 Hearing Hoss\u2019s deep sigh, Marie took his hand.\u00a0 \u201cIs there nothing I can do to make this day merry for you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearing the wistful longing in her voice, Hoss looked up quickly.\u00a0 No wonder folks treated him like a baby.\u00a0 Here he was squalling, making his mother unhappy when he\u2019d hoped to give her so much delight this morning.\u00a0 Time he straightened up and remembered that behaving himself was what made his parents happiest of all.\u00a0 \u201cYeah,\u201d he said at last.\u00a0 \u201cCould I have pancakes for breakfast?\u00a0 They\u2019re my favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie kissed his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u00a0 My good boy shall have his favorite breakfast for Christmas.\u00a0 For that, at least, we will not wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

James Sisson lifted a feeble hand as his rescuers entered the deserted cabin where he\u2019d taken shelter from the elements.\u00a0 The fire was flickering low, but still burning.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2014\u2014you made it back,\u201d Sisson murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I make it,\u201d Thompson boomed back, \u201cand I bring doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin came forward.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m the doctor.\u00a0 It\u2019s your feet that are injured?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrostbit,\u201d Sisson grunted.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think there\u2019s any savin\u2019 \u2018em, doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s have a look,\u201d Paul said and began gently unwrapping a foot swaddled in strips of gray flannel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should get this fire built up,\u201d Ben suggested, placing the last log on the hearth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYah, I chop more wood,\u201d Snowshoe stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tote it in,\u201d Enos offered.<\/p>\n

Clyde stood warming his hands at the meager flame remaining on the cabin\u2019s hearth.\u00a0 \u201cAnything I can do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind something to boil water in, Clyde,\u201d Paul requested.\u00a0 Clyde nodded and began to search the sparsely furnished cabin.<\/p>\n

Ben unwrapped one of the packages he\u2019d brought from the party.\u00a0 \u201cBrought you a taste of Christmas, Mr. Sisson,\u201d he said, showing him the sugar-dusted cookies.<\/p>\n

A smile came to James Sisson\u2019s face, and he stretched scrawny fingers forward.\u00a0 \u201cThought I was in heaven when Snowshoe left them biscuits and sausage,\u201d he said, \u201cbut this really is a Christmas blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay to let him have one?\u201d Ben queried the doctor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole pile,\u201d Paul said.\u00a0 \u201cSugar\u2019s the quickest nourishment there is.\u201d\u00a0 He finished his examination and covered the cookie-munching patient gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cBad, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Sisson mumbled.<\/p>\n

Paul nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but they\u2019ll both have to be amputated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked away, dreading the man\u2019s despair.\u00a0 This was no country for cripples.<\/p>\n

Sisson, however, faced the prospect with grim acceptance.\u00a0 \u201cFigured as much.\u00a0 Was gonna do the job myself, but I\u2019d sure rather have you do it proper, doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul walked across the cabin, motioning Ben to follow.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got a problem, Ben.\u201d\u00a0 In answer to Ben\u2019s questioning look, he continued.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m out of chloroform.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had to do more surgery than I anticipated since the passes were blocked, and I\u2019ve just run out.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t amputate his feet, Sisson will die, but without anesthetic, the shock may kill him anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone to be found this side of Placerville or maybe beyond,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cYou think maybe Snowshoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul looked anxiously back at Sisson.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a lot to ask, after all the miles the man\u2019s traveled already, but the rest of us are too inexperienced with these ski-skates to make good time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably get lost, too,\u201d Clyde added from behind them.\u00a0 He\u2019d walked up to hear the final part of the conversation.\u00a0 \u201cWe ain\u2019t used to these mountains in winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask him,\u201d Ben said and, pulling his jacket tighter, headed out into the wind.<\/p>\n

On hearing the need, Snowshoe Thompson immediately volunteered to ski to Placerville for chloroform.\u00a0 \u201cYou can get Sisson back to Genoa?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cBetter there, I\u2019m thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get him back,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0 \u201cSomehow, we\u2019ll get him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snowshoe left almost immediately, but the remaining rescuers stayed in the cabin until morning.\u00a0 Being unused to both the ski-skates and the wintry slopes, none wanted to hazard the trek eastward by night.\u00a0 Dr. Martin bathed Sisson\u2019s frostbitten feet in warm water and wrapped them in clean bandages.\u00a0 With nothing to ease his pain, the injured man spent a restless night, even with the doctor\u2019s constant attention.\u00a0 While the others slept, rolled in blankets on the earthen floor, Sisson\u2019s\u00a0 moans repeatedly disturbed their slumber.\u00a0 For all of them, the sun rose too early.<\/p>\n

The powder-covered pine boughs were tinted in tones of rose and lavender as the men set out for Genoa the morning after Christmas.\u00a0 Four of them carried the litter they\u2019d formed of tree limbs and blankets, while Dr. Martin skied beside them, keeping close watch on his patient\u2019s condition.\u00a0 Their progress was slow, for, loaded down as they were, they couldn\u2019t ski even as fast as their limited abilities would otherwise have permitted.<\/p>\n

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

Ben slipped soundlessly into the silent house, carrying in paper-wrapped bundles previously hidden in the barn and placing them beneath the tree.\u00a0 Now they\u2019d be ready to celebrate Christmas, but what Ben was most ready for at that moment was his down-filled pillow.\u00a0 Not wanting to waken his family, he pulled off his boots downstairs and tiptoed up to his room.\u00a0 He stood for a moment, gazing at the cascade of golden hair shining in the moonlight that caressed his wife\u2019s pillow.<\/p>\n

As beautiful as that view was, however, Ben was exhausted.\u00a0 He slipped into bed beside her.\u00a0 Marie stirred slightly, then her eyes opened.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben, you are back,\u201d she cried softly, arms reaching for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh, yes,\u201d Ben murmured, stroking her cheek.\u00a0 \u201cGo back to sleep, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMonsieur<\/em> Sisson, you found him?\u201d Marie murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s back in Genoa,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cNot out of danger yet, but I\u2019ve done all I can.\u00a0 What I want now is a good night\u2019s sleep, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u00a0 You have earned it,\u201d Marie said, kissing his forehead.\u00a0 She drew his head onto her shoulder and cradled it until he fell asleep.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss eased the door to his parents\u2019 room open and peered through the crack.\u00a0 A wide grin split his face when he saw two figures mounded beneath the blankets.\u00a0 Pa was home.\u00a0 Now they could celebrate their delayed Christmas.\u00a0 He pattered back down the hall in his bare feet, stopping at his bedroom to pick up a few packages to slip beneath the tree.<\/p>\n

Hustling back up the stairs, Hoss opened the hall door to the nursery.\u00a0 He figured to do his parents the favor of getting Little Joe up and dressed; then they\u2019d be ready to open presents.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tone of the summons was urgent, but Ben snored on.\u00a0 He\u2019d been awake the better part of three days and nights before retiring and counted each minute precious.\u00a0 Then he felt himself shaken awake by a slender, but demanding hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, there is someone in the nursery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBound to be Hoss,\u201d Ben muttered groggily, rolling over and burrowing deeper into his downy pillow.<\/p>\n

Marie pulled the covers back and sat up.\u00a0 Feeling the movement, Ben finally opened his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you going?\u00a0 It\u2019s early yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben,\u201d she whispered, \u201cif he wakes this early, Little Joe will be fussy all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moaned.\u00a0 All too true, and nothing was likely to spoil the day quite so much as a cranky baby.\u00a0 He dutifully pulled back the covers.\u00a0 \u201cYou stay here and keep warm,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 \u201cI can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben, you are exhausted,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo cold for you \u2018til I get the fire built,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cStay in bed.\u201d\u00a0 Still yawning, he stumbled into the next room.\u00a0 Sure enough, there stood Hoss, leaning over his baby brother\u2019s crib, whispering the younger boy\u2019s name.\u00a0 That tactic having failed, he was just reaching in to do Little Joe the same dubious service Marie had performed for Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, what do you think you\u2019re doing, boy?\u201d Ben hissed.\u00a0 He pulled Hoss\u2019s hand back, but in so doing gave it the final impetus needed to jerk Little Joe from contented slumber into ear-piercing wakefulness.\u00a0 \u201cNow, look what you\u2019ve done,\u201d Ben grumbled, trying to pat Little Joe back to sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Christmas,\u201d Hoss said, as if stating the obvious.\u00a0 \u201cHe wants his presents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t know what a present is,\u201d Ben grunted, \u201cand you\u2019ll be lucky if Santa doesn\u2019t leave a bundle of switches in your stocking instead of the candy you\u2019re hoping for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa, you wouldn\u2019t, would you?\u201d Hoss whined as his father continued futilely rubbing Little Joe\u2019s heaving chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Ben asked absently as he put a probing finger into the baby\u2019s diaper.\u00a0 Drenched.\u00a0 Obviously, there\u2019d be no getting Little Joe back to sleep until he\u2019d been made more comfortable.\u00a0 \u201cGet me a fresh diaper, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scurried across the room and brought back the requested garment.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t, would you, Pa?\u201d he asked more plaintively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t what?\u201d Ben asked, laying the diaper on his shoulder while he unfastened the wet one.<\/p>\n

\u201cSwitch my presents for a bunch of sticks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Santa\u2019s decision, not mine, but I\u2019d watch my step if I were you, boy.\u201d\u00a0 He set aside the soiled diaper and reached for the fresh one.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I know about Santa,\u201d Hoss explained patiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you\u2014\u2014\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s mouth clamped shut when the stream of urine struck his cheek, and he pressed the clean diaper quickly over the erupting fountain.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe got you good, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben chuckled in response.\u00a0 He bent his head into the crib and made a face at his youngest.\u00a0 \u201cIs that a proper Christmas greeting for your weary father, little one?\u00a0 No, it is not.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe hiccuped as his whimpers began to peter out.\u00a0 Ben looked up and grinned at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cAnother diaper, if you please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scampered across the room and back again.\u00a0 This time Ben kept the old diaper over the baby until the new one was in place beneath him, then deftly slid the first away while bringing the second up.\u00a0 \u201cShould have remembered that trick,\u201d Ben muttered, \u201csaved myself a shower.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up and smiled.\u00a0 He\u2019d forgotten he had an audience for his comments.\u00a0 \u201cThis is my third son,\u201d he explained.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been sprayed before.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t changed this one\u2019s diapers much, though.\u00a0 You kind of lose the hang of it if you don\u2019t stay in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would be glad to give you more practice,\u201d Marie giggled from the door to the adjoining room, \u201cbut I do not know how to put that in your stocking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Ben said wryly, \u201cbut I\u2019d rather have a bundle of sticks.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned at her eloquently.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I told you to stay in bed, young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head, emerald eyes twinkling with mischief.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you will nurse our son, as well?\u00a0 This I must see!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me, too!\u201d Hoss cackled.<\/p>\n

Ben dug iron fingers into his second son\u2019s brawny shoulder and herded him toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what\u2019s this you think you know about Santa, boy?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew since last year.\u00a0 Pa, I been to school,\u201d Hoss said dryly, feeling that should explain everything.<\/p>\n

It did, as Ben\u2019s nod indicated.\u00a0 Nothing a schoolboy wouldn\u2019t tell, if he thought it gave him an inch of exalted authority over another.\u00a0 \u201cWell, don\u2019t tell Little Joe,\u201d Ben urged.\u00a0 \u201cLeave me one boy I can play with for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Hoss promised, \u201cand you can still play with me.\u00a0 I know how to pretend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 Obviously, that was true.\u00a0 Even in the face of the fantasy he and Snowshoe had concocted about chasing down Santa and having their gifts delivered to Genoa, Hoss had said nothing.\u00a0 Not one word of what he\u2019d learned the year before until this morning and that under the threat of a stocking full of wooden sticks instead of peppermint ones.\u00a0 Just as obviously, Ben didn\u2019t know his middle boy as well as he\u2019d thought.<\/p>\n

Busily sucking in his breakfast, Little Joe stopped crying, but no amount of rocking could soothe him back to sleep.\u00a0 Marie finally gave up and brought him, thoroughly awake, downstairs where Hoss was busily pinching and poking each package labeled with his name.\u00a0 \u201cYou should not start without me,\u201d Marie scolded, a pout on her soft lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Ben assured her, \u201cbut how do you keep a boy from pinching when his Christmas is delayed this long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa pinched, too,\u201d Hoss reported, eager to disperse the guilt.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat I believe!\u201d Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, then, which of you naughty pinchers shall open the first gift?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to open the presents from me first,\u201d Hoss declared, having evidently concluded, without being directly taught, that it was more blessed to give than to receive.<\/p>\n

\u201cPresents from you?\u201d Marie asked, pleased.\u00a0 \u201cThere are presents from you, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>?\u00a0 Oh, yes, let us see them now, s\u2019il te plait<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy all means,\u201d Ben agreed heartily, \u201cthough I don\u2019t know how you managed to sneak them under the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hooted happily.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Clyde brought \u2018em in right under your nose the other night, with the ones from them!\u00a0 I had help,\u201d he explained to Marie as he placed a package in her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI trapped the rabbits, but Aunt Nelly made the stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA gift from two hands is doubly blessed,\u201d Marie said gently, untying the twine that held the brown paper around the soft package.\u00a0 As she drew out the short fur cape, lined with satin, she gave a cry of delight.\u00a0 \u201cBut it is beautiful!\u00a0 And how warm I shall be with this around my shoulders.\u00a0 Oh, thank you, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like it?\u201d Hoss asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>!\u201d his mother declared, pressing a kiss to his cheek to emphasize her pleasure.\u00a0 She slid the cape over her shoulders and nuzzled the soft fur with her petite nose.<\/p>\n

Little Joe reached up from his perch in her lap to pat the cape.\u00a0 \u201cOoh,\u201d he cooed approvingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s for Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said, presenting his next gift.\u00a0 \u201cGuess you\u2019ll have to help him unwrap it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, I\u2019ll do it,\u201d Ben said, reaching for the package.\u00a0 A furry bunting and booties soon emerged, perfectly sized to keep the smallest Cartwright snug on any outdoor outing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, this is wonderful, Hoss,\u201d Marie said, rewarding his other cheek with a kiss of its own.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe does not know how to say thank you, but he will appreciate the warmth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave his father a chagrined shrug.\u00a0 \u201cI thought and thought, but I never could come up with anything for you, Pa,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, Hoss,\u201d Ben said with a smile.\u00a0 When Hoss came close, he hefted the bulky boy onto his knee.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, you give to me every day of your life,\u201d he assured his son.\u00a0 \u201cYou give me your love and your cheerful obedience and more help around the place than I have any right to ask of a seven-year-old boy, even one as strong as you.\u00a0 No need to fret about putting a present in my hands when you\u2019ve given so much already.\u00a0 Besides, I had my share of those rabbits, too.\u201d\u00a0 They all laughed, remembering how much rabbit meat they had consumed over the last few months.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam sent presents, too,\u201d Hoss announced.\u00a0 \u201cYou want them next?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if you\u2019re going to be that patient about your own gifts, I have an idea.\u00a0 Let\u2019s give the baby his first; then we can set him down to play while we enjoy opening ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

That idea seemed agreeable to all, so Little Joe was presented with his new clothes and blocks and placed on the rug to examine them to his heart\u2019s content.<\/p>\n

\u201cAunt Nelly sent him something, too,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cbut I don\u2019t know what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll keep,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cTime you opened your own, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss agreed readily and plunged into the pile he\u2019d set aside earlier.\u00a0 He was happy to find a bag of marbles of his own, although Adam had never been selfish in letting him play with his.\u00a0 The treasure box Uncle Clyde had made fascinated Hoss with its numerous compartments for rocks, bird eggs or whatever else a country boy found worth collecting.\u00a0 The best gifts of all, though, were the hunting knife in its own leather sheath and a smaller knife to carry in his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you can skin all the rabbits you like without borrowing my knife,\u201d Ben teased, \u201cand you can whittle with the smaller one, maybe learn to make things as fine as Uncle Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody\u2019s that good,\u201d Hoss declared, \u201cbut I aim to work at it.\u00a0 Thanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome.\u00a0 Now, where are these gifts from Adam, and how did they get here?\u00a0 Nothing came in the mail,\u201d Ben commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI brung \u2018em back in my carpetbag,\u201d Hoss grinned, \u201cwhen I stayed at Adam\u2019s place.\u201d\u00a0 He fished the packages from beneath the tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd kept them secret all this time?\u00a0 I\u2019m impressed, son!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI put \u2018em under the tree this morning before I went to wake\u2014\u2014\u201d\u00a0 Hoss prudently stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t remind me!\u201d\u00a0 Ben yawned expansively.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not too late to hunt up a bundle of sticks for your stocking, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, do not tease,\u201d Marie chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, here\u2019s yours, Pa,\u201d Hoss said hastily.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a book, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed as he took the hard, rectangular package.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019d say so, knowing Adam.\u00a0 That\u2019s what you\u2019re getting from your brother, too, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know!\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d that get here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my carpetbag.\u00a0 How else?\u201d Ben stated.\u00a0 Adam had thought of everything, even the small, soft flannel shirt in which Marie had dressed Little Joe that morning.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Whitejacket<\/em>,\u201d Ben read from the cover of the book.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll enjoy that these long winter nights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know the story?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t read it,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019ve read Moby Dick<\/em>, which is another sea-faring tale by the same author.\u00a0 Adam probably picked this in memory of my sailing days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, I am sure,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cAdam would think of that.\u00a0 Did you see what he sent me?\u201d she asked, holding up two lace-edged handkerchiefs.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery pretty, my lady,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYour book\u2019s under the tree, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlike his older brother, Hoss placed no great value in books, but a present was a present, so he dutifully unwrapped the volume.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u201d he yelled, holding up the thin volume with paper cover.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about Kit Carson!\u00a0 Remember him, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely to forget him,\u201d Ben stated emphatically, taking the book and flipping through the pages.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better take what you read with a grain of salt, though, boy.\u00a0 Most of this is probably made up out of whole cloth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss replied dutifully, but secretly he couldn\u2019t wait to read the adventures of the hero he\u2019d met as a young boy.\u00a0 Except for Adam\u2019s copy of Aesop\u2019s Fables<\/em>, it was the only book he\u2019d ever thought worth the trouble of reading, which still came hard to Hoss.<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie exchanged gifts next, each chiding the other for spending too much in this year of economizing, but privately pleased nonetheless.\u00a0 Finally, only one gift remained.\u00a0 Hoss sat on the rug beside Little Joe, tugged the twine aside and lifted away the paper.\u00a0 \u201cLook what Aunt Nelly made you, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said, plopping the calico rabbit into his brother\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh,\u201d Little Joe murmured, his fingers closing around the tail made of real rabbit fur.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what we need, another rabbit!\u201d Ben guffawed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why did she use real fur?\u201d Marie moaned.\u00a0 \u201cIt will go straight into his mouth.\u201d\u00a0 Not only the tail, but the ears, as well, were made from scraps of Hoss\u2019s rabbit skins.<\/p>\n

Little Joe clutched his new rabbit by one furry ear, while he picked up a red and blue block and tossed it at his brother\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere now,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cI did not give you those to throw at Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa!\u201d Little Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you think that\u2019s funny, do you?\u201d Ben chuckled, wrinkling his nose at the baby.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Hoss doesn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa,\u201d Little Joe said again.<\/p>\n

Marie laughed and picked up her baby.\u00a0 \u201cIs that all you can say, mon petit<\/em>?\u00a0 I had hoped for a gift from you this Christmas, a gift for Mama.\u00a0 Mama,\u201d she repeated suggestively.<\/p>\n

Ben took the boy from her arms.\u00a0 \u201cNone of that,\u201d he chided.\u00a0 \u201cIf this boy has a Christmas gift in his pocket, I\u2019m sure he wants it to go to Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe gave him a bright grin.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right\u2014\u2014Pa.\u00a0 You want to say \u2018Pa,\u2019 don\u2019t you, baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n

Marie sniggered.\u00a0 \u201cYou see what he thinks of that idea!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s close,\u201d Ben said, smiling.<\/p>\n

Little Joe leaned away from Ben, stretching toward the boy still seated on the rug.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n

Marie covered her lips with her fingers.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no!\u201d she cried and burst into uncontrollable giggles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis first word,\u201d Marie babbled incoherently.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Ben grinned maddeningly.\u00a0 \u201cHis first word will be Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ben,\u201d Marie tittered, her head wagging from side to side.\u00a0 \u201cHe has already said his first word, and it is not Pa\u2014\u2014nor Mama, either.\u00a0 It is Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa,\u201d Little Joe declared in confirmation, small arms reaching for his brother.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned and scurried to his father\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cWant to come to HaHa, baby?\u201d he asked, arms outstretched.<\/p>\n

Little Joe came readily and snuggled up against his brother\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he cooed contentedly while his flabbergasted parents looked on.<\/p>\n

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

The front page of January\u2019s first issue of the Scorpion<\/em> was devoted to an account of James Sisson\u2019s rescue and successful amputation.\u00a0 While all the volunteers were commended for their willingness to spend a holiday in assisting a fellow creature in need, Snowshoe Thompson was credited with saving the trapper\u2019s life.\u00a0 Unable to find chloroform in Placerville, he had gone all the way to Sacramento and back.\u00a0 In all, Thompson had skied four hundred miles in ten days, a feat of heroic proportions, as editor Stephen Kinsey declared.\u00a0 \u201cHe must be made of iron.\u00a0 Besides, he never thinks of himself, but he\u2019d give his last breath for anyone else\u2014\u2014even a total stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHAPTER NINE<\/p>\n

Population Shift Northward<\/h4>\n

Throughout a frosty January Marie enjoyed the warmth of her fur cape, and while Little Joe couldn\u2019t express his feelings, he seemed happy every time he was bundled into his rabbit skin bunting and carried into the fresh air.\u00a0 In fact, he seemed to prefer a chilly excursion to a warm spot by the fire.\u00a0 Not so the rest of the family, although Ben counted himself blessed by the remarkable mildness of that winter.\u00a0 Only three quickly disappearing snows had fallen, and while the mornings were chilly, by noon the weather was usually quite pleasant.<\/p>\n

Firewood was still a constant need, however, and while Ben had men available to chop down the trees, he didn\u2019t feel right about letting them do all the work while he sat idly by the fire.\u00a0 He saw to it that even Hoss did his fair share in providing wood for the kitchen.\u00a0 Splitting kindling was a job for a youngster, after all, not a full-grown ranch hand, and Hoss did it well.\u00a0 Ben secretly thought his middle son would have preferred any chore to the task of learning his letters.<\/p>\n

The sun set early these short, winter days, and Ben was glad.\u00a0 He disliked the cold, but the early darkness meant work had to end sooner than in the lingering daylight of spring and summer and gave him more time to spend with his family.\u00a0 Little Joe, just beginning to pull up and ease his way around the furniture, held everyone\u2019s attention until he grew drowsy and was carried off to bed each evening.\u00a0 Afterwards, the rest of the family settled into his or her chosen spot: Ben, in his mauve armchair, lost himself in Melville\u2019s Whitejacket<\/em>, while Hoss sprawled on the sofa to explore the wilderness with Kit Carson.\u00a0 Marie chose the blue chair opposite Ben to catch up on her mending or stitch a new dress from the green silk she\u2019d been given for Christmas.<\/p>\n

All other activities were set aside, however, when Snowshoe Thompson arrived with letters from Adam, as well as one from Ben\u2019s old friend, Josiah Edwards.\u00a0 Ben, who had ridden into Genoa expressly to meet the mail carrier, delivered Hoss\u2019s letter, then opened the one addressed to him and Marie and read it aloud.\u00a0 Adam first expressed appreciation for the Christmas gifts he\u2019d found waiting at Rancho Hermoso when he arrived there to spend the holidays.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected anything, but was thrilled with the surprise and with each gift his parents had selected.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t list them in the letter to them, of course, but Hoss got a full report in his, as well as a description of the horses Adam had been able to ride while he visited the Paynes.\u00a0 He waxed particularly eloquent about the glossy black stallion that had been his favorite mount.<\/p>\n

To his parents, Adam confided his pleasure in being able to promptly post his journal, faithfully kept, to his friend Jamie back in Saint Joseph and expressed the hope that he might receive the one Jamie recorded for him much earlier this year.\u00a0 Then he reported the marks he\u2019d received for his first term\u2019s work.\u00a0 \u201cTop of his class in virtually every subject,\u201d Ben said, beaming with pride.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is such a good student,\u201d Marie agreed.<\/p>\n

Hoss grimaced.\u00a0 No one had made any comparison between him and his scholarly brother, of course, but he couldn\u2019t help feeling they were thinking what they were too kind to say to his face.<\/p>\n

Ben turned next to the letter from Josiah.\u00a0 His friend had read about President Buchanan\u2019s request for troops to deal with the Mormon conflict in the printed text of his annual message to Congress on December 8th and was, of course, concerned that his friend might be endangered.\u00a0 \u201cJosiah doesn\u2019t seem to realize how far we are from Salt Lake City,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have to write and assure him that the troops are not breathing down our throats out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he is a teacher,\u201d Marie objected.\u00a0 \u201cSurely so learned a man\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs not always aware of simple practicalities,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThe same distance would seem much closer to an easterner, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, that is true,\u201d Marie conceded with a smile, remembering her own concept of distance when she lived in New Orleans.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think there will be fighting, Ben?\u201d she asked thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHard to believe it\u2019ll come to that\u2014\u2014Americans fighting other Americans.\u00a0 May we never see that day, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, may we never see that,\u201d she agreed.<\/p>\n

Ben waited until the boys were both in bed before he delivered the other news he\u2019d picked up in town.\u00a0 \u201cSnowshoe Thompson brought word of a friend of ours, Marie,\u201d he began quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, who is that?\u201d she inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllen Grosch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Monsieur<\/em> Thompson has seen him?\u201d Marie said, her face lighting.\u00a0 \u201cHe did make it to California, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Marie,\u201d Ben whispered hoarsely.\u00a0 \u201cThat is to say, he did, but not out of the mountains, not alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie blanched.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2014he is dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI warned him he was leaving too late, and as I\u2019d feared, he and his friend Bucke were caught in a snowstorm, must\u2019ve wandered for days\u2014\u2014the last five without food or fire, Thompson said.\u00a0 Toes froze, then their feet.\u00a0 By the time they stumbled into the camp of a Mexican miner, their legs were frozen to the knees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Marie moaned.\u00a0 \u201cThis is terrible, but they were safe then, oui<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut in terrible condition, dearest.\u00a0 Bucke let them amputate one leg and the other foot, so he survived, but Allen refused to let them do what was needed.\u00a0 Gangrene set in and he died\u2014\u2014about a week before Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie brushed a tear from her cheek.\u00a0 \u201cFrom gangrene, like his brother.\u00a0 And he could have been saved, if only he had done as Monsieur<\/em> Bucke and Monsieur<\/em> Sisson did.\u00a0 Oh, Ben!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben crossed the room to put his arm around her.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a hard land, my love, for those who don\u2019t respect it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you always shall,\u201d Marie murmured, slender fingers reaching for his face.\u00a0 It was more plea than statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I always shall,\u201d Ben vowed, kissing the fingers so close to his lips.<\/p>\n

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

On a rare wintertime visit a week later, Laura Ellis fumed at length over Henry Comstock\u2019s usurpation of the Grosch cabin.\u00a0 \u201cNot only does Old Pancake act like the place is his own now,\u201d she ranted, \u201cbut the Grosch\u2019s claim papers have mysteriously disappeared!\u00a0 All their books and other papers, too.\u00a0 It\u2019s obvious to me that Comstock intends to jump the claim and search for their monster vein.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMonster vein?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s what I couldn\u2019t tell you before, dear, because I\u2019d been sworn to secrecy.\u00a0 Allen and Hosea were convinced they\u2019d found a huge vein of silver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSilver!\u201d Marie cried.\u00a0 \u201cBut I thought they were gold miners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 That\u2019s what everyone else is looking for, but the Grosches seemed to think the real riches of this territory would be in silver,\u201d Laura elaborated, then sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll never know now, I guess.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mind losing my investment half as much as I do seeing that disreputable old codger claim the place for his own.\u00a0 This soon after a man\u2019s death, it\u2019s indecent!\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry Comstock was, in truth, no older than Ben, but his unkempt appearance did seem to warrant calling him an \u201cold codger,\u201d so Marie didn\u2019t correct her friend.\u00a0 \u201cCould you not fight him\u2014\u2014legally, I mean\u2014\u2014to recover your investment?\u00a0 Ben would help you, I am sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cThe only paper I have entitles me to a claim neighboring that of the Grosch brothers, and without their claim papers, who can say where that is?\u00a0 Trusting one another as we did, we never thought to make it more specific.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t have a leg to stand on in a court of law, Marie, assuming I thought it worthwhile to take the matter to Salt Lake City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a long distance,\u201d Marie agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what would I do with a silver claim if I had it?\u201d Laura chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI know nothing of how to operate one.\u00a0 No, I\u2019ll have to settle for making my living with the work of my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie took her friend\u2019s hands in her own and pressed them warmly.\u00a0 \u201cLet us be thankful they are strong ones,\u201d she smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thankful,\u201d Laura said, smiling back.\u00a0 \u201cIt just makes me furious to think of the foolish waste of those boys\u2019 lives.\u00a0 It\u2019s a tragedy, Marie, to see young men cut off in the flower of their days.\u201d<\/p>\n

January was a month for tragic news, it seemed, for the mail Snowshoe Thompson brought toward its end included a grievous report that struck even closer to home for the Cartwrights than the death of a one-time neighbor.\u00a0 Ben returned from Genoa that afternoon with such a long face Marie was immediately concerned.\u00a0 \u201cYou look disappointed, Ben,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cWas there no letter from Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, one for us and one for Hoss, as always,\u201d Ben replied absently.\u00a0 He drew them from inside his vest and handed them to her, wandering aimlessly toward the warmth of the fireplace.<\/p>\n

\u201cHurray!\u201d Hoss cried.\u00a0 \u201cCan I read mine to Little Joe?\u00a0 He ain\u2019t likely to be asleep yet.\u201d\u00a0 Marie had just taken the baby upstairs for a nap.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, that is fine,\u201d she said, handing the letter to Hoss.\u00a0 Surprised she\u2019d made no objection to disturbing the baby, Hoss took it and ran up the stairs, while Marie came to place soothing hands on her husband\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is wrong, Ben?\u00a0 Did Adam send bad news?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned around and took his wife in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not him.\u00a0 There was a letter from John, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that is good,\u201d Marie remonstrated.\u00a0 There had been one short letter from John earlier, to let them know he\u2019d arrived home safely, but no news since, and Marie knew how earnestly Ben had been yearning for word from his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cMartha\u2019s gone, Marie,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Marie paled.\u00a0 \u201cJohn\u2019s wife?\u00a0 Oh, no, Ben.\u00a0 How sad for him!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nodding, Ben closed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cShe was a good woman\u2014\u2014a little rigid, maybe, but she had a kind heart.\u00a0 She treated Adam like her own when we stayed with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie reached up to stroke his cheek gently.\u00a0 \u201cIt is sad for you, as well, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben sighed, \u201cbut mostly for John\u2019s sake.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see when you read the letter.\u00a0 My brother\u2019s grief-stricken, can\u2019t quit blaming himself for all the years they spent apart.\u00a0 Says over and over he should have listened to me, gone home when I first urged it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed, \u201cbut he must go on, Ben.\u00a0 He has a son still to raise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPractically raised now,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWill\u2019s older than Adam, my love, by about a year.\u00a0 Anyway, that\u2019s another grief for John.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s taken offense at the years his mother had to struggle alone to keep that farm going, feels it weakened her and contributed to her death.\u00a0 He\u2019s full of anger, blames his father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill they come west now, do you think?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head lifted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I definitely intend to urge John to come here.\u00a0 Family should be together in time of sorrow, and the Mormons left plenty of good land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must write him, too, to be patient with young Will,\u201d Marie counseled.\u00a0 \u201cIt is grief for his mother\u2019s death he feels, more than anger at his father, I am sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll do that,\u201d Ben said, guiding her toward the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cNow, shall we read Adam\u2019s letter.\u00a0 Pleasanter news, I trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did not read it in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 Wish I had, but I was so anxious for news of John, I opened it first, then didn\u2019t have the heart to read anything else,\u201d Ben sighed.<\/p>\n

Marie opened the envelope.\u00a0 \u201cIt is just as well.\u00a0 You have more need for cheery news now.\u201d\u00a0 And as they read together the latest news of their son, the smile returned to Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

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

Answering the door on the final Saturday of the month, Hop Sing beamed a warm welcome to one of the Cartwright\u2019s most cherished friends.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Doctah Mahtin, Missy Sally, come in, please.\u00a0 Mistah Ben away now, but I tell Missy Cahtlight you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie came downstairs, carrying Little Joe, who was immediately confiscated by a doting Sally Martin.\u00a0 \u201cIt is good to see you, Doctor Martin,\u201d Marie said brightly.\u00a0 \u201cYou will stay for dinner, oui<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am, our intention exactly,\u201d Paul Martin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hoped for a game of chess, but Hop Sing tells me Ben is away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not far.\u00a0 He and Hoss are at the birthing barn, helping one of the mother cows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a job for you, Papa,\u201d Sally giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMind your sassy tongue, girl,\u201d her father said, crinkling his eyes merrily.\u00a0 However he sounded, it was obvious he doted on the girl, who resembled her mother more every year.\u00a0 \u201cIf Marie will point the way, I think I will see if Ben needs a hand.\u00a0 I have so few human patients lately, I might as well concentrate on the animal kind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie went into the yard with Dr. Martin and pointed him in the right direction, then returned to the house, a puzzled look in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did your father mean when he spoke of few patients, Sally?\u00a0 He seems too busy to visit here often.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally giggled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you know Papa, always teasing.\u00a0 He probably meant that a lot of the miners have moved further north, near Devil\u2019s Gate, but they\u2019ll send for him if they\u2019re really sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPut Little Joe down,\u201d Marie suggested proudly, \u201cand see how he gets around now.\u00a0 The miners think to do better near this Devil\u2019s Gate?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally set the baby on the floor and watched, fascinated, as he began to crawl.\u00a0 \u201cFrom what Billy Thomas tells me, they\u2019re making about ten dollars a day there, twice what they were bringing in closer to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sniggered.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what does Billy know of mining?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Billy, nose into everything.\u00a0 He\u2019d make a good reporter, if his grammar were fit to read.\u00a0 He says Mr. Comstock went prospecting a couple of days ago with John Bishop and Old Virginny and they made a strike just below the divide.\u00a0 Yesterday prospectors from Johntown and Chinatown headed there, too, so Billy says.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday?\u00a0 You\u2019ve seen him since then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came by this morning,\u201d Sally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou see him often?\u201d Marie asked, womanly curiosity aroused.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty regularly,\u201d Sally replied and the two women sat close, exchanging purely feminine chatter about the relations between male and female.<\/p>\n

Paul Martin, meanwhile, had made his way to the birthing barn and greeted his friend Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid our little mother here\u2019s having a hard time,\u201d Ben said, worry in his voice.\u00a0 Hoss, seated beside the cow, was stroking her side consolingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me have a look,\u201d Paul offered and Ben readily accepted.\u00a0 After a cursory examination, the doctor gave a short laugh.\u00a0 \u201cMust be something in the air here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched a quizzical eyebrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a breech, Ben,\u201d the doctor explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Little Joe, Doc?\u201d Hoss asked, biting his lip.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Hoss, like Little Joe,\u201d Dr. Martin replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s bad, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019ll see,\u201d the doctor said gently, mindful of Hoss\u2019s love for living things.\u00a0 \u201cWe may be able to convince the little fellow to turn around the right way.\u00a0 There was no persuading your little brother to do the same; he seemed determined to do things the hard way, but maybe the calf won\u2019t be as stubborn.\u201d<\/p>\n

The calf did prove more tractable than Ben\u2019s third son.\u00a0 With Dr. Martin\u2019s assistance, he entered the world face forward, with a healthy bawl and a hearty appetite for his mother\u2019s milk.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know how we\u2019d\u2019ve managed without you,\u201d Ben said as they walked back to the house.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve earned your supper tonight, doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul laughed.\u00a0 \u201cSeems like I always have to pay for my supper, one way or another, when I come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben slapped his back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, at least I can promise you a hefty fee.\u00a0 Hop Sing tends to outdo himself when company comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over dinner they discussed the new mining field and how it might affect businesses further south.\u00a0 \u201cMiners still have to eat,\u201d Paul said wryly.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll come where the food is, but an enterprising man might do well to bring it closer to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you?\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cEver think of moving to Franktown?\u00a0 Seems a shame the Mormons had to leave so suddenly, just when the little town was showing such promise.\u00a0 They\u2019d even begun replacing their log cabins with frame houses, and there\u2019s a start of lovely Lombardy poplars along the streets.\u00a0 Plenty of vacant houses in Franktown, my friend, and we\u2019d love having you closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul laughed.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty of vacant houses,\u201d he agreed, \u201cbut not an occupied one to be found.\u00a0 I have to leave Sally alone so much, I\u2019d rather live where she has neighbors to call on if there\u2019s need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019d probably feel that way if I had a pretty girl to watch out for,\u201d Ben said, smiling at the doctor\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n

Sally blushed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, there\u2019s something to be said for moving her away from some people,\u201d Ben teased, \u201clike a certain mischievous redhead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho buzzes around my bright blossom altogether too often,\u201d Paul laughed, while Sally\u2019s blush deepened.<\/p>\n

\u201cIgnore them,\u201d Marie suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThey should not talk about Billy when they are behaving like mischiefs themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m used to it,\u201d Sally said with a toss of her brown hair.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve told Papa time and again that Billy and I are just friends, but he insists on making more of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust so Billy doesn\u2019t!\u201d Ben chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh!\u00a0 Go play chess,\u201d Marie ordered spicily, \u201cand leave us to more sensible company.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe means Little Joe,\u201d Ben confided naughtily to the doctor, who grinned, but knew better than to rush in where angels feared to tread.\u00a0 That, as any acquaintance of the Cartwrights could have affirmed, was exactly the territory on which a man was trespassing when he made less than worshipful comments about Marie\u2019s precious baby boy.\u00a0 It was a wonder even Ben could get away with it.<\/p>\n

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

Pleasant weather continued through February, so the Cartwrights and the Thomases were able to meet for Sunday dinner each week.\u00a0 It was the Thomases\u2019 turn to play host on the twenty-first, one day following Billy\u2019s birthday, and the fare was unusually festive.\u00a0 Although Billy had cut his cake the day before, there was still enough left to provide everyone a slice for dessert.<\/p>\n

\u201cBet Adam ain\u2019t havin\u2019 as fine a birthday as me,\u201d Billy bragged.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly, you hush that sass,\u201d his mother scolded.\u00a0 \u201cLands, where are your manners?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust teasin\u2019,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t like the old days when we could share a cake, though, is it?\u201d\u00a0 Though Billy was a year older, his birthday fell just two days before Adam\u2019s on the calendar, and the two had sometimes shared a celebration on the day between.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s nothing to tease about,\u201d Nelly rebuked, \u201cwith Adam\u2019s folks missin\u2019 him like they\u2019re bound to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy said, but his blue eyes were still twinkling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can see how much,\u201d Ben chuckled tartly.\u00a0 \u201cWe miss Adam, of course, but I can assure you he\u2019ll be having a fine birthday tomorrow.\u00a0 I wrote instructing him to treat himself and a couple of friends to dinner and a night at the theater or whatever other celebration they agreed on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s face fell.\u00a0 \u201cHey, how come I never get a party like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere would you go?\u201d Clyde scoffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who\u2019d want to go with you?\u201d Inger added, pointing her pink tongue at her scowling brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be a fine thing, Billy, if there were theaters and fine restaurants this side of the mountains, oui<\/em>?\u201d Marie inserted, hoping to make peace.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss agreed between bites of fried chicken.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, maybe that day ain\u2019t so far away as you think,\u201d Clyde said, leaning back and hooking his thumbs in his waistband.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou look like a man bursting with a secret,\u201d he accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just what he is,\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBeen fit to bust with it for days.\u00a0 Go ahead and spit it out, Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon you ain\u2019t heard we\u2019re gettin\u2019 us a new town \u2018twixt here and your place,\u201d Clyde began.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow arched even higher.\u00a0 \u201cA whole new town?\u201d he quizzed skeptically.\u00a0 \u201cNothing in the Scorpion<\/em> about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde scowled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s \u2018cause this here\u2019s gonna be a decent town, not another hive of Mormons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClyde!\u201d Nelly cried.\u00a0 \u201cNow don\u2019t start that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde waved her concern aside.\u00a0 \u201cBen knows my feelin\u2019s.\u00a0 But that\u2019s all beside the point anyway.\u00a0 You heard of Abe Curry, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t recognize the name,\u201d Ben admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019s new hereabouts.\u00a0 Been tryin\u2019 to buy some property in Genoa, thought he could get a good deal since them fool Mormons left so much behind,\u201d Clyde elaborated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have thought so, too,\u201d Ben commented.<\/p>\n

Clyde shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, them what\u2019s left is seein\u2019 to it prices stay high, askin\u2019 a thousand dollars for a hundred-foot frontage in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben whistled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s steep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo steep for Curry,\u201d Clyde confided, \u201cso he set his sights elsewhere, bought up most of Eagle Valley Ranch, tradin\u2019 post included.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah?\u00a0 Better be careful, my friend, or he\u2019ll be taking the lion\u2019s share of your business,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWith the mining interests moving north, EagleValley will be closer to the customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur thinkin\u2019 exactly,\u201d Clyde grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMe and Curry, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head and gave Clyde a close scrutiny.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you up to?\u201d he asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cMovin\u2019 closer to our friends, that\u2019s what!\u201d Nelly piped in gleefully.\u00a0 \u201cCurry made Clyde a good offer, so he\u2019ll be doin\u2019 his blacksmithin\u2019 alongside the post and helpin\u2019 out there, too, in the busy season.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, that is good news!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly glowed.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t it?\u00a0 Give me a hand with the dishes, honey lamb, and we can talk it over our own way.\u00a0 You gents are welcome to the parlor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCall me if Little Joe wakes,\u201d Marie said as Ben followed Clyde into the next room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does that quite well for himself,\u201d Ben teased and scampered through the doorway as Marie fired a wadded napkin at his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cRace you to the seesaw,\u201d Inger challenged, swatting Hoss\u2019s arm.\u00a0 Hoss took his time about following.\u00a0 The seesaw wasn\u2019t going anywhere, and Inger couldn\u2019t play on it \u2018til he got there anyway.\u00a0 Considering himself a man at the exalted age of sixteen, Billy followed the men into the parlor, prepared to make himself take interest in adult topics.<\/p>\n

As she retrieved her linen weapon, Marie frowned thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cI am glad you will be moving closer, Nelly, but one trading post does not make a town, as Clyde said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Nelly agreed, carrying a stack of plates to the sideboard where her dishpan was set up, \u201cbut Curry\u2019s got big plans.\u00a0 There\u2019s two or three cabins near the post now, but Curry aims to lay out a regular town site, figurin\u2019 the place\u2019ll grow.\u00a0 Says he\u2019s gonna hire a regular surveyor to lay it out proper, with wide streets and a big plaza.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie brought another stack of dishes to set atop the plates.\u00a0 \u201cI did not know we had any surveyors here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHoney, every miner was somethin\u2019 else back in the States.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t sure we got a surveyor in the territory, either, but if there\u2019s one to be found, Curry\u2019ll see to it Carson City gets a proper layin\u2019 out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cCarson City?\u00a0 Monsieur<\/em> Curry has already named the town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, yes!\u201d Nelly said, lifting a pail of water to fill the dishpan.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s got big dreams, Marie.\u00a0 Like our menfolk, he\u2019s hopin\u2019 to split from Utah and form a separate territory.\u00a0 If that happens, we\u2019ll need a capital city, and Curry figures he\u2019ll have the jump on any other town around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThere is only one other of any size, and Genoa has been here longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d Nelly said, lathering up a pan of suds, \u201cbut as mad as Curry is over the high-handed treatment he got there, he\u2019ll do his dead-level best to drain off all their trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Carson City would be more convenient for us, to be sure,\u201d Marie agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWill you move soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon,\u201d Nelly sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThose cabins they got there now ain\u2019t near so roomy as what we got here, and I\u2019ll sure miss havin\u2019 my parlor.\u00a0 Don\u2019t know what we\u2019ll do with the furnishin\u2019s \u2018til we get somethin\u2019 better built.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie took a dishtowel and began drying the dishes as Nelly drew them from the water.\u00a0 \u201cYou will store them with us, of course,\u201d she said practically.\u00a0 \u201cI still have more rooms than furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHoney, I was hopin\u2019 you\u2019d offer.\u00a0 Now tell me how that little sugarfoot of yours is growin\u2019.\u00a0 Talkin\u2019 up a storm yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled, happy, as always, to talk about her favorite subject.\u00a0 \u201cOnly three words so far\u2014\u2014HaHa, Mama and Pa, which he learned in that order, to Ben\u2019s dismay\u2014\u2014but I expect more at any time.\u00a0 Oh, and he crawls so fast now!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ladies chattered on over the dishes, sharing the excitement of Little Joe\u2019s development and comparing it to that of the youngsters Nelly had raised, her own three and young Hoss Cartwright.<\/p>\n

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

After a mild winter, March turned suddenly stormy, with rarely a day when snow didn\u2019t fall.\u00a0 Fortunately, on a Saturday just past the middle of the month, the very day the prospective residents of the new Carson City planned to move, the sky cleared.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright pulled his team to a stop in front of the Thomas cabin near Carson River.\u00a0 Clyde and Billy finished loading the kitchen table into their own wagon, then climbed down to welcome Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThought we\u2019d get the jump on you,\u201d Billy grinned, \u201cbut you\u2019re up early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank Little Joe for that,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe decided to make a short night of it, so we figured we might as well come on.\u00a0 I dropped Marie and the boys off at your new place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got things planned out pretty good, I think,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cFigured to load most of what we\u2019ll take with us in our big wagon and use yours for the furniture we\u2019ll be storin\u2019 at your place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure better than loading it twice,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s load those things first, then I\u2019ll go on over and pick up the Martins\u2019 things and Mrs. Ellis\u2019s while you finish here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abraham V. Z. Curry, feeling that any respectable town should boast a physician, had offered the use of one of the cabins standing near the trading post in Eagle Valley to Dr. Martin, and he\u2019d accepted.\u00a0 Sally was a good enough cook and housekeeper that she chafed at life in a boardinghouse, and with the Thomases practically next door, Paul knew she\u2019d have someone to turn to if problems arose while he was on a call.<\/p>\n

When she heard about the new town, Laura Ellis had approached Curry and won his approval for transferring her laundry and bakery to the budding Carson City, as well.\u00a0 Such businesses, Curry felt, could only speed the development of his dream capital, so he willingly donated the final cabin to Mrs. Ellis.\u00a0 Although he had originally planned to stay there himself until his sturdy stone house was completed, he moved his bed to a small room at the trading post.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be for long; his new house was practically finished.<\/p>\n

Working together, the two Thomases and Ben quickly had the Cartwright buckboard loaded with the parlor furniture, then Ben helped move the few items that were so bulky or heavy that three men could lift them more easily than two.\u00a0 Leaving Clyde and Billy to complete the transfer of goods to the wagon normally used to freight in supplies, Ben drove to the boardinghouse inhabited by the Martins.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Sally bubbled.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Cosser made us up a basket for lunch.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s enough for everyone, but wasn\u2019t that a kind thought?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA very kind thought,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cand don\u2019t worry; if we don\u2019t fill up at noon, we\u2019ll make up for it at supper.\u00a0 Hop Sing packed a basket of food, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith his usual tendency to overstuff it, I presume,\u201d the doctor smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t be Hop Sing if he hadn\u2019t,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou have everything packed or has your mind been too much on your stomach?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery funny,\u201d Paul scowled.\u00a0 \u201cCertainly, we\u2019re ready.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t have that much to pack, after all.\u00a0 Mostly clothes.\u00a0 I do have that table I rigged up for examining patients, though; it\u2019s mine to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s load it in,\u201d Ben said brightly.\u00a0 \u201cClothes can fit most anyplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Paul chuckled, \u201cbut you be careful loading my instruments and medicines, young fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 Thirty-seven years old and the man referred to him as a young fellow!\u00a0 \u201cOh, I will, grandpa,\u201d he assured the doctor, who Ben figured to be no more than five years his senior, about the age of his brother John.<\/p>\n

Loading the Martins\u2019 goods didn\u2019t take long, and the distance to the Ellis cabin was short.\u00a0 Young Jimmy, playing in the yard, was the first to see the wagon drive up.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re here, Mama,\u201d he yelled, running inside.<\/p>\n

Laura came out swiftly.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t expect you quite this soon,\u201d she said, wiping her hands on her apron.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been making sandwiches for the noon meal.\u00a0 We won\u2019t make it there by then, will we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoubt it,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cMy load\u2019s not too heavy, but yours and the Thomases is.\u00a0 We\u2019ll probably stop long enough to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Paul hefted the heavy cookstove into Laura\u2019s buckboard first, then beds, tables and chairs.\u00a0 Though she didn\u2019t have as much furniture as the Thomases, it was too much for one buckboard.\u00a0 Fortunately, Ben still had a little room left in his, and they managed to cram everything in one wagon or the other.\u00a0 Ben led the way, with Jimmy and Sally riding beside him, while Laura rode on her own wagon, with Paul driving.<\/p>\n

The little caravan easily overtook the Thomases\u2019 plodding ox-drawn freight wagon, but Ben was surprised to see only Clyde there.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s your family?\u201d he asked as he drew up alongside.<\/p>\n

\u201cTook the buckboard on ahead,\u201d Clyde explained.\u00a0 \u201cNelly got to frettin\u2019 that Marie was tryin\u2019 to clean up them cabins all by herself and knew she could make better time than me.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t much but kitchen gear in the buckboard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cBilly\u2019s driving, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, let\u2019s get this train underway then, folks,\u201d Ben called cheerily.\u00a0 \u201cYou lead the way, Clyde, so we don\u2019t leave you behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded and chirruped to his team to get them moving.\u00a0 \u201cKind of reminds you of the old days, don\u2019t it?\u201d he called back to Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben acknowledged the comment with a wave of his hand.\u00a0 Yes, it did remind him of their trek west.\u00a0 Without the hardships, though, he realized, chuckling to himself.\u00a0 No cooking over a fire of buffalo chips, no dry marches across arid deserts, no churning rivers to ford and no Diggers shooting poisoned arrows.\u00a0 By comparison, this was a tame journey.\u00a0 To pass the time, Ben found himself reminiscing to young Jimmy and Sally about the earlier one, glossing over the hardships and concentrating on the landmarks they\u2019d passed or the excitement of his first buffalo hunt.\u00a0 Jimmy, especially, listened with fascination until the sun rose high and stomachs began to rumble.<\/p>\n

The caravan rested briefly after the noon meal, mostly for the sake of the animals.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we were on the trail, we\u2019d rest two hours at noon,\u201d Ben explained to Jimmy, \u201cbut we\u2019re only going a short distance today, and the animals can rest all day tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMama says Sunday is the day of rest,\u201d Jimmy confided.\u00a0 \u201cShe don\u2019t do no work, then, except for fixin\u2019 dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s work enough,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYour mama works hard all week and deserves a day of rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Jimmy agreed, \u201cbut I\u2019m gettin\u2019 big enough to help some now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the spirit, son,\u201d Ben said, giving the boy an approving pat.\u00a0 \u201cNow, let\u2019s lie back and stretch out a few minutes before we hit the trail again.\u201d\u00a0 Ben eased into a reclining position, laying his hat over his face.\u00a0 Jimmy flopped down beside him and stuck his hat over his nose, too, wanting to be as much like Mr. Cartwright as possible.<\/p>\n

Finally, the three wagons pulled into Carson City.\u00a0 Ben had to smile at such an illustrious name for a collection of five buildings, one under construction.\u00a0 Still, it was a good beginning for a town, and he couldn\u2019t help hoping Carson City would prosper.\u00a0 Closer to supplies, closer to friends\u2014\u2014Ben had every reason to wish the little town well.<\/p>\n

Nelly and Marie were sitting side by side on a quilt spread on the grass behind the Thomases\u2019 cabin, with Little Joe napping between them, when the wagons pulled in.\u00a0 Nelly rose and hurried to the front.\u00a0 \u201cYou made good time,\u201d she called.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy Laura, Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Nelly,\u201d Laura called as Dr. Martin helped her down from her wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you waited for us to unload that wagon,\u201d Clyde grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cBilly too busy to help his Ma, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be criticizin\u2019 the boy,\u201d Nelly chided.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019d\u2019ve helped if I\u2019d asked, but there weren\u2019t much point in just settin\u2019 stuff on the ground.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 inside to put it on, Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde lifted his hat and wiped sweat from his brow.\u00a0 \u201cReckon not.\u00a0 Where\u2019s that scamp got off to now, though?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe took the younguns off for a romp,\u201d Nelly said.\u00a0 \u201cOught to be back soon; I told \u2018em not to stay gone long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie, who\u2019d taken her time to avoid waking Little Joe by a sudden movement, came around the corner of the house, carrying him.\u00a0 \u201cHave you had anything to eat?\u201d she asked.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing sent plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben placed a light kiss on her cheek and brushed the baby\u2019s downy curls.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve eaten, thanks to Mrs. Cosser and Laura.\u00a0 We\u2019d better get right to work if we expect to unload three households by sundown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded and stepped out of the way.\u00a0 There was nothing she could do to help until things were unloaded, and nothing then if Hoss didn\u2019t return to watch the baby while she worked.<\/p>\n

The three men first unloaded the Ellis wagon.\u00a0 Since she owned less than the Thomases, the job wouldn\u2019t take long, and the ladies could begin arranging things there while the men moved the other families\u2019 belongings to their respective cabins.\u00a0 They\u2019d just set Laura\u2019s last crate off the wagon when Billy came striding up with Hoss and Inger in tow.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Bout time you showed up,\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I came soon as I saw your dust,\u201d Billy blurted out defensively.\u00a0 \u201cYou got in earlier than we expected.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Sally, he tempered his tone quickly, doffed his hat and said hello.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Billy,\u201d Sally smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s still plenty of work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlenty for us ladies, too,\u201d Nelly said.\u00a0 \u201cShow us where you want things set, Laura, and we\u2019ll have your place lookin\u2019 homey right quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, take Little Joe behind the cabins and watch him,\u201d Marie said, placing the baby in his big brother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but I\u2019m hungry, Mama,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t we got somethin\u2019 to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had some sandwiches left,\u201d Laura said.\u00a0 \u201cJimmy can get the basket for you.\u00a0 Keep him out from underfoot, too, will you, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 As the oldest of the four youngsters, he was, of course, expected to be the responsible one, but Hoss didn\u2019t mind.\u00a0 Little Joe was still asleep, and neither Inger nor Jimmy was the kind to run off and get into mischief.<\/p>\n

Many hands make light work, as the old proverb states, and sooner than seemed possible, three cabins were in reasonable order and the weary workers gladly ate every scrap left from three originally bulging picnic hampers.\u00a0 They\u2019d made a fire, just to make coffee and keep warm, and while the sleepy youngsters stretched out on a blanket and Billy and Sally took a stroll in the moonlight, the adults enjoyed a brief time for conversation as they sipped a cup of hot brew.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019ve got the beginnings of a fine town here,\u201d Paul Martin commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I\u2019ll feel safer with good neighbors close,\u201d Nelly observed.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever Clyde thinks of Mormons, there was more law and order in the valley with them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve heard there\u2019s been a real rash of crime lately,\u201d Dr. Martin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your consarned committee of twenty-eight doin\u2019 nothin\u2019 about it,\u201d Clyde grumbled with a significant nod at Ben.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhat can we do?\u00a0 We have no authority to back us up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, got some now, I reckon,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cYou part of that mass meetin\u2019 they had a few days back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know me better than that!\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI was invited, but when I saw they were set on forming a vigilance committee, I had no desire to be part of it.\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe in vigilante justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter than none, I say,\u201d Clyde argued.\u00a0 \u201cAsk San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Ben muttered, pouring himself a second cup of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cI know all the arguments for taking the law into your own hands, but I think there has to be a better way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike lettin\u2019 rustlers drive off that herd you\u2019re so proud of, I reckon,\u201d Clyde sniffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know better,\u201d Ben said again.\u00a0 \u201cSure, a man has to protect his home and property, if it comes to that; but holding trials and hanging offenders, that\u2019s a job for legally constituted authority.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf which we have none, Ben,\u201d Paul pointed out quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cwhich is why I don\u2019t condemn those who support the vigilance committee, but it\u2019s not a road I choose to follow.\u00a0 Too close to mob rule for my taste, and mobs are hard to control.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, should we not start for home?\u201d Marie suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe still have far to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d invite you to stay the night, but we\u2019re a mite crowded just now,\u201d Nelly laughed.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, but it is I who will make an invitation.\u00a0 Please, you must all come to dinner at the Ponderosa tomorrow.\u00a0 We have worked so hard today that tomorrow should be a true day of rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept for Hop Sing, I take it,\u201d Laura giggled, \u201cbut I accept, gladly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others quickly did also and the Cartwrights took their leave, arriving late that night and tumbling wearily into bed, determined to sleep late.\u00a0 All except Little Joe.\u00a0 Having had his full complement of naptime the day before, he was ready to rise early and begin a new day.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TEN<\/p>\n

Springtime Reunion<\/h4>\n

April began not much differently than March ended, although the precipitation that fell was more often rain, rather than snow, at least in the valleys.\u00a0 In the Sierras snow still prevailed; in fact, the mountains were covered with a thicker blanket than at any time during the previous winter.<\/p>\n

The first of April dawned gray and cloud-covered, and before noon the showers came\u2014\u2014a slow, drenching rain.\u00a0 For once Hoss didn\u2019t spend his lesson time with his eyes yearningly gazing out the window.\u00a0 He finished early and was rewarded with permission to play with his little brother until time for evening chores.\u00a0 Little Joe was delighted with Hoss\u2019s imitation of a puppy nipping at his heels as he crawled around the front room.\u00a0 Tiring of that game, Hoss was inspired to prepare a surprise for their father.<\/p>\n

Ben came in early that afternoon, deciding it was futile to work in a downpour, however softly the droplets fell.\u00a0 He slapped water from his hat, then removed his slicker, left it just outside the front door and walked in.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d Little Joe cried happily.<\/p>\n

Ben beamed at the boy.\u00a0 Nothing ever sounded as sweet to him as that one syllable, no matter which of his sons voiced it, but it was still new to Little Joe\u2019s lips and, therefore, all the more precious.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Pa\u2019s sweet baby boy?\u201d Ben cooed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants to show you somethin\u2019,\u201d Hoss announced, taking both the baby\u2019s hands.\u00a0 \u201cUp, Punkin,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 \u201cStand up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe pushed up to stand beside his brother.\u00a0 Nothing new in that, of course; the boy had been able to pull up for some time now.\u00a0 But Ben caught his breath when Hoss held just one of Little Joe\u2019s hands as the child took one, two, three little steps before he flopped onto his backside.\u00a0 Swooping the baby up to the ceiling, Ben crowed with delight.\u00a0 \u201cOoh, you bright boy!\u00a0 When did you take this up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, mostly,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cI been workin\u2019 with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a job well done it was,\u201d Ben said, giving his middle boy a proud smile, \u201cbut unless my eyes deceived me when I put up my horse, you have some chores that need doing in the barn, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust gettin\u2019 to \u2018em,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cCan I take Little Joe?\u00a0 He ought to learn how to milk the cow, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI think he\u2019s still a mite small to take over your chores, young fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat ain\u2019t what I meant!\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI just meant he could watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t need to go out in the rain.\u201d\u00a0 He brought his face close to the baby\u2019s and clucked, \u201cYou need to take another step or two for Pa, don\u2019t you, sweet boy?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe grinned and willingly performed again for his father as Hoss hurried into his jacket and ran through the raindrops for the barn.<\/p>\n

Spring finally tiptoed in, like a guest unsure of her welcome\u2014\u2014sunny days interspersed with snowfalls or thunderstorms until finally the warmth came to stay.\u00a0 With it came the busiest time of year on the Ponderosa and elsewhere throughout the valley.\u00a0 Clyde Thomas had new fields to break to the plow, but Ben found himself so occupied with his own work, he rarely found time to help his old friend.\u00a0 Fortunately, Billy had grown into a stalwart young man, able to do his share of the plowing and planting.<\/p>\n

Hoss found it harder than ever to keep his mind on his books when the bright sunshine beckoned so invitingly.\u00a0 As if warm weather were not enough distraction, the increasingly mobile Little Joe provided still more.\u00a0 How could anyone expect a boy to study his lessons when a small hand patted his book, demanding attention?\u00a0 Marie would gently lift the baby away, setting him at the opposite end of the low table from Hoss.\u00a0 For a few minutes Little Joe would play with his blocks or nibble his bunny\u2019s ear, then he\u2019d remember that what he really wanted was brother Hoss, pull himself up and make his way, hand over hand along the table, back to the object of his devotion.\u00a0 \u201cYou are incorrigible,\u201d Marie would scold fondly as she removed him once more, but the kiss with which she ended her rebuke was unlikely to prevent repetition of the behavior.<\/p>\n

Once the weather cleared, Hoss took that to mean his little brother could now accompany him wherever he went, so whenever it was time to milk the cow or gather the eggs, Little Joe could be seen clinging to his brother\u2019s hand as they ambled toward the barn.\u00a0 Once they got there, Hoss expected Little Joe to sit quietly and watch him do the chores.\u00a0 Sometimes the baby cooperated, but frequently Little Joe wandered off to explore on his own, and the more steps he was able to take without Hoss\u2019s guiding hand, the further he wandered, until Hoss began to think the company wasn\u2019t worth the nuisance.\u00a0 It was hard to milk a cow while keeping one eye peeled on Little Joe to make sure the toddler didn\u2019t stroll into an occupied stall.<\/p>\n

Another member of the family definitely considered Little Joe\u2019s new-found ambulatory skill a nuisance, to judge from the stream of Chinese that erupted whenever Hop Sing heard the clatter of pans pulled from a cupboard and looked down to find the young culprit smiling benignly up at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hop Sing,\u201d Marie would say each time she ran to rescue her baby.\u00a0 \u201cHe is gone before I know it.\u201d\u00a0 She would take Little Joe\u2019s hand and lead him back through the dining area into the front room, cautioning him against bothering Hop Sing, but the next day found the baby toddling back into the kitchen without qualm or conscience.\u00a0 Of course, since Hop Sing was as likely to reward him with a cookie as a scolding, Little Joe was slow to learn that he wasn\u2019t wanted in the kitchen.\u00a0 In fact, it was obvious from his demeanor that the youngster couldn\u2019t conceive that he would be unwelcome anywhere.\u00a0 \u201cSpoiled rotten, that\u2019s what you are,\u201d Ben regularly told his youngest, most fervently while in the midst of spoiling the baby himself.<\/p>\n

In previous years Adam had taken charge of the family garden, but he was still in Sacramento when planting time arrived, so Hoss took on the responsibility.\u00a0 Late in April he set out onions and potatoes, with the dubious help of his younger brother.\u00a0 Bare toes squishing in the moist dirt, Little Joe paddled through the plowed furrows alongside Hoss.\u00a0 When Hoss dropped a piece of potato into the ground and patted the soil over it, Little Joe at once flopped down to thump the ground with the flat of his hand, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cPat it down firm, Little Joe, so it\u2019ll make lots of potatoes.\u00a0 You like potatoes, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t?\u00a0 Aw, I don\u2019t believe that,\u201d Hoss argued.\u00a0 \u201cTaters taste good, little brother.\u00a0 Onions, too.\u00a0 Like onions, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Little Joe smiled.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t know what you\u2019re sayin\u2019, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Little Joe assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, quit sayin\u2019 that,\u201d Hoss said, wriggling his finger into the baby\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cYou quit sayin\u2019 that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Little Joe chortled, squirming away from the tickling finger.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head, still grinning.\u00a0 \u201cI better teach you some more words.\u00a0 I know.\u00a0 You got another brother, Little Joe.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be comin\u2019 home real soon now, and it\u2019d surprise the punch out of him if you could say his name.\u00a0 Say \u2018Adam\u2019 for me, Punkin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Little Joe giggled, trotting down the furrow while Hoss clambered up to give chase.<\/p>\n

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

With Little Joe riding on his arm, Ben paced the boardwalk in front of Ormsby\u2019s store in Genoa.\u00a0 Marie, just as eager to meet Adam\u2019s stage as her husband, stood quietly behind him, amused by his agitation.\u00a0 One would think Ben was expecting the governor of California instead of his own son!\u00a0 Hoss had chosen to pass the time by examining the jars of candy inside.<\/p>\n

Little Joe wriggled, reaching and stretching, obviously wanting down.\u00a0 \u201cOh, all right,\u201d Ben said when he caught sight of Hoss coming out of the store.\u00a0 \u201cGo to Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He set the toddler down and watched him trot quickly toward his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cHang onto him, Hoss,\u201d Ben cautioned.\u00a0 Lately, Little Joe had shown a propensity for vanishing at any and every opportunity, and it would be just like him to decide to explore the street the exact moment twenty-four galloping legs stormed into town in front of the stagecoach.<\/p>\n

Little Joe obviously didn\u2019t appreciate being held back in his adventures, even by one hand, but he was willing to tolerate it as long as Hoss kept on the move.\u00a0 Up and down the walkway the two brothers paraded until Hoss heard a rumble coming toward them and knew the stage would soon arrive.\u00a0 He snatched up Little Joe and ran back to the front of the store.<\/p>\n

Adam jumped from the door in the side of the coach, the first passenger to disembark.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he shouted, flinging his arms around his father.<\/p>\n

Ben returned the embrace with an almost crushing bear hug.\u00a0 \u201cLook at this, will you?\u00a0 I do believe the boy\u2019s missed us, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie came forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Adam\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cAs we have him.\u00a0 Welcome home, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerci<\/em>, Marie,\u201d he said, using the French term in honor of their lessons together.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam!\u201d Hoss yelled. \u00a0\u201cYou bring me anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, greedy belly, I did,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou got something there for me?\u201d\u00a0 He reached to take the baby from Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cMissed you, too\u2014\u2014yes, I did,\u201d he told his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

Little Joe took one look at the unfamiliar face and started to whimper and squirm.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants me,\u201d Hoss announced proudly.\u00a0 \u201cReckon he don\u2019t \u2018member you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon not,\u201d Adam said, handing the baby to Hoss with a touch of disappointment.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have to work on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss brightened.\u00a0 \u201cHey, yeah!\u00a0 We been workin\u2019 most a month on somethin\u2019, ain\u2019t we, Little Joe?\u00a0 Know who this is?\u201d he asked, pointing at the other boy.\u00a0 \u201cYour brother Adam.\u00a0 Say it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe cocked his head back at the stranger.\u00a0 \u201cAh-um,\u201d he repeated dutifully, although, for him, the word had no meaning, just a sound Hoss liked to hear.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, aren\u2019t you the smart one!\u201d\u00a0 He ruffled the baby\u2019s soft curls.\u00a0 \u201cFunny, too.\u00a0 Won\u2019t let me hold you, but you know my name, huh, monkey?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe grinned, beginning to warm to the stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and look what else he can do,\u201d Hoss declared, setting the toddler down.\u00a0 Little Joe immediately demonstrated his skill by trotting off down the boardwalk.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I told you to hang onto him,\u201d Ben chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get him,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe moves fast!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was no problem, of course, for Adam\u2019s longer legs to catch Little Joe\u2019s short ones, so he didn\u2019t bother running.\u00a0 Little Joe halted, anyway, when he ran into a ruffled skirt.\u00a0 Clutching it, he looked up and queried, \u201cMama?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bronze hands reached down to lift the youngster.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not Mama, little Running Deer,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n

Adam stood grinning at the pretty Paiute girl.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Sarah.\u00a0 Nice to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah smiled, her almond eyes lighting.\u00a0 \u201cIt is good to see you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you\u2019d gone back to your people,\u201d Adam said, \u201cafter\u201d\u2014\u2014he broke off awkwardly, not sure whether to mention last year\u2019s misunderstanding over the deaths of McMartin and Williams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings better now; I come back,\u201d Sarah replied.\u00a0 She, too, seemed reluctant to speak of the painful incident.<\/p>\n

Caught between two virtual strangers, Little Joe wriggled uncomfortably.\u00a0 Adam took him from Sarah and set him down.\u00a0 Pointing, he ordered, \u201cGo back to Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa,\u201d Little Joe called, running back the way he\u2019d come.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle brave run good,\u201d Sarah said, smiling.\u00a0 Then she frowned.\u00a0 \u201cNo, that not right.\u00a0 Him run\u2014\u2014well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe runs well,\u201d Adam corrected.<\/p>\n

Sarah shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cEnglish not easy.\u00a0 Too many rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry, if I were you.\u00a0 Plenty of the fellows at my school have trouble with the rules, and they\u2019ve had years more practice than you.\u00a0 You\u2019re doing fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah smiled again.\u00a0 \u201cI study hard, learn much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave her a puzzled look.\u00a0 \u201cBut I thought the school here closed when the Mormons left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Ormsby teach me,\u201d Sarah explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben called, \u201cwe need to be leaving, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam waved to show his father he\u2019d heard, then turned quickly back to Sarah.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be seeing you,\u201d he said, brushing a light kiss on her cheek.\u00a0 Beneath the deep bronze of her face, a rosy gold flush appeared, but Adam didn\u2019t see it.\u00a0 He\u2019d already turned his back to walk toward his waiting family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the hurry?\u201d Adam said as he climbed into the back of the buckboard, where Ben had already stowed his luggage and guitar.\u00a0 \u201cSarah and I haven\u2019t had a chance to talk in nine months.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTalking isn\u2019t all you were doing, young man,\u201d Ben muttered, flicking the reins.\u00a0 \u201cYou watch your step with that girl, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Ben frowned over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI saw you kiss her, young man.\u00a0 You need to remember that she\u2019s Paiute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what?\u201d Adam asked sharply.\u00a0 \u201cPeople are people, you always taught us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut cultures are different.\u00a0 What you intend as innocent flirting, she might take as something more serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hooted.\u00a0 \u201cPa, we\u2019re friends, just friends.\u00a0 I\u2019m too young to think about getting serious\u2014\u2014with Sarah or any other girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe, on the other hand, is exactly the right age!\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirls mature earlier than boys, mon ami<\/em>,\u201d Marie said, reaching back to touch Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cYour father means only that you should be careful Sarah does not misunderstand your friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrecisely,\u201d Ben agreed sharply.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s anyone we don\u2019t need a misunderstanding with, it\u2019s the Paiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Pa, I\u2019ll watch myself,\u201d Adam promised.\u00a0 \u201cIs that why you hustled me out of town, to avoid riling the Paiutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 We\u2019re expected for lunch at Carson City, and it\u2019s a fifteen-mile drive, son.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be late, as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, great!\u00a0 I\u2019ve been wanting to see the new town\u2014\u2014and Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 If seeing Billy Thomas was Adam\u2019s first goal, he couldn\u2019t be as girl-crazed as Ben had at first feared.\u00a0 Even if he were, Carson City would offer a pretty substitute for the Paiute girl.\u00a0 Sally Martin, Ben thought with satisfaction, was a safer object on whom Adam could practice his youthful flirtation.\u00a0 If her dealings with Billy Thomas were any indication, Sally could handle any boy\u2019s nonsense without entertaining ideas none of the youngsters were as yet old enough to consider seriously.<\/p>\n

It was past noon when the Cartwrights arrived in Carson City, but Nelly had planned lunch in expectation of a late arrival.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a mite earlier than I expected,\u201d she said, coming out to greet them.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I help?\u201d Marie asked at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ve had plenty of help,\u201d Nelly laughed, nodding back toward the open doorway, through which Sally Martin had just exited.\u00a0 \u201cLaura\u2019s bakin\u2019 the bread at her place.\u00a0 Figured we might as well have a big celebration, invite the whole town\u2014\u2014well, practically.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally moved slowly to where Adam was talking animatedly with Billy Thomas.\u00a0 \u201cNice to have you home, Adam,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

Adam turned to grin at her and his mouth dropped.\u00a0 \u201cSally, you\u2019re even prettier than I remember,\u201d he said in open admiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t they have any pretty girls in Sacramento?\u201d she teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few,\u201d Adam admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019ve been busy with my books, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll bet!\u201d Billy scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to see the day even you\u2019d pick a book over a pretty girl!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today, for sure,\u201d Adam said, giving Sally a swift peck on the cheek, probably more to irritate Billy or his father than to impress the girl.<\/p>\n

Sally didn\u2019t even blush, just smiled and took Adam\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s show Adam around town, Billy,\u201d she called over her shoulder.<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s eyes glinted and at first he planned to stay behind and sulk.\u00a0 When Adam gave a glance back, though, he shuffled forward, feeling he had as much right to his friend\u2019s company as any fickle girl.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly looks jealous,\u201d Adam laughed to Sally while the other boy was still out of earshot.<\/p>\n

\u201cServes him right,\u201d Sally snickered.\u00a0 \u201cThe way he\u2019s been flirting with that German girl over at Placerville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarta?\u00a0 Who told you that?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis father,\u201d she whispered as Billy strode up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what do you think of our town?\u201d Billy demanded.\u00a0 \u201cLooks puny to you after Sacramento, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything but San Francisco would,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI like Curry\u2019s plans for this place, though.\u00a0 Pa wrote that he\u2019s bringing in a surveyor to lay the town out, but not on the Mormon plan like Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCarson\u2019s gonna be a better place every way than that hive of Mormons,\u201d Billy boasted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, not you, too,\u201d Sally protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou sound just like your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned impishly.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, I ain\u2019t that bad.\u00a0 Just proud of our own town, that\u2019s all, and you should be, too, Miss Prissy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Sally declared with a flounce of her head, \u201cso don\u2019t get uppity with me, Billy Thomas.\u00a0 Just look how we\u2019re growing!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I can see,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cTwo more houses going up than what Pa wrote about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one to the left is Mr. Ormsby\u2019s,\u201d Sally reported, \u201cand what\u2019s that other fellow\u2019s name, Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStebbins, Martin Stebbins,\u201d Billy answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Ormsby from Genoa?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cI saw Sarah Winnemucca there when I came in, but she didn\u2019t say a word about moving.\u00a0 Of course, we didn\u2019t get much chance to talk,\u201d he muttered, still perturbed at being rushed out of town by his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe and her sister will be coming here with the Ormsbys when the house is finished,\u201d Sally said, \u201cand I\u2019ll surely be glad to have other girls close to my age in town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, havin\u2019 other girls around sounds right good to me, too,\u201d Billy declared, hoping to get a rise out of Sally.<\/p>\n

The Martin girl only laughed, easily seeing through Billy.\u00a0 \u201cNever knew you were that fond of Lizzie,\u201d she teased, \u201cbut she\u2019s a little too grown up for you, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s face flamed and he scowled at both her and Adam, having seen the winks they exchanged.\u00a0 \u201cBetter be gettin\u2019 back.\u00a0 I see \u2018em settin\u2019 out the food, and I reckon neither one of you is so grown up you care to be last at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot with Hoss around,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d better hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier that May morning Clyde, Billy and Paul Martin had carried out both the Thomas\u2019s table and Laura Ellis\u2019s and placed them together so there\u2019d be room for everyone.\u00a0 The women congregated near one end and the men at the other with the youngsters in between.\u00a0 That insured that each gender could converse on the topics they preferred, the children\u2014\u2014who\u2019d rather eat than talk\u2014\u2014forming a buffer.<\/p>\n

The men, of course, chose politics.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Adam,\u201d Clyde called toward the center of the group, \u201cany news from Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought the latest issue of the Bee<\/em>,\u201d Adam said, buttering one of Mrs. Ellis\u2019s fluffy yeast rolls.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to read it, sir, but it\u2019s mostly the same old thing\u2014\u2014Kansas.\u00a0 They\u2019re gonna put the state constitution to a vote.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Bout time they let the folks that live there have a say in their own government,\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Stephen Douglas would agree,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 They were all aware of the continuing battle over statehood for the Territory of Kansas.\u00a0 Even in isolated western Utah, they\u2019d heard how President Buchanan, in early February, had asked Congress to admit Kansas as a slave state despite the rejection of its pro-slavery constitution and how Stephen Douglas had accused the president of violating the concept of popular sovereignty.\u00a0 The men gathered at the table were in basic agreement with Douglas.\u00a0 Ben and Paul were both Yankee born and bred, while Clyde\u2019s mid-western upbringing still disposed him to an anti-slavery position.<\/p>\n

The conflict over Kansas had gone on so long that Ben was amazed the free staters there had energy remaining for the battle.\u00a0 But would he give up, in their place, and accept the unacceptable?\u00a0 No, Ben decided, when it came to an issue of clear right and wrong, a man had to fight with whatever strength he had and trust God to renew it, should it flag in the midst of the struggle.\u00a0 But Ben\u2019s real prayer was that the conflict would never extend beyond the borders of Kansas, certainly never reach far enough to affect their lives in the distant west.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cAh, Mistah Adam, good you be home,\u201d Hop Sing bubbled, beaming and bowing in eloquent respect to Mr. Cartwright\u2019s number one son.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Good to see you,\u201d Adam replied, setting his carpetbag down just inside the entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen do I get what you brung me?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he brought you, Hoss,\u201d Marie corrected as she removed her shawl.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but when?\u201d Hoss persisted, grammar being much less important to him than an answer to his question.<\/p>\n

From the lofty plain of adolescence, Adam laughed at Hoss\u2019s childish impatience.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll carry my bag upstairs, I\u2019ll get it for you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t carryin\u2019 them heavy books.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose heavy books, Hoss,\u201d Ben reminded him, setting Little Joe down.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not carrying those heavy books.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, I ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss declared emphatically.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned.\u00a0 The boy was hopeless, grammatically hopeless.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll carry the books,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t trust you with them, anyway.\u00a0 You carry the bag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss agreed, picking up the carpetbag and heading up the stairs.<\/p>\n

Adam followed.\u00a0 So, also, did the youngest Cartwright, at least until he reached the stairs.\u00a0 Unable to climb, Little Joe whimpered in protest, little palms beating on the bottom step.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he cried, arms stretched imploringly upward.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot this time, little one,\u201d Ben laughed, catching the baby up in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cYour brothers deserve some time alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this one needs a nap,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t appear to be in the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving their parents to deal with that problem, the two older boys hurried into Adam\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cWait\u2019ll you see this,\u201d Adam enthused, pulling out a rolled-up sheet of paper from his bag.<\/p>\n

Hoss spread it open on Adam\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cA picture of a boat?\u201d he muttered, disappointed.\u00a0 \u201cI was hopin\u2019 you\u2019d bring me some candy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did, greedy belly,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut this is even better, and it\u2019s for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head, not understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d Adam explained, pointing to the drawing, \u201cit\u2019s a plan for a boat we\u2019re gonna build this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face brightened.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean a real one?\u00a0 One we could sail in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cGood idea, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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

\u201cIf you really know how.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t never built a boat, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam set his lips stubbornly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I know I can.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been talking to every steamer captain who\u2019d take the time, and I learned a lot.\u00a0 Besides, Pa knows boats, and he\u2019ll help, I bet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s awful busy,\u201d Hoss reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoundup?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 They start brandin\u2019 tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll need to help with that, but I still think we could get a boat built by the Fourth of July.\u00a0 Think of the fishing we could do from the middle of Lake Tahoe, Hoss!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss cried, catching his brother\u2019s enthusiasm.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s ask Pa right now if he\u2019ll let us do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but first things first,\u201d Adam chuckled, digging into his carpetbag for the package of assorted candy he\u2019d bought before leaving Sacramento.\u00a0 \u201cBetter put this in your room \u2018til after supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHAPTER ELEVEN<\/p>\n

Justice Disputed, Friendship Disrupted<\/h4>\n

Ben pulled the buckboard to a stop before Lucky Bill\u2019s store in Genoa shortly before noon on Wednesday, June 16th.\u00a0 While he didn\u2019t need many supplies, any excuse was as good as another on mail day.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t frequent Thorrington\u2019s place often.\u00a0 The new enterprise in Carson City was closer to home, although it still carried little beyond basics.\u00a0 When Ben had needs beyond those, he usually gave his business to Ormsby, but one of the items on his list today was chicken feed, and Lucky Bill generally gave him a better deal on it.<\/p>\n

He walked inside and presented Thorrington with his list, smiling at the youngster standing with his father behind the counter.\u00a0 He liked to see a father and son working together.\u00a0 \u201cOh, and I need some paint, if you have it,\u201d Ben added.\u00a0 \u201cPreferably red.\u201d\u00a0 The paint was for the boat the boys were busily building, and the request for red had come from Hoss.<\/p>\n

Lucky Bill laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNope.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got whitewash, but that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid that won\u2019t do,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better see if Ormsby has any.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight,\u201d Bill conceded.\u00a0 \u201cHe carries more fancy goods than me.\u00a0 Got something else you ought to have a look at, though, Cartwright.\u00a0 You won\u2019t find the like of it at Ormsby\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched a questioning eyebrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut back,\u201d Thorrington said, gesturing with his head.\u00a0 \u201cJust take a minute.\u00a0 Jerome here will load your supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged and followed the tall merchant outside.\u00a0 He had time to spare since the mail stage was running late, and his curiosity was aroused.\u00a0 When he saw the sleek chestnut thoroughbred in the corral, he gasped.\u00a0 \u201cWhat a beautiful animal, Bill!\u00a0 Where\u2019d you find a racehorse out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFriend of mine brought him in from Honey Lake Valley,\u201d Thorrington grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNothing in the territory can touch him, Ben, and the price Edwards is asking is well below his value.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, don\u2019t tempt me,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing livestock like you do, you can see what quality he is,\u201d Bill urged, \u201cand I\u2019ve heard that wife of yours sits a fine saddle, too.\u00a0 Of course, this animal might be too strong for a lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot my lady,\u201d Ben boasted.\u00a0 \u201cShe could ride anything, and I\u2019d love to give her a mount like this.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t do it, though.\u00a0 I bought too much land this year to spare anything for riding stock.\u00a0 I have to concentrate on building my herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad,\u201d Bill said.\u00a0 \u201cEdwards is in a hurry to sell, and at the price he\u2019s asking, this beauty won\u2019t last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, but I can\u2019t.\u00a0 Thanks for showing him to me, though.\u00a0 It\u2019s a privilege just to look at an animal this fine.\u201d\u00a0 His head came up as he heard the sound of galloping hooves.\u00a0 \u201cMust be the mail.\u00a0 Look, Bill, I\u2019ll be back for those supplies and pay you then.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping for a letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho ain\u2019t?\u201d Bill laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBring back mine, if I get any?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, glad to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hurried to the post office, but it was already crowded.\u00a0 Even with the exodus of the Mormons, on mail day the room was always packed, and it didn\u2019t pay to be last in line.\u00a0 Ben managed to fall in only three feet from the window.\u00a0 Looking up the line, he grinned.\u00a0 Trust Billy Thomas to elbow his way to the front.\u00a0 As the young man passed him, eyes glued to the envelope he\u2019d just received, Ben edged a toe across his path.\u00a0 Billy walked right into it and stumbled, but Ben caught him, laughing.\u00a0 \u201cYou seem mighty interested in that piece of mail, son.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t know your pa was expecting such an important letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned, pushing his shock of red hair back from his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cNotPa,\u201d he bragged.\u00a0 \u201cThis is all mine.\u201d\u00a0 He waved the envelope under Ben\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty fragrant,\u201d Ben said, taking a deep whiff.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s sending you that kind of mail, young fellow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy turned the envelope so Ben could read the return address.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarta?\u201d Ben asked, incredulous.\u00a0 \u201cI thought she had better sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u00a0 A girl could do a lot worse,\u201d Billy retorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t see how,\u201d Ben muttered dryly, then grinned at the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou expectin\u2019 mail,\u201d Billy asked sociably, \u201cor just hopin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoping, mostly,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cthough if I don\u2019t get something from that brother of mine soon, I may disown him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, here\u2019s your chance,\u201d Billy cackled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re next.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stepped to the window and his face brightened as he was handed a letter with John Cartwright\u2019s name on it.\u00a0 \u201cAnything for Lucky Bill?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t, so Ben turned away, shaking his head as he saw Billy scanning the lines of his letter from Marta.<\/p>\n

He was tempted to read his own letter then and there, too, but preferred to wait until he had a little more privacy.\u00a0 He peeked over Billy\u2019s shoulder, not really reading, just teasing the boy.\u00a0 Billy hastily folded the letter and stuffed it in his vest pocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight burn a hole in there,\u201d Ben warned with twitching lips.<\/p>\n

Billy shook his head, grinning.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t that fiery,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Adam comin\u2019 with that boat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, fine,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I\u2019m going over to Ormsby\u2019s now to see if I can find some paint for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll walk along with you,\u201d Billy offered.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, then smiled wickedly.\u00a0 \u201cGood thing you hid that letter from Marta if you\u2019re up to what I think you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, always sniffing the daisy that\u2019s closest,\u201d Ben sneered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna tell you what I told Adam, young man.\u00a0 You curb your flirting ways with Miss Sarah, or you\u2019ll have Winnemucca and her whole tribe down your throat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOne little sniff or two won\u2019t hurt, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben groaned and walked into Ormsby\u2019s, shaking his head.\u00a0 Boys the age of Billy or Adam just didn\u2019t understand how much trouble one little sniff could cause.<\/p>\n

Billy took his sniff and Ben bought his paint, yellow instead of the requested red, but Ben didn\u2019t figure Hoss would be overly disappointed.\u00a0 As the two emerged from the store, they became aware of loud voices just down the street.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Billy wondered.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and, as curious as Billy, moved toward the sound of the disturbance.\u00a0 Suddenly, he thrust the can of paint into the young man\u2019s hands.\u00a0 \u201cHere, hold this,\u201d he ordered and began to run toward the scuffle in the street in front of Lucky Bill\u2019s store.\u00a0 Screaming in protest, Bill struggled against the men holding him, arms pinioned behind him.\u00a0 In front of the store, young Jerome was yelling for the men to let his pa go.<\/p>\n

Ben shoved men aside, trying to reach the merchant.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this about?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cVigilante business,\u201d a man snapped, shoving Ben back.\u00a0 \u201cNo concern of yours, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute!\u201d Ben shouted.\u00a0 \u201cWhat business do the vigilantes have with Lucky Bill?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat horse, Cartwright,\u201d Bill panted.\u00a0 \u201cThey think I stole it, but I swear I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHorse stealing ain\u2019t the half of it,\u201d one of the men holding Bill snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re wanted for murder, Thorrington.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMurder!\u201d Lucky Bill hollered.\u00a0 \u201cI never killed a man in my life!\u00a0 This is crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben thought so, too.\u00a0 He knew Lucky Bill had a reputation as a sharp gambler, perhaps a less than honest one, but he\u2019d never heard anything worse of the man.\u00a0 Even that vice was tempered by Bill\u2019s tendency to give away almost as much as he gained to anyone with a sad story to tell, sometimes even to the very man from whom he\u2019d won the money.<\/p>\n

Billy Thomas pushed in close to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cGet out of here, boy,\u201d Ben grunted.\u00a0 While he was still concerned about Thorrington, he felt a more immediate responsibility for his friend\u2019s impetuous young son.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you men gonna do to him?\u201d Billy demanded, ignoring Ben\u2019s restraining hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, boy,\u201d one of the mob yelled.\u00a0 \u201cVigilantes ain\u2019t answerable to no milk-faced pup!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not so,\u201d an authoritative voice rang out.\u00a0 \u201cWe vigilantes welcome scrutiny.\u00a0 Every judgment we make must be open and above board.\u00a0 Answer the boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned to see William Ormsby pushing his way through the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what\u2019s the charge against this man?\u201d\u00a0 Ormsby demanded.<\/p>\n

Ben blew out a relieved puff of air.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t approve of vigilante justice, but Ormsby, at least, was a fair man or had been in all Ben\u2019s dealings with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMurder!\u201d came the accusation, and the crowd rumbled in agreement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s he supposed to have killed?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not him, exactly,\u201d one of the accusers admitted.\u00a0 \u201cThe murderer is William Edwards from California, but this man\u2019s been hidin\u2019 him out at his ranch, tryin\u2019 to sell the horse Edwards stole!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced sharply at Thorrington.\u00a0 He knew Lucky Bill had been participating in the sale of the horse, but no one as yet had given him reason to believe the horse stolen or, if he were, that Bill had known about it.\u00a0 \u201cYou got a bill of sale for that racehorse, Bill?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n

Ormsby lifted a hand.\u00a0 \u201cWait a minute, Cartwright.\u00a0 No evidence will be taken here on the street.\u00a0 Charges being duly brought, we\u2019ll hold this man for trial tomorrow afternoon, with John Cary as judge.\u00a0 Bring him to my store and we\u2019ll lock him in the storage room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still resisting, Lucky Bill was dragged down the street.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Edwards, Thorrington?\u201d his two main accusers demanded as they trailed him down the street.\u00a0 \u201cWhere you got him hid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Bill yelled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not hiding him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of the crowd followed the procession to Ormsby\u2019s store, but a group of five closed in, instead, on Thorrington\u2019s young son, Jerome.\u00a0 \u201cYou know where that killer is, boy, you\u2019d best speak up,\u201d they snarled.\u00a0 \u201cYour pa\u2019s sure to hang if you don\u2019t, and maybe you alongside him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The youngster blanched and turned anxious eyes toward Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t threaten the boy!\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo threat,\u201d one of the men growled.\u00a0 \u201cJust tellin\u2019 the youngun what\u2019s bound to happen if Edwards ain\u2019t found.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014\u2014and they\u2019ll let my pa go if they got Edwards instead?\u201d Jerome stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, son, no reason to hold an innocent man, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerome bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s camped out in a canyon back of our place.\u00a0 Said he didn\u2019t want to make extra work for Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, boys, let\u2019s get him!\u201d the ringleader shouted and the five took off east toward Thorrington\u2019s Clear Creek Ranch.<\/p>\n

Chin trembling, Jerome looked up.\u00a0 \u201cI did right, didn\u2019t I, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy Thomas answered instead.\u00a0 \u201cSure, you did.\u00a0 You had to speak up to save your pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed the youngster\u2019s shivering shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cGo home to your mother, boy; she\u2019ll need you.\u201d\u00a0 Jerome nodded and, wiping the tears from his eyes, went to close up the store.<\/p>\n

Billy Thomas turned to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI better get home,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019ll want to know about this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben muttered absently, wondering if he should see the Thorrington youngster home.\u00a0 No, the boy was upset, but too old to appreciate a nursemaid.\u00a0 Better to let him take the news to his mother by himself.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s attention jerked suddenly back to Billy.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s that paint I gave you, boy?\u00a0 You just drop it in the street when you came running, looking for trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Billy growled.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t a fool kid, even if that is how you\u2019re treatin\u2019 me.\u00a0 I seen your wagon there in front of Lucky Bill\u2019s and put the paint in back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Ben said, regretting his sharp words.\u00a0 After all, Billy hadn\u2019t volunteered to take charge of his goods.\u00a0 Would\u2019ve served me right if he did toss that paint in the dirt<\/em>, Ben thought with chagrin, though \u201cThanks, Billy,\u201d was all he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Billy shrugged, easily appeased.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna be comin\u2019 in for that trial, Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben muttered. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll be here.\u00a0 You tell your pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked back to his wagon, jaw clenching when he saw the supplies loaded inside.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t had a chance to pay Lucky Bill for them and didn\u2019t want to delay Jerome with business now.\u00a0 Thorrington would just have to trust him, though the man probably had more important matters on his mind\u2014\u2014like the preservation of his life and the future of his wife and child if the charges held up.<\/p>\n

Ben drove home slowly, pondering what would become of the territory if they couldn\u2019t find an effective means of law enforcement.\u00a0 So far, the vigilantes had only tried and sentenced a few minor offenders, but a charge of murder carried a heavier penalty.\u00a0 Would they really sentence a man to hang?\u00a0 And if they did, what made their so-called justice different from any other mob lynching?<\/p>\n

When the wagon pulled into the yard at the Ponderosa, both Adam and Hoss came running to meet their father.\u00a0 \u201cDid you get the paint?\u201d Adam asked eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re almost ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, did they have red?\u201d Hoss queried, trotting up at Adam\u2019s heels.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, the paint.\u00a0 No, I had to buy yellow, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 Seeing Hoss\u2019s disappointment, he put an arm around the younger boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYellow\u2019s a good color, Hoss; it\u2019ll look like sunshine on the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up at his big brother and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah!\u00a0 Like sunshine.\u00a0 That\u2019s good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben handed the reins of the horses to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cUnload the supplies and unhitch the team, will you, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Adam said, brow furrowing.\u00a0 \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Without explaining, he walked toward the house.<\/p>\n

The furrows in Adam\u2019s forehead deepened.\u00a0 Something really was bothering Pa.\u00a0 Adam wanted to help and decided the best way to do that was to complete the chores his father had given him.\u00a0 Show himself a man and maybe Pa would confide in him like one.\u00a0 \u201cYou start unloading, Hoss,\u201d he directed, \u201cwhile I unhitch the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside, Ben pulled off his hat, hanging it on one of the pegs to the left of the front door.\u00a0 Marie came to greet him with a kiss, but the one he returned carried little of his usual passion.\u00a0 The young Creole immediately sensed that something was wrong.\u00a0 \u201cNo mail?\u00a0 No letter from John?\u201d she asked, stroking his rough cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Ben asked, pulling himself out of the cloud in which he\u2019d moved ever since leaving town.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah, there was a letter from John.\u00a0 I\u2019d forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s emerald eyes clouded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat could make you forget that?\u201d she pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble in town,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cTell you later.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see what that brother of mine has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, let\u2019s,\u201d Marie urged, hoping the news would brighten his countenance.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Ben had waited for months for his brother\u2019s reply to his suggestion to come west with young Will, and when it finally came, the answer was not the one he\u2019d hoped for.\u00a0 According to John\u2019s letter, Will was infuriated by the suggestion that they abandon the place his mother had slaved to preserve.\u00a0 His father, he felt, owed it to her memory to spend as much time there as he\u2019d spent gallivanting around the west and the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0 John felt he couldn\u2019t refuse.\u00a0 He\u2019d delayed answering Ben\u2019s letter in hopes Will would change his mind, but it was clear the boy\u2019s anger ran deep.\u00a0 Maybe in time Will would forgive him and be willing to move on, but John wouldn\u2019t risk losing the boy by insisting he do so now.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn is wise,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cI know the decision saddens you, mon mari<\/em>, but I am sure it is the right one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cIt is, of course.\u00a0 That boy\u2019s broken-hearted; he\u2019s got to be given time to heal.\u201d\u00a0 Ben sighed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it wasn\u2019t such a good idea asking them here, anyway.\u00a0 Maybe they\u2019re better off in settled territory where\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.\u00a0 Then he began with Lucky Bill\u2019s offering to sell him that beautiful thoroughbred and ended with his being dragged off to Ormsby\u2019s storeroom.\u00a0 \u201cMob justice,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of place is that to raise a family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think Lucky Bill will be found guilty?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

Ben stood abruptly and began to poke at the fire.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know; I couldn\u2019t tell if they had any evidence or not.\u00a0 Maybe that\u2019ll come out at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will attend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d he said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cFor all the good it\u2019ll do.\u00a0 They won\u2019t put me on the jury, not after how outspoken I\u2019ve been against the vigilance committee, but maybe having people like me there to scrutinize their so-called justice will make them give Thorrington at least the semblance of due process.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

It was still well before noon when Ben crossed the Carson River, ironically over the toll bridge in which Lucky Bill was a partner.\u00a0 White puffs of cottonwood seed floated in the air, drifting with Ben as he rode into Genoa.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure where the trial would be held, but he could see a crowd forming on the triangular green at the center of town.\u00a0 Riding to the Main Street side of the triangle, he dismounted, tied his bay to a nearby shrub and walked onto the green.\u00a0 \u201cTrial being held outdoors?\u201d he asked the first man he met, a young lawyer named Richard Allen.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, lots of folks interested in this one,\u201d Allen said.\u00a0 \u201cI, for one, can\u2019t believe Lucky Billy\u2019s involved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, either,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it should be starting soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and moved back to his horse.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t all that hungry yet, but now was probably the best time to eat the sandwiches Hop Sing had packed.\u00a0 Chances were he\u2019d have even less appetite later.\u00a0 As he pulled a sandwich from his saddlebag, a young voice called out, \u201cHey, got any more?\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking over his shoulder, Ben saw Clyde give Billy a half-hearted clout on the ear.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have Ben thinkin\u2019 your ma don\u2019t feed you,\u201d Clyde scolded.<\/p>\n

The corner of Ben\u2019s mouth quirked upward.\u00a0 \u201cI know Nelly better than that!\u00a0 Probably stuffed you to the gills before she\u2019d let you out the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI admit it,\u201d Billy joked, \u201cbut us growin\u2019 boys need lots of grub.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave a short laugh and handed his sandwich to Billy, taking another from the bag for himself.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got one more if you\u2019re still growing, too,\u201d he told Clyde dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cBound to be hungry before this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think it\u2019ll be a long trial?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Clyde shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cCould be, with two men to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced sharply at him.\u00a0 \u201cThey found Edwards?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, brought him in last night and locked him up with Lucky Bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight where Jerome said he\u2019d be,\u201d Billy added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope it is a long trial,\u201d Ben said soberly as he unwrapped his sandwich.\u00a0 \u201cAs serious as the charges are, I hope the jury takes its time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDepends on how strong the evidence is, I reckon,\u201d Clyde remarked.\u00a0 \u201cWay I heard it, the men that caught him came all the way from Honey Lake, pretendin\u2019 to be horse buyers to smoke out who had that thoroughbred.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSounds bad, I admit, but it\u2019ll take more than that to convince me Bill\u2019s guilty.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got more confidence in this kind of justice than I do.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019ll get a seat on the jury, get a chance to make it a fair trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t that high thought of.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be committee members does the judgin\u2019, and I ain\u2019t joined.\u201d<\/p>\n

That surprised Ben slightly, having heard Clyde express approval for the committee on a number of occasions.\u00a0 On the other hand, Clyde had always been more bark than bite, never one to push himself to the front.<\/p>\n

The trio had just finished their sandwiches when William Ormsby, curly black hair blowing in the wind, exited his store.\u00a0 Behind him, under guard of acting sheriff W. T. C. Elliott, one of the men who had trailed Edwards from Honey Lake, walked the two defendants, faces drooping, steps dragging.\u00a0 Ben, Clyde and Billy moved closer.\u00a0 So did the other spectators.<\/p>\n

John L. Cary called the proceeding to order; the eighteen-member jury was selected, all known vigilance committee members; and the first trial, that of William Edwards, began.\u00a0 Men from Honey Lake Valley gave testimony of the shooting of rancher Henri Gordier and the theft of his herd of cattle and a thoroughbred racehorse.\u00a0 The men, each a neighbor of Gordier, had examined the horse in Lucky Bill\u2019s corral and identified it as Gordier\u2019s property.<\/p>\n

The crowd listened in hushed attention as the witnesses admitted that a man named Snow had, at first, been accused of the murder, but after Snow\u2019s hanging, the truth began to leak out and the Honey Lake Valley citizens realized they\u2019d hung the wrong man.\u00a0 Later evidence all pointed to William Edwards, whose sudden flight added to the suggestion of his guilt.<\/p>\n

When Edwards took the stand in his own defense, he denied any knowledge of Gordier\u2019s murder, but his inability to produce a bill of sale for the horse Bill Thorrington had tried to sell on his behalf weighed heavily against him.\u00a0 Finally, under the pressure of bombarding questions, Edwards broke down, weeping, and admitted he had killed the Frenchman, rustled his herd and stolen the horse.\u00a0 Seeing suspicion mounting against him, he had ridden into Utah \u00a0Territory, taking only the horse, and sought refuge with his old friend Bill Thorrington.\u00a0 \u201cBut Bill never knew what I\u2019d done,\u201d Edwards insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI lied to him, same as to everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

The jury deliberated only a short time before returning a verdict of guilty and sentencing Edwards to be returned to HoneyLakeValley and hanged at the scene of his crime.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t say that weren\u2019t a fair trial,\u201d Clyde declared, his steely eyes daring Ben to say otherwise.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 Hard to argue with the verdict when the man confessed.\u00a0 Hard even to feel sympathy for someone who had knowingly allowed an innocent man to hang in his place.\u00a0 \u201cHis testimony seems to vindicate Thorrington, though,\u201d he told Clyde.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s tellin\u2019 the truth,\u201d Clyde said, \u201cand it ain\u2019t just a case of old friends hangin\u2019 together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich they\u2019re likely to do if they find Lucky Bill guilty,\u201d Billy joked.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned, and Clyde turned snapping eyes on his son.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no call for that kind of nonsense,\u201d he sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cYou shame me like that once more, boy, and you\u2019ll be too saddle-sore to mount that roan of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy took the hint and wiped the saucy grin off his face.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ll straighten up,\u201d he vowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee that you do,\u201d Clyde grunted, turning apologetically to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cShouldn\u2019t\u2019ve brought the boy, I reckon, but I figured he\u2019d handle himself better than this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s young,\u201d Ben muttered tersely.\u00a0 \u201cLiving\u2019s still a game to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy flushed and stalked away.\u00a0 He was willing to admit he\u2019d gotten out of line, but he didn\u2019t see why they\u2019d come down on him so hard, why they kept treating him like a kid, when he knew himself to be a man.\u00a0 Hadn\u2019t he done a man\u2019s work this spring, plowing and planting those fields?\u00a0 Sure, sixteen was young, but it made him a young man<\/em>, not a fool kid.\u00a0 He decided he\u2019d view the second trial from the opposite side of the green.<\/p>\n

William Thorrington was not charged with the murder originally cried against him but with being an accessory after the fact to the crime.\u00a0 The way the crowd was rumbling as testimony was taken, however, made Ben fear the penalty would be the same, although the evidence was shaky, at best.\u00a0 The worst that could be said against Lucky Bill was that he\u2019d given Edwards shelter.\u00a0 If he knew of Edwards\u2019 crime, that would make him an accessory to murder, Ben agreed.\u00a0 But Edwards himself had said that Bill did not know.\u00a0 In Ben\u2019s mind, that raised enough doubt that he would have voted against conviction, had he been on the jury.\u00a0 But he wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 Bill Thorrington\u2019s fate was in the hands of eighteen men who had taken it upon themselves to determine justice.\u00a0 Ben could only hope that the man\u2019s renowned luck in gambling would deal him a winning hand today.<\/p>\n

That reputation as a gambler, though, seemed to be weighing against the defendant, at least according to the crowd milling about as they waited for the jury\u2019s deliberation.\u00a0 Ben, of course, had known of Bill\u2019s skill at the game of thimble-rig, and knew enough to stay away, as he did from most gambling opportunities.\u00a0 Life itself was a big enough gamble in Ben\u2019s eyes, and other than a sociable hand of poker with well-known friends, he never participated in gaming.\u00a0 Thorrington was known as a sharper, however, by too many people to be dismissed, but the man wasn\u2019t on trial for gambling; he was being tried for murder, and it didn\u2019t matter what else he was guilty of, so long as he was innocent of that charge.\u00a0 Ben was sure he was.<\/p>\n

\u201cJury\u2019s taking a long time,\u201d Ben commented to Clyde as they waited.<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon that pleases you,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t plan on bein\u2019 gone this long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cFree to leave anytime you like, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde uttered a harsh laugh.\u00a0 \u201cReckon I\u2019ll see it through.\u00a0 Don\u2019t understand what\u2019s takin\u2019 so long, though.\u00a0 Seemed cut and dried to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cJust not enough evidence to convict.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde\u2019s blue eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cI heard plenty!\u00a0 He\u2019d\u2019ve been danglin\u2019 by now if I\u2019d been on that jury like you was wantin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s mouth gaped.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re kidding!\u00a0 On what evidence?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde spat a stream of brown tobacco to his right and turned back to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t it strike you suspicious that Edwards was holed up in that canyon behind<\/em> the ranch?\u00a0 When we got guests, we keep \u2018em in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 It was the one thing that had raised suspicion in his mind.\u00a0 \u201cDoes kind of make it look like Bill knew Edwards needed a hiding place, but who can say what story the man told?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy ambled up, hands stuffed in his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t got anymore of them sandwiches, do you, Uncle Ben?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019d you take off to, boy?\u201d Clyde demanded.<\/p>\n

Billy waved his arm behind him.\u00a0 \u201cOver there, across the green.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh!\u00a0 View better over there, I reckon,\u201d his father muttered.<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, but they\u2019re sure makin\u2019 interestin\u2019 talk.\u00a0 I never knew Lucky Bill was a Mormon, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Billy knew his father\u2019s ears would perk up at that and his irritation be deflected to a new target.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not,\u201d Ben growled, seeing through Billy\u2019s stratagem and not liking it.\u00a0 \u201cThorrington\u2019s a gentile, same as we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy argued.\u00a0 \u201cFolks been sayin\u2019 he\u2019s got a second wife hid out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019d heard that,\u201d Clyde grunted.\u00a0 \u201cIt had passed my mind, but I remember now.\u00a0 That Thorrington\u2019s had a passel of practice at hidin\u2019 things, seems to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Clyde,\u201d Ben protested.\u00a0 \u201cFor the love of mercy!\u00a0 The minute anyone mentions the word \u2018Mormon,\u2019 you lose all sense of objectivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Face flaming, Clyde pulled himself upright and glared at his old friend.\u00a0 \u201cWho made you judge and jury over everything under the sun, Ben Cartwright?\u201d he snorted.\u00a0 \u201cThorrington\u2019s innocent just \u2018cause you say so, ain\u2019t that the way of it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but because the facts don\u2019t prove him guilty,\u201d Ben insisted.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Clyde, I have no quarrel with you.\u00a0 I think you\u2019re wrong, and I think you\u2019re letting your feelings color your judgment, but you\u2019re entitled to your opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you to yours,\u201d Clyde grunted, \u201cwrong as it is.\u201d\u00a0 Ben chose to keep his mouth shut.<\/p>\n

The ensuing silence made Billy uncomfortable.\u00a0 Secretly, he leaned to Ben Cartwright\u2019s opinion, but he didn\u2019t dare say that in front of his father.\u00a0 He had to go home with Clyde and didn\u2019t relish meeting the wrong end of a birch branch when he got there.\u00a0 Finally, he noticed the jury filing back into place and felt he\u2019d found a safe comment to make.\u00a0 \u201cGuess we\u2019ll find out what them men thinks real soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush up, boy.\u00a0 I want to hear them, not you,\u201d his father growled.<\/p>\n

Billy pressed his back against a nearby pine, breath held.\u00a0 He\u2019d caught a glimpse of Jerome, standing near his father, and all of a sudden the trial wasn\u2019t just a way to pass time anymore.\u00a0 Real folks, one of them a boy younger than himself, were about to be raised to the peak of joy or tossed into a gully of despair.\u00a0 Billy felt his stomach knot up like it was his own pa on trial.\u00a0 Up to that moment he hadn\u2019t really cared which way the verdict went, but when it was read, an involuntary groan welled up in his throat.<\/p>\n

No one heard it, not even the two men standing closest, for at the same instant the crowd roared its approval and a woman\u2019s shriek pierced the shouting.\u00a0 The sound died down briefly as the judge delivered the sentence.\u00a0 Like Edwards, Thorrington was sentenced to hang at the scene of his crime\u2014\u2014in this case, the ranch where he had hidden the murderer. As the sheriff came forward to take Thorrington into custody to await the appointed day of his death, Mrs. Thorrington clutched her husband possessively, and Ben started forward.\u00a0 Clyde threw an arm across Ben\u2019s chest.\u00a0 Irritated, Ben shoved the arm aside and walked boldly toward the weeping woman.\u00a0 Clyde started after him, then stopped, satisfied that Ben wasn\u2019t putting himself in danger when he saw him move toward the woman instead of those guarding the man.<\/p>\n

A few others had moved toward the distraught woman, as well, trying vainly to comfort her.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Thorrington,\u201d Ben began, scarcely knowing what to say, \u201cif there\u2019s anything I can do for you\u201d\u2014\u2014he stopped, uncomfortable under the fixed stare of her glazed eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo?\u00a0 You want to do something?\u201d she screamed.\u00a0 \u201cStop them!\u00a0 Stop them!\u201d\u00a0 The woman collapsed, crumpling to the grass, her boy\u2019s arms swiftly encircling her neck.\u00a0 Another woman leaned over the pair, whispering something into Mrs. Thorrington\u2019s ear.\u00a0 Feeling useless, Ben walked away.<\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t get away, however, from the challenge Mrs. Thorrington had shrieked at him.\u00a0 Her voice haunted him as he rode home, haunted his dreams throughout a restless night.\u00a0 Stop them, she had pleaded, but how could he?\u00a0 One man against an angry mob.\u00a0 Ben wrestled with his conscience all night long.<\/p>\n

He woke to a soft hand stroking his whiskered cheek.\u00a0 \u201cMon mari<\/em>, what is wrong?\u201d Marie asked tenderly.\u00a0 \u201cYou moan so in your sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said, kissing her fingertips.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to disturb you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, you treat me as a child,\u201d Marie pouted.\u00a0 \u201cI am your wife, meant to share your troubles, not to be protected from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pulled her down to his breast and sighed, running his fingers through her golden hair.\u00a0 \u201cDearest, there\u2019s nothing you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Monsieur<\/em> Thorrington?\u00a0 No, and nothing you can do, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gently pushed her away and sat up.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe not, but I have to try, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, no!\u201d she whispered, her voice urgent, but soft, aware of Little Joe\u2019s presence in the next room.\u00a0 \u201cYou cannot fight the vigilantes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not talking about fighting,\u201d Ben assured her, taking both cheeks in his weathered palms.\u00a0 \u201cBill\u2019s not scheduled to hang until tomorrow.\u00a0 That gives me time to talk to some of the vigilante leaders, try to make them see reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben, he was tried and convicted,\u201d Marie argued.\u00a0 \u201cWhat can you say that will change that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t a legal trial, Marie,\u201d Ben insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you told me you once served on such a jury.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd argued\u2014\u2014successfully, I might add\u2014\u2014against invoking the death penalty.\u00a0 Only the authorized government should take on that responsibility I contended then and still do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think they will listen again, as they did before?\u201d Marie queried.<\/p>\n

Ben took her hands, pleading for understanding.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, my love, but I have to try.\u00a0 You see that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled weakly.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, my love, I understand, but be careful.\u00a0 Oh, Ben, be careful!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben kissed her.\u00a0 \u201cI will, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie spent the day moving aimlessly from one room to another, telling herself repeatedly there was no reason for worry, yet worry stalked her footsteps.\u00a0 Only the occasional needs of her baby could distract her thoughts for long from her husband\u2019s quest for justice.\u00a0 Where was Ben?\u00a0 What response was he receiving?\u00a0 And if it were the one she feared, would Ben be content to stand by and watch William Thorrington hang at dawn on Saturday?\u00a0 Or would he take foolish action to try to stop the execution?<\/p>\n

Her nervous fidgeting at the noon meal told the boys something was wrong.\u00a0 Adam, who tended to feel himself responsible for the ranch in his father\u2019s absence, demanded an explanation.\u00a0 Marie told him briefly what his father was trying to accomplish.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll listen,\u201d Adam assured her.\u00a0 \u201cFolks around here respect Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they seem so sure Monsieur<\/em> Thorrington is guilty, Adam,\u201d Marie murmured.\u00a0 \u201cThere are others who feel as your father, I am sure, but there cannot be many.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam soothed with a boy\u2019s implicit trust in the wisdom and infallibility of his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou through yet, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t rush me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAs if I could, slow poke.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you outside.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Marie.\u00a0 \u201cWe should have the boat painted in an hour or so.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you come out and take a look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time an hour passed, Little Joe was awake from his nap and toddled happily at his mother\u2019s side to see the new boat.\u00a0 \u201cOoh,\u201d he cooed and reached for the sunny yellow shape.<\/p>\n

Adam pulled his hand back.\u00a0 \u201cUnh-uh.\u00a0 Don\u2019t touch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe whimpered piteously and stretched once more for the object of his desire.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still wet, Punkin,\u201d Hoss explained, futilely.\u00a0 Little Joe began to wail stormily.<\/p>\n

Marie lifted him and spoke sternly or, at least, as sternly as she ever spoke to her precious baby boy.\u00a0 \u201cIf you are going to start that, Joseph, I will have to take you back inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe understood only one word, but \u2018inside\u2019 was sufficient threat to make his sobbing subside to a mere whimper.\u00a0 Marie smiled and patted his back soothingly.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a beautiful boat, boys, and I am sure you will enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam agreed with satisfaction.\u00a0 \u201cI wish it was our turn to have the Thomases here.\u00a0 I\u2019d sure like Billy to see it this Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA week will make no difference,\u201d Marie laughed.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I guess not.\u00a0 It needs another coat anyway, but there\u2019s plenty of time.\u00a0 We wanted it ready for the Fourth, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, I know,\u201d Marie said, gazing down the beaten road to the house.\u00a0 No sign of Ben yet, but she hadn\u2019t expected an early return.\u00a0 She knew Ben wouldn\u2019t rest until he\u2019d talked to everyone who had the power to overturn the vigilantes\u2019 decision.<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t arrived by the time Hop Sing set supper on the table.\u00a0 \u201cWhere Mistah Ben?\u201d the irascible cook demanded.\u00a0 \u201cDinnah leady now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will wait for Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Marie said firmly, \u201cbut you may prepare a plate for the boys if they are hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot for me,\u201d Adam said, black eyes glinting.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps the children should eat,\u201d he added loftily, daring anyone to relegate him to the classification of a youngster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should probably feed Little Joe,\u201d Marie said, \u201cand put him to bed.\u00a0 He\u2019s getting sleepy.\u00a0 Would you like to eat now, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>, or wait for Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Recognizing her characteristic name for him, Hoss jumped up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll eat now,\u201d he said.\u00a0 What was the point of putting off a good meal just \u2018cause Pa was late?\u00a0 Pa\u2019d want him to eat, Hoss figured, following Hop Sing into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

The Chinese cook snuffled, his ire only slightly ameliorated by having one member of the family ready to eat his food while it was at its best.\u00a0 To Hoss, however, he smiled benevolently and dished up a heaping plate of roast beef with roasted potatoes, carrots and green beans seasoned with bits of bacon.<\/p>\n

When he finished, Hoss offered to take Little Joe to bed.\u00a0 The baby looked too sleepy to keep him company for long, but anything, even turning in early himself, was better than sitting around downstairs, where everyone was either angry, worried or too busy playing grownup to be any fun.<\/p>\n

The night was dark, the wind chilly, when Ben rode in and wearily wrapped the reins of his bay around the hitching rail before the house.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see to your horse, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the ranch foreman offered, coming out of the bunkhouse when he heard the horse neigh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Enos,\u201d Ben said and walked into the house.<\/p>\n

He was met practically inside the front door by a barrage of Chinese, interspersed with rebukes in English.\u00a0 \u201cWhy you late?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.\u00a0 \u201cDinnah all cold, velly bad, you unnahstand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes, I understand,\u201d Ben muttered, \u201cbut I\u2019m not hungry, Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing stomped his slippered foot.\u00a0 \u201cNobody eat, velly bad!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is enough, Hop Sing,\u201d Marie said, coming between them to pull Ben toward the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cYou can see that Mr. Cartwright is too tired to eat now, and he is also too tired to listen to your chattering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s cheeks puffed out.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe so, Hop Sing go back China.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeel free,\u201d Ben growled.\u00a0 He\u2019d had his fill of hopeless argument for the day.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing caught his breath, turned and stalked into the kitchen.\u00a0 He had, of course, no intention of returning to China.\u00a0 He owed too great a debt to Mr. Cartwright to ever leave him.\u00a0 But an uneaten meal revealed a disturbed mind, in Hop Sing\u2019s opinion, so he made the threat to balance the concern he felt.\u00a0 Mr. Ben had troubles, and Hop Sing knew no better way to counter them than to offer a warm, filling meal.\u00a0 If Mr. Ben wouldn\u2019t let him do that, there was nothing left but to feign great displeasure and stomp off, in hopes that Mr. Ben would remember the next time and submit rather than endure another such scene.\u00a0 The tactic worked more often than not, but it was unavailing that night.<\/p>\n

Once Ben was seated, Marie sat beside him, running her fingers through the hair at his temple.\u00a0 \u201cYou have had a long day,\u201d she whispered, \u201cand I think it did not go as you hoped.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head and laid it against her shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still gonna hang Lucky Bill, Pa?\u201d Adam, perched on the table before the sofa, quizzed.\u00a0 \u201cI was sure you could talk them out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSorry to disappoint you, but your father\u2019s not quite as convincing as you thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is sad, Ben,\u201d Marie murmured, \u201cbut you have tried your best.\u00a0 You must take comfort in that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at her sharply. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t find that thought very comforting, Marie, not when it means an innocent man\u2019s death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wisely, she said nothing, merely nodded and stroked his forehead with a soothing hand.\u00a0 Ben smiled\u2014\u2014a weak, weary smile that conveyed no joy.\u00a0 Then, the words having taken this long to register, he remembered Hop Sing\u2019s querulous complaint.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t any of you eaten?\u201d Ben queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss did,\u201d Adam reported, \u201cand Little Joe, of course.\u00a0 We decided to wait for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m still holding you up.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI have no appetite, but you two should eat.\u00a0 This is my worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie closed her small hand over his.\u00a0 \u201cYour worries are mine, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMine, too,\u201d Adam declared.<\/p>\n

Ben uttered a short, humorless laugh.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam; you\u2019re just a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the worst comment he could have made.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d Adam protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going on sixteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cAnd still have a ways to go to get there.\u00a0 For mercy\u2019s sake, Adam, be a boy while you can\u2014\u2014and go eat your dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam resented his father\u2019s attitude, but his stomach told him he really was hungry.\u00a0 Deciding that ignoring it in no way enhanced his status as an adult, he went into the kitchen and requested a plate of food from Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHumph!\u00a0 \u2018Bout time somebody make good sense,\u201d the little Cantonese announced, reaching for a clean plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cShows good sense, Hop Sing,\u201d Adam corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, so?\u00a0 Show good sense,\u201d Hop Sing repeated.\u00a0 He had early learned that Adam was his best resource for learning English.\u00a0 \u201cMistah Ben, Missy Cahtlight show good sense pletty quick now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Marie.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s showing no sense at all tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Though Hop Sing didn\u2019t catch Adam\u2019s real meaning, he shook his head in vigorous agreement with the boy\u2019s disapproval.<\/p>\n

Ben lay as still as possible in his bed that night.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t sleep, but he knew if he tossed the way he had the previous night that Marie\u2019s sleep would again be disturbed.\u00a0 So he lay staring at the ceiling, trying to convince himself he\u2019d done his best, that there was nothing more he could do, but over and over his tired brain hammered a single theme\u2014\u2014\u201cStop them, stop them\u201d\u2014\u2014the words Mrs. Thorrington had screamed at him.<\/p>\n

In the gray light of the half moon, he slipped quietly from his bed and began to dress as noiselessly as possible.\u00a0 In her sleep Marie\u2019s hand touched the empty pillow beside her, and her eyes opened as she sensed something wrong.\u00a0 Sitting up quickly, she saw Ben pulling on his boots.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Ben came to sit beside her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to stop that hanging, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie suppressed a cry of alarm.\u00a0 \u201cBen, you cannot,\u201d she pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cThey will kill you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I\u2019ll be all right,\u201d he assured her, though he\u2019d spent the night wondering whether he\u2019d ever see another.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, dearest, but this is something I have to do.\u201d\u00a0 He kissed her swiftly, stood and headed for the door.<\/p>\n

Marie sprang out of bed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Ben!\u201d she shrieked, forgetting the sleeping children in her panic for him.\u00a0 She ran across the room and threw her arms around him.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t let you go!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pried her hands away.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, don\u2019t do this,\u201d he begged.\u00a0 \u201cI have to go.\u201d\u00a0 He walked into the dark hall.<\/p>\n

Without stopping to throw a peignoir over her gauzy nightgown, Marie ran after him, bare feet oblivious to the cold, hardwood floor.\u00a0 \u201cBen!\u201d<\/p>\n

Two more doors opened.\u00a0 Adam ran into the hall, instantly alert, while Hoss stared, bleary-eyed, from his doorway.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me stop him, Adam!\u201d Marie begged.\u00a0 \u201cHe is going to get himself killed!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss jerked awake, terrified.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s gonna kill Pa?\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, please,\u201d Ben begged.\u00a0 He looked from one son to the other.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing here to concern you boys.\u00a0 Get back to bed,\u201d he ordered firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing, Pa?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s gonna kill my pa?\u201d Hoss yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnswer them!\u201d Marie ordered hotly.\u00a0 \u201cTell your sons what a fool they have for a father!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough,\u201d Ben shouted.\u00a0 \u201cI cannot stand by and watch an innocent man hang, and nothing you say can make me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie clutched at him, sliding to the floor, her cheek pressed to the top of his brown boots.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Ben, no,\u201d she sobbed, clinging to his ankles.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, let go of me!\u201d Ben commanded brusquely, grasping her arms and flinging her off.\u00a0 He moved swiftly for the stairs.<\/p>\n

Another shriek reverberated down the hall, not Marie this time.\u00a0 The angry voices had awakened the youngest Cartwright and he was declaring his indignation to the heavens.\u00a0 \u201cTake care of our boy,\u201d Ben said softly from the head of the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cTake care of all my boys.\u201d\u00a0 His voice choked and he ran downstairs, stopping only to take his Colt\u2019s Navy 41 from the cabinet beside the door.\u00a0 Though Ben had rarely carried a firearm until the misunderstanding in Genoa had strained relations with the Indians, he was competent in its use, and he knew he\u2019d need it this morning.\u00a0 Mere words had already failed.<\/p>\n

Weeping, Marie stood and headed toward the nursery, Hoss\u2019s bare feet padding down the hall after her.\u00a0 Adam, face set with determination, went back into his room to hustle into his clothes.\u00a0 Grabbing his breech-loading .45 Sharps and ammunition, he moved silently through the house and trotted across the yard into the barn.<\/p>\n

Ben had just finished saddling his bay when Adam came in and reached for a saddle blanket.\u00a0 \u201cJust what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with you,\u201d Adam declared.\u00a0 \u201cTwo have a better chance than one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous, boy,\u201d Ben snapped.\u00a0 \u201cThis is not some adventure out of a storybook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Adam sputtered, \u201cbut I know you\u2019re likely to get yourself killed if you try doing this alone.\u201d\u00a0 He threw the blanket on the back of his sorrel mare.<\/p>\n

Ben snatched it off.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not going,\u201d he said bluntly, \u201cand that\u2019s an order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, I am,\u201d Adam insisted stubbornly, arms akimbo.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t stop me anymore than Marie could stop you.\u00a0 Quit treating me like a kid, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben drew his arm back and slapped the boy, hard, across the face.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand flew to his stinging cheek.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t ever remember his father\u2019s striking him, not that way.\u00a0 Hot tears swam in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPa, let me go,\u201d he pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cIf you can\u2019t stand by and watch Lucky Bill hang, how do you expect me to stand by and let you be killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grasped him by both arms, his fingers digging painfully into the boy\u2019s flesh.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ordering you to stay here, Adam,\u201d he said firmly; then his voice became tender.\u00a0 \u201cLook after Marie and your brothers.\u00a0 I\u2019m counting on you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben led his bay out of the barn, mounted and galloped toward the valley.<\/p>\n

Running outside, Adam watched his father ride away.\u00a0 Tears coursed unashamedly down his cheeks.\u00a0 He knew what his father meant.\u00a0 There was a good chance he wouldn\u2019t be coming back, and he had to know that Marie and the little boys would have someone to care for them and provide for them.\u00a0 Adam realized his father had paid him a great compliment in giving him that responsibility, a man\u2019s responsibility, but he didn\u2019t want it.\u00a0 Pa had told him last night to be a boy while he could, and suddenly Adam found himself wishing his boyhood could go on forever, because that would mean he still had a father to take care of him.<\/p>\n

Ben rode his bay harder than he ever had before, and the animal, sensing his urgency, galloped past the dark skeletons of the pines on each side of the mountain trail.\u00a0 Occasionally, Ben slowed where the footing was uneven or to give the gelding a chance to catch his breath, then urged him on again.\u00a0 The hanging was scheduled for dawn, and Ben couldn\u2019t afford to be a minute late.\u00a0 Even seconds might make the difference.<\/p>\n

Though it was still too dark to see the scenery flashing past, the land made its presence known through Ben\u2019s other senses.\u00a0 The crisp, pine-scented air sent waves of nostalgia rippling through him, and, drown it out though he tried, Ben couldn\u2019t silence the fear that he\u2019d never again breathe the air of these hills he loved so much.\u00a0 As he entered the valley, it was the pungent fragrance of sage that pierced his nostrils and whispered to him of home.\u00a0 The feel of the cool breeze against his unshaven face, the yelp of a distant coyote\u2014\u2014every sight, sound and smell a siren\u2019s voice calling him to stop, to turn his horse and gallop back to the comfort and peace of home.\u00a0 But another voice blared louder, the voice of his conscience, sounding surprisingly like that of Thorrington\u2019s wife.\u00a0 Fool\u2019s message though it shouted, Ben had to respond.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t live with himself if he didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The sun was rising, but a purple haze still hung in the air when Ben rode onto Bill Thorrington\u2019s Clear Creek Ranch.\u00a0 Standing in black silhouette against the lavender sky was a single tree, a wagon pulled beneath it, and around the wagon hangman and spectators stood, waiting for the designated hour.\u00a0 There was no sign yet of Lucky Bill.\u00a0 Probably inside, being given a few last moments with his family.<\/p>\n

Ben charged into the group, and men scattered in all directions to avoid the bay\u2019s flying hooves.\u00a0 He wheeled and, drawing his Navy revolver, swept it in an arc before him.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019ll be no hanging here today,\u201d he announced loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d a familiar voice shouted.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head jerked to the right, and his eyes flew wide with shock as he recognized Clyde Thomas.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t counted on having to fight his old friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, you\u2019re overstepping yourself!\u201d Elliott, the vigilantes\u2019 sheriff yelled.<\/p>\n

Ben faced front again.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I am, but you men are overstepping the law itself.\u00a0 Now, bring Bill Thorrington out here, and put him on a horse.\u00a0 I\u2019m taking him to California for a legal trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, don\u2019t do this,\u201d Clyde pleaded.\u00a0 His eyes flicked nervously from Ben to the men closing in on him, and he almost instinctively shouted a warning, clamping his mouth shut at the last second.\u00a0 Ben had to be stopped, no two ways about it, but Clyde didn\u2019t want to see his old friend hurt.<\/p>\n

Elliott stepped forward, showing no fear of Ben\u2019s drawn pistol.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re well respected in this community, Cartwright; don\u2019t jeopardize that position by one foolish action.\u00a0 I call upon you to step aside and let us carry out the decision of our duly appointed judge and jury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStep aside and let you hang an innocent man, you mean!\u201d Ben snapped, eyes flashing.\u00a0 \u201cNever!\u00a0 Get Bill out here and on a horse.\u00a0 Now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Cartwright, all right,\u201d Elliott said, making a calming gesture with his hands.\u00a0 He moved toward the house, as if to obey Ben\u2019s instructions.\u00a0 Watching Elliott closely, Ben saw the sheriff nod but realized too late the nod was a signal to men who\u2019d moved in behind him.\u00a0 Ben felt himself dragged from his horse, his pistol twisted from his hand.\u00a0 Suddenly, men were grabbing him on all sides.\u00a0 He threw punches left and right, finding targets, but doing little damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u00a0 Ben, stop it!\u201d Clyde yelled in his ear.\u00a0 Glancing to his left, Ben saw Clyde hanging onto his arm, keeping him from defending himself.\u00a0 \u201cLet me go!\u201d Ben demanded, wrenching his arm loose.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis civic duty, that\u2019s what, Cartwright!\u201d shouted a man who punctuated his declaration with a blow that opened a cut on Ben\u2019s lip.<\/p>\n

Clyde made another grab for him, and Ben rounded with a jab to Clyde\u2019s jaw that decked his old friend.\u00a0 Clyde jumped up quickly and sprang at Ben, Clyde and five or six others.\u00a0 Ben felt himself knocked to the ground, at least one man holding each of his limbs.<\/p>\n

\u201cString him up next to Lucky Bill!\u201d yelled the man clutching one of Ben\u2019s flailing legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Clyde hollered as he wrestled with Ben\u2019s left arm.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s an interferin\u2019 fool, but that ain\u2019t a hangin\u2019 crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThomas is right!\u201d Elliott, standing over them, announced.\u00a0 \u201cTie him up \u2018til our business is finished.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019ll give no trouble after that\u2014\u2014or suffer the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde grabbed a rope and began to wrap Ben\u2019s wrists.\u00a0 \u201cClyde, stop!\u201d Ben cried, struggling to get free.\u00a0 \u201cFor the love of mercy, don\u2019t take part in this!\u00a0 Help me stop it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShut up, Ben,\u201d Clyde hissed.\u00a0 \u201cYou tryin\u2019 to get yourself killed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben brought his wrapped wrists up with a sudden movement and struck Clyde under the chin.\u00a0 The other men holding him quickly subdued him. One avenged the attack on Thomas by battering his face while the others held him down.\u00a0 Blood spurted from his nostrils, dribbling down into his mouth.<\/p>\n

Clyde yanked back the arm of the man inflicting the punishing blows.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u00a0 Just tie him up, Elliott said.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men holding Ben sat him up and Clyde, after tightening the bonds on Ben\u2019s wrists, began to wrap the rope about his arms and torso.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t see eye to eye on this one, Ben,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cI know it\u2019s hard, but this is for your own good.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others tied Ben\u2019s feet. \u00a0\u201cBring him up to the wagon,\u201d Elliott ordered.\u00a0 \u201cLet him get a good look at Carson justice.\u00a0 Maybe he won\u2019t be so quick to go against it the next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shout of approval met this suggestion, and Ben was hauled to his feet, trussed so tightly he couldn\u2019t stand, much less walk, and dragged close to the tree and wagon that would serve as Thorrington\u2019s gallows.\u00a0 Clyde stepped aside, leaving Ben to the rough handling of the outraged vigilantes, but he hovered close\u2014\u2014either as protector or guard, depending on whether one viewed his action through Clyde\u2019s eyes or Ben\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The door to Thorrington\u2019s house opened and Bill walked calmly out, his wife and son remaining inside, probably at his instruction.\u00a0 Ben licked his lips and tasted the salt of his own blood.\u00a0\u00a0 His left eye had started to close, but he followed each step the condemned man took.\u00a0 To Ben\u2019s amazement, Bill seemed almost cheerful as he moved toward the wagon and, as if to control his own destiny, slipped the noose around his own neck, drawing it tight.\u00a0 Ben tensed, the tightness of his own bindings making him sense the constriction of Bill\u2019s throat more vividly than any other man there.<\/p>\n

The mob grew quiet in the face of Thorrington\u2019s courage, and everyone could hear him clearly as he began to sing \u201cThe Last Rose of Summer\u201d at the top of his lungs.\u00a0 Evidently, Bill, his legendary luck run out at last, intended to enter eternity with a song on his lips.<\/p>\n

Ben started to shiver, feeling the gooseflesh crawl up his arms, as he saw two men approach the team hitched to the wagon.\u00a0 One on each side slapped the horses\u2019 rumps and the animals leaped forward, pulling the wagon out from under Bill\u2019s feet.\u00a0 In the midst of a line, Bill\u2019s song ended.\u00a0 His six-foot frame jerked at the end of the rope, his dark eyes rolled back and his tongue flopped out the corner of his mouth.\u00a0 Then he hung still, swaying in the breeze that rustled through the leaves of the cottonwood.<\/p>\n

The men holding Ben dragged him directly beneath Thorrington\u2019s body.\u00a0 \u201cDump him like the worthless trash he is,\u201d one ordered, and when Ben fell heavily to the ground, rammed the toe of his boot into his ribs to get his attention.\u00a0 \u201cTake a good look, Cartwright,\u201d he snorted, grabbing Ben by the hair and jerking his head upward, \u201cand see what you\u2019ll get if you interfere in vigilante business a second time.\u201d\u00a0 The man walked off, followed by the others, who slapped his back in approval of the way he\u2019d handled the headstrong meddler in their affairs.<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes, not wanting to see the body suspended above him.\u00a0 He heard horses walking away and waited until everything grew silent before he opened his eyes.\u00a0 He expected to find himself abandoned, but when he looked up, he saw Clyde Thomas standing above him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re ready to ride home peaceable, I\u2019ll let you loose,\u201d Clyde offered, \u201cbut not if you aim to ride after them men and make more trouble for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I sure couldn\u2019t count on you to help me, could I?\u201d Ben accused hotly.<\/p>\n

Clyde shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m helpin\u2019 you right now, way I see it.\u00a0 You ride after them men, you\u2019re gonna get yourself strung up to the nearest tree.\u00a0 Maybe I ought to leave you hog-tied; by the time you work yourself free,\u00a0 I reckon you won\u2019t be so anxious to go lookin\u2019 for trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntie me!\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot \u2018til I get your promise,\u201d Clyde said, folding his arms and staring Ben down.\u00a0 \u201cA man as almighty upright as you won\u2019t lie, even to get free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s jaw hardened.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t go after them,\u201d he said tersely.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the point now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded and began to loosen Ben\u2019s bonds.\u00a0 Ben rubbed his sore wrists, flexing his hands; then, when Clyde reached to help him up, he knotted his right hand into a fist and flattened the older man with a fierce uppercut.<\/p>\n

Clyde scrambled up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the idea?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could you?\u201d Ben ranted, clambering painfully to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cHow could you hold me back, tie me up, make me watch that mockery of justice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Clyde stormed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Ben Cartwright?\u00a0 How could you come crashin\u2019 in here, riskin\u2019 your life on a fool stunt like that?\u00a0 How could I do what I did?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see no other way to keep your ignorant head attached to your stubborn neck, that\u2019s how!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet out,\u201d Ben snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re hurt; let me help you,\u201d Clyde offered, reaching a hand forward.<\/p>\n

Ben slapped it away.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need help from the likes of you,\u201d he sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cFollow your friends into town and celebrate this man\u2019s murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be goin\u2019 home,\u201d Clyde muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo where you like,\u201d Ben thundered, \u201cjust get off the property of this grieving family!\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde turned away, then spun around again to face Ben.\u00a0 \u201cMan needs buryin\u2019,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cBe glad to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tend to it,\u201d Ben growled.\u00a0 \u201cGet away from here!\u00a0 I doubt Mrs. Thorrington would appreciate the help of a man who helped to kill her husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde bit his lip and limped toward his horse.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t see him ride away; his eyes were fixed on the dead man.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss tried again to build a tower of blocks for Little Joe, but once again the baby knocked it over with a petulant hand.\u00a0 This time Little Joe\u2019s small fist closed around a block and he tossed it at his older brother, hitting Hoss on the forehead.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone you!\u201d Hoss yelled.\u00a0 \u201cI oughta paddle your bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will do no such thing,\u201d Marie snapped, looking up from her embroidery, on which she\u2019d made precisely ten stitches in the last half hour.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s actin\u2019 awful,\u201d Hoss complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not much better,\u201d Adam accused, slamming the book he\u2019d been trying without success to read.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is enough,\u201d Marie said, sighing as she stood and picked up the baby without any hope of soothing him.\u00a0 Little Joe had been peevish all morning, and who could blame him?\u00a0 Awakened too early by angry voices in the hall, he hadn\u2019t been able to get back to sleep, and he seemed to absorb the tension of whoever touched him this morning.\u00a0 Everyone was nervous and irritable: Hop Sing, cranky because still another meal had gone untouched; Marie, frantically worried about Ben; Adam, overwhelmed by the responsibility he was already trying to assume; and Hoss, terrified that evil men really might kill his father.\u00a0 The boys had done a few chores, the ones that had to be done, but after that they\u2019d all gathered in the front room, not feeling like working or playing or even talking.\u00a0 Just waiting, each in his own way, and each minute that passed without the sound of hooves in the yard added to the edginess everyone felt.<\/p>\n

Adam raised his head, listening intently.\u00a0 \u201cI heard something,\u201d he said and jumped up from his father\u2019s armchair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Hoss grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re hearin\u2019 things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scowled at his brother and ran for the door.\u00a0 He flung it open and gave a shocked cry when he saw his father\u2019s battered face.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben staggered in, exhausted by the frantic early morning ride, the beating he\u2019d taken and the labor of burying Bill Thorrington.\u00a0 Marie set Little Joe down and ran to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben, your face,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d Ben said, taking her in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in and lie down,\u201d Marie urged.\u00a0 \u201cYou are hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Ben muttered, but he let himself be led toward the sofa.<\/p>\n

Little Joe pulled up and toddled into his father\u2019s leg.\u00a0 \u201cPa,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

Ben instinctively reached to lift the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t bother with him now,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s been impossible all morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, feeling soothed by the little one\u2019s nearness.\u00a0 But Little Joe, on getting a close look at his father\u2019s bloodied face, began to wail in terror.\u00a0 With a sorrowful, almost apologetic look, Ben gave the boy to his mother.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to frighten him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie held her baby, patting the heaving back, while Adam guided Ben to the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cTake care of Little Joe,\u201d Adam instructed, taking charge.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled and nodded at his wife.<\/p>\n

Marie didn\u2019t want to leave him, but the screaming baby did nothing but strain everyone\u2019s nerves.\u00a0 \u201cCome with me, Hoss,\u201d she said, heading for the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps, we can soothe him to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t work before,\u201d Hoss mumbled, but he followed obediently.\u00a0 He could tell Pa was hurting, but there wasn\u2019t anything he could do about that.\u00a0 The only thing that mattered to him, anyway, was that Pa was alive; anything else could be fixed.<\/p>\n

As soon as Adam had Ben settled on the sofa, he hurried into the kitchen to demand a basin of warm water from Hop Sing\u00a0 \u201cMistah Ben hurt bad?\u201d the Chinese cook asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut I can tell more after I get him cleaned up.\u00a0 Just get that water in fast as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

The little cook nodded and moved swiftly to the pump.<\/p>\n

Adam went back into the front room and sat on the table beside his father.\u00a0 \u201cI guess they hanged Lucky Bill,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

Head cushioned on the arm of the sofa, Ben looked sorrowfully at his son.\u00a0 \u201cYeah,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you had to try,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled gratefully.\u00a0 This boy was the only person who seemed to understand.\u00a0 Not surprising, though.\u00a0 Adam always had been closest to his father, in both looks and feelings.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing arrived with the water, and Adam began to sponge away the dirt and caked blood from his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 Marie came downstairs just as he was finishing.\u00a0 Ben stretched out a hand, and she moved quickly to his side.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe settled down now?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cA little.\u00a0 Hoss is rocking him.\u00a0 The motion seems to soothe him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways did,\u201d Ben smiled, then winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are in pain,\u201d Marie murmured, touching him gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not real pain,\u201d Ben contradicted.\u00a0 \u201cMy face is sore, my body aches, but it\u2019s nothing serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to ride for the doc?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Ben chuckled bitterly.\u00a0 \u201cHe couldn\u2019t do more for me than you have, and another scolding is not the medicine I need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s mouth tightened.\u00a0 Another scolding was just what she thought was in order, but she resolved to withhold it, at least until Ben was in better shape to listen.\u00a0 \u201cYou must rest.\u00a0 No work for you today,\u201d she said,instead.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOr anyone else, unless my eyes deceive me.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cNot working on the boat today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNot in the mood, I guess.\u00a0 Anything you need me to handle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben touched his son\u2019s shoulder in gratitude.\u00a0 \u201cNothing, son; just see to the cow, the chickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did that,\u201d Adam assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen take the day off, do something with Hoss.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna sleep awhile.\u201d\u00a0 As Ben closed his eyes, Marie motioned for Adam to come away.<\/p>\n

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

As usual, the family slept late on Sunday\u2014\u2014at least as late as Little Joe would permit.\u00a0 After a leisurely breakfast, they would normally have loaded everyone into the buckboard and driven to the Thomases for dinner.\u00a0 This morning, however, Ben dawdled over his morning coffee; the others, though they\u2019d finished eating, remained at the table.\u00a0 Finally, Marie suggested it was time to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going,\u201d Ben said, taking another sip of coffee.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss exchanged an anxious look.\u00a0 \u201cYou feelin\u2019 bad, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, son,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 Little Joe banged happily on the table with his cereal spoon.\u00a0 Ben smiled at him, grateful that one person, at least, was oblivious to the unease affecting everyone else.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you don\u2019t feel like riding to the Thomases today, is that it?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot today, not any other day,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI will not sit to table with a murderer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Hoss asked, his face scrunching up as he tried to make sense of his father\u2019s comment.\u00a0 While Marie and Adam had heard a full description of what took place at Lucky Bill\u2019s and understood what Ben meant, Hoss was completely in the dark.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is hardly that,\u201d Marie sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cI know you are angry, Ben, but\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no idea how angry,\u201d Ben snapped.\u00a0 \u201cMy own wife defending the man who hog-tied me like a calf for branding!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie stood and came behind Ben\u2019s chair, laying cool hands against his cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cI am glad he did, Ben; if he had not, I think you would be dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben lurched out of the chair and into the front room.\u00a0 At the fireplace he turned, eyes sparking hotter than the wood on the hearth.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe you said that, my hot-blooded Creole wife, raised under a code of honor.\u00a0 I thought you, at least, would understand me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie moved toward him.\u00a0 Little Joe whimpered a protest at being left behind, and Hoss scooted close to pat him consolingly.\u00a0 \u201cI understand, Ben,\u201d Marie said, trying to curb her temper, though the spots of color in her cheeks betrayed her.\u00a0 \u201cI think you were right in believing Monsieur<\/em> Thorrington innocent, but wrong in interfering.\u00a0 It was foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, criticize all you like,\u201d Ben grunted, folding his arms against his chest and facing the fire.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need your approval.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a man with small sons should not risk leaving them orphans!\u201d she fumed at his rigid spine.<\/p>\n

Ben spun to face her, arms still stiffly folded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I think a man with small sons should set them an example by doing what is right!\u201d he retorted.<\/p>\n

Hoss laid his head down and started to cry.\u00a0 Adam stretched a hand across the table and ruffled the younger boy\u2019s sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cYou keep that up and I guarantee one small son\u2019ll start bellowing up a storm,\u201d he barked at his parents.\u00a0 As if he\u2019d taken the hint, Little Joe began to cry.<\/p>\n

Both Ben and Marie caught their breath, suddenly realizing the sons they were discussing were hearing every angry word.\u00a0 Marie laid her head against the rigidity of Ben\u2019s armored stance.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to quarrel with you, Ben,\u201d she murmured softly.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Ben\u2019s arms opened to enfold her.\u00a0 \u201cOr I with you, so maybe we\u2019d better not discuss Clyde Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe do not have to go today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you can go if you like,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI have no objection to you or the boys going, but good as Nelly\u2019s cooking is, it\u2019d stick in my craw today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I would rather stay with you,\u201d Marie whispered.<\/p>\n

Hoss bounced up from his chair.\u00a0 \u201cWe ain\u2019t goin\u2019 to Aunt Nelly\u2019s?\u201d he wailed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son, we\u2019re not,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u2014but we always go, \u2018less they come here,\u201d Hoss moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019re too young to understand, but\u201d\u2014\u2014Ben started to say Uncle Clyde and choked on the familiar title\u2014\u2014\u201cMr. Thomas and I had some trouble yesterday, and I doubt we\u2019ll be welcome there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you been fightin\u2019, you oughta go make up,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cYou always made me and Adam, when we was fussin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a little more serious than a children\u2019s quarrel, Hoss.\u00a0 Now, it\u2019s settled; don\u2019t argue with me any more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Adam remonstrated.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t just not show up.\u00a0 They\u2019ll think something\u2019s really wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something really wrong!\u201d Ben bellowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Marie cautioned, \u201cyou are shouting again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cAll right; all right.\u00a0 What do you suggest, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll go,\u201d Adam offered reluctantly, \u201cand tell them why you won\u2019t be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to do that, Adam,\u201d Ben murmured.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not your responsibility, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 He agreed that the responsibility was really his father\u2019s, but his father had made it plain he didn\u2019t want to see Clyde Thomas.\u00a0 \u201cSomebody\u2019s got to tell them,\u201d he insisted.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s ill-mannered not to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Ben,\u201d Marie said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, fine.\u00a0 You\u2014\u2014you go ahead, son,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

Adam took his hat from the peg beside the front door.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to come, Hoss?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss looked from his brother to his father, not sure what he ought to do.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, I guess not,\u201d he muttered, \u201cbut tell Aunt Nelly I ain\u2019t mad at nobody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave his little brother a sympathetic smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tell her,\u201d he promised, \u201cand Uncle Clyde, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Billy met Adam in the yard when he rode up.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s your folks?\u201d Billy asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot coming,\u201d Adam mumbled.\u00a0 \u201cI need to talk to your pa, Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy caught the somber tone in his friend\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cSure, he\u2019s in the house.\u00a0 Come on in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wrapped his sorrel\u2019s reins around the hitching post and followed Billy inside.<\/p>\n

Nelly looked up from the stove.\u00a0 \u201cLands, you\u2019re early today,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Seeing Adam nervously twirling his hat in his hands, she came closer.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, boy?\u00a0 Where\u2019s the rest of the family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not coming, Aunt Nelly,\u201d Adam replied uneasily, \u201cand you can send me packing, too, if you want, but I figured someone ought to tell you that the rest won\u2019t be coming for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pa wasn\u2019t hurt that bad, was he?\u201d Clyde asked, concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you you should\u2019ve sent the doc out to tend him,\u201d Nelly chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam assured them, \u201cexcept\u2014\u2014except he\u2019s\u2014\u2014 well\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut with it, boy,\u201d Clyde ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s mad,\u201d Adam said bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to repeat what he said, but what it comes down to is he\u2019s mad, and he doesn\u2019t want to take dinner here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry he feels that way,\u201d Clyde said, leaning back in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cThat all you came to do, boy, deliver a message?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got some questions I\u2019d appreciate your answering about what happened yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll stay to dinner, won\u2019t you, Adam?\u201d Nelly asked, her voice almost pleading.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll have me, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, you\u2019re more than welcome,\u201d she beamed, \u201cand goodness knows there\u2019s enough food.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I ask Sally to dinner, seein\u2019 as how\u2019s there\u2019s extra?\u201d Billy requested.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk anyone you like,\u201d his mother said, brushing at her eyes as she turned back to the stove.<\/p>\n

When Billy had left, Adam moved closer to Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cI had some questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you said,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cAsk away, boy; I got nothing to hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and my pa have been friends a long time,\u201d Adam began, \u201cso it\u2019s hard for me to understand how you could watch him get beaten up like that and not try to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThat was hard for me, too, boy.\u00a0 To be honest, some of what your pa got, he asked for.\u00a0 You can\u2019t expect a man to get punched without hittin\u2019 back, and your pa was strikin\u2019 out at anything he could reach, arms and legs flyin\u2019 ever which way.\u00a0 He even knocked me down a couple of times, though I never struck him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave Clyde a lopsided grin.\u00a0 \u201cPa didn\u2019t tell us that part, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t surprise me none,\u201d Clyde grunted.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s got a way of seein\u2019 just one side of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way he looked, well, it just didn\u2019t look like a fair fight to me,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWasn\u2019t.\u00a0 Like I said, some of them blows Ben asked for; the rest was from men takin\u2019 out their spite.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t like seein\u2019 Ben hurt, but there\u2019s two reasons I didn\u2019t step in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to hear them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde gestured to the right and Adam sat down in the chair next to him.\u00a0 \u201cFirst, there was things I couldn\u2019t have stopped.\u00a0 They happened too fast, over and done with before I could\u2019ve done anything.\u00a0 No sense fightin\u2019 something that\u2019s already finished.\u00a0 Some I could have tried to stop, probably wouldn\u2019t have done any good, but I could\u2019ve tried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde laid his callused hand on Adam\u2019s knee.\u00a0 \u201cBen interferin\u2019 the way he did riled some of them men hotter than\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClyde, you watch your language!\u201d Nelly ordered, spinning around quickly.<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded contritely, figuring he had enough people mad at him without adding Nelly to the list.\u00a0 \u201cWell, the point is when men are heated up, like they was agin your pa, that fire\u2019s got to go somewhere or it can build up like steam in a boiler.\u00a0 Better to open a valve and let some escape before it explodes in ways you can\u2019t control.\u00a0 You get my meaning, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Adam said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it wasn\u2019t the right decision,\u201d Clyde conceded, \u201cbut I figured it was better to let your pa take a few punches than have something worse happen.\u00a0 There was men talkin\u2019 about stringin\u2019 him up alongside Lucky Bill.\u00a0 I\u2019d\u2019ve fought \u2018em if they\u2019d tried that, but I don\u2019t think I could\u2019ve stopped \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cPa never told us that part, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLikely he didn\u2019t want to worry you,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n

Nelly walked over to rest a hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s the rest of the family feelin\u2019?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot like Pa,\u201d Adam assured her.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I promised Hoss I\u2019d tell you he isn\u2019t mad at anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBless his sweet heart,\u201d Nelly murmured, shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cThis must be hard on him.\u00a0 Thank goodness, Little Joe\u2019s too young to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble is, what he doesn\u2019t understand, he screeches about,\u201d Adam grinned, \u201cand he\u2019s been doing plenty of that the last couple of days.\u00a0 Makes me glad I\u2019m eating here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly gave him a hug.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re mighty glad, too, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWELVE<\/p>\n

Workers of Wonders<\/h4>\n

Leaning back against the nearest pine, Paul Martin patted his protruding belly. \u00a0\u201cFine feed, ladies, but if I eat any more, we\u2019ll have to declare a medical emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWasn\u2019t as good as usual,\u201d Hoss complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d his father muttered in testy warning.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 He knew enough to keep his mouth shut, but he held to his opinion.\u00a0 The Fourth of July picnic hadn\u2019t been as tasty as usual.\u00a0 How could it be without Aunt Nelly\u2019s pie to finish off the meal?\u00a0 And as much as he liked Dr. Martin and his daughter, he missed the people who\u2019d always spent the holiday with them\u2014\u2014even Billy, teasing pest that he was.<\/p>\n

Billy, of course, was the one member of the Thomas family any of the Cartwrights except Adam had seen since that fatal Saturday that ended their long-time friendship.\u00a0 He\u2019d come by the house once, to see Adam\u2019s boat, and had planned to be here today, when they first tested it on Lake Tahoe, but he hadn\u2019t shown up.\u00a0 Maybe his pa wouldn\u2019t let him.\u00a0 No way to know, since Billy\u2019s pa and Hoss\u2019s pa weren\u2019t on speakin\u2019 terms.<\/p>\n

Hoss thought the whole thing was stupid, worse than any kids\u2019 quarrel he\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t take Sunday dinner at the Thomases the day after the hanging; then Uncle Clyde got his feelings hurt over that and wouldn\u2019t come to the Ponderosa the next Sunday.\u00a0 Now another week had gone by without seeing them, and Hoss began to wonder if the feuding would ever end.\u00a0 Not if Pa had anything to say about it, he suspected.\u00a0 Why, Pa wouldn\u2019t even buy supplies in Carson City anymore, just \u2018cause he didn\u2019t want to deal with Uncle Clyde!\u00a0 He drove all those extra miles into Genoa, instead. \u00a0Stupid, just plain stupid<\/em>, Hoss told himself, though he didn\u2019t dare tell Pa.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou through eating, Hoss?\u201d Adam asked, the question snapping the younger boy out of his reverie.\u00a0 \u201cReady to go for a sail?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss said, face brightening.\u00a0 He and Adam had worked hard to make this moment happen, and he didn\u2019t intend to let anything spoil it.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s next words came close to doing just that, however.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll go with us, won\u2019t you, Sally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally looked longingly at the sapphire lake.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019d like to, but I should help put the food away first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cI have nothing else to do.\u00a0 Please go, Sally.\u00a0 I know Adam will enjoy the sail more with you beside him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned. It was supposed to be Billy in the boat with them, not a girl!\u00a0 He didn\u2019t consider it a fair trade.\u00a0 Adam, on the other hand, looked pleased as punch as he took Sally\u2019s hand and ran toward the shore where they\u2019d left the boat after hauling it up in the wagon that morning.\u00a0 Not wanting to be left behind, Hoss trotted after them.\u00a0 Seeing his brothers headed for the lake, Little Joe pulled up and toddled off, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh-oh,\u201d Ben said, getting up and giving chase.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was close to the shore by the time Ben caught him.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you can\u2019t go, baby,\u201d he laughed, swinging Little Joe up into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo,\u201d Little Joe insisted, squirming.<\/p>\n

Ben held him against his chest.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Little Joe, you can\u2019t go in the boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re too little, Punkin,\u201d Hoss called as he climbed in.\u00a0 Adam was busy helping Sally to her seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cBo\u2019,\u201d Little Joe whined.\u00a0 \u201cGo bo\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 His hand stretched pleadingly toward the little yellow bark.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better get under way or you\u2019ll have a stowaway on your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hang onto him!\u201d Adam shouted.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s one crew member we don\u2019t need!\u201d<\/p>\n

As the boat pulled away, Little Joe wailed piteously.\u00a0 Ben rubbed his back soothingly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, it\u2019s hard, I know.\u00a0 Big boys run off and leave you behind, but you\u2019ll get your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe showed no sign of being comforted by his father\u2019s promise.\u00a0 As a possible distraction occurred to Ben, he sat down and began to remove the baby\u2019s clothes.\u00a0 Shedding his own shirt, shoes and stockings, Ben lifted the baby.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna take him in for a while,\u201d he called back to his wife and friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou want a dip, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul waved and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, thanks.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep Marie company.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked up from the leftovers she was gathering.\u00a0 \u201cYou do not have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul scooted closer to her.\u00a0 \u201cI want to.\u00a0 It\u2019s too soon after eating to swim.\u201d\u00a0 Marie glanced toward her husband so anxiously he laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s safe enough.\u00a0 He won\u2019t take the baby in deep, and he can\u2019t cramp in water that shallow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled as she packed the pound cake into a basket.\u00a0 \u201cI worry too much, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm,\u201d Paul acknowledged without rebuke.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s been giving you more to worry about lately, too, hasn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe is being foolish.\u00a0 He thinks it is his quarrel and no one else is hurt, but how can we not be affected?\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite his earlier remarks about overeating, Paul reached for one of the cookies his daughter had brought as their contribution to the meal.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just as bad on the other side of the quarrel,\u201d he commented.\u00a0 \u201cNelly wanted me to be sure to give you her love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I send mine,\u201d Marie said, then sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI do not know when I shall see her again\u2014\u2014or Laura.\u00a0 I had our foreman invite her here today, as he did you, but she sent word she had to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCurry planned a big celebration for the town,\u201d Paul explained.\u00a0 \u201cLaura agreed to bake the pies for the pie-eating contest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHoss would have liked to enter that.\u201d\u00a0 A cloud covered her face again.\u00a0 \u201cWe were so glad when Carson City was built, so happy our friends would be close.\u00a0 Now look at us!\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul closed his hand over hers.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll work it out, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her troubled emerald eyes peered into his calm gray ones.\u00a0 \u201cWill they?\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her hand a squeeze and released it.\u00a0 \u201cThey will.\u00a0 They\u2019re both stubborn as mules, so it may take time, but I\u2019d bet on it.\u00a0 They\u2019ve shared too much to forget.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at Ben now,\u201d Marie said, smiling at the sight of her husband and baby splashing happily in the water.\u00a0 \u201cI have not seen him so at peace in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnger\u2019s an exhausting emotion,\u201d Paul said.\u00a0 \u201cTake it from an expert, and I\u2019m speaking from personal experience, not as a doctor.\u00a0 I was an angry man when I first came here.\u00a0 Ben told me then I needed to forgive the men who\u2019d killed my wife before I could have peace.\u00a0 Maybe I ought to administer a dose of the same sermon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have already preached it\u2014\u2014too often, according to Ben,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it just needs time to soak in,\u201d Paul observed.\u00a0 \u201cTook me a long time to respond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie flicked his nose with a red-checked napkin.\u00a0 \u201cAh, but you were not so stubborn a mule as Ben or Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul nibbled his cookie.\u00a0 \u201cTrue, all too true,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

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

Sunday after Sunday went past with the two families going their separate ways.\u00a0 Adam took Hoss up to the lake each week to sail and fish from their boat, and that seemed to somewhat alleviate the younger boy\u2019s misery.\u00a0 Once Billy went with them, but he confided that he found it hard to go against his father.\u00a0 Not that Clyde had made any objection to his visit, he quickly assured Adam, but he\u2019d spoken so sharply when he gave his permission that Billy had felt guilty, even though he knew he was doing nothing wrong.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the same here,\u201d Adam disclosed.\u00a0 \u201cPa doesn\u2019t say anything, but he\u2019s easier to get along with if we don\u2019t mention your folks.\u201d\u00a0 Consequently, even the youngsters didn\u2019t see each other often.<\/p>\n

Marie had been to Carson City once, ostensibly to visit Laura Ellis, but while she was in town, she\u2019d slipped over to commiserate with Nelly about the foolishness of their husbands.\u00a0 They\u2019d wept on each other\u2019s shoulders until Nelly pointed out that they were wasting precious time.\u00a0 Instead, they chatted companionably, coddled Little Joe and dreamed of the day when they could all be friends again.<\/p>\n

Hoss enjoyed that visit.\u00a0 He had a chance to play with Jimmy Ellis and Inger Thomas and eat a thick slice of Aunt Nelly\u2019s chocolate cake, but he didn\u2019t get to see Uncle Clyde, who was working at the trading post.\u00a0 Not until they\u2019d left, though, did he share his disappointment with Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, you could have gone to see him,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was scared Pa would be mad,\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Marie said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYour father will say nothing; I will see to that.\u00a0 Next time you must speak to whomever you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded, pleased, but he found himself wondering when \u201cnext time\u201d might be.\u00a0 He had a feeling visits would be few and far between, and that thought brought a fresh worry.\u00a0 His birthday was coming up at the end of July, and he\u2019d never celebrated one without Uncle Clyde and Aunt Nelly.\u00a0 \u201cYou think Pa and Uncle Clyde might make up soon?\u201d he asked Marie.\u00a0 \u201cBy my birthday?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, I don\u2019t know,\u201d she sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI cannot promise, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>, but we will make your birthday a happy one.\u00a0 That I can promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said dutifully, but he continued to worry.\u00a0 He missed Aunt Nelly, especially, and not just for her cooking.\u00a0 Lying in bed at night, Hoss came to understand that Nelly Thomas was a lot more special to him than he\u2019d realized before.\u00a0 She was more than a friend of his father\u2019s; she was more than an adopted aunt; she was almost like another mother to him.\u00a0 Though his mother-starved heart had enthusiastically welcomed Marie when she entered his life two years before, most of his early mothering had come from Nelly Thomas, and her absence left a void in him he couldn\u2019t explain, one he was sure he couldn\u2019t endure much longer.<\/p>\n

Deciding that his birthday couldn\u2019t possibly be a happy one unless all his favorite people were there, Hoss determined to have things his own way.\u00a0 He thought everything out carefully and began his campaign at supper on the Monday before his birthday.\u00a0 \u201cI been wonderin\u2019,\u201d he said tentatively as Hop Sing set a bowl of oxtail stew at each place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you been wondering?\u201d Ben asked, buttering a corn muffin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout my birthday,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cOh, do you have a birthday coming up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting a spoonful of stew, Marie clucked her tongue.\u00a0 \u201cDo not tease, Ben.\u00a0 What do you wish to say about your birthday, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a mite late to be hinting for presents,\u201d Ben warned him.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 Why did they have to keep interrupting and making this harder for him?\u00a0 \u201cNot presents; I don\u2019t care about presents.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGlad to hear it,\u201d Ben said, amused.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Marie chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I want is a party,\u201d Hoss blurted out, \u201ca picnic party, like we always have\u2014\u2014only at WashoeLake this time.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d decided that WashoeLake was neutral territory and a good meeting place for the people he wanted to attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you liked Tahoe better,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n

Hoss glared at Adam.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t let his brother in on his plans, but he sure hadn\u2019t figured on having to argue with him.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d he declared firmly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014I do like Lake Tahoe best, but we been there so much this summer, I\u2019d like to go someplace different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s an easier drive, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaturday, that\u2019d be the best day, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Hoss pressed.\u00a0 He assumed that Uncle Clyde could get away from work more easily at the end of the week.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, you\u2019ve got this all planned out, don\u2019t you?\u201d Adam teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomethin\u2019 wrong with that?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

Adam just shrugged.\u00a0 He was beginning to suspect his little brother was up to something.\u00a0 Then he dismissed the idea.\u00a0 Hoss was too open to be secretive about anything.\u00a0 It just wasn\u2019t in his nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cA picnic Saturday at WashoeLake sounds most pleasant, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>,\u201d Marie said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, fine,\u201d he said, attention fixed on his bowl of stew.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2014\u2014and can I ask Jimmy Ellis to come?\u201d Hoss suggested.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Doc, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled, amused by the difference in age of the people on Hoss\u2019s guest list.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll be welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd can I ask them myself?\u201d Hoss begged.<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head and scrutinized his middle son carefully.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you\u2019re old enough to ride to Carson City by yourself, if that\u2019s important to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d Hoss said happily.\u00a0 Satisfied with the preliminary success of his plan, he began to spoon in stew like the hungry boy he was.<\/p>\n

Ben felt a momentary suspicion that there was more to Hoss\u2019s request than met the eye, but, like Adam, he quickly dismissed it.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t a surreptitious bone in Hoss\u2019s honest body.\u00a0 Obviously, he just wanted to demonstrate that he was growing up, and extending his own invitations undoubtedly represented growth to the boy.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss kept his gray mare at an easy canter.\u00a0 He was excited enough to gallop, but he\u2019d learned early to be kind to his mount.\u00a0 Besides, there was no real need to hurry.\u00a0 Carson City wasn\u2019t going anywhere, and he needed time to plan his strategy.\u00a0 He figured he\u2019d ask the Ellises first, then the Martins.\u00a0 Once the easy invitations had been extended, he could turn his full attention to the harder ones.\u00a0 He\u2019d go to Aunt Nelly first and get her on his side before approaching Uncle Clyde.\u00a0 If he was acting like Pa\u2014\u2014and Billy said he was\u2014\u2014Hoss would have to do some fancy talking to get him to the party.\u00a0 The boy was determined, though.\u00a0 Uncle Clyde had to be there.<\/p>\n

As he\u2019d expected, Laura Ellis quickly agreed to bring Jimmy to the picnic and even promised to bake Hoss\u2019s favorite cake, chocolate with white boiled icing.\u00a0 Doctor Martin was out taking care of a patient, but Sally accepted for them both and told Hoss she\u2019d be looking forward to his party.<\/p>\n

Well content with the way things were going, Hoss headed for the Thomas cabin.\u00a0 Nelly beamed when she saw him.\u00a0 \u201cSunshine!\u00a0 What a nice surprise!\u201d\u00a0 She looked past him into the yard.\u00a0 \u201cYou alone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said, his voice barely above a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cI came to see you special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, isn\u2019t that nice?\u201d she said, giving him a big hug.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve missed seein\u2019 you, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Hoss murmured.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t like this fussin\u2019 one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, neither,\u201d Nelly declared.\u00a0 \u201cCome on in and tell me what you\u2019d like for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything you fix is good,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cbut I didn\u2019t exactly come to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, it\u2019s nigh on to noon now,\u201d Nelly argued.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, you\u2019re gonna eat.\u00a0 I won\u2019t take no for an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her words triggered an idea in Hoss\u2019s brain.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, and I won\u2019t take no for an answer, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo what?\u201d Nelly laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m having a birthday picnic Saturday at WashoeLake, and I want you and Uncle Clyde there.\u00a0 Billy and Inger, too, of course,\u201d Hoss hurried to say.<\/p>\n

Nelly sat down and pulled him close.\u00a0 \u201cSunshine, there\u2019s nothin\u2019 I\u2019d like better, but I just don\u2019t know\u2014\u2014about Uncle Clyde, I mean.\u00a0 He\u2019s got his feelin\u2019s hurt real bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 Pa, too,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cbut it\u2019s time they got over it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTruer words was never spoken,\u201d Nelly agreed, \u201cbut how do we convince them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got to come,\u201d Hoss pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t never had a birthday without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be up to Clyde,\u201d she said without a hint of hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cI better go ask him then,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do that,\u201d Nelly said.\u00a0 \u201cGo right over to the trading post and put it to him.\u00a0 And you can bring him back to dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hustled across the street to Curry\u2019s trading post, where Clyde was working alone.\u00a0 He caught Hoss in a bear hug as soon as he saw him.\u00a0 \u201cHey, boy, good to see you,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cUh, your folks in town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m here on business of my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cProbably should\u2019ve taken it to Genoa.\u00a0 We don\u2019t stock gumdrops, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t lookin\u2019 for gumdrops.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you lookin\u2019 for, then?\u201d Clyde queried, tousling the boy\u2019s light hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou,\u201d Hoss said, pointing his stubby finger at Clyde\u2019s belt buckle.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m lookin\u2019 for you to come to my birthday picnic this Saturday at Washoe Lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde\u2019s face hardened.\u00a0 \u201cYour pa know you\u2019re here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shuffled his feet.\u00a0 \u201cSort of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of,\u201d Clyde repeated.\u00a0 \u201cThat answer bears explainin\u2019, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cPa knows I\u2019m in town, and he knows I\u2019m invitin\u2019 folks to the party; he just don\u2019t know you\u2019re one of \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s a pretty important thing to leave out,\u201d Clyde sputtered, \u201cyour pa feelin\u2019 the way he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss put both hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you?\u00a0 What are you feelin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014I don\u2019t see as how that matters,\u201d Clyde stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt matters to me and Adam and Marie and Little Joe, too,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

A corner of Clyde\u2019s mouth twitched up.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, too, huh?\u00a0 He express that good and clear, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure did,\u201d Hoss announced, totally missing the irony of Clyde\u2019s question.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what I want to know is, are you still mad at my pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Clyde protested.\u00a0 \u201cBen\u2019s the one with the head full of steam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t mad?\u201d Hoss pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I ain\u2019t mad, exactly,\u201d Clyde replied.\u00a0 \u201cI think your pa\u2019s been playin\u2019 the fool, but\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you both been playin\u2019 the fool,\u201d Hoss interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, wait a minute, youngun\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re friends, ain\u2019t you, you and Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were,\u201d Clyde said hesitantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cReal friends don\u2019t give up on each other,\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cMe and Jimmy fuss all the time, but we don\u2019t stay mad, \u2018cause we\u2019re friends.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s high time you and Pa quit bickerin\u2019 worse than a couple of kids and made it up with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got yourself a wagon load of opinions today, don\u2019t you, youngun?\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you and Aunt Nelly at my party,\u201d Hoss said bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYours, not your pa\u2019s,\u201d Clyde pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cHe don\u2019t know nothin\u2019 about this shenanigan you\u2019re pullin\u2019, and you expect me to just drive up actin\u2019 like nothin\u2019 passed between us?\u00a0 That\u2019s askin\u2019 a lot, boy.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all the present I want for my birthday, you and Pa friends again,\u201d Hoss pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cSay you\u2019ll come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll give it some thought,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t promisin\u2019 nothin\u2019, but I\u2019ll give it some thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss beamed, confident that his peacemaking mission had succeeded.\u00a0 \u201cAunt Nelly says to bring you home to lunch now,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Clyde laid a hand on Hoss\u2019s sturdy shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go, then.\u00a0 Sure will be nice to see you at our table again, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The sun glinted off the surface of flat, placid Washoe Lake.\u00a0 Here, on the valley floor, few trees grew, but some cast refreshing shade at the southern edge of the lake.\u00a0 Marie had spread the picnic cloth beneath a towering cottonwood, the shadow of whose dark leaves cast a circle wide enough for all the picnickers to enjoy its coolness as they ate.\u00a0 The expected guests had already arrived\u2014\u2014the guests Ben, Marie and Adam expected, that is.\u00a0 Hoss kept nervously looking to the south, straining to see another buckboard headed their way.\u00a0 No one had promised, but his hopes had been soaring high ever since his trip to Carson City four days before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s bothering that boy?\u201d Ben mumbled under his breath.\u00a0 Hoss had been so bubbly yesterday.\u00a0 That was actually his birthday, and the family had shared a cake and let Hoss open his presents.\u00a0 Ben had remarked, tongue in cheek, that someone was certainly showing an interest in the gifts he had declared he didn\u2019t care about, but he couldn\u2019t help noticing that Hoss seemed happier than he had in\u2014\u2014well, over a month.<\/p>\n

Now, at the picnic he\u2019d planned for himself, with all the people he\u2019d wanted surrounding him and wishing him a happy birthday, Hoss seemed distracted.\u00a0 Ben cast his eyes south, as he\u2019d seen Hoss do a hundred times, and he was the first to see the wagon rolling toward them.\u00a0 \u201cWhat on earth are they doing here?\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

Though his voice had been low, Hoss heard and bounced up from his seat on the grass beside Jimmy Ellis to run to his father\u2019s side.\u00a0 Ben looked down at his son\u2019s glowing face and became instantly suspicious.\u00a0 \u201cYou have any idea why the Thomases chose this particular day to visit Washoe Lake, Hoss?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Hoss took a deep breath and turned his face up to his father\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cI asked \u2018em,\u201d he declared firmly.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes hardened.\u00a0 \u201cSounds like we may need to have a very necessary little talk, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss knew that was his father\u2019s favorite way of announcing a spanking, but he was so sure what he\u2019d done was right that he didn\u2019t feel intimidated.\u00a0 In fact, he felt bold as a mountain lion.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, a little talk\u2019s real necessary,\u201d he said flatly, \u201cbut not with me\u2014\u2014with Uncle Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips quirked upward.\u00a0 Nothing he\u2019d like better than to have a \u201cnecessary little talk\u201d with Clyde Thomas, but he had a feeling Clyde wouldn\u2019t hold still for a spanking.<\/p>\n

Adam had always displayed a remarkable ability to read his father\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Now, for a change, it was Hoss who instinctively knew what Ben was thinking.\u00a0 \u201cNot that kind,\u201d he frowned.\u00a0 \u201cA real talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are out of line, boy,\u201d Ben said, stiffening as he saw the buckboard pull up close to the cottonwood where the picnic was spread.<\/p>\n

Marie had risen as soon as she saw the Thomases and gone to envelop the unexpected guests in warm, welcoming embraces.\u00a0 Adam and Sally had hurried to greet Billy, while Inger was looking everywhere for Hoss.\u00a0 She spotted him, but her mother held her back, sensing Hoss had something tougher to deal with than an excited playmate.<\/p>\n

Clyde was the only one who hung back as the others gathered in the shade of the cottonwood.\u00a0 He stood by his buckboard, not daring to look at Ben, who stood apart from the others, too.\u00a0 Looking from one to the other, Hoss tugged at his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cCome on and say howdy,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go say howdy,\u201d Ben said, swatting the boy\u2019s backside.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re your guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss frowned.\u00a0 This was not going quite the way he\u2019d planned, but he wasn\u2019t ready to give up.\u00a0 Deciding Uncle Clyde might be more reasonable than Pa, he ran to the buckboard and grabbed Clyde\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cCome on,\u201d he commanded, pulling with all his might.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis ain\u2019t gonna work, boy,\u201d Clyde muttered, stumbling to maintain his balance.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen Ben\u2019s reaction when he drove up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it is,\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Clyde let himself be dragged over to where Ben stood, arms folded tight against his chest.\u00a0 Clyde swallowed a huge lump of pride and thrust his hand at his former friend.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s arms remained glued to his chest as he returned Clyde\u2019s greeting with an icy stare and icy silence.<\/p>\n

Hoss was furious.\u00a0 Uncle Clyde had done his part, come more than halfway to meet Pa, but Pa was being just plain rude.\u00a0 In his anger, he did something Adam could never have done, but Hoss was strong enough to pull it off.\u00a0 He grabbed his father\u2019s right arm, jerked it down and brought it out to meet Clyde\u2019s extended hand.\u00a0 \u201cNow, shake hands and make up,\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cYou been scrappin\u2019 like wolf pups long enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face flamed with embarrassment, but Clyde grabbed his hand and gave it a quick shake.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s right, you know,\u201d Clyde said softly.\u00a0 \u201cWe have been scrappin\u2019 long enough\u2014\u2014and all over nothin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing!\u201d Ben snapped.\u00a0 \u201cYou call what you did to me nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I call what I did savin\u2019 your life!\u201d Clyde shouted back.<\/p>\n

Hoss gave a satisfied nod and backed away.\u00a0 They were talking now.\u00a0 That was good.\u00a0 They might do some yelling for a while, like friends sometimes did, but now that they were talking, he was sure they\u2019d work out their differences.\u00a0 Neither man noticed him slip away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure got a strange way of going about it!\u201d Ben hollered back at Clyde.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you didn\u2019t leave me many options,\u201d Clyde growled.\u00a0 Then he took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cWhether I went about it the best way or not, you got to know, in your deepest heart, that I was thinkin\u2019 of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s angry retort died in his throat.\u00a0 He did know that, in his deepest heart; even while it was happening, he\u2019d understood Clyde\u2019s intentions.\u00a0 He\u2019d just been so frustrated by his own helplessness that he\u2019d turned his anger against his friend and nursed it every day since, until the anger was all he could see.\u00a0 After a long silence, Ben said, \u201cI\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014didn\u2019t give you many options, did I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde gave him a sour smile.\u00a0 \u201cNot that I could see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you doing there in the first place?\u201d Ben demanded.\u00a0 It was the question he\u2019d pondered through wakeful nights for the past six weeks.<\/p>\n

Clyde shrugged sheepishly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Curious, maybe.\u00a0 I\u2019d never seen a hangin\u2019 before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you got a good eyeful that day,\u201d Ben snorted.<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThe last one I care to get, I can tell you that.\u00a0 It\u2019s an awful thing to watch.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t all curiosity, though.\u00a0 Partly fear, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

That response took Ben off guard.\u00a0 \u201cFear?\u00a0 Of what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde twisted the toe of his boot in the grass.\u00a0 \u201cThe way folks was splittin\u2019 up over the whole thing, I guess, feelin\u2019s runnin\u2019 hot.\u00a0 Mormons mostly favorin\u2019 Lucky Bill and gentiles mostly goin\u2019 agin him.\u00a0 Reckon I just felt safer if folks knew which side I was on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou had nothing to be afraid of,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have let anyone hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you had to hog-tie me to save me?\u201d Clyde asked, chin twitching.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and suddenly realized how long it had been since he had.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess I might have done that, if I couldn\u2019t think of any other way.\u201d\u00a0 He wrapped his arms around Clyde in a hearty embrace.\u00a0 \u201cOh, how I\u2019ve missed you!\u201d<\/p>\n

A round of applause from beneath the shade of the cottonwood made both men break apart, laughing.\u00a0 \u201cReckon we\u2019re puttin\u2019 on quite a show,\u201d Clyde grinned.<\/p>\n

Ben threw an arm around his shoulders and herded him back toward the others.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, let\u2019s get back to the party.\u00a0 We haven\u2019t eaten yet, so you\u2019re just in time.\u00a0 Afterwards, maybe you\u2019d like to help me give Hoss his birthday spanking.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna take special pleasure in making it a sound one this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust to grow on, of course,\u201d Clyde snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThat conniving, little\u2014\u2014I didn\u2019t think he had it in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

They returned to the hugs of their families and friends, and Ben became aware of how deeply affected everyone had been by his quarrel with the man who\u2019d been like a brother to him since they\u2019d come west together in 1850.\u00a0 Everyone was wiping their eyes, though it was hard to tell whether the tears came from relief or laughter.\u00a0 Hoss received innumerable pats on the back (and the backside from Clyde and Ben), while Laura Ellis expressed what everyone was feeling about him when she whispered to Marie, \u201cA little child shall lead them.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was more food than anyone could eat, since each of the ladies had brought a well-packed hamper.\u00a0 While the women put the leftovers away for later, the men lounged and the children romped.\u00a0 After about an hour Dr. Martin announced enough time had passed for it to be safe to swim.\u00a0 The suggestion brought shouts of approval from the children, and the men, of course, felt duty bound to supervise. \u00a0They moved a short distance away and began shedding their outer clothing behind a bush.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupervise the younguns, my foot,\u201d Nelly complained good-naturedly to the other ladies.\u00a0 \u201cWhat they want is a chance to cool off themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you go in with them?\u201d Laura teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, no!\u201d Nelly squawked.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t showin\u2019 myself before them overgrown boys.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t fittin\u2019 when they get the age of Billy and Adam.\u00a0 Go in yourself, if you\u2019re so anxious to swim with the menfolk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather have a nice nap,\u201d Laura yawned.\u00a0 \u201cI always get sleepy after a big meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA nap is just what this one needs,\u201d Marie said, pulling Little Joe into her lap.\u00a0 Since it was so hot, she took off everything but his diaper and laid him on a quilt beside her.\u00a0 She handed him the calico bunny he carried everywhere.\u00a0 \u201cYou and bun-bun go to sleep now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gurgled contentedly and hugged the bunny to his bare chest, sucking on one bedraggled fur ear.\u00a0 Marie smiled.\u00a0 Little Joe wasn\u2019t always cooperative about naptime, and she was glad he wasn\u2019t putting up a fuss today.\u00a0 She was tired.\u00a0 \u201cI think I will rest, too,\u201d she said and lay down next to her baby.<\/p>\n

Laura lay beside Marie and Nelly beside Laura.\u00a0 Sally, who\u2019d chosen to stay with the ladies instead of swimming with the boys, lay at the end.\u00a0 For a while they rested with their eyes shut, catching up on the gossip they hadn\u2019t had a chance to share because of the ongoing feud, but slowly all the ladies drifted to sleep.<\/p>\n

Billy and Adam struck out for the center of the lake as soon as they hit the water, while the three younger children, all non-swimmers, stayed close to the shore.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna learn to swim, Pa,\u201d Inger pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, girl; hang onto me and we\u2019ll go out a mite deeper,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Jimmy insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna go deep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, son, you come with me,\u201d Paul offered.<\/p>\n

Hoss continued to wade among tule shoots and buttercups in ankle-deep water.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, son,\u201d Ben urged, embarrassed that his boy, oldest of them all, was the only shore-hugging craven in the bunch.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t want those youngsters showing you up, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bother me none,\u201d Hoss said, stomping his feet to make the water splash high.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, you have to learn to swim,\u201d Ben said severely, \u201cand today\u2019s the day, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my birthday, Pa,\u201d Hoss whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cWrong,\u201d Ben said severely.\u00a0 \u201cYesterday was your birthday.\u00a0 Today\u2019s a plain, ordinary Saturday, except for one thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Hoss asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the day you\u2019re gonna learn to swim,\u201d Ben declared.\u00a0 \u201cNow, get out here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fearful, but more afraid of making his father angry, Hoss moved cautiously into waist-deep water.\u00a0 Ben, frowning, waded back to drag him deeper.<\/p>\n

At first, Little Joe played contentedly with his bunny, then, hearing the other children splashing and shouting in the lake, he rolled over and watched for a minute or two.\u00a0 Smiling, the baby stood up and pattered off, so quietly that none of the ladies dozing beside him heard him leave.\u00a0 Billy and Adam were too far out and each of the men too busy teaching one of the younger children to swim to notice Little Joe, either, as he tugged at his diaper and finally managed to wriggle out of it.<\/p>\n

Chortling happily, Little Joe toddled straight for the lake and plunged in.\u00a0 The water closed over his head, and he came up sputtering, but undaunted.\u00a0 He flapped his tiny arms and legs, but his movements were so uncoordinated he made little progress in the water.\u00a0 Once again his head dipped below the surface.\u00a0 This time he came up hollering.<\/p>\n

His cry was distant, but Ben heard and jerked around to find its source.\u00a0 Seeing the baby floundering in the water, Ben shouted out his name and started toward him.\u00a0 Hoss, now in water over his head, immediately sank, gurgling and gulping in water.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he screamed in terror.<\/p>\n

Ben reached back to pull him up and began to move toward Little Joe, towing Hoss along with him.\u00a0 The added load slowed him down, and Ben felt panic surge in his throat.\u00a0 He had to reach Little Joe quickly, but if he turned loose of Hoss, the older boy was sure to drown.<\/p>\n

Marie was screaming, running into the water, shoes and all.\u00a0 The other ladies stayed on shore, shouting at her to come back, to let the men handle the situation.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Clyde was at Ben\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cGet the baby,\u201d he yelled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see to Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben released his middle son and began swimming with powerful strokes toward his youngest, whose head, surprisingly, still stayed on the surface more than it dipped below.\u00a0 Reaching the boy, Ben pulled him into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right, baby; Pa\u2019s got you,\u201d he soothed.<\/p>\n

But Little Joe needed no soothing.\u00a0 \u201cWa wa,\u201d he begged, left hand splashing at the water.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed, relieved.\u00a0 \u201cYou little fish.\u00a0 You like the water, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 Not scared like your big brother?\u00a0 No, not a bit.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Marie standing in water to her knees, Ben held the baby high.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s all right.\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep him with me for a while.\u201d\u00a0 As Marie climbed out of the water, wringing her skirts, Ben smiled at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cSo you want to learn to swim, do you?\u00a0 Let\u2019s show that cowardly brother of yours how to do it, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe grinned as Ben lowered him into the water and moved back toward Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYou can go sit on the shore and watch,\u201d he told the older boy.\u00a0 \u201cI have a little lad here who\u2019s not afraid of the water.\u00a0 I think I\u2019d like to teach a willing pupil for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss glowered at Little Joe.\u00a0 How dare that little thing show him up and bring Pa\u2019s displeasure down on him?\u00a0 For Inger or Jimmy to outshine him was one thing, but Little Joe!\u00a0 Hoss fumed with indignity as his father towed him into shallow water and swatted him toward shore.<\/p>\n

Ben carried Little Joe back into deeper water.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy ain\u2019t got a scared bone in his body!\u201d Clyde cackled.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNor many cautious ones, either.\u201d\u00a0 He looked over at Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, old friend.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what I\u2019d\u2019ve done if you hadn\u2019t taken Hoss off my hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Clyde assured him.\u00a0 \u201cInger\u2019s got floatin\u2019 down pat, so I knew I could leave her for a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded thoughtfully and laid the baby on his back.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see if you can float, Little Joe,\u201d he suggested and slowly moved his hands away.<\/p>\n

Little Joe didn\u2019t float, but only because he wouldn\u2019t lie still.\u00a0 Almost immediately he rolled over and began to flap his limbs in rather inaccurate imitation of the swimmers.\u00a0 Ben put one hand under the boy\u2019s stomach.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, all right,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0 \u201cKick your legs, Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He used his free hand to slap the water with first one little foot, then the other.\u00a0 It took awhile, but Little Joe began to get the idea.\u00a0 Soon he could kick his legs while Ben held his hands out in front of him.\u00a0 Little Joe crowed with pleasure.<\/p>\n

Watching from shore, Hoss began to burn with shame.\u00a0 Little Joe was swimming!\u00a0 Really swimming\u2014\u2014well, almost.\u00a0 And Pa was beaming with pride in his little boy.\u00a0 It was unbearable.\u00a0 Hoss waded out waist-deep and called, \u201cPa, I wanna learn to swim.\u00a0 It\u2019s my turn now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at him in amazement.\u00a0 Hoss had always screamed when he was forced into the water.\u00a0 Now he wanted to learn?\u00a0 Jealous, Ben quickly realized, but he didn\u2019t care what motivated the boy, so long as he learned.\u00a0 \u201cLike to, Hoss,\u201d he called, \u201cbut I\u2019ve got my hands full now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think your little brother\u2019s ready to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Paul called, \u201cwhat don\u2019t I see what I can teach Hoss?\u00a0 Jimmy here\u2019s doing well enough that Clyde can watch him and Inger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Clyde agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Ben accepted gratefully.<\/p>\n

Paul guided Hoss into deeper water.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t let me drown, will you?\u201d Hoss pleaded, clinging to his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t let you drown,\u201d Paul promised gently.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be afraid of, Hoss.\u00a0 Your body\u2019ll float right on top of the water if you relax and quit fighting it.\u00a0 It\u2019s a scientific fact.\u00a0 Shall we try that first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cO\u2014okay,\u201d Hoss said through shivering lips.\u00a0 He figured Paul, being a doctor, had his science straight and that gave the boy a measure more confidence than his father\u2019s repeated assurances.<\/p>\n

From time to time Ben glanced over at the doctor working with his second son.\u00a0 Paul seemed to be having more success with Hoss than his own father ever had.\u00a0 Ben felt a moment\u2019s envy, but brushed it aside.\u00a0 Whatever works<\/em>, he chuckled.\u00a0 Finally, Little Joe seemed to grow tired, so Ben carried him back to his mother.<\/p>\n

Marie had removed her soaked shoes and stockings and was sitting on the quilt, bare feet tucked beneath her.\u00a0 \u201cCome here, naughty boy,\u201d she laughed gently as Ben handed her the baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, don\u2019t scold him,\u201d Ben chided.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s worked wonders this afternoon.\u00a0 Not only has he made strides in learning to swim himself, but he\u2019s convinced that milksop brother of his to try again, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you be sayin\u2019 a harsh word about Hoss,\u201d Nelly chided.\u00a0 \u201cThat boy\u2019s worked a wonder himself today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, knowing she meant the reconciliation between him and Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he has.\u00a0 Just call me Father of Wonders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie picked up her button shoe and tossed it at him.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTEEN<\/p>\n

Summer Adventures<\/h4>\n

August was a month as bright in outlook as it was in the sunniness of its days.\u00a0 Of course, the reconciliation of the two families was the greatest source of sunshine in their hearts.\u00a0 Once again Sundays were times to share friendship around a table of happy faces.<\/p>\n

The corn had been hilled and laid by until harvest, and the second planting of the garden completed.\u00a0 Since their major responsibility was well in hand, and since Adam had only one month until he returned to Sacramento for his second year at the academy, he and Hoss were given extra free time to spend as they chose.\u00a0 Adam, feeling he\u2019d soon have all he wanted of being closed indoors, chose to spend the time in the open air.\u00a0 Often he and Billy, with Hoss struggling to keep in sight, raced their mounts through Washoe Valley, just to feel the breeze whistle in their ears.<\/p>\n

More often, though, the boys skimmed the surface of Lake Tahoe in the sunny yellow sailboat.\u00a0 Hoss liked those times best because, usually, he and Adam were alone.\u00a0 Sometimes Billy broke free from his chores for a long enough visit to go up to the lake, but Hoss pretty much had his brother to himself there.<\/p>\n

And the memories they stored up against the coming separation!\u00a0 The small ship traversed Lake Tahoe from east to west and north to south.\u00a0 Every inch of its sapphire surface seemed their personal property: every rock, every cove, every tree.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s name stuff,\u201d Hoss suggested, \u201clike you did Zephyr Cove.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 To name his own world appealed to his literary nature, but he supposed, to be fair, he\u2019d have to give Hoss some voice in what the landmarks were called.\u00a0 \u201cHow about that?\u201d he asked, pointing to a large, volcanic rock about four miles north of Zephyr Cove.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Cave Rock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned at the simple name, but saw what his brother meant.\u00a0 A tunnel appeared to go through the rock and probably did form a cave.\u00a0 \u201cI guess it\u2019ll do until we come up with something better,\u201d he conceded.<\/p>\n

They continued sailing north past the promontory.\u00a0 When they\u2019d passed it, Adam turned to look at Cave Rock from the opposite side.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Hoss,\u201d he cried, pointing.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t that look like a lady\u2019s face?\u00a0 See her little, upturned nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss yelled.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a lady, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we call it the Lady of the Lake,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s from a famous poem.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s nose screwed with distaste.\u00a0 \u201cA poem!\u00a0 Aw, no, Adam.\u00a0 Cave Rock suits me fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s so plain, Hoss,\u201d Adam argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like it plain,\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re the one all the time wantin\u2019 stuff fancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath and decided, as the older brother, he\u2019d have to be the mature one.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, we\u2019ll compromise,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll call it Cave Rock, and say the Lady of the Lake lives on this side of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Hoss drawled, then smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, she is a lady, and she does live at the lake.\u00a0 The Lady of the Lake who lives at Cave Rock.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

The wind changed and began to blow from the north.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see if we can sail all the way to the south shore,\u201d Adam said, bringing the boat around.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBet we\u2019ll find more stuff to name down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned.\u00a0 He was confident they would.\u00a0 Sure enough, an unusual rock formation greeted them on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 Adam instantly came up with the perfect name, and he was determined not to give in so easily this time.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll call this Shakespeare Rock,\u201d he dictated.<\/p>\n

\u201cShakespeare!\u00a0 That\u2019s plumb awful!\u201d Hoss hollered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, look, Hoss,\u201d Adam pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cYou can see his features real plain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pouted.\u00a0 \u201cI can see it looks like a man, all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like Shakespeare,\u201d Adam insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never seen him,\u201d Hoss accused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen pictures, and this looks just like them,\u201d Adam contended.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s one in Pa\u2019s book at home.\u00a0 I\u2019ll show you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss squirmed.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t we just call it the Man of the Lake.\u00a0 It\u2019d go with the Lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Hoss,\u201d Adam persisted.\u00a0 \u201cThis is Shakespeare Rock.\u00a0 You can name the next place we find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d Hoss conceded.\u00a0 \u201cWhere to next, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHome, silly.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting late, and you don\u2019t want to miss supper, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNope.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s fixin\u2019 leg of lamb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took the oars and began pulling against the wind.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right; I wouldn\u2019t want to miss that.\u201d\u00a0 Since the Cartwrights didn\u2019t raise sheep themselves, mutton didn\u2019t show up on the table frequently.\u00a0 Tonight\u2019s supper would be a treat, and tomorrow\u2019s, too, since the left-over meat was likely to turn up in shepherd pie.<\/p>\n

On their next excursion the boys, accompanied by Billy this time, sailed from Zephyr Cove to the large bay directly across the lake.\u00a0 \u201cLook at that!\u201d Billy whooped as they came through the four-hundred-foot wide mouth that quickly opened into the broader bay beyond.\u00a0 \u201cThis here\u2019s the purtiest spot on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not on the Ponderosa,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re in California now, buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cClose enough.\u00a0 Besides, ain\u2019t nobody else around to claim it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr name it,\u201d Hoss added firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you wanna call it\u2014\u2014Hoss Water?\u201d Billy jibed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Hoss scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re worse than Adam, Billy, when it comes to names.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him he could name the next place,\u201d Adam explained, \u201cso we\u2019re stuck with whatever he comes up with.\u201d\u00a0 His black eyes glinted as he stared Hoss down.\u00a0 \u201cIt had better be something good, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be,\u201d Hoss promised.\u00a0 \u201cJust give me some time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy groaned.\u00a0 \u201cThis could take all day.\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore that island over there while slowpoke makes up his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019d be a good place for our picnic,\u201d Adam decided.\u00a0 Hop Sing, working on the theory that growing boys came equipped with hollow legs, had packed a bulging hamper.<\/p>\n

Hoss was always ready to eat, so the three were in agreement.\u00a0 They sailed as close to the small island as the wind would permit, then rowed to its north shore, tied up the boat and hiked to the topmost point.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a baby island,\u201d Hoss commented as Adam spread the checked tablecloth on the ground, \u201cjust the right size for a picnic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not calling it Baby Island!\u201d Adam ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Billy put in.\u00a0 \u201cIs he namin\u2019 the bay or the island?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bay,\u201d Hoss inserted, quickly claiming what he felt to be the greater honor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can name the island, Billy,\u201d Adam offered generously, then frowned, \u201cso long as it\u2019s not something stupid.\u201d\u00a0 He took sandwiches from the hamper and gave one to each of the other boys.\u00a0 As they munched, broad-winged bald eagles, snowy white heads gleaming in the sunlight, glided overhead and slightly smaller brown and white osprey swooped down to plunge feet first into the bay and snatch fish from the emerald waters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ain\u2019t the only ones havin\u2019 lunch,\u201d Billy cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Wish I could catch fish that easy,\u201d Hoss chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, try catching this,\u201d Adam snickered, tossing a cookie at his brother.\u00a0 Hoss caught it and bit into the sugar-sprinkled circle with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cYup, better than fish,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n

After lunch the boys stretched out beneath the nearest shade and watched the huge birds fly overhead.\u00a0 \u201cSure are a bunch of \u2018em,\u201d Billy commented.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat up quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s it!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cEagle Bay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam closed his eyes and considered the name.\u00a0 \u201cNot bad, Hoss,\u201d he concluded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Eagle Bay suits this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy pointed to an osprey perched in a tree above their boat.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna call the island Fish Hawk Roost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s nose wrinkled.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t like the way that sounded, but couldn\u2019t deny the logic of Billy\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, the way them hawks is catchin\u2019 fish, I bet we could bring home a mess for supper easy,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut I think we\u2019ll do better fishing from the boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get at \u2018er then,\u201d Billy urged.\u00a0 \u201cMy pa\u2019s powerful fond of them cutthroat trout you catch here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust \u2018cause they\u2019re big,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, boys, let\u2019s pack up and go to fishing!\u201d<\/p>\n

The three hurriedly stuffed whatever was left back into the picnic hamper.\u00a0 Ben had taught his boys to leave the wild places the way they found them, so they made sure nothing remained but a few crusts of bread Hoss crumbled for the birds.\u00a0 Then they raced down to the boat and rowed deeper into the bay to fish away the afternoon, coming home with enough cutthroat and silver trout to satisfy the supper tables of both families.\u00a0 Between them, Adam and Hoss caught more than the Cartwrights needed, so Hoss suggested sending some to Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, be glad to drop \u2018em by,\u201d Billy offered with a quick wink at Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam scowled, knowing Billy planned to impress Sally with the catch.\u00a0 \u201cJust make sure you tell her who caught those fish,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Billy said easily.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll taste twice as good if she knows they came from Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his head, grinning.\u00a0 He\u2019d lay odds Hoss never got the credit for those fish.<\/p>\n

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

The last Saturday in August the Cartwrights and their friends gathered for one last picnic at Lake Tahoe, a farewell party for Adam, who would leave for Sacramento the following Monday.\u00a0 Marie, Hoss and Little Joe would be traveling by stagecoach, while Ben, Adam, Enos Montgomery and two other hands drove the cattle Ben thought were ready for market.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s party would arrive in Placerville days before Ben, of course, but she would spend them visiting the Zuebner family.\u00a0 The family would reunite in Placerville, where Ben planned to sell what cattle he could before driving the rest on to Sacramento.\u00a0 Marie and the younger boys would, of course, take the stage and train into California\u2019s capital.\u00a0 She would arrive first and be settled in the Orleans Hotel by the time Ben finished his business.\u00a0 Once Adam was again established in Molly Maguire\u2019s rooming house, the rest of the family would go on together to San Francisco and later to Rancho Hermoso.<\/p>\n

Nelly sighed as the plans were discussed over a lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, pickled beets, sauerkraut and peach pie.\u00a0 \u201cLands, what a trip that\u2019ll be!\u00a0 You know, I ain\u2019t never even seen California.\u201d\u00a0 She had planned to go to the neighboring state once with Clyde, to pick out her parlor furniture, but little Inger had taken sick and Clyde had been forced to do the choosing himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t missed much,\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our old friends I miss,\u201d Nelly elaborated, slapping her husband\u2019s rough hand.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t seen none of them folks we come west with since we settled here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019d love to see you,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh!\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cThat Camilla\u2019s turned plumb snooty, from what I hear.\u00a0 Reckon she wouldn\u2019t be pleasured to see plain folk like us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not,\u201d Nelly admitted, looking at her worn calico.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t worn her best dress to a picnic, of course, and the everyday dress looked faded and worn, especially next to Marie\u2019s.\u00a0 The younger woman had dressed in one of her simplest frocks for the outing, but Marie managed to look elegant in whatever she wore.\u00a0 Probably look like a princess even in this old rag of mine<\/em>, Nelly thought and sighed again.<\/p>\n

An idea flickered across Marie\u2019s countenance.\u00a0 \u201cBut why not come with us, Nelly?\u201d she suggested eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cI would love to have a traveling companion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I couldn\u2019t,\u201d Nelly protested, but her brown eyes grew warm considering the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ma, can I go, too?\u201d Inger begged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t,\u201d Nelly said again, her voice weaker this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, of course, you could,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, it would be a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Marie agreed eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cWith Ben busy with the cattle, I could use help with the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need help with me,\u201d Hoss protested, \u201cand I\u2019ll help with Little Joe.\u00a0 I always do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush, Hoss,\u201d his mother whispered urgently.\u00a0 She knew how little it would take to sway Nelly into saying no.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about it, Clyde?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019re too tied up with the trading post, but you wouldn\u2019t mind Nelly\u2019s having a grand fling in California, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know,\u201d Clyde mused.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t never thought of her goin\u2019 off visitin\u2019 on her own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wouldn\u2019t be alone,\u201d Ben pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to go, Pa,\u201d Inger whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo women travelin\u2019 with three younguns ain\u2019t much better,\u201d Clyde snorted, glaring at his girl\u2019s interruption.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s some rough characters in Californy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll protect \u2018em, Uncle Clyde,\u201d Hoss assured him soberly.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t understand the sudden laughter that circled the picnic cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere now, that ought to ease your mind,\u201d Paul Martin chuckled, giving Ben a wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, I\u2019m relieved, all right,\u201d Clyde said, eyes rolling.\u00a0 \u201cYou reckon you can handle a Californy bad man, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he tried to hurt Aunt Nelly or Mama or Little Joe, I sure would,\u201d Hoss declared stoutly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, what about me?\u201d Inger demanded, knotting her fist and pounding Hoss\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too,\u201d Hoss said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI know I ain\u2019t a man, but I\u2019m strong and I can fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips were twitching almost uncontrollably.\u00a0 \u201cYou have to admit he\u2019s strong,\u201d he told Clyde and quickly buried his mouth in a napkin.<\/p>\n

Clyde shook his head, not convinced, but too amused to argue further.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s up to Nelly,\u201d he said finally.<\/p>\n

Marie caught her hand.\u00a0 \u201cOh, say you will come, Nelly.\u00a0 Think how glad Ludmilla and Camilla and Rachel will be to see you after all these years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the children,\u201d Nelly murmured.\u00a0 \u201cHow I\u2019d love to see how they\u2019ve grown.\u201d\u00a0 Then she shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I couldn\u2019t; I just couldn\u2019t leave my menfolk with no one to see after them\u2014\u2014not for that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see after them,\u201d Sally offered impulsively from her place between Billy and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a good cook, Mrs. Thomas, and I can do the washing and mending, whatever they need \u2018til you return.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Billy cried.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s an idea.\u201d\u00a0 He tossed Sally a conspiratorial smile.<\/p>\n

Seeing it, Adam\u2019s jaw hardened.\u00a0 He could read Billy\u2019s mind.\u00a0 That leering Billy was picturing himself cozying up to the doctor\u2019s daughter night after night, while his rival stewed two hundred miles to the west.\u00a0 The two young men took their rivalry pretty lightly, at least to this point.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t sure what his true feelings for Sally were, and Billy seemed to share pretty much the same feelings for every girl he came near.\u00a0 Eating at Sally\u2019s table, however, might give the mischievous redhead an advantage it would be hard to combat from a distance, improved postal service notwithstanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, what a sweet offer,\u201d Nelly said, smiling at Sally.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay yes, Ma; I want to see San Francisco,\u201d Inger pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u201d\u2014\u2014Nelly drew the word out to give herself time to think\u2014\u2014\u201cWell, yes, I believe I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, wonderful!\u201d\u00a0 The girl stood quickly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Adam, I\u2019m ready for that sail you promised me.\u201d\u00a0 She wanted to get away quickly before Nelly had a chance to reconsider.\u00a0 She was a good-hearted girl and wanted the kindly older woman to have the pleasure of the trip, but even more she found herself looking forward to the opportunity to show off her domestic skills for a larger audience than just her father.<\/p>\n

Billy jumped up.\u00a0 \u201cHey, I\u2019m goin\u2019, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Sally laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we can put up with you, hmm, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded, then smiled triumphantly at Billy when the girl hooked her arm through his for the walk to the sailboat.\u00a0 Billy stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled nonchalantly after them.\u00a0 Let Adam have this afternoon\u2019s victory.\u00a0 Billy would have plenty of time to make up for taking second place today.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to sail today,\u201d Inger pouted.\u00a0 \u201cI never have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take you out later,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, we\u2019ll all go sailing today, turn and turn about.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be hauling the boat back home this afternoon, so this is our last chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss leaned over to whisper in his baby brother\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cHear that; we\u2019re all goin\u2019 on the boat today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBo\u2019!\u201d Little Joe shouted with glee.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean him, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou did say everyone, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and after all,\u201d Clyde cackled, \u201cif Hoss is strong enough to fight off desperados, he ought to be strong enough to hang onto one squirmin\u2019 youngun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grunted his displeasure under his breath, then turned a stern eye on Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better take a firm grip on that boy and don\u2019t let go for nothin\u2019, you hear me, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wide-eyed and awed by the responsibility, Hoss bobbed his head quickly.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FOURTEEN<\/p>\n

Subtle Hints<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwrights had purchased their tickets and were waiting on the street in Genoa when Billy drove up and helped his mother and little sister from the buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Aunt Nelly!\u201d Hoss called, waving with all his might.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think she could miss you,\u201d Ben commented dryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Sunshine,\u201d Nelly smiled, walking down the boardwalk to meet her friends.\u00a0 She stooped to give the boy a hug.\u00a0 Close behind, Inger bounced up and down, eager to be off on her first real journey.<\/p>\n

Billy dropped his mother\u2019s carpetbag at her feet.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get your ticket, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, son,\u201d she said, then stared at the pile of luggage near Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThat all yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cA lot of it belongs to Adam.\u00a0 Easier to send his things this way than haul them on a cattle drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMakes sense.\u00a0 I was afeared Marie was bringin\u2019 her whole wardrobe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite,\u201d Ben observed, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.<\/p>\n

Marie slapped his upper arm.\u00a0 \u201cHe thinks I pack too much, but he forgets how long we will be gone.\u00a0 Besides, much of what he calls my luggage is filled with this one\u2019s diapers.\u201d\u00a0 She patted Little Joe\u2019s bottom affectionately.<\/p>\n

Nelly leaned over to kiss the baby\u2019s curly, dark gold locks.\u00a0 \u201cYou got more courage than me, takin\u2019 one this small, but I know how you cherish keepin\u2019 the little sugarfoot close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSugarfoot!\u201d Hoss giggled.\u00a0 \u201cIs that gonna be your name for him, like mine is Sunshine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, just maybe, Sunshine,\u201d Nelly smiled.<\/p>\n

Billy sauntered out of the store.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s your ticket, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Billy,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no need you stayin\u2019 to see us off.\u00a0 Ben here will see we get boarded safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon I\u2019ll head out then,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cGotta consult with Sally about dinner, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt she needs your help,\u201d Ben mumbled.<\/p>\n

Hearing him, Billy just shrugged and gave his mother a kiss.\u00a0 \u201cGive my love to Marta,\u201d he dictated.<\/p>\n

Nelly laid an affectionate swat on his britches.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll warn her to keep clear of the likes of you, you scamp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHave yourself a right fine trip, Ma, and don\u2019t be frettin\u2019 \u2018bout me and Pa.\u00a0 We\u2019ll make out.\u201d\u00a0 He gave Inger\u2019s strawberry-blonde braid a swift yank as he loped past her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Inger yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBehave yourself, little sis,\u201d Billy called.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t run off with no Sacramento charmer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, he makes me so mad!\u201d Inger confided to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t big brothers just the biggest pains in the\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInger!\u201d her mother snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeck, Ma,\u201d Inger finished quickly.\u00a0 She grinned at Hoss, who shook his head.\u00a0 Not that he disagreed entirely.\u00a0 Big brothers could be a pain in the neck, no arguing about that, but that academy was about to swallow Hoss\u2019s big brother again for endless months.\u00a0 Inger, who\u2019d seen her big brother practically every day of her life, couldn\u2019t understand that sometimes big brothers could be missed.<\/p>\n

The stage rumbled into town and pulled to a halt.\u00a0 Ben helped the driver load all the luggage, then assisted Nelly as she stepped into the coach, followed by Hoss and Inger.\u00a0 He took Little Joe in his arms for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s gonna miss you,\u201d he cooed in the baby\u2019s ear as he held him close.\u00a0 \u201cBe a good boy now, and don\u2019t give Mama any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

He lifted the baby inside to Nelly\u2019s reaching arms.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d Little Joe called.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t understand why his father wasn\u2019t getting in, too.\u00a0 Or his mother.\u00a0 \u201cMama!\u201d he cried, squirming to get off Nelly\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better go to him,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm-hmm,\u201d Ben acknowledged, but he held her a moment longer.\u00a0 \u201cHave a good trip,\u201d he said, giving her a lingering kiss.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you in Placerville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMama!\u201d Little Joe screamed.\u00a0 Marie gave Ben\u2019s cheek a parting stroke and hurriedly climbed into the stagecoach.<\/p>\n

Ben waved until the vehicle was out of sight, then mounted and rode quickly to join the trail drive already making its way south to Carson Pass.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was still crying as the stage took off.\u00a0 \u201cSorry I couldn\u2019t settle him,\u201d Nelly apologized.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he feared I wasn\u2019t coming,\u201d Marie murmured, then smiled at her friend.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry; he will soon quiet down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe likes stagecoaches,\u201d Hoss explained and Marie nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Inger said, giving a happy bounce that brought a disapproving frown from the portly gentleman who, with Hoss, was making a sandwich of the little girl on the seat opposite the two mothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cInger, sit still,\u201d Nelly cautioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019ve never been on a stagecoach before, Ma,\u201d Inger whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, me neither,\u201d her mother laughed, \u201cbut I ain\u2019t bouncin\u2019 all over the coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanna sit by the window, Inger?\u201d Hoss offered.\u00a0 \u201cYou can see better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d the girl cried, immediately standing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a sweet thought, Sunshine,\u201d Nelly complimented as the children switched places.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, I been on a stagecoach lots of times,\u201d Hoss said, discounting his chivalrous action.\u00a0 He could count on one hand, with fingers left over, the number of trips he\u2019d made by stagecoach, but Hoss felt himself a seasoned traveler compared to Inger, who\u2019d never been west of the Sierras.\u00a0 Since the ladies were keeping Little Joe occupied, Hoss passed the time by pointing out the sights to Inger.<\/p>\n

As the coach jolted over the rough roads, Marie moaned, then smiled at Nelly.\u00a0 \u201cIt is miserable, I know, but we must take comfort from all those days we will have in Placerville to rest.\u00a0 And the stage beyond there is smoother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly just laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLands, girl, this isn\u2019t rough, not compared to walking from Indiana.\u00a0 And so fast!\u00a0 It\u2019s a luxury, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie giggled a little.\u00a0 \u201cI first came here by wagon, too, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuckboard,\u201d Nelly scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cRidin\u2019 all the way.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t the same, honey lamb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I am sure,\u201d Marie agreed congenially.\u00a0 \u201cI would like to hear of your trip west, Nelly.\u00a0 Ben has told me so little.\u00a0 I think he fears to speak too much of\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInger?\u201d Nelly asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, Ma?\u201d Inger asked, turning from the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot you, darlin\u2019,\u201d Nelly laughed, \u201cthe one you\u2019re named for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother?\u201d Hoss queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Sunshine.\u00a0 Your mama was askin\u2019 about how we all come west together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna hear, too,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Inger pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothin\u2019 much to see out this window.\u00a0 Just more sand and sage.\u00a0 Tell the story, Ma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe certainly have time,\u201d Marie pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if this gent don\u2019t mind listenin\u2019, I reckon I will,\u201d Nelly said.\u00a0 She smiled across at the man whose corpulent face was made broader still by his mutton chop whiskers.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll help keep the younguns quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man nodded, clearly pleased with any suggestion that would guarantee a peaceful ride.<\/p>\n

Nelly wasn\u2019t the storyteller Ben Cartwright was, but her remembrance of the journey west included the kind of homey details Marie found fascinating, with enough excitement thrown in to interest the children and their seatmate, as well.\u00a0 An hour into the story, the children decided they were hungry, so Marie and Nelly opened the lunch baskets.\u00a0 Since they\u2019d each brought one, there was more than enough to share, and their fellow traveler became positively chummy as he munched sandwiches and listened to more of the Larrimore train\u2019s travels along the California Trail.<\/p>\n

Once the stage began to ascend the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Inger\u2019s interest in the scenery perked up again, and Hoss impressed her with his ability to name virtually every plant they saw from the window.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re smart,\u201d Inger said, thus winning Hoss\u2019s undying gratitude.\u00a0 No one else had ever described him that way!<\/p>\n

Night fell and the weary passengers slumbered as the stage rumbled on.\u00a0 None slept well, however, with the possible exception of Little Joe, who seemed to respond to the moving stage as if it were a rocking cradle.\u00a0 Hoss and Inger woke early and irritable, and the gentleman sharing their seat began to wish he\u2019d gotten off at one of the miserable way stations they\u2019d passed in the night.\u00a0 Nelly dug out the remaining sandwiches from her hamper and passed them around.\u00a0 The rumbling of their tummies stilled, the children settled down once more.<\/p>\n

The mountain country was beautiful.\u00a0 Dark evergreens lined the roadway, while here and there stands of aspen were just beginning to turn vibrant gold or flaming red.\u00a0 Such views could be seen from the valleys east of the Sierras, of course, and even more frequently in the hills surrounding the Ponderosa, but here trees abounded, lacing the air with the pungent aroma of pine, mingled with the less discernible scents of other trees.<\/p>\n

The red clay canyon on whose sides Placerville sprawled glowed in the deeper crimson of the setting sun as the stagecoach pulled in and deposited its passengers.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure, ladies,\u201d their gentleman companion said, doffing his gray felt hat, then proved his congeniality by calmly hoisting several of their carpetbags beneath his hefty arms.<\/p>\n

With his help and that of a man Marie hired to assist them, the party transported all the baggage to the El Dorado Hotel and checked into adjoining rooms.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re goin\u2019 over to Mama Zuebner\u2019s for supper, ain\u2019t we?\u201d Hoss asked eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m half starved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss, I think we should eat here tonight,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why?\u00a0 Mama Zuebner\u2019s is the best in town,\u201d Hoss argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d his mother said, \u201cand we will have breakfast there, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>, but we are all tired and dusty.\u00a0 We will feel more like visiting tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, shucks!\u201d Hoss pouted, plopping down on the nearest chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, I hate to disappoint the youngun,\u201d Nelly sympathized, \u201cbut I\u2019d sure favor lookin\u2019 a sight less draggled when I see Ludmilla again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cHoss must be patient and think of others besides himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Mama,\u201d Hoss said, but his face still hung with disappointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hungry, too, Ma,\u201d Inger grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t we eat now, wherever we do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, sugar,\u201d her mother soothed.\u00a0 \u201cHere, you said, Marie?\u00a0 They got a restaurant?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cBen has eaten here before.\u00a0 He says it is acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s try it, then,\u201d Nelly advised.\u00a0 \u201cWe ought to get these cranky younguns fed and bathed and into bed as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis one is not so cranky,\u201d Marie smiled as she shifted Little Joe from one arm to the other.\u00a0 \u201cMy good little traveler.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe certainly is,\u201d Nelly said, giving the baby an approving pat.\u00a0 Hoss and Inger exchanged a look of joint discomfort.\u00a0 Neither of them appreciated having a baby make them look bad.\u00a0 No word passed between them, but both of the older children decided to work extra hard at behaving well at the supper table.<\/p>\n

Nelly took one look at the menu and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cA dollar for plain old sauerkraut!\u201d she hissed to Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Marie commiserated.\u00a0 \u201cPrices are terrible, but one must eat, oui<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon,\u201d Nelly muttered.\u00a0 \u201cLudmilla must be makin\u2019 a fortune if her prices come close to these.\u00a0 Me and Clyde just may be in the wrong business, in the wrong place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not tease,\u201d Marie chided.\u00a0 \u201cHow would we survive without you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t serious, honey lamb.\u00a0 I like our part of the country.\u201d\u00a0 She looked down at Inger.\u00a0 \u201cYou know what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t read all these words, Ma,\u201d Inger muttered in frustration.<\/p>\n

Nelly sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI wish the girl could have a real teacher.\u00a0 I try, but I fear she ain\u2019t learnin\u2019 like she should.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mama\u2019s been teachin\u2019 me real good,\u201d Hoss bragged.\u00a0 \u201cI can read this whole menu.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, Sunshine,\u201d Nelly said at the same moment that Marie rebuked Hoss for bragging.<\/p>\n

Hoss quickly glued his eyes to the menu and looked up to announce his selection.\u00a0 \u201cI want the hash.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one, Hoss?\u201d Marie queried.\u00a0 \u201cLow grade or eighteen carat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a quarter, the way I read it,\u201d Nelly giggled.\u00a0 \u201cReckon the eighteen carat is supposed to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd for a quarter\u2019s difference, I think you should choose the better, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded in agreement.\u00a0 \u201cEighteen carat, then, for me.\u00a0 How \u2018bout you, Inger?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that say \u2018rabbit?\u2019\u201d the little girl asked, pointing to a familiar word.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss replied.\u00a0 \u201cJackass rabbit, whole, one dollar,\u201d he read to demonstrate his skill.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I want,\u201d Inger decided.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Inger, you won\u2019t eat a whole rabbit,\u201d her mother objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s what I want,\u201d Inger insisted, her face forming a pout.\u00a0 Hoss gave her a swift kick under the table.\u00a0 Inger got the message.\u00a0 \u201cPlease,\u201d she said, amending her attitude with dizzying alacrity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I reckon we could share it,\u201d Nelly mused.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t so all fired hungry myself, and it would cut down on the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can order extra vegetables, I am sure,\u201d Marie suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI think I will have hash, like Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t share,\u201d Hoss said quickly.\u00a0 Inger returned the kick he\u2019d given her earlier.\u00a0 Hoss frowned at her.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant to share mine with Little Joe,\u201d Marie said, her eyes reproachful, \u201cnot you.\u00a0 I am familiar with your appetite, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gulped.\u00a0 \u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said in quick contrition.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2019ll leave you plenty; he don\u2019t eat much.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, he does not,\u201d Marie tittered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot near as much as you, anyway,\u201d Inger said pointedly.<\/p>\n

Hoss glared at her. \u00a0\u201cNor you, either.\u00a0 Oink, oink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChildren, please,\u201d Marie admonished.\u00a0 Their voices had been both sharp and loud.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee how sweet Little Joe\u2019s behavin\u2019,\u201d Nelly added.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, who\u2019d been happily patting the linen tablecloth with the flat of his hand, looked up and smiled angelically at the mention of his name.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Inger looked at each other and sighed.\u00a0 They\u2019d let it happen again.\u00a0 As they returned to their rooms after supper, Inger took Hoss\u2019s arm and whispered in his ear, \u201cWe got to do somethin\u2019 about that baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t any happier with Little Joe at the moment than she was, but, after all, a brother was a brother, while a friend was just a friend.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss rapped on the door to Nelly and Inger\u2019s room.\u00a0 The little girl answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou ready yet?\u201d Hoss queried.\u00a0 \u201cMama\u2019s just about got Little Joe dressed, and I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re always hungry,\u201d Inger tittered as she opened the door wide to let Hoss in.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost ready, Sunshine,\u201d Nelly reported.\u00a0 She was sitting before the mirror above the dressing table, retying her best silk bonnet.\u00a0 Her fumbling fingers just couldn\u2019t seem to get the bow right this morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look mighty fine,\u201d Hoss said, \u201cand Inger, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger gave the wide flounce of her pink gingham skirt an impatient twitch.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t it awful, dressin\u2019 up this fancy just to go to breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you lookin\u2019 nice for my old friends,\u201d Nelly said, nervously smoothing her daughter\u2019s strawberry strands and perching a bonnet on her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to wear a hat,\u201d Inger complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush now,\u201d Nelly scolded as she tied the pink ribbons under Inger\u2019s chin.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t see Hoss fussin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see him wearin\u2019 no bonnet, neither,\u201d Inger sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cHe ain\u2019t even dressed fancy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2019ll we get to them Larrimores,\u201d Hoss sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be decked out fancy enough to make a dude miserable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly bit her lip.\u00a0 Exactly what she\u2019d feared.\u00a0 Looking down at her best dress, years out of fashion, she sighed.\u00a0 She herded the two youngsters before her to the Cartwrights\u2019 room.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, good.\u00a0 You are ready,\u201d Marie said, reaching for her green muslin bonnet and tying its black grosgrain ribbons.\u00a0 It matched her merino skirt, which was topped by a tucked chemise of white linen with puffed sleeves and cuffs of tiny tucks edged with lace.\u00a0 \u201cHow beautiful you look, Nelly!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly smiled.\u00a0 For once, she didn\u2019t feel tacky standing next to Marie.\u00a0 That was only because Marie had chosen such a simple outfit this morning, though.\u00a0 As they walked toward Mama Zuebner\u2019s Cafe, Nelly mentioned what Hoss had said about the Larrimores.\u00a0 \u201cI been frettin\u2019 that nothin\u2019 I got\u2019s fancy enough for them,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cClyde said I could pick me out some dress goods this trip.\u00a0 You reckon, maybe, Ludmilla would let us use her scissors and needles to stitch up a dress?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure she would,\u201d Marie assented, \u201cbut you will find a better selection of fabric in Sacramento, Nelly, and we will have time there as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut no place to work,\u201d Nelly argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Maguire\u2019d let you use her place, I bet,\u201d Hoss piped up.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWe must see Adam\u2019s things safely to the rooming house, so we will ask her then.\u00a0 She is most friendly and helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I remember you tellin\u2019 how she watched Little Joe for you last trip,\u201d Nelly said.<\/p>\n

Arriving at the cafe, Nelly\u2019s fingers fluttered at her throat.\u00a0 \u201cLands, I won\u2019t know those girls,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled, understanding her friend\u2019s nervousness.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, you will, and they will know you.\u00a0 You will see.\u201d<\/p>\n

They entered and a pretty, blonde girl of eighteen turned to assist them in finding a table in the room crowded with hungry miners.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Cartwright!\u201d she squealed, hurrying to the party of women and children.\u00a0 \u201cAnd your beautiful baby\u2014\u2014and Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 She stooped to give the chunky boy a hug.<\/p>\n

Standing upright again, she cocked her head to examine Marie\u2019s companion, then, giving a cry of delight, wrapped Nelly in a warm embrace.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Mrs. Thomas, it\u2019s been so long!\u201d the girl exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cWe see Mr. Thomas and Billy several times a year, but you\u201d\u2014\u2014her eyes fell on the child at Nelly\u2019s side\u2014\u2014\u201cand this must be your little girl!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Inger,\u201d Nelly said, smiling with pride.\u00a0 Inger fidgeted uncomfortably under the German girl\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama will be so excited to see you after all these years,\u201d Katerina said.\u00a0 \u201cLet me find you a table, and I will tell her you have come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Katerina,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

Katerina managed to find them a table by the window.\u00a0 As they took their seats, she asked, \u201cAre your husbands with you?\u00a0 Will you need more room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but Ben will meet us here in a few days,\u201d Marie explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe is driving some cattle to market.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mama will be glad to hear that,\u201d Katerina remarked.\u00a0 \u201cOur customers have been asking when we might have some of that good Ponderosa beef again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen will be glad to hear that<\/em>,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 Ben took pride in the fine cattle he raised and would welcome the news of the Ponderosa\u2019s growing reputation for prime beef.<\/p>\n

Katerina started to head for the kitchen, then turned back to the table.\u00a0 \u201cWould\u2014\u2014would Enos be with the cattle drive this time?\u201d she asked shyly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonsieur<\/em> Montgomery?\u00a0 Oui<\/em>, he will be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Katerina blushed and hurried away to the kitchen.\u00a0 Nelly leaned close to Marie.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t reckon?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cMmn?\u201d Marie hummed.<\/p>\n

\u201cKaterina and your foreman,\u201d Nelly whispered even more softly.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s eyes lighted.\u00a0 \u201cOh!\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t that be romantic?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Hoss sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cI like Enos; I don\u2019t want him runnin\u2019 off to Placerville after no girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHush, Hoss,\u201d his mother ordered abruptly.<\/p>\n

Hoss sighed.\u00a0 Breakfast was starting off the same way dinner had ended, and no blame to Little Joe this time.<\/p>\n

Ludmilla bustled out from the kitchen with seventeen-year-old Marta at her heels.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Nelly Thomas, so good you come at last!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly stood and fell into Ludmilla\u2019s ample arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, it\u2019s been so long, Ludmilla.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at the tall girl standing behind her mother and gasped.\u00a0 \u201cThis can\u2019t be Marta, that little tomboy that always wanted to play with the boys!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marta blushed prettily.\u00a0 She\u2019d dropped her hoydenish ways in the last year or so and, following her sister\u2019s example, was developing into an attractive young lady.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s me, of course, Mrs. Thomas.\u00a0 How\u2019s that ornery Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOrnerier than ever,\u201d Inger declared.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t forgotten Billy\u2019s farewell yank on her pigtail.<\/p>\n

Marta laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou must be the little sister he\u2019s always bragging about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBraggin\u2019!\u201d Inger squealed.\u00a0 \u201cNot Billy!\u00a0 He don\u2019t even like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does,\u201d Marta assured her, \u201cbut he\u2019d never let you know.\u00a0 Like I said, he\u2019s ornery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe sure is,\u201d Inger grinned, seeming pleased that her big brother had complimented her, even if it was behind her back and never to her face.<\/p>\n

Katerina took everyone\u2019s order, and the ladies enjoyed a good gossip over scrambled eggs and ham.\u00a0 All the awkwardness Nelly\u2019d felt dropped away by the end of the meal.\u00a0 That afternoon, between the noon and evening feeding frenzies of the miners, the ladies gathered in Ludmilla\u2019s kitchen to master the intricacies of apple strudel, which Marie had never prepared quite to Adam\u2019s satisfaction, and to exchange old memories and recent anecdotes.\u00a0 Marta, still less interested in domestic pursuits than her mother or sister, took charge of the three children, conducting them on a tour of her brother Stef\u00e1n\u2019s new brewery and down to the creek to wade in the cool, rippling waters.<\/p>\n

Over the next few days the women spent many happy hours in the cafe kitchen, and the menu of Mama Zuebner\u2019s Cafe expanded as a result.\u00a0 Nelly\u2019s fried chicken made a hit with the miners, but there was even greater demand for Marie\u2019s dessert crepes.\u00a0 And when the miners heard that Ponderosa beef would be available by next week, the dining room resounded with their shouts of approval.<\/p>\n

Ben arrived in time for supper Saturday evening, treating Enos Montgomery and the other trail hands to the best Mama Zuebner had to offer.\u00a0 Marie and Nelly exchanged knowing looks as Katerina neglected regular customers to hover attentively over the table where the Ponderosa\u2019s foreman sat, obviously more interested in the pretty waitress than the food she served.<\/p>\n

In bed that night, Marie questioned Ben about Enos\u2019s intentions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t mentioned any intentions to me,\u201d Ben chuckled, pulling his wife close, \u201cbut I have a few of my own.\u00a0 I\u2019ve missed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I you,\u201d Marie murmured, \u201cbut do not change the subject.\u00a0 I think they are in love, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice,\u201d Ben said, nuzzling her lilac-scented neck.\u00a0 \u201cSure glad Little Joe\u2019s old enough to sleep with his brothers this trip,\u201d he whispered suggestively.<\/p>\n

Marie pulled demurely away.\u00a0 \u201cYou do not want to lose a good foreman, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

That got Ben\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cNo need for that,\u201d he said sharply, raising himself on one elbow.\u00a0 \u201cKaterina would make a lovely addition to the Ponderosa, good company for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said quickly, her fingers stroking his arm, \u201cif they had a place to live.\u00a0 You might hint to Enos that we could fix up your old cabin to please a new bride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie!\u201d Ben protested.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t play cupid for those young people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a hint,\u201d Marie suggested with her most inviting smile.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps all Enos is waiting for is to know he can provide his bride a good home.\u00a0 I am sure you can be subtle.\u201d\u00a0 Before Ben could protest, she bent over his bare chest and slipped her cambric nightgown from her shoulders.\u00a0 Nothing subtle about the offer she was making.\u00a0 Enos would just have to look out for himself, Ben decided as he buried his face between her fragrant breasts.<\/p>\n

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

The sun was climbing as Ben rode to join the cattle drive Monday afternoon.\u00a0 Since the butchers weren\u2019t open on Sunday, they\u2019d had to lay over in Placerville one day before selling any beef, then Ben had remained behind to see the ladies and children safely aboard the stage.\u00a0 It had been a poignant leave-taking: Ben could still hear the heart-rending sobs of his youngest son, who\u2019d clung tenaciously to his neck, not wanting Pa to disappear the way he had the last time the boy boarded a stage.\u00a0 Too young to understand Ben\u2019s assurances that he\u2019d meet them in Sacramento, Little Joe had wailed piteously.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart lightened as he rode up alongside his eldest son.\u00a0 \u201cEverything going well?\u201d he asked sociably.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cYou get them all on the stage?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d his father replied.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe wasn\u2019t very happy about my riding off, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose.\u00a0 Probably the minute the stage starts rolling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Father and son rode side by side throughout the afternoon, and Ben found himself wishing this ride to Sacramento would go on indefinitely.\u00a0 He\u2019d enjoyed having his son home this summer and hated the thought of parting again for nine long months.\u00a0 People talked about a mother\u2019s needing to cut her apron strings, but Ben, who\u2019d been both father and mother to Adam for many years, thought no mother could have found it harder to turn loose than he did.\u00a0 Like Little Joe, though, he\u2019d just have to get over it, Ben decided.\u00a0 Adam was a fine young man and becoming a better one for the broadening of his experiences.<\/p>\n

They made camp in the lowlands near the American River that would lead them to Sacramento.\u00a0 It was hard to face beans and bacon again after the succulent sauerbraten and strudel they\u2019d wolfed down at Mama Zuebner\u2019s, but no one complained.\u00a0 The men knew they would have a few days in California\u2019s capital while Ben and his family went on to San Francisco, and there were restaurants and saloons in abundance in that thriving city.<\/p>\n

Enos Montgomery poured himself a second cup of coffee after supper and squatted near Ben.\u00a0 Ben took a deep breath and poured himself another cup, too.\u00a0 If he were going to keep his promise to Marie, he\u2019d need whatever courage the hot brew could instill.\u00a0 He began by mentioning the date he expected to meet Enos and the men at Rancho Hermoso.\u00a0 \u201cThink you\u2019ll have any trouble getting them there?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Enos grinned, stirring two heaping spoonsful of sugar into his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir.\u00a0 They\u2019ll have spent their pay by then and be ready to earn some more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 That had been his thinking when he\u2019d decided to pay the men half their salary in Sacramento and the remainder when they returned to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Enos?\u00a0 Planning to spend all your pay in the big city?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir,\u201d Enos replied amiably.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m saving mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I knew that,\u201d Ben admitted with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a fine, frugal young man, Enos, the kind that plans for his future.\u00a0 But what is it you\u2019re planning for, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos took a sip of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t take your meaning, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat.\u00a0 No more hemming around the subject.\u00a0 It was time to plunge straight in.\u00a0 \u201cI was wondering if you\u2019d ever thought about settling down, Enos, raising a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos sat down, folding his legs Indian style.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ve thought some about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave to find the right girl, I suppose,\u201d Ben said, dangling bait.<\/p>\n

Hooked, Enos\u2019s dark head came up abruptly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, sir, I\u2019ve found\u2014\u2014\u201d\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIf she\u2019d have me, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 Marie was right!\u00a0 \u201cKaterina?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n

Enos flushed.\u00a0 \u201cThat obvious?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot to me, but there were ladies along this trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Enos mumbled.\u00a0 He took deep interest in the contents of his tin mug.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you talked to the girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnh-uh,\u201d Enos grunted, then looked tentatively at his employer.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s mighty young, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Likely not interested in an old fellow like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coffee spewed from Ben\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 \u201cOld!\u201d he sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not thirty yet, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I am,\u201d Enos corrected, \u201ca month ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Ben leaned forward.\u00a0 \u201cTwelve years between you then.\u00a0 What\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think it\u2019s too much?\u201d Enos probed hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should hope not!\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m some over fifteen years older than my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThat much?\u00a0 I guess it can work then.\u00a0 You think her mother might approve\u2014\u2014and her brother?\u00a0 I guess he\u2019s the one to ask for her hand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 Stef\u00e1n must be all of twenty now.\u00a0 Hard to think of a boy that young being the one to decide whom his sister could marry, but the Zuebner lad had been forced to grow up early when his father died along the trail.<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt there\u2019s anyone they\u2019d be more likely to welcome into the family,\u201d Ben assured the earnest suitor.\u00a0 He was sure Ludmilla and Stef\u00e1n would prefer an old and trusted acquaintance to any of the miners or merchants Katerina was likely to meet in Placerville.\u00a0 And life on a ranch would suit the German girl.\u00a0 After all, the Zuebners were farm-bred.\u00a0 \u201cYou should ask her on the way home,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

Enos shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cGot nothing to offer her yet.\u00a0 Been saving up, like I said.\u00a0 Hope to have my own place someday, but\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to wait,\u201d Ben said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThat old cabin of mine is standing empty.\u00a0 Needs some repair, of course, some fancying up for a lady, but you\u2019re welcome to it, and when the time comes, I\u2019d sell you some land around it.\u00a0 Keep you on as foreman, of course, so you could have cash coming in while you build up your spread.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos\u2019s dark eyes began to glow.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d do that?\u00a0 I\u2014I could ask her right away then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk her,\u201d Ben urged, slapping Enos\u2019s shoulder as he stood up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be looking forward to having you as neighbors.\u201d\u00a0 He poured the rest of his coffee on the fire and headed for his bedroll.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FIFTEEN<\/p>\n

Country Folks and High Society<\/h4>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not here,\u201d Adam announced after a quick survey of the suite the hotel clerk at the Orleans Hotel had indicated was occupied by Mrs. Cartwright and sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably out shopping,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected to find his wife at the hotel in the middle of the day, but he was disappointed nonetheless.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 Ladies seemed to have an aptitude for that activity beyond that even of a country boy who rarely saw the big city.\u00a0 Of course, Mrs. Thomas and Inger had never seen Sacramento at all, so it was doubly reasonable to assume they were scouring the stores for some utterly worthless female gewgaw.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s eat,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m hungry, too,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d better clean up first, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam brushed at the trail dust coating his trousers.\u00a0 \u201cGuess so,\u201d he admitted and willed his rumbling stomach to quiet down while they washed and changed.\u00a0 A full bath was probably in order, but both father and son were too hungry for more than cursory attention to their grooming.\u00a0 They decided to eat lunch in an unostentatious cafe, where no one would expect, or even appreciate, sartorial splendor.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould we stop by the rooming house to see if my things are there?\u201d Adam asked as they waited for their food to arrive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your stepmother got them there safely,\u201d Ben said bluntly.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, probably, but I\u2019d kind of like to see Mrs. Maguire, let her know I made it in, and put in my bid for my old room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I guess we can,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 His face brightened as a thought occurred to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, that\u2019s a good idea, Adam.\u00a0 If the ladies are out shopping, they may have left Little Joe with Mrs. Maguire.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to see my little boy, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 Little Joe in no way fit in with his plans for the afternoon.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t take him to the bookstore,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hold him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasier said than done,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 \u201cRemember how he was in Placerville.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben said nothing, for Adam had a point.\u00a0 Little Joe, as everyone had been quick to tell him, had made himself quite at home along the boardwalks of Placerville, cheerfully trotting off to explore any new sight that caught his eye.\u00a0 The miners, who saw few young children, had been delighted to watch the game of chase the little lad led with the bigger boy and girl charging frustratedly after.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s mother, however, tended to view with alarm his propensity for running into a street crowded with horses and wagons.<\/p>\n

After lunch Ben and Adam walked to the rooming house and knocked at the door.\u00a0 Mrs. Maguire answered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you\u2019ve come, have you?\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to have you back, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d the boy replied politely.<\/p>\n

Ben doffed his hat.\u00a0 \u201cI was wondering if my wife might have left our baby here while she shopped this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in,\u201d Mrs. Maguire laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re all here.\u00a0 Youngsters in the swing out back, ladies in the dining room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled broadly and followed her to the dining room.\u00a0 Across the table pieces of burgundy silk lay strewn in apparent confusion, but each lady seemed to know what piece she needed when it came time to fit another to the section of dress she was sewing.\u00a0 \u201cMy, you look busy,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Marie cried and rose to engulf him in an ardent embrace.\u00a0 \u201cYou have made good time.\u00a0 And have you sold all our cattle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery one,\u201d Ben reported, \u201cand for a good profit.\u00a0 Just in time, it appears, if I\u2019m to keep you in finery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dress is mine,\u201d Nelly laughed, \u201csomething fancy enough to take dinner with the Larrimores.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019d have taken you any way you came,\u201d Ben chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Nelly will feel more comfortable in this,\u201d Marie insisted, holding up the silk skirt to which she\u2019d been sewing a wide ruffle.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo doubt,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you\u2019d be out on the town, bankrupting me.\u00a0 I only hoped you\u2019d left Little Joe here for me to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is here, of course,\u201d Marie laughed, \u201cand will be glad to play with you, but you insult me, monsieur<\/em>.\u00a0 Bankrupt you, indeed!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave her a saucy wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you get me enrolled?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie replied, sitting and taking up her needle once more.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat classes?\u201d the boy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cReading, writing and elocution, of course,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew that,\u201d Adam muttered impatiently.\u00a0 Those course were standard for each term.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreek again and French, as you had hoped,\u201d Marie continued, \u201cand world history and algebra, whatever that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMathematics,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to get a head start on that.\u201d\u00a0 He looked longingly at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s wanting to buy his books this afternoon,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have already bought them,\u201d Marie said, snipping the thread at the end of her seam, \u201cfrom a list the school supplied.\u00a0 They are in your room, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going up to look them over,\u201d Adam said, then remembered his manners, \u201cif that\u2019s all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d his father said.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all your work on the drive, you\u2019ve earned an afternoon to spend as you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame room, Mrs. Maguire?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 At her nod, he raced for the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat boy and his books,\u201d Nelly chuckled, looking up to rest her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t see hide nor hair of him \u2018til suppertime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, which leaves me at loose ends,\u201d Ben complained good-naturedly.\u00a0 \u201cIf you ladies are sewing and Adam\u2019s reading, what am I to do \u2018til time for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlay with your youngest, you said you wanted,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

Ben brightened.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, good idea.\u201d\u00a0 He exited through the back door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss yelled, charging off the swing.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Little Joe screamed, sliding off in a heap, but pulling up at once and running for his father.<\/p>\n

Ben released Hoss to swoop the baby skyward, laughing in the sheer joy of being with his sons again.<\/p>\n

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

The party remained in Sacramento another full day, giving the ladies time to finish Nelly\u2019s new gown, which she inaugurated that night at the Forrest Theater.\u00a0 Over her protests Ben insisted on treating her and Inger to dinner and the dramatic adaptation of Uncle Tom\u2019s Cabin<\/em>.\u00a0 It was the first time either mother or daughter had seen a play and both wept profusely at the poignant death of little Eva and the mistreatment of Uncle Tom by Simon Legree.<\/p>\n

Traveling by steamboat the next day was a new experience for Inger, though Nelly remembered taking one such trip back east when she was no older than her daughter.\u00a0 Hoss, once again acting as guide for his friend, stood at the rail beside her, pointing out sights he considered interesting.<\/p>\n

A mammoth dinner was served at noon.\u00a0 Nothing compared to the fare available on steamers on the Mississippi, Marie and Ben informed the others, but far from scanty.\u00a0 Had their stomachs been willing, they could have sat for hours eating everything from fresh fish and oysters to roast venison and fine vegetables.\u00a0 Hoss scanned with delight the table with a wide variety of rich desserts that graced one side of the dining area until his mother told him he could have only one kind.\u00a0 He chose a thick slice of chocolate cake with cherry jam between each layer and an extravagant slathering of whipped cream as icing.<\/p>\n

They arrived in San Francisco late in the afternoon and checked into the Parker House.\u00a0 As they had in Sacramento, the Cartwrights stayed in a suite with two bedrooms and a parlor, while Nelly and Inger shared a single room nearby.\u00a0 Conscious of the price of meals and lodging in California, as well as the costlier-than-usual purchases she\u2019d made in Sacramento and intended to make in San Francisco, Nelly wanted to keep expenses down as much as possible.\u00a0 Besides, the Thomases didn\u2019t need a parlor of their own when they were spending most of their time in the Cartwrights\u2019, anyway.<\/p>\n

The entire party\u2014\u2014except Little Joe, who was napping in the boys\u2019 room\u2014\u2014gathered there after freshening up from their journey.\u00a0 Ben was sitting at a small writing table when Nelly and Inger arrived.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just sending word to the Larrimores of our arrival and asking if we might call tomorrow afternoon,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, I hope it\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Nelly fretted, taking a seat by Marie on the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know when I\u2019ll be likely to get this way again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cCamilla just values these touches of societal manners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh-falutin\u2019, Clyde calls her,\u201d Nelly giggled, \u201cbut I reckon she was always a mite that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMore than a mite now, but Lawrence has stayed pretty down to earth.\u00a0 As for the children\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Marie said, wagging a finger at him.\u00a0 \u201cLittle pitchers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, guess so,\u201d Ben shrugged, turning back to his writing table.<\/p>\n

Across the room Hoss dug an elbow into Inger\u2019s ribs.\u00a0 \u201cThey mean us,\u201d he hissed, \u201cbut, shucks, I already know what a pain that Jewel Larrimore is.\u00a0 You won\u2019t like her much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger nodded in complete acceptance of her friend\u2019s evaluation.\u00a0 She and Hoss usually saw eye to eye on folks.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou writin\u2019 the Wentworths, too?\u201d Nelly asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d sure favor seein\u2019 them again.\u00a0 The reverend was a good man\u2014\u2014turned out to be, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, remembering the rigid religion Ebenezer Wentworth had espoused when first they met and how the experiences of the trail had mellowed him into a man more compassionate of his neighbors.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll send them a note, too, but there\u2019s really no need.\u00a0 Ebenezer\u2019s family doesn\u2019t stand on ceremony.\u00a0 A stranger off the street would be welcome in their home unannounced, much less a dear friend like you.\u00a0 I thought we\u2019d see them in the morning, possibly take them to lunch, and visit the Larrimores afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Nelly agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do dress simply, Nelly,\u201d Marie urged.\u00a0 \u201cDear Mary has so little to spend on herself, and we do not wish to make her ill at ease.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, no!\u201d Nelly said, then frowned.\u00a0 \u201cBut we have to dress fancy for Camilla, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll change after lunch,\u201d Marie decided, \u201cbut only into our second best dresses.\u00a0 The Larrimores are likely to invite us to supper, either tomorrow night or the one following, perhaps to the opera, as well.\u00a0 You will want to save your silk for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right,\u201d Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better get my suit freshened up for the occasion, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss groaned at the thought of squeezing himself into a frilled shirt and fancy suit.\u00a0 \u201cDinner at the Larrimores is plumb awful,\u201d he informed Inger, \u201cbut the food\u2019s pretty good.\u00a0 And they got these Chinaboys that serve it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Hop Sing,\u201d Inger said.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, fancy Chinaboys in silk shirts and pants.\u00a0 And they only bring out one kind of food at a time, so don\u2019t worry if there ain\u2019t nothing but soup to start with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you younguns whisperin\u2019 about?\u201d Nelly asked, looking suspicious.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can guess,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThe joys of dining in high society, eh, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged and turned crimson.\u00a0 Sometimes Pa was altogether too good a guesser.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cBoat!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe squealed, pointing ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben laughed, bouncing the baby on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cThe Wentworths live on a boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoat!\u201d Little Joe demanded, struggling against his father\u2019s confining embrace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019re going,\u201d Ben chided softly.\u00a0 \u201cHold still, you little squirmer.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Little Joe refused to oblige, wriggling so persistently that Ben set him down as soon as they were on the deck.\u00a0 \u201cFine, tell them we\u2019re coming,\u201d he said dryly, swatting the boy\u2019s bottom.<\/p>\n

Needing no urging, Little Joe trotted off immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Marie scolded, hurrying after her baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s headed straight for the door,\u201d Ben muttered defensively.<\/p>\n

The door to the boat that served both as the Reverend Wentworth\u2019s church and his home was always open to anyone in need of help, so Little Joe wandered right in.\u00a0 A silvery laugh greeted him.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t get many your size here,\u201d the pale-cheeked girl said, stooping to catch the little boy.\u00a0 Looking up, she saw the flustered mother.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Mrs. Cartwright!\u201d Mary cried.\u00a0 \u201cIs this your baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMine, yes, and a naughty boy he is,\u201d Marie rebuked lovingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, he\u2019s precious,\u201d Mary murmured, nuzzling the baby\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cSuch a beautiful boy, so like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

By now the others had entered.\u00a0 Mary recognized Ben and Hoss right away and hurried to welcome them.\u00a0 It took a moment longer for her to realize that the woman standing beside Ben was someone from the party with which she\u2019d traveled west.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t, however, recall Nelly\u2019s name, since she\u2019d been only five at the time.\u00a0 Ben introduced them.\u00a0 \u201cLet me call father,\u201d Mary offered.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be so glad to see all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the adults visited in the parlor, Mary took Inger, Hoss and Little Joe to her room.\u00a0 \u201cThe boys aren\u2019t here?\u201d Ben asked, taking a seat in the armchair Ebenezer offered him.\u00a0 The chair\u2019s fabric was threadbare, the padding lumpy, but Ben was glad to see the room more comfortably furnished than on his last visit, even if the furniture was obviously second-hand.\u00a0 He hoped his regular contributions to the Reverend Wentworth\u2019s work were making life better, especially for fragile Mary.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re at work,\u201d Ebenezer said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t neither of \u2018em feel called to the Lord\u2019s work?\u201d Nelly asked.<\/p>\n

Ebenezer laughed sharply.\u00a0 \u201cScarcely.\u201d\u00a0 A shadow fell across his face.<\/p>\n

Seeing it, Ben immediately asked, \u201cThe boys are well?\u00a0 And Mary?\u00a0 She looked pale to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMary\u2019s always delicate, of course,\u201d Ebenezer sighed, \u201cbut she\u2019s not ill at present.\u00a0 The boys are in good health, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was more to be told, Ben was sure, but he didn\u2019t consider this the proper moment to ask.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hoped to take you all to lunch today,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou and Mary will come, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t take no for an answer,\u201d Ben urged, \u201cand you don\u2019t want to deny Mary a treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ebenezer smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I never would.\u00a0 The dear girl has so few opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSince we\u2019ll have the baby with us,\u201d Ben explained, \u201cDelmonico\u2019s is not appropriate.\u00a0 The Irving, perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you took us before?\u00a0 Yes, Mary enjoyed that very much,\u201d Ebenezer replied.<\/p>\n

Little Joe insisted on walking hand in hand with his new friend Mary, so the procession to the restaurant was perceptibly slowed.\u00a0 The ladies liked the pace, for it afforded them the opportunity of scrutinizing shop windows as they passed.\u00a0 Ben and Ebenezer found themselves repeatedly pausing to let the ladies and children catch up, and during one of these intervals alone, Ebenezer told Ben he had a request to make.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything, old friend, you know that,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember once, a few years ago, you offered to let Mary visit your home?\u00a0 You thought the climate might be better for her,\u201d Ebenezer began.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cand I remember you pointed out that it wasn\u2019t appropriate for an unmarried man to entertain a young girl in his home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not unmarried now,\u201d Ebenezer smiled, nodding back at Marie.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think your wife would mind having a guest for a while?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took his hand.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d both love to have Mary with us\u2014\u2014for as long as she likes.\u00a0 However, I\u2019m not sure this is the right time of year, Ebenezer.\u00a0 Our winters can get very cold, and I doubt that would do Mary much good.\u00a0 Perhaps in the spring?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ebenezer sighed.\u00a0 \u201cSpring, yes.\u00a0 I confess I\u2019d hoped to send her sooner, but, as you say, your winters are probably harsher than ours.\u00a0 It\u2014\u2014it wasn\u2019t only Mary I\u2019d hoped you might welcome, though, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben studied his friend\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cThe boys?\u00a0 I thought I read some concern there earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark,\u201d Ebenezer said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cMatthew, of course, hates city life and would welcome a stay in the country, but he has a good job here and is too responsible to forsake it.\u00a0 Mark, on the other hand, worries me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s fretted about\u2014\u2014well, the frugality of your lives\u2014\u2014but I thought that was mostly for Mary\u2019s sake,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how it started,\u201d Ebenezer sighed, \u201cbut lately Mark seems bent on tasting all the forbidden pleasures he thinks he\u2019s been denied as the son of a poor preacher.\u00a0 He\u2019s taken to nightly excursions to the Barbary Coast, haunting the melodeons and cheap groggeries, and because he drinks more than he ought, he\u2019s lost more than one decent job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry,\u201d Ben sympathized.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, Mark is welcome to come to us if you think a change of scene would help him.\u00a0 It might simply build his resentment, Ebenezer, if he thinks you\u2019re sending him away to be corrected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I thought to combine it with Mary\u2019s trip,\u201d Ebenezer whispered, for the ladies were drawing near.\u00a0 \u201cMark would do anything for her, and if he thinks the visit is for her sake\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019d come willingly,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cDo send them this spring, then, Ebenezer, and we\u2019ll see if we can\u2019t bolster Mary\u2019s health while reminding Mark of his better instincts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you speaking of?\u201d Marie asked, for she had heard the last few words.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded back at Mary, bringing up the rear with Little Joe still clinging to her hand and Hoss and Inger trailing behind.\u00a0 \u201cEbenezer\u2019s gonna let Mary come to see us next spring.\u00a0 Mark will escort her and stay also.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s acceptable with you, Mrs. Cartwright,\u201d Ebenezer said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie cried with delight.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be a joy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, it\u2019s about time you put that big house to use,\u201d Nelly laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 He cast exasperated eyes at his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cAny chance you could talk your son into letting me carry him?\u201d he groused to his wife.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m getting hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour<\/em> son,\u201d Marie said, tossing responsibility back at her husband, \u201ccares little for the growling of your stomach, and if you wish him to move faster, you may speak to him, not I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at the little boy toddling happily beside Mary and shook his head.\u00a0 Better to leave well enough alone.\u00a0 This way, when they finally did reach the restaurant, at least they might hope for a peaceful meal.<\/p>\n

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

Ushered in by a Chinese houseboy in yellow silk, the Cartwrights and Thomases entered the Larrimore parlor.\u00a0 Camilla\u2019s taffeta skirt rustled as she rose from a rose brocade settee to greet her female guests with a continental peck on each cheek.\u00a0 Lawrence gave Ben a quick wink as they exchanged an old-fashioned American handshake.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo good of you to call,\u201d Camilla intoned graciously.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t you sit down, sill vuse plate?\u201d\u00a0 Her attempt at French was, as usual, awkward and affected, but Marie responded with a polite, \u201cMerci<\/em>, Madame,<\/em>\u201d as she took a seat, giving careful attention to settling her skirts until she could control the mirthful trembling of her lips.<\/p>\n

Once everyone was seated, Camilla nodded at the houseboy, who disappeared at once.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve arranged to have tea served here in the parlor, so we may have a nice chat.\u00a0 You must tell me all the news from the wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWilderness?\u201d Nelly asked, puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe means Carson Valley, Nelly,\u201d Ben interpreted, amused.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, lands!\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not a wilderness, Camilla.\u00a0 Why, Carson City\u2019s growin\u2019 to be quite a little town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure,\u201d Camilla replied with a patronizing smile.\u00a0 She felt certain that \u201clittle\u201d was the precisely correct description for Nelly\u2019s hometown.\u00a0 \u201cMy, what a pretty child you have, Mrs. Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly\u2019s eyes clouded for a moment.\u00a0 Mrs. Thomas, indeed!\u00a0 After all they\u2019d shared together on the Overland Trail!\u00a0 Of course, she and the Larrimores hadn\u2019t seen one another in years.\u00a0 Perhaps it was only natural that Camilla should feel a little distant.\u00a0 Nelly appreciated the compliment to her daughter, however.\u00a0 \u201cThank you very much,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cInger\u2019s a sweet child, a joy to my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camilla smiled at her own daughter, a miniature copy of her mother in a dress which alternated violet taffeta with ruffles of violet and green tartan.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember Jewel, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy, yes,\u201d Nelly said. \u00a0\u201cWouldn\u2019t have recognized her, though.\u201d\u00a0 How could she possibly recognize the little girl from the trail in this cloyingly sophisticated adolescent?<\/p>\n

\u201cJewel, precious, why don\u2019t you take Inger to your room and show her your doll collection?\u201d Camilla suggested.<\/p>\n

A petulant pout appeared on Jewel\u2019s painted lips, but she rose at once.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, Mother.\u201d\u00a0 She extended a hand toward Inger.\u00a0 \u201cCome with me, little girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger looked at her mother, and Nelly nodded her permission.\u00a0 As Jewel herded the younger girl toward the hall, she leaned close to whisper, \u201cWe\u2019ll stop by the necessary so you can wash your hands.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want you dirtying up my dolls\u2019 silk dresses.\u201d\u00a0 Inger looked at her perfectly clean hands, then frowned at the older girl.\u00a0 Hoss had been right; she didn\u2019t like Jewel Larrimore one bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry Sterling couldn\u2019t be here today,\u201d Nelly commented after they\u2019d chatted for a while.\u00a0 \u201cSure would like to have seen how he\u2019s grown.\u00a0 How old is the boy now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNineteen,\u201d Camilla answered proudly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s at the PhilbergAcademy today, of course, but you\u2019ll see him tomorrow night.\u00a0 You will be staying long enough to take dinner with us and attend the opera, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d be pleased, Camilla,\u201d Ben replied for all of them.\u00a0 \u201cIs Sterling enjoying his studies?\u00a0 I know Adam is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lawrence laughed, a laugh without mirth.\u00a0 \u201cSterling hates every minute he spends with a book, but his cruel father forces him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Lawrence,\u201d Camilla chided, then smiled at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThe Philberg Academy is the most elite in San Francisco.\u00a0 You should consider transferring Adam, Ben.\u00a0 Of course, he won\u2019t have the pleasure of Sterling\u2019s company after this term, but think of the benefit to him socially, the contacts he might make to further himself in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat to give himself time to weigh his words.\u00a0 Of all his goals for Adam, making the right social contacts was last on the list, and Sterling Larrimore was probably the last boy in the world Adam would choose for a companion.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s happy where he is,\u201d he said finally, \u201cand we\u2019re satisfied that he\u2019s getting an excellent education.\u00a0 As for social contacts, he\u2019s met some fine young men, one of them the son of a state senator.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camilla looked impressed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, my!\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s good, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe squirmed uncomfortably in his mother\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cDown,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

Marie took one look at the delicate teacups and dessert plates with which the Chinese houseboy was serving each guest and gripped her child tighter.\u00a0 Little Joe just struggled harder.\u00a0 \u201cDown!\u201d he demanded loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Marie,\u201d Lawrence assured her.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t hurt anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked dubious, but set the boy on the floor.\u00a0 Little Joe toddled off to explore the new world around him.\u00a0 \u201cWatch him,\u201d Marie mouthed silently to Ben and he nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cA beautiful child,\u201d Camilla enthused, \u201cthe image of you, Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t he, though?\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWe tease Ben that he\u2019ll have to keep a shotgun handy, once this one\u2019s of age, to scare off the girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lawrence gave a hearty laugh, but Camilla\u2019s sounded merely obligatory.\u00a0 \u201cYes, indeed, an attractive child,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Little Joe toddled up to clutch her taffeta skirt between inquisitive fingers.\u00a0 \u201cOoh,\u201d he cooed, liking the sound the material made when he rubbed it against itself.\u00a0 He pulled it toward his mouth for a taste.\u00a0 Camilla gently pried her skirt from his fingers.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, never still for long, set off in search of new sights and sounds.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t, however, enough interesting ones to keep him occupied long.\u00a0 Soon he was back patting his father\u2019s knee.\u00a0 \u201cBoat,\u201d he said solemnly.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 He and Little Joe were of the same opinion.\u00a0 He, too, would have preferred to be on the Wentworths\u2019 boat to sitting in the Larrimores\u2019 stuffy parlor.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Ben whispered, pulling the baby into his lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoat, Pa,\u201d Little Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

Ben crammed a cookie into the youngster\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 Though Little Joe didn\u2019t crave sweets the way Hoss always had, he nonetheless munched away at the cookie.\u00a0 Ben smiled at Marie.<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 A cookie wasn\u2019t likely to distract Little Joe for long.\u00a0 Obviously, they would need to make an abbreviated visit.<\/p>\n

Two chimes declared the hour.\u00a0 Hearing them, Nelly looked up at the tall grandfather\u2019s clock and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNow, there\u2019s the voice of an old friend,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben chuckled in agreement.\u00a0 \u201cKind of miss the old fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are talking mysteries,\u201d Marie chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou remember me tellin\u2019 how Ben and the boys stayed in a cabin with us that first year, don\u2019t you, honey lamb?\u201d Nelly asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Camilla\u2019d left her clock behind when they went on over the mountains,\u201d Nelly began.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I hated to see such a fine timepiece ruined,\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he up and brung it home one day,\u201d Nelly finished.\u00a0 \u201cLands, what a racket that clock made in our little cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we got used to it,\u201d Ben reminded her.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, I kind of miss hearing those musical chimes through the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still appreciate your bringing it to us,\u201d Lawrence said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd my mother\u2019s china,\u201d Camilla added.\u00a0 \u201cWhat a surprise you gave me, Ben, the day you and your brother carried it in!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hear much from John now that he\u2019s gone back east?\u201d Lawrence inquired.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMore than when he was at sea, but that\u2019s about all I can say.\u201d\u00a0 He had just started to relate the news from John\u2019s last letter when a small hand slapped at his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cBoat, Pa,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cGo boat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben offered the boy another cookie, but Little Joe pushed it away.\u00a0 \u201cGo boat, Pa,\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Ben murmured, lifting the boy to his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou need bed, not boat,\u201d he whispered to Little Joe, then gave his wife a resigned look.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid we have a tired boy, here.\u00a0 We\u2019d better take him back to the hotel for a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bounced up, eager to leave.<\/p>\n

Lawrence stood and shook Ben\u2019s hand in farewell.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have our driver take you back to the hotel,\u201d he offered and Ben thanked him.<\/p>\n

Camilla rose, too.\u00a0 \u201cAnd remember, ladies, I\u2019ll meet you at the Parker House at ten and show you all the best shops.\u201d\u00a0 Nelly had mentioned earlier that she, Marie and Mary Wentworth intended to spend most of the next day shopping, and Camilla had invited herself along.<\/p>\n

Marie sighed with resignation.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, Madame<\/em>, we will expect you at ten.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cReckon Camilla will get offended if we shop somewhere \u2018sides her place?\u201d Nelly asked as she and Marie waited in the Cartwrights\u2019 parlor at the Parker House for Mrs. Larrimore to arrive.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou go where you want, Nelly,\u201d Ben said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t get enough opportunities in the big city to let Camilla dictate your plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen is right,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cThe Larrimore Emporium is one of the best, though, and we will probably find more\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful,\u201d Ben cautioned with a smile, for he was fairly certain Marie\u2019s next word would be \u2018toys\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cThose little pitchers are just in the next room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, are you sure you want to be saddled with all three younguns?\u201d Nelly queried, a worried frown on her face.\u00a0 \u201cInger could come with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019ll be happier with us, and I\u2019m sure there are certain items you\u2019d rather buy when she\u2019s not around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly smiled.\u00a0 She was looking forward to doing the Christmas shopping this year, for a fact.\u00a0 Clyde had always done well by the children, but she was certain she could make better choices for their girl child, at least.<\/p>\n

A messenger arrived at the door, announcing that the Larrimore carriage had arrived, and the ladies rose quickly.\u00a0 Ben kissed Marie\u2019s cheek lightly as she passed him.\u00a0 \u201cYou are sure you\u2019ll be all right?\u201d she asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill be fine,\u201d Ben finished.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll love the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded and hurriedly followed Nelly out the door.\u00a0 Ben went into the boys\u2019 room.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s ready to test the waves?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe!\u201d Inger said, bouncing up from the bed where she\u2019d been playing with Little Joe\u2019s bare toes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe!\u201d Little Joe chortled, not having the slightest idea what he was agreeing to.<\/p>\n

Hoss said nothing.\u00a0 Although he\u2019d learned to swim, he still didn\u2019t feel confident in the water, and an ocean represented a powerful lot of it to him.<\/p>\n

Ben herded his charges downstairs and hired a carriage to take them to the waterfront.<\/p>\n

Little Joe squealed the minute he saw the waves.\u00a0 \u201cWa-wer!\u00a0 Wa-wer, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 You like water, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed and he squirmed to get out of his father\u2019s arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no,\u201d Ben scowled playfully.\u00a0 \u201cYou stay right with Pa, baby boy.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to the other children.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t bother undressing.\u00a0 Just take your shoes and stockings off, and you roll up your pant legs, Hoss.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want either of you children going in deep.\u00a0 Ocean currents can be strong, and neither of you swims all that well yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bright smile lighted Hoss\u2019s chubby countenance.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right to wade?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Hoss, for once it\u2019s all right to wade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is gonna be fun!\u201d Hoss declared to Inger as he flopped onto the sand to remove his shoes.\u00a0 Sitting beside him, the little girl nodded.<\/p>\n

Ben sat down to remove his footwear and everything except Little Joe\u2019s diaper.\u00a0 He took the toddler\u2019s hand and moved toward the waves lapping the sandy shore.\u00a0 Little Joe crowed with delight and pattered through the sand to splash contentedly in the waves.\u00a0 Ben glanced at the other youngsters from time to time, of course, but they were both good children, not likely to disobey.\u00a0 In fact, Hoss could probably be counted on to yelp in terror if either of them ventured more than knee-deep.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Inger chased each other, then let the incoming waves chase them for a while.\u00a0 Noticing the shells scattered along the shore, however, Hoss decided they\u2019d be the perfect things to store in the treasure box Uncle Clyde had made for him and began to gather them up.\u00a0 Inger thought collecting shells was a good idea, too, but she was more discerning in her choices, selecting only the prettiest and only one of each kind.\u00a0 Hoss picked up everything that wasn\u2019t badly broken.<\/p>\n

The children were having so much fun Ben had a hard time convincing them it was time to leave.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe can\u2019t take this much sun,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe don\u2019t want to go either,\u201d Hoss argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t want a good many things that are good for him,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we wanted to build a sand house, like them other kids is doin\u2019, Uncle Ben,\u201d Inger pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Hoss chimed in, although the thought of playing in the sand hadn\u2019t entered his head until Inger mentioned it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, all right,\u201d Ben gave in, \u201cfor a little while.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t try to construct the pyramids of Egypt.\u201d\u00a0 Both Inger and Hoss promised faithfully that they would not build a pyramid, an easy promise to keep since neither child had the slightest notion of what one was.\u00a0 Little Joe, of course, whimpered to play with the others, which practically guaranteed the house built of sand would have no resemblance to anything ever built in stronger material.\u00a0 No one cared, however.\u00a0 They were there to have fun, and even the baby\u2019s fumbling fingers couldn\u2019t spoil that.<\/p>\n

Afterwards, with Little Joe freshly diapered and the others redressed as neatly as possible, Ben took them to a high overlook.\u00a0 \u201cKnow what those are, children?\u201d he asked, pointing to the sleek brown animals sunning themselves on the rocks below.<\/p>\n

Listening to the animals calling to one another, Little Joe supplied the answer.\u00a0 \u201cDoggy!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

Inger and Hoss laughed.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t recognize the animal, either, but knew it wasn\u2019t a dog.\u00a0 \u201cDoes bark like one,\u201d Hoss admitted with a grin at his baby brother, \u201cbut that ain\u2019t a doggy, Punkin.\u00a0 You know what doggies look like\u2014\u2014like Klamath.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the animals continued barking, Little Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDoggy,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeal,\u201d his father corrected.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggy,\u201d Little Joe repeated stubbornly, frowning at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u00a0 Watch the doggies,\u201d Ben said dryly.<\/p>\n

The \u201cdoggies\u201d put on a lively performance for the three children, slipping in and out of the water, shaking themselves dry and raising their whiskered noses to the sky.\u00a0 When Ben announced it was time to leave, the response was the same he\u2019d received at the beach.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s past noon now,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you hungry yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, yeah,\u201d Hoss agreed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI sure am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou always are,\u201d Inger giggled, giving him a teasing grin.\u00a0 \u201cMe, too, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Little Joe added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too, what?\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

Little Joe pointed downward.\u00a0 \u201cWant doggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDoggy stays here.\u00a0 We have enough animals on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggy,\u201d Little Joe pleaded piteously.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa doggy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Sometimes Ben found it difficult to interpret his youngest son\u2019s broken speech.\u00a0 Suddenly, the meaning became clear, however.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I know Hoss has a dog, but you cannot take home a seal.\u201d<\/p>\n

The baby began to cry.\u00a0 \u201cOh, don\u2019t start that,\u201d Ben chided softly, holding his little one close to comfort him.\u00a0 \u201cThat doggy has to live in water, son.\u201d\u00a0 Then Ben shook his head.\u00a0 What had possessed him to try to explain to a child under two?<\/p>\n

But Little Joe understood more than Ben had thought he could.\u00a0 \u201cTahoe,\u201d the little boy suggested.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed, surprised the baby even knew the name of the alpine lake near the Ponderosa.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 Lots of water, salt water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not understanding the difference, Little Joe continued to whimper.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Ben said quietly to the other children.\u00a0 They found a seaside cafe, where no one objected to sand-coated customers, and once absorbed in a tasty meal, even Little Joe forgot why he was crying.<\/p>\n

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

Having collected Mary at the Wentworths\u2019 boathouse, the ladies arrived shortly afterward at the Larrimore Emporium.\u00a0 \u201cOh, my!\u201d Nelly cried when she saw the stately brick building.\u00a0 \u201cYou folks have done right well for yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Camilla beamed proudly.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Lawrence was always good at business, of course, but opportunity was lacking in St. Joseph.\u00a0 I\u2019m so glad I persuaded him to come west.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly choked, for no one who had come west on the Larrimore train could have swallowed Camilla\u2019s statement without choking.\u00a0 They all knew her for the most reluctant pioneer in the group, the one who wanted to turn back at every river crossing.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 Though she only knew what she\u2019d been told about that trip, she could guess what Nelly was thinking and stored up Camilla\u2019s remark to repeat later for Ben\u2019s amusement.\u00a0 She turned to Mary Wentworth.\u00a0 \u201cWould you prefer a ready-made dress, mon ch\u00e9rie<\/em>, or the yardage to make your own?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, ready-made, of course,\u201d Jewel answered for her friend.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re so much more stylish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary laughed lightly.\u00a0 \u201cI am not a stylish girl, Jewel; you know that.\u00a0 I would like to make my own, please, Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smoothed the girl\u2019s fine curls. \u00a0\u201cI thought that would please you best, but be sure to choose everything you need to finish your outfit\u2014\u2014ribbons and laces, buttons and thread, to match.\u00a0 We\u2019ll buy you some new shoes, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are so kind!\u201d Mary cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, we\u2019re are just having fun, like little girls dressing a new dolly,\u201d Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou must let us have our way or we will cry and kick our heels against the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t have that!\u201d Mary tittered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, this will be fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s look at the yard goods, then,\u201d Jewel sighed, crooking her arm through Mary\u2019s elbow.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, we have some fancy ones here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie and Nelly made their way around the store with Camilla hovering at their elbows to point out the best buys.\u00a0 Usually their taste tended toward simpler things, but Marie sighed with longing when Camilla pointed out a pair of gray linen walking boots with delicate tassels at their fronts.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll look lovely on your dainty feet, my dear,\u201d Camilla enthused.<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 She thought so, too, but she still felt reluctant to buy things for herself when she was sure Ben needed every spare penny to purchase ranch stock.\u00a0 \u201cNot today,\u201d she said, but seeing her yearning eyes, Nelly made a note to mention those boots to Ben.\u00a0 They\u2019d make a nice Christmas gift, and he\u2019d appreciate the suggestion.<\/p>\n

The ladies made their selections and brought them to the register for Lawrence to tally and, in Marie\u2019s case, credit to the account Ben would pay when he came to shop the following day.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll want all these delivered to the Parker House?\u201d Lawrence asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I am not sure what to do with the things for Adam,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cI think the Paynes will probably invite him there for Christmas as they did last year, and\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Camilla interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cYou must send the boy to us this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Completely taken off guard, Marie could say nothing.\u00a0 She was certain Adam would prefer another trip to Rancho Hermoso to a stay with the Larrimores, but as yet the Paynes had made no invitation.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t had a chance.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll show the boy a wonderful time, won\u2019t we, Lawrence?\u201d Camilla rushed on, sensing Marie\u2019s hesitation.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty of parties and nights at the opera to entertain him.\u00a0 You know Adam would enjoy that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, he would,\u201d Marie admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI will have to speak to Ben, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Lawrence said quickly, \u201cbut you tell Ben we\u2019d love to see Adam again.\u00a0 Been quite a while now.\u00a0 Shall I just keep his gifts here and send the rest on to the hotel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, I suppose that will be best,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 After all, Ben could collect them tomorrow if he chose to refuse the Larrimores’ invitation.\u00a0 She looked back up at Lawrence.\u00a0 \u201cThere is one more thing I hoped to purchase, but I have seen none here.\u00a0 Perhaps you could direct me to a shop that sells clocks such as yours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have some lovely mantel clocks, my dear,\u201d Camilla suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think she means a grandfather\u2019s clock, Camilla,\u201d Lawrence said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie inserted quickly.\u00a0 \u201cIt would make a fine gift for Benjamin since he misses yours so.\u201d\u00a0 Frugal with her own desires, she didn\u2019t mind spending money on Ben or the boys.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would,\u201d Lawrence agreed, \u201cbut I doubt you\u2019ll find one in San Francisco, Marie.\u00a0 We could order you one, of course, but it wouldn\u2019t arrive in time to ship it over the mountains\u2014\u2014if you were thinking of Christmas, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sighed.\u00a0 It was so hard to get used to the difficulties of shopping in the far west.\u00a0 In New Orleans one could find practically anything.\u00a0 Here, though San Francisco was growing more metropolitan all the time, luxury items were still a rarity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you order a clock for this spring?\u201d Nelly suggested.\u00a0 \u201cFor your anniversary.\u00a0 Ben\u2019ll like it just as well then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>!\u201d Marie cried.\u00a0 \u201cThat will be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lawrence beamed with pleasure.\u00a0 \u201cShall I just choose one I think Ben will like?\u00a0 I\u2019ve got a pretty good idea of his taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, s\u2019il vous plait<\/em>,\u201d Marie said, certain she could trust Lawrence\u2019s judgement, if not his wife\u2019s.<\/p>\n

While Lawrence was totaling Nelly\u2019s purchases, Mary approached, carrying a bolt of lilac calico.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to talk her into the brocade,\u201d Jewel pouted, \u201cbut, as usual, she just won\u2019t listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPapa will like this better,\u201d Mary said, her blue eyes shining.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it what you like best?\u201d Marie probed.\u00a0 Mary nodded with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cSix yards, I think,\u201d Marie decided, quickly assessing Mary\u2019s figure.\u00a0 \u201cThat should leave enough for a matching bonnet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, while Lawrence measured the length of fabric, she took Mary around the store, selecting trim for the dress and ribbons for the girl\u2019s hair in every color available.\u00a0 Even black would look striking against Mary\u2019s light tresses.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll buy your shoes elsewhere,\u201d Marie whispered to her young charge, sensing that Mary would prefer something simpler and more serviceable than the stylish boots at the Emporium.\u00a0 Mary smiled gratefully.<\/p>\n

Leaving the Larrimore Emporium, the shoppers made a concerted attack on the shops of San Francisco.\u00a0 They did more looking than purchasing, however.\u00a0 Clyde had promised to build a new home from sawed lumber for his family, so Nelly was particularly interested in getting ideas for furnishing her new home.\u00a0 The house the Thomases were planning wasn\u2019t nearly as large as the Ponderosa ranch house, but it would contain a guest room.\u00a0 Nelly did purchase one bed and washstand for that room, even though she\u2019d have to store it at the Ponderosa until her house was completed.\u00a0 Anything else could wait until spring.<\/p>\n

Marie stopped in a tobacco store run by a man named Adolph Sutro to buy a new pipe and imported tobacco for Ben\u2019s Christmas present.\u00a0 Not as costly as the grandfather\u2019s clock, of course, but Ben would be pleased.\u00a0 Brown, buttoned boots for Mary and a bag of Ghirardelli\u2019s chocolates for Hoss completed their purchases.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, for a delightful luncheon,\u201d Camilla suggested.\u00a0 \u201cDelmonico\u2019s serves the finest food, of course, but we\u2019ll be eating there before the opera tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething lighter would be better for luncheon, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Marie suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Camilla agreed, \u201cand I know just the place, Winn\u2019s Fountain Head.\u00a0 It\u2019s near here, too, at the corner of Washington and Montgomery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope it ain\u2019t too fancy,\u201d Nelly murmured to Marie as Camilla led the procession down Montgomery Street.<\/p>\n

Winn\u2019s Fountain Head, however, turned out to be the perfect luncheon spot for a group of ladies weary from a morning\u2019s shopping.\u00a0 After dining on delicate tea sandwiches, Marie offered to treat everyone to a dish of ice cream.\u00a0 \u201cCould I have the strawberries and cream, instead, Mrs. Cartwright?\u201d Mary Wentworth asked.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t had fresh strawberries since we found them along the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, girl, that\u2019s years ago,\u201d Nelly sympathized.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must order exactly what you want,\u201d Marie added.\u00a0 \u201cIce cream is a treat for us because we cannot get it at home as we can strawberries.<\/p>\n

Except for Mary, all the ladies enjoyed a dish of cold ice cream, then each returned to her home or her hotel room to rest in anticipation of the evening\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n

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

Nelly took one look at the warm adobe hacienda at Rancho Hermoso and immediately knew she\u2019d feel more welcome there than she had in the Larrimores\u2019 San Francisco mansion.\u00a0 The Paynes\u2019 home had a quiet grace and beauty that was inviting.\u00a0 And the fervor of Rachel\u2019s welcoming embrace confirmed Nelly\u2019s expectations.\u00a0 Within moments the years faded away, and the companionship they\u2019d felt along the trail returned.<\/p>\n

The Payne children immediately seized their new playmates for rowdy games in the dirt yard, while Rachel ushered the ladies into the parlor for lemonade and gossip.\u00a0 Jonathan remained outside with Ben to help carry in the voluminous luggage.\u00a0 \u201cWhich of these do you want us to store for Adam\u2019s Christmas?\u201d Jonathan asked, laughing at the size of the pile.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI left those in San Francisco.\u00a0 The Larrimores invited the boy to take Christmas with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, too bad,\u201d Jonathan said.\u00a0 \u201cWe were counting on having him here again.\u00a0 I think he really enjoyed himself last Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he did,\u201d Ben assured his friend, \u201cand I\u2019m sure he\u2019d rather visit\u00a0 you again.\u00a0 Lawrence and Camilla were awfully insistent, though, and I wasn\u2019t sure of your plans, so I accepted their invitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonathan laughed as he hoisted carpetbags and bundles.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we\u2019ll put in our bid for next year right now.\u00a0 That way you\u2019ll have no excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and gathered up an armload to carry inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t it wonderful news about Enos?\u201d Rachel was bubbling as the men came in.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, did he tell you he intends to ask Katerina to marry him?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Rachel laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNot just intends\u2014\u2014already has!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how is that possible?\u201d Marie queried.\u00a0 \u201cWe have not been back through Placerville yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you haven\u2019t,\u201d Rachel tittered, \u201cbut once Ben put the spark under him, Enos couldn\u2019t wait.\u00a0 Rode back to Placerville just to ask her before he came here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chuckling, Ben followed Jonathan down the hall to the guest room.\u00a0 That foreman of his always had been a quick worker.<\/p>\n

\u201cLand sakes!\u201d Nelly cackled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd she said yes?\u00a0 I know she did!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did,\u201d Rachel reported, smiling broadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we must hurry home, so we can get their cabin ready,\u201d Marie said, panic flickering in her emerald eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI did not think he would move so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax,\u201d Rachel said.\u00a0 \u201cThey won\u2019t be marrying \u2018til next spring.\u00a0 That disappointed Enos, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust like a man,\u201d Nelly clucked, \u201calways wantin\u2019 their cake before it has time to bake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKaterina needs time to prepare her trousseau, oui<\/em>?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s part of it,\u201d Rachel replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Stef\u00e1n asked them to wait, to test their feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat youngun always did have a good head on his shoulders,\u201d Nelly said approvingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd always was protective of his little sisters, too,\u201d Rachel added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have always thought spring the best time for a wedding,\u201d Marie sighed contentedly.<\/p>\n

The other ladies laughed.\u00a0 \u201cJust \u2018cause that\u2019s when you married Ben,\u201d Nelly teased, and Marie\u2019s demurrals only made the others laugh harder.<\/p>\n

They had plenty of time to discuss plans for making Katerina\u2019s wedding a joyous celebration, for the women and children stayed on at Rancho Hermoso after Ben and his hired hands started driving the newly purchased young cattle back east over the Sierras.\u00a0 Finally, the day came for them to return home if they were to arrive by the time Ben did.\u00a0 Little Joe wept furiously at being parted from his new friend Sammy Payne, and the ladies wiped tears from their own eyes, as well as the baby\u2019s.\u00a0 They were bonding tears, though, tears expressing the pleasure they\u2019d found in each other\u2019s company.\u00a0 And while Nelly and Marie had enjoyed visiting all their California friends, they could scarcely wait to return home and begin renovating the old cabin for its spring bride.\u00a0 With that responsibility, in addition to the building of Nelly\u2019s new home, the next few months would be busy ones.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER SIXTEEN<\/p>\n

Autumn, A Season for Growth and Change<\/h4>\n

Although Clyde and Nelly hoped to be settled in their new home by Thanksgiving, construction could not begin until early October.\u00a0 Just as well, Clyde declared, for it was not until September that Abraham Curry was able to hire a surveyor, Jerry Long, to lay out the streets and the ten-acre plaza that would form the new town\u2019s center.\u00a0 By waiting, Clyde felt he could have a better feel for where the best lots would be.\u00a0 The weeks during which Long was working were among the busiest of the year for farmers, anyway, as gardens yielded their final harvests and food was preserved and stored against the winter to come.\u00a0 Finally free from regular responsibilities, Clyde chose a lot on a side street, set the date for the house-raising for the second Saturday in October and invited his neighbors in to help.<\/p>\n

Ben arrived early with all the ranch hands he could spare from their regular work.\u00a0 \u201cMarie\u2019s coming,\u201d he assured Nelly and Laura, who were already at work preparing food for the noon meal.\u00a0 \u201cShe just needed some extra time to get Little Joe\u2019s things together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI figured as much.\u00a0 Clyde and the doc are over at the house site.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019d better get over there, too,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI figure Clyde\u2019s anxious to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more than me,\u201d Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m lookin\u2019 forward to havin\u2019 a parlor again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a bedroom separate from your children,\u201d Laura teased.<\/p>\n

Nelly blushed and flapped a flour-coated hand at Laura.<\/p>\n

Ben ambled across the plaza to the lot Clyde had purchased for his new home.\u00a0 Digging the foundation, Clyde flicked a shovelful of earth over his shoulder and paused long enough to greet his friend.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Bout time you showed up,\u201d he jibed, \u201cor was you plannin\u2019 on waitin\u2019 \u2018til the work was all done?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust so I\u2019m here in time for dinner,\u201d Ben joked back.\u00a0 \u201cGot another shovel?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on and take the doc\u2019s for now,\u201d Clyde suggested.\u00a0 \u201cHe ain\u2019t much of a hand at diggin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr hammering, either,\u201d Doctor Martin acknowledged, giving the shovel to Ben and leaning his hands on his knees to take a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cBut when my time comes to build I\u2019ll really need help, so I\u2019d best earn it now by doing what I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the way it works, my friend.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know you were planning to build, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot soon,\u201d Paul said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to set up my office in the Thomas\u2019s old place, once they move.\u00a0 That\u2019ll give us more room at home, but I\u2019d like Sally to have something better than a cabin someday.\u00a0 Maybe next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you make yourself useful, Doc, and bring some more shovels from the tradin\u2019 post?\u201d Clyde asked.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon Ben\u2019s men know how to wrestle one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter than me,\u201d Paul admitted.\u00a0 \u201cSure, I\u2019ll gladly fetch and carry whatever you need.\u00a0 Don\u2019t want my unskilled hands ruining your hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThem hands is skilled enough in other ways,\u201d Clyde said, giving the doctor an encouraging grin.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t often he felt himself the equal of educated men like Ben and the doc, but when it came to working with his hands, Clyde knew he was the acknowledged expert and could afford to be generous, the way they were with him at other times.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy, digging the foundation for the opposite wall, called.\u00a0 \u201cNext time you write ole Adam, you tell him I\u2019m building this place sound as I can without his help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it,\u201d Ben promised, chuckling.\u00a0 Architecturally-inclined Adam, as Billy knew, had been particularly perturbed at missing this house-raising, and the freckled-faced mischief couldn\u2019t resist teasing, even if he had to do it indirectly and by mail.<\/p>\n

\u201cHear anything from the youngun lately?\u201d Clyde asked as Ben planted the shovel in the ground and pushed with his foot.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the one letter,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNo real news to tell, except that everyone in California\u2019s looking forward to that Butterfield Stage Line coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShould be soon, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiddle of this month, if reports are right,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cThink of it, Clyde\u2014\u2014St. Louis to San Francisco in under a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s goin\u2019 the long way \u2018round,\u201d Clyde added.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben muttered, pitching dirt over his shoulder.\u00a0 The route chosen for the new Overland Stage, down through El Paso and Tucson to Los Angeles and up the coast to San Francisco, was a source of frustration.\u00a0 A central route would have been shorter and would have brought the stage conveniently close to Carson City, but opponents argued that winter snows in the Rockies and Sierras could disrupt service.\u00a0 Ben suspected the pressure to choose the longer route, so circuitous it was called the \u201coxbow,\u201d had come from southern politicians.\u00a0 A shame sectional contentions had to affect ordinary people\u2019s lives that way, but since Ben had no expectation of traveling east again, he couldn\u2019t complain too much about the stage\u2019s bypassing western Utah.\u00a0 Adam, of course, might choose to continue his education back east someday, and it was good to know transportation was improving enough to make that possible.<\/p>\n

When the foundation was dug, the workers began raising the wooden supports for the house.\u00a0 By the time noon came, the framework was in place, and the men gathered around the table, proud of the work accomplished and ready for an hour\u2019s rest.\u00a0 The women and children would eat later.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, ma\u2019am,\u201d Enos Montgomery said when Nelly offered him his choice of light or dark chicken meat.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake another piece, son,\u201d she urged.\u00a0 \u201cYou need some meat on your skinny bones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that little gal of yourn\u2019ll have somethin\u2019 soft to hold onto,\u201d Clyde cackled.<\/p>\n

Enos blushed furiously and the other men laughed good-naturedly at his discomposure.<\/p>\n

\u201cIgnore them, Enos,\u201d Marie soothed, pausing as she circled the table pouring coffee for each worker.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just jealous,\u201d Nelly added stoutly, \u201cwishin\u2019 they had a bride pretty as Katerina.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAll except me, of course.\u00a0 I\u2019m content with my own beautiful bride.\u201d\u00a0 Marie smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, who says I ain\u2019t?\u201d Clyde protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou tryin\u2019 to get me in trouble with my woman, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if you needed help!\u201d Nelly chortled, pulling her husband\u2019s auburn beard.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you think of them Californy cattlemen bringin\u2019 their herds to winter here, Ben?\u201d Clyde asked, feeling a change of subject would be prudent, if only to spare his chin whiskers.<\/p>\n

Ben ladled gravy over his mashed potatoes.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t figure it out.\u00a0 Plenty of good grazing in California, but I suppose we have enough range to share.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot any of \u2018em up our way, at least,\u201d Enos commented.\u00a0 \u201cThe herds I\u2019ve seen were in Carson and Eagle valleys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny thoughts on the coming elections?\u201d Paul asked, taking a roasting ear from the platter as it passed.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsarned Mormons still tryin\u2019 to run the show,\u201d Clyde grumbled, slathering butter on an ear of his own.\u00a0 \u201cReckon that\u2019ll please Ben here, though, him bein\u2019 of the Mormon party.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow don\u2019t start that!\u201d Nelly chided.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s anything I\u2019ve had an earful of the last month!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand why the political parties here are divided along religious lines,\u201d Paul commented, \u201cespecially after so many Mormons leaving the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing religious about it,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cIt all goes back to that incident with Lucky Bill.\u00a0 Because the man had two wives, everyone who thinks he was hanged wrongly is lumped in with the Mormon party, even if they\u2019re gentiles.\u00a0 Everyone who thinks the hanging was justified belongs to the anti-Mormons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Thomas here never did cotton to Mormons,\u201d Enos commented, \u201cso I figure he\u2019s with the anti-Mormons.\u00a0 You takin\u2019 the opposite side, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI vote the man, not the party,\u201d Ben replied irritably, \u201cand Mr. Thomas ought to know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon I do, Ben,\u201d Clyde said, \u201cbut you always seemed to favor them Mormon candidates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever had much else to choose from,\u201d Ben pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cStill that way, though to a lesser extent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, I\u2019ll be voting for every anti-Mormon I can find on the ballot,\u201d Clyde grinned, \u201cand hopin\u2019 my good neighbors\u2019ll do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t want to give Clyde the satisfaction, but he planned to give the few anti-Mormon candidates his vote, as well.\u00a0 They seemed like solid men, especially his Washoe Valley neighbor Richard Sides, who was nominated for selectman, and Abernethy, who was running for sheriff.\u00a0 Of course, Ben would have been likely to vote for anyone running against\u00a0 W. T. C. Elliott.\u00a0 The very name brought bad memories to mind.<\/p>\n

After lunch the men went back to work and by the time they quit that evening the house was framed in and roofed.\u00a0 There was more work to be done, but now that the house was safe from the weather, Clyde could take his time about finishing the interior.<\/p>\n

Ben had just loaded his family into the buckboard for the trip home when he heard someone shout his name.\u00a0 Looking across the Carson City plaza, he saw William Ormsby waving at him.\u00a0 \u201cBe back in a minute,\u201d he told Marie and headed toward the hotel owner and merchant.<\/p>\n

As soon as he came within reach, Ormsby clapped him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s the man for you, Dodge.\u00a0 No one in these parts is a better friend to the Paiutes than Ben Cartwright\u2014\u2014excepting myself, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned a quizzical gaze on the dark-headed young man standing beside Ormsby.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t had the pleasure, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFrederick Dodge,\u201d Ormsby said in introduction.\u00a0 \u201cNewly appointed Federal Indian Agent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh!\u00a0 A pleasure, indeed, sir,\u201d Ben said enthusiastically.\u00a0 He\u2019d read about the appointment of the Indian agent for western Utah, but had not as yet met the young man.\u00a0 \u201cWith so many white men encroaching their lands, the Indians need a voice in their support.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy intention, precisely,\u201d Dodge declared enthusiastically.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, before I can be an effective voice I must know the people I represent.\u00a0 I wish to rendezvous with the Indians and ascertain their needs, but I\u2019m in need of a guide, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe asked me first, of course,\u201d Ormsby inserted, \u201cbecause of my relationship with Winnemucca, but business prevents my leaving here.\u00a0 Then I saw you, Cartwright, and knew you\u2019d be the perfect solution to our new agent\u2019s problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a friend to the Paiutes, I\u2019ve been told,\u201d Dodge added.<\/p>\n

Ben had to smile.\u00a0 That had been said of him more often as a criticism than as a quality to admire.\u00a0 \u201cI count a number of Paiutes, as well as Washos, among my friends,\u201d he replied, \u201cand I\u2019d be privileged to introduce you to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Dodge beamed.\u00a0 \u201cWhen can we leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow morning?\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cIf you like, you can return to the Ponderosa with us, spend the night and get an early start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t pass up that opportunity!\u201d Ormsby enthused.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t believe the meals their Chinese cook dishes up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get my things and be down in a few minutes,\u201d Dodge said.<\/p>\n

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

For the next two weeks Ben showed the new Federal Indian Agent around the territory, introducing him to leaders of both the Washo and Paiute tribes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m surprised to find the Indians in such good condition,\u201d Dodge declared as they rode toward HoneyLakeValley.\u00a0 \u201cThey are experiencing some changes in their lifestyle, but seem to be adapting well to white ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome more than others,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cThe Washos have always seemed more adaptable to me, but even the Paiutes are beginning to find work on the ranches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s encouraging,\u201d Dodge enthused.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, they will require governmental help, but not nearly as much as I\u2019d feared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat they really need,\u201d Ben suggested, \u201cis land set aside for their restricted use.\u00a0 Good land, I mean, like around PyramidLake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA reservation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0 \u201cNot exactly what I had in mind.\u00a0 That word implies keeping the Indians in; I had in mind keeping white men out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHard to accomplish, but I understand your point.\u00a0 It\u2019s a valid one.\u00a0 It\u2019s time these Mormons had some restrictions.\u00a0 The Indians have suffered enough at their hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge reminded Ben so much of Clyde Thomas that he chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNot just Mormons.\u00a0 The gentiles are just as bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but it\u2019s the Mormons who\u2019ve been in charge, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Dodge argued.\u00a0 \u201cYou think there\u2019s any chance of their being turned out in the upcoming election?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAbout a snowball\u2019s chance.\u00a0 I intend to do what I can, however.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I\u2019ll be leaving you at HoneyLake.\u00a0 I have an obligation to a friend, as well as a civic one, so I have to be in Carson the last of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d Dodge replied.\u00a0 \u201cThis man you mentioned, he knows the Indians as well as you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty much,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, I believe Warren Wasson speaks Paiute more fluently than I do.\u00a0 Poito\u2019s people\u2014\u2014well, you\u2019d know him as Winnemucca\u2014\u2014have been spending most of their time along Smoke Creek, so Wasson sees them more than I do nowadays.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019ll be able to attend the rendezvous,\u201d Dodge said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry my best,\u201d Ben promised.<\/p>\n

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

Since Nelly was anxious to move into her new home, Clyde worked diligently, and by election day on the thirtieth of October, everything was ready.<\/p>\n

Bringing a buckboard loaded with furniture the Thomases had stored at the Ponderosa, Ben cast his ballot in Carson City early that morning, then remained in town to help his friends transfer their belongings from the cabin to the two-story frame house.\u00a0 Afterwards, Paul enlisted him to help carry his examining table and medical supplies to the old Thomas cabin, thus separating his work place from his home.<\/p>\n

When the election results were announced later that evening, Clyde sneered as the usual majority of Mormons candidates were declared victors.\u00a0 L. Abernethy was the new sheriff, and Richard Sides, another anti-Mormon, was named one of several selectmen.\u00a0 Practically everyone else came from what Clyde Thomas referred to as \u201cthe wrong party.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the election, as Ben had hoped, he was able to attend the rendezvous with the Paiutes arranged by Frederick Dodge.\u00a0 The Indians had an opportunity to air their grievances and seemed pleased by the hickory shirts, overalls and tobacco the Indian agent offered in token of future help.\u00a0 The earnest young man was making a good beginning in his relationship with the natives; if he could be as successful in dealing with the white authorities in Salt Lake City, Ben foresaw many years of peaceful relations with the original inhabitants of western Utah.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWell, it\u2019s not as bad as I was afeared it might be,\u201d Nelly commented after she and Marie had made an inspection of the old Cartwright cabin.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is bad enough,\u201d Marie moaned.\u00a0 \u201cYou can see through those cracks between the logs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cJust needs new chinking, honey lamb.\u00a0 The menfolk can take care of that in a day.\u00a0 Since Ben boarded up the windows, they\u2019re in good shape.\u00a0 Place needs a good cleanin\u2019, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur job,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 She fingered the curtains at the front window.\u00a0 \u201cThese should be replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy, yes!\u201d Nelly agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThose were old when you moved in.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got plenty of time to make new curtains, though, and the bed ticks should be freshened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will not need two bedrooms,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps Katerina would wish to use the front one as a parlor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Nelly remarked, \u201cbut we\u2019d best ask Enos about that before we go plannin\u2019 their house for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, you are right.\u00a0 It is such fun, like the day we took Mary shopping, but we must remember this is Katerina\u2019s home, not our dollhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnos won\u2019t mind a few suggestions,\u201d Nelly said, \u201cand a parlor\u2019s a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must also tell him to buy a cookstove,\u201d Marie insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWe took ours with us, and Enos may not realize how important a proper stove will be to his wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re just rememberin\u2019 how it was when you first came here and found out Ben expected you to cook over an open fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was horrible,\u201d Marie declared, \u201cand I do not want Katerina to find such a welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly put an arm around the younger woman.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you fret, honey lamb.\u00a0 By the time Enos brings Katerina here, this cabin\u2019ll be everything a new bride could hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 With all of them working together, she was sure the Montgomery\u2019s new home would be perfect.<\/p>\n

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

November broke brisk, wind swooping down the slopes of the Ponderosa hills.\u00a0 Then an unexpected snowfall gave warning of an early and severe winter, the temperature dropping so sharply Ben knew he had to lay in a large supply of firewood, the sooner the better.\u00a0 His plans to caulk the Montgomery cabin changed quickly as he and his men hurried into the woods with whipsaws and crosscuts.\u00a0 The cabin could wait, after all; it was months until the wedding.<\/p>\n

After that first snowfall, however, the weather, although cold, turned pleasant again.\u00a0 Hoss buckled down to his schoolwork in earnest, but he missed no opportunity to volunteer for other activities.\u00a0 Refusing the boy permission to join the woodcutters, Ben relented when Hoss volunteered to ride into Carson City after the mail the day it was due.\u00a0 Ben remembered how much he himself had looked forward to a day away from his books and hadn\u2019t the heart to deprive his son of a morning\u2019s freedom now and then.<\/p>\n

Snowshoe Thompson still only carried the mail as far as Genoa, but Abe Curry, as a service to residents of his new town and those who lived on nearby ranches, provided a man to pick up everyone\u2019s mail and bring it to Carson.\u00a0 The day the carrier was expected, Hoss rode happily toward town, the only cloud graying his mood the piteous sobs of his little brother on being left behind.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019d forget all that by the time Hoss returned, however.\u00a0 Even if he hadn\u2019t, Aunt Nelly probably would have cookies baked, and Hoss could appease his younger brother with a sweet peace offering.<\/p>\n

Hoss arrived in town before the mail did, so he visited with Jimmy Ellis for a while, then invited himself to dinner at the Thomases.\u00a0 They were at the table when the noise outside told them the mail carrier had come.\u00a0 Since nothing was more important than news from the outside world, Hoss and Inger were excused from the table to collect their families\u2019 mail.<\/p>\n

Clyde ambled along after them for a chance to garner any news that might have come by word of mouth.\u00a0 As they walked back home, he reported what he\u2019d learned.\u00a0 \u201cLess than ten miles to go on that telegraph linking Placerville to Genoa.\u00a0 Ought to be finished in four, five days.\u00a0 You be sure and tell your pa, Hoss; he\u2019ll be wantin\u2019 to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cReckon he\u2019d let me telegraph Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde laughed.\u00a0 \u201cTelegraph\u2019s for emergencies, boy.\u00a0 Reckon you\u2019ll have to make do with regular mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though he couldn\u2019t have gotten away with it at home, Hoss read his letter from Adam right at the table between bites of beef and barley soup.\u00a0 As he read, his frown deepened.<\/p>\n

Noting the boy\u2019s expression, Billy chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u00a0 Don\u2019t he have nothin\u2019 to talk about but what books he\u2019s readin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWorse than that,\u201d Hoss moaned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all about some girl he met.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHand it over,\u201d Billy demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly!\u201d his mother scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou mind your manners.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss, however, saw nothing wrong in Billy\u2019s request and immediately surrendered the offensive letter.\u00a0 Billy scanned the lines quickly and returned the letter.\u00a0 \u201cHe don\u2019t tell enough to get excited over,\u201d the older boy remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat girl\u2019s he talkin\u2019 about?\u201d Nelly asked, unable to control her feminine curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, it\u2019s the sister of that senator\u2019s son he knows, that Martin Gallagher,\u201d Billy muttered.\u00a0 \u201cName\u2019s Philippa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeculiar name for a gal,\u201d Clyde commented.\u00a0 \u201cThat all he says, just her name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe says she\u2019s pretty,\u201d Hoss reported, disgusted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight tell more in the letter he wrote your folks,\u201d Billy suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe could\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could not!\u201d his mother snapped, easily reading the mind of her nosy son.\u00a0 She looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHate to hurry you, Sunshine, but you\u2019d best get your dinner eaten and get that mail to your folks.\u00a0 Your pa\u2019ll really be tickled to get a letter from his brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cPa won\u2019t be back \u2018til dark, anyway.\u00a0 Just so I\u2019m home in time to milk and feed the chickens before supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, take your time then,\u201d Nelly smiled, \u201cand I\u2019ll bag up some of them gingersnaps to take with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019ll want some, too,\u201d Hoss said, turning his attention away from Adam\u2019s adolescent mooning over Philippa Gallagher and back to the pleasanter prospect of his soup.<\/p>\n

Billy grinned.\u00a0 He could read Hoss as easily as his mother read him. \u00a0Hoss probably would persuade his Aunt Nelly to send extra cookies for Little Joe, but if that baby saw more than one of them, Billy\u2019d be mighty surprised.<\/p>\n

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

Hearing the front door open, Little Joe immediately abandoned his blocks by the fireplace and ran, arms outstretched, calling, \u201cHaHa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss swooped the little boy up.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Punkin.\u00a0 You miss me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery much he did,\u201d Marie replied, sounding perturbed, \u201cand you have kept him waiting a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa said I could have the day off,\u201d Hoss muttered defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo long as you did your chores,\u201d Marie reminded him.\u00a0 \u201cYou have barely left time for that before supper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get right at \u2018em,\u201d Hoss promised.\u00a0 He grinned at his baby brother.\u00a0 \u201cWanna help brother milk the cow, Punkin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoo moo?\u201d Little Joe inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, milk the moo moo,\u201d Hoss giggled, and Little Joe laughed in response.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is too cold, Hoss,\u201d their mother argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, no, I\u2019ll bundle him up,\u201d Hoss assured her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all right,\u201d Marie conceded.<\/p>\n

Not wanting her to have time to reconsider, Hoss immediately found Little Joe\u2019s wraps and started dressing the little boy for his brief trip across the yard to the barn.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you forgetting something, Hoss?\u201d his mother smiled as he prepared to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think so,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s practically wearin\u2019 everything he owns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what of your other brother?\u00a0 Did he send no letter this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah!\u201d Hoss chortled.\u00a0 \u201cHim and Uncle John both.\u00a0 Here they are.\u201d\u00a0 He handed over the letters and headed for the barn.<\/p>\n

Marie opened the letter from Adam first.\u00a0 As Billy had suspected, the letter written to adults did contain a more detailed description of pretty Philippa Gallagher than the simpler one addressed to Hoss.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s romantic heart fluttered with interest, reading more between the lines than Adam himself had intended when he wrote them.\u00a0 Just as she was trying to decide whether to read John\u2019s letter now or wait and share it with Ben, her husband walked in.<\/p>\n

Ben hung his hat and jacket on the pegs by the door.\u00a0 \u201cI see Hoss managed to dawdle the day away in Carson City,\u201d he commented, having just delivered his horse to the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told him he could have the day off from his lessons,\u201d Marie pointed out.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd he took me literally, I see.\u00a0 He says there\u2019s a letter from John, as well as Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have just read Adam\u2019s,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cIt is most interesting.\u201d
\n\u201cNot John\u2019s?\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if you haven\u2019t read that one yet, let\u2019s do it together.\u201d\u00a0 He sat down in the mauve armchair near the fireplace.<\/p>\n

Perching on the arm of the chair, Marie smiled and handed him the unsealed envelope.\u00a0 Ben opened it and read his brother\u2019s news aloud, then tossed the letter down in disgust.\u00a0 \u201cI thought he\u2019d gotten that nonsense out of his system!\u201d\u00a0 John had written that he, along with his son Will, had joined the latest gold rush to Cherry Creek in Colorado.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted so much for him to come here,\u201d Marie sympathized.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and he said the only thing holding him back was Will\u2019s unwillingness to leave that farm.\u00a0 Well, he\u2019s left it now,\u201d Ben fumed, \u201cbut only to stand hours a day, waist deep in icy mountain streams, swishing mud in a pan.\u00a0 What kind of life is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn\u2019s kind,\u201d Marie said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cYou said he never wanted to be a farmer.\u00a0 Perhaps Will wants to try his father\u2019s way for a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he does, the boy\u2019s as big a fool as his father!\u201d Ben ranted, jumping up to poke at the logs on the grate.\u00a0 \u201cWe could have had a wonderful life here together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie stood and ran soothing fingers across Ben\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cFor you, it would have been wonderful, but I am not sure that is how John would see it.\u00a0 He is a Cartwright, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben spun around.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie reached up to touch his cheek, stubbled by this time of day although he shaved closely every morning.\u00a0 \u201cNelly always says there is nothing so stubborn\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mule or a Cartwright,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve heard it before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I have heard before that when you wanted to come west, John called you a fool,\u201d Marie said softly.\u00a0 \u201cThen it was he who wanted you to share his life, but you wanted to build your own.\u00a0 I think that is what John feels now.\u00a0 He does not wish to live in the shadow of his little brother, and that is how it would be here where you are so well established and he just beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stared at her.\u00a0 \u201cWe really have switched places, haven\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I can understand that,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut another gold rush!\u00a0 Of all the\u201d\u2014\u2014he shook his head in disbelief.<\/p>\n

\u201cJohn says he has heard good reports,\u201d Marie pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he hasn\u2019t seen anything yet,\u201d Ben countered.\u00a0 \u201cThe letter says he left Missouri around the middle of September.\u00a0 He\u2019d just about have had time to reach Colorado by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he promised to write when he did,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cBy the next mail, perhaps, he will have wonderful news to give you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that soon,\u201d Ben reminded her.\u00a0 \u201cThe letter has to go to California first, then back over the mountains to us, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d she agreed, \u201cbut by Christmas you should hear.\u00a0 A special gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s come to his senses and decided to head this way, it would be,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 He looked up hopefully.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe Will won\u2019t take to mining and be anxious to start up a good farm or ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Marie said, holding him close.\u00a0 She had never met Will, of course, but all she had heard made him sound like a typical Cartwright, probably too stubborn to give up easily.\u00a0 She doubted that Christmastime letter would bring the news her husband craved.<\/p>\n

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

The Cartwrights arrived in Carson City around ten o\u2019clock on the last Saturday in November.\u00a0 Abe Curry had decided to host a town-wide Thanksgiving celebration, with all rural residents of the outlying region invited, as well.\u00a0 The feast was set for noon, so Ben and his family, by prior arrangement, met at the Thomases to wait until the appointed hour.\u00a0 The Ponderosa ranch hands would be coming along later, probably just in time to sit down to eat.<\/p>\n

Marie immediately went to the kitchen to reheat her contributions to the meal and help Nelly with final preparations on hers.\u00a0 Ben and Clyde settled comfortably in the parlor across the narrow hall from the ladies, while Inger escorted Hoss and Little Joe upstairs to her room.\u00a0 Billy was over at the Martins, making himself useful (so he said) to Sally.<\/p>\n

The children climbed the stairs and went to the back bedroom, next to Billy\u2019s and across the hall from the one Clyde and Nelly occupied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think of my new room?\u201d Inger asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI seen it before,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot since Ma put up the new curtains,\u201d Inger insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, they\u2019re nice,\u201d Hoss said, just to be polite, for he had little interest in the pink calico frills at the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s play house,\u201d Inger suggested, moving toward the toy stove in the corner.\u00a0 \u201cYou can be the pa, and I\u2019ll be the ma, and Little Joe can be our baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grimaced.\u00a0 At eight years old, he considered himself beyond such girlish games.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t we do better than that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, come on, Hoss,\u201d the little girl pleaded. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll make us a good meal,\u201d she added in her most persuasive voice.<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cRather have that big un Mr. Curry\u2019s got planned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be good, all right,\u201d Inger conceded.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Curry brought in two big turkeys from California, and with folks bringin\u2019 stuff from all over, it oughta be the biggest spread you ever saw.\u00a0 Better than the Fourth of July, even.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss nodded.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t been able to attend that celebration, due to the conflict between his family and Inger\u2019s, but from all he\u2019d heard it had been a grand one, and today\u2019s feast sounded like it would have more to choose from than even Hoss\u2019s legendary appetite could handle.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, who had followed Inger over to the toy stove, reached for the tiny cast iron skillet sitting on the imitation burner.\u00a0 Inger pulled his hand back.\u00a0 \u201cNo, baby, hot,\u201d she scolded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t neither,\u201d Hoss scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re just pretendin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Course, I am,\u201d Inger snorted, \u201cbut he shouldn\u2019t touch anyway.\u00a0 It\u2019ll teach him bad habits, Pa, and we don\u2019t want him gettin\u2019 burnt on a real one, do we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss snickered.\u00a0 \u201cReckon you\u2019re right, Ma.\u00a0 Don\u2019t touch, Punkin.\u00a0 Stoves are hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHot?\u201d Little Joe queried with a quizzical tilt of his curly head.<\/p>\n

Hoss touched the little stove and drew his hand back quickly, yelping and blowing on his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cHot!\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh,\u201d Little Joe said, immediately stretching to touch the stove.<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled him back.\u00a0 \u201cNo, don\u2019t touch.\u201d\u00a0 He frowned as Little Joe started to wail.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want Pa to give you a very necessary little talk?\u201d he asked, sounding serious.<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head and buried his face against his brother\u2019s thigh.\u00a0 Inger picked the little boy up and sat down to rock him in the small chair her father had made.\u00a0 \u201cGuess he ain\u2019t much hand at playin\u2019 house,\u201d she commented.<\/p>\n

Hoss sat Indian-style on the hooked rug near Inger\u2019s feet.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, guess not.\u00a0 You writ Santa what you want for Christmas yet, Inger?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m too old for that, Hoss,\u201d Inger chided.<\/p>\n

Hoss laid a finger to his lips and pointed at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHe ain\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d the little girl replied.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m hopin\u2019 Santa will build me some more kitchen stuff, like he did the stove.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned, knowing she meant Uncle Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA dining table, maybe, or a sink for washin\u2019 dishes, one that could hold real water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat don\u2019t sound like much fun,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cSounds like chores to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what you want Santa to bring you?\u201d Inger asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t sure.\u00a0 A rifle\u2019d be nice, but I reckon I ain\u2019t got a prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guarantee you ain\u2019t!\u201d Inger snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYour Santa\u2019s got better sense.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at the toddler in her lap.\u00a0 \u201cHow \u2018bout you, baby?\u00a0 What you want Santa to bring you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe just looked puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cSanna?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe don\u2019t \u2018member,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now\u2019s as good a time as any to teach him,\u201d Inger declared.\u00a0 \u201cYou start, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss narrowed his eyes.\u00a0 It sounded to him as if they were back to playing house, but he launched into an explanation of Christmas for Little Joe that the nineteen-month-old seemed to find fascinating.<\/p>\n

\u201cInger!\u201d her mother called up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cTime to go, younguns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hefted Little Joe to his shoulder and headed downstairs.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Ma,\u201d he teased.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t want to be late for that turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger clattered down the stairs after him, and soon the entire party was headed for the town plaza, where Laura Ellis was supervising the placement of food on the tables provided by the town\u2019s founder.<\/p>\n

Ben took his youngest son and sat him on the plank bench beside him, with Marie taking her seat on the baby\u2019s other side.\u00a0 Typically, Little Joe stood up at once and began to crane his neck in all directions.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what are you looking for?\u201d Ben asked as he sat the boy down again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanna!\u201d Little Joe announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cSanta!\u201d\u00a0 Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got the wrong holiday, little one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe was teachin\u2019 him about Santa Claus upstairs,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

Still chuckling, Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you think you\u2019d have done better to teach him about the Pilgrims and how they shared their first bountiful harvest with the Indians who\u2019d helped them through the winter?\u00a0 Or don\u2019t you remember that much of your history lessons, young fellow?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pouted eloquently.\u00a0 \u201cSure I do.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t think of it, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 This is like that first Thanksgiving, though, ain\u2019t it, Pa?\u00a0 We got Indians and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndians?\u00a0 Where?\u201d Inger, sitting beside her chubby friend, demanded as she peered down the table in both directions.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight down there,\u201d Hoss responded, pointing.<\/p>\n

Inger laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s just Sarah and Elma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re Indians,\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cPaiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so,\u201d Inger admitted.\u00a0 \u201cThey just seem like other folks to me.\u00a0 They\u2019re my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs it should be, Inger,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIndians are \u2018just folks.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you go fillin\u2019 my girl\u2019s head with your injun-lovin\u2019 ways, Ben Cartwright,\u201d Clyde sputtered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Clyde,\u201d Ben growled. \u201cWhat have you got against those girls?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019!\u201d the older man snapped.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re all right, learnin\u2019 the white man\u2019s ways and tamin\u2019 down right nice, but I won\u2019t have my little girl thinkin\u2019 she can walk up to just any injun and expect the same.\u00a0 There\u2019s plenty more wild ones out in the sagebrush that ain\u2019t to be trusted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s still an untamed land, with plenty of wild men, red and white,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I think Inger\u2019s got sense enough to know a friend from a stranger, whatever his race.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon so,\u201d Clyde conceded, irritation dissipating at Ben\u2019s praise of his girl.\u00a0 \u201cWe done tried to bring her up right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou men shush your nonsense,\u201d Nelly ordered.\u00a0 \u201cCurry\u2019s about to make a speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope he keeps it short,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI like my turkey and stuffing hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 He shared Clyde\u2019s opinion, but had already pegged Abraham Curry for the long-winded type.\u00a0 While Curry waxed eloquent in his praise to Almighty God for the development of his new town, Ben glanced across the table at Clyde and Nelly.\u00a0 Ben numbered those two friends at the top of his list of blessings of the previous year.\u00a0 How nearly that friendship had ended, all because of his own foolish pride!\u00a0 As Curry concluded his speech with a prayer over the meal, Ben bowed his head.\u00a0 It was not for Carson City that he thanked God, however, but for the restoration of a treasured relationship, one to be cherished and guarded against whatever unknown conflicts might imperil it in days to come.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN<\/p>\n

Holiday Delight, Holiday Distress<\/h4>\n

From his stool beside the milk cow, Hoss looked across his left shoulder to grin at his giggling baby brother.\u00a0 Little Joe, hay sticking out from his tousled golden brown hair, lay in an empty stall with Klamath poised over him, obligingly washing the toddler\u2019s face with his rough tongue.\u00a0 \u201cCome here, you silly thing,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cKlamath, let him up, boy.\u00a0 Off, Klamath!\u201d<\/p>\n

The small brown dog gave Little Joe\u2019s face a final, affectionate lick and padded toward Hoss.\u00a0 Little Joe followed.\u00a0 \u201cCome here,\u201d Hoss repeated, reaching for the youngster and setting him between his legs.\u00a0 \u201cHigh time you learned to milk a cow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoo moo?\u201d Little Joe asked, tiny fingers stretching to touch the cow\u2019s soft flank.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, moo moo.\u00a0 You milk her,\u201d Hoss directed, closing his brother\u2019s fingers around the cow\u2019s udder.\u00a0 \u201cNow squeeze.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave the udder a quick yank.\u00a0 The cow\u2019s hind leg kicked back in irritation, but nothing came out.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you still ain\u2019t strong enough,\u201d Hoss sighed, beginning to think he\u2019d never get any help with his chores.\u00a0 Wrapping his hefty hand over his brother\u2019s miniature one, he squeezed the udder.<\/p>\n

Little Joe crowed with delight, certain he had produced the frothy milk rattling the sides of the pail.\u00a0 Hoss continued the charade for a few more squirts, but finally decided he\u2019d never finish his morning chores at that rate.\u00a0 Setting the baby behind him, he ordered, \u201cPlay with Klamath some more,\u201d a command Little Joe willingly obeyed.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t as quick to obey when Hoss told him it was time to go inside.\u00a0 In fact, he answered his brother with an emphatic \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, you better mind,\u201d Hoss warned.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t good to backtalk your elders.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d learned early that his father didn\u2019t approve of little boys who did that and figured when it came to Little Joe, he counted as an elder.<\/p>\n

Little Joe just laughed and continued rolling in the hay, arms around the longsuffering Klamath.<\/p>\n

Hoss tried another tactic.\u00a0 \u201cHere, Klamath; here, boy,\u201d he called.\u00a0 More readily obedient to his master\u2019s voice than Little Joe was to his brother\u2019s, Klamath immediately frisked to Hoss\u2019s side.\u00a0 Little Joe sat up, looking mad.<\/p>\n

Pretty sure a rain of tears was about to follow, Hoss forestalled it by offering his brother a piggyback ride.\u00a0 Little Joe grinned and stood at once.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he cried, arms raised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Hoss\u2019ll give you a ride,\u201d the older boy said, lifting the toddler to his back.\u00a0 \u201cHold on tight.\u201d\u00a0 He picked up the pail of milk with one hand while the other closed over the small hands circling his neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiddiup,\u201d Little Joe commanded.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou think I\u2019m your horse, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaHa,\u201d Little Joe responded.\u00a0 \u201cGiddiup, HaHa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHorse, not Hoss,\u201d the older boy corrected, though he knew the effort for a futile one.\u00a0 Little Joe used the same sound for both words.\u00a0 Small chance I got of him sortin\u2019 it out,<\/em> Hoss thought, when folks bigger than him makes the same mistake.\u00a0 <\/em>Hoss acted his part to perfection, neighing loudly as he carried the youngster and the milk into the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cBleakfast pletty soon now,\u201d Hop Sing informed imperiously.\u00a0 \u201cNeed eggs light away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s where we\u2019re headed,\u201d Hoss replied, prepared for the admonition he heard every morning.\u00a0 Freed of the need to keep the milk in the pail, Little Joe\u2019s horse trotted more vigorously to the chicken coop.\u00a0 Hoss took a handful of feed and trickled it into his brother\u2019s outstretched palm.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, now, feed the chickens, but don\u2019t drop it all in one place like yesterday.\u00a0 Scatter it, see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s small chin bobbed up and down, and he made an honest effort to scatter the feed as Hoss had directed.\u00a0 Most of it still landed in one spot, but Hoss was encouraged by the toddler\u2019s improvement.\u00a0 Maybe the boy would make a hand someday, after all.\u00a0 He gave Little Joe some more feed to reward him.\u00a0 Little Joe understood the gesture as approval of his work and, smiling happily, tossed the feed into the air, much of it landing in his hair.<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMama\u2019ll have a fit when she sees you,\u201d he said, brushing feed and hay from his brother\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna gather the eggs now.\u00a0 Wait right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I ain\u2019t trustin\u2019 you with eggs,\u201d Hoss chuckled.<\/p>\n

A pout formed on Little Joe\u2019s lips.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d Hoss said more firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not big enough.\u201d\u00a0 Tears started to form in the little boy\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t work,\u201d Hoss informed him.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing\u2019ll have my head if I show up with broken eggs, so you might just as well shut it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

One tear slowly trickled down Little Joe\u2019s cheek, but when Hoss merely turned his back and began to take eggs from the hen\u2019s deserted nests, the toddler transferred his attention to the chickens.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t chase \u2018em,\u201d Hoss scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll scare \u2018em out of layin\u2019.\u00a0 You like eggs, don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed.\u00a0 \u201cThen, leave them chickens alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow, even with Little Joe\u2019s help, Hoss finished his chores in time for breakfast, a hearty one of scrambled eggs and bacon with fried potatoes, biscuits and gravy.\u00a0 Afterwards, Hoss took his place at the low table before the fireplace to begin a chore he hated far more than milking the cow or tending chickens.\u00a0 Even on a frosty December morning like this one, he\u2019d much rather be outdoors than hovering over his books near a warm fire.<\/p>\n

As she did every morning, Marie first moved to the right side of the fireplace to take Little Joe\u2019s toys from the box Clyde Thomas had made him to match the ones his older brothers had upstairs.\u00a0 She established a warm play area for the toddler where she could keep an eye on him while she instructed Hoss.\u00a0 Then the lessons she dreaded almost as much as Hoss began.<\/p>\n

As usual, Little Joe played contentedly with his blocks and his bunny for a short while, then squirmed his way into Hoss\u2019s lap to assist with the older boy\u2019s lessons.\u00a0 Hoss grinned, for he knew the youngster would soon tire of sitting still and begin creating enough distraction that their mother would be forced to declare a recess. \u00a0Sometimes, Marie found herself wondering if the two brothers plotted the disruption of schoolwork together.\u00a0 A foolish thought, she chided herself, or would be if Hoss hadn\u2019t seemed to share an ability to communicate with barely verbal Little Joe that surpassed that of anyone else.<\/p>\n

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

Ben loaded the last of the supplies he\u2019d purchased at the general store in Genoa.\u00a0 Ordinarily he would have taken his business to the closer trading post in Carson City, but Snowshoe Thompson was due in sometime today.\u00a0 Ben could have waited, of course, and picked up the mail in Carson City, but when Thompson ran late, sometimes the mail Curry\u2019s carrier brought wasn\u2019t available until the next day.\u00a0 Since today was Saturday, a late arrival could mean a delay over the weekend, and Ben wasn\u2019t prepared to wait that long.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s boyish news would probably keep, but Ben was also expecting a letter from his brother, a letter he hoped would bring news of John\u2019s imminent arrival.<\/p>\n

Snowshoe Thompson hadn\u2019t arrived by the time Ben finished his necessary business, but he wasn\u2019t about to leave town until he had his mail in hand.\u00a0 He had to find a better place to wait than the street, however, for the temperature this eighteenth day of December was bitterly cold.\u00a0 A foot of snow covered the ground, and there\u2019d been ice coating the Carson River when he\u2019d crossed the toll bridge earlier.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled the collar of his flannel-lined jacket up over his neck, but the icy wind still managed to snake down his back.\u00a0 Chilled to the bone, Ben headed for the Stockade Bar down the street.\u00a0 Though not a heavy drinker, usually restricting himself to a single beer, Ben ordered a whiskey.\u00a0 Sipping it slowly, he relished the liquor as it burned his throat, then spread its warmth throughout his body.<\/p>\n

Like everyone else in the bar, Ben automatically turned when he heard a new customer walk in.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Roop,\u201d he called.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a long way from home.\u00a0 How are things up at Susanville?\u201d<\/p>\n

Isaac Roop came to the bar and shook Ben\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cCold, same as here,\u201d the California resident of the eastern slope replied.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoing fine,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cLet me buy you a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roop responded the way any westerner was expected to.\u00a0 \u201cSure.\u00a0 Let me get some food in my belly first, though.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t had a bite since breakfast, and I can\u2019t take liquor on an empty stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you mention it, I\u2019m getting hungry, too,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Both men ordered a sandwich and beer, then sat down at one of the bar\u2019s few tables to enjoy their lunch and talk over the latest news of the territory.<\/p>\n

Again footsteps sounded at the entrance.\u00a0 Again every head turned.\u00a0 Although Ben recognized the two men stomping snow from their boots, he didn\u2019t know them well.\u00a0 They were better acquainted with Isaac Roop, obviously, for they came directly to the table to greet him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, you know W. L. Jernegan and Alfred James, don\u2019t you?\u201d Roop asked politely.<\/p>\n

Ben shook the men\u2019s hands.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve met.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t had much chance to get acquainted, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019ll be getting acquainted with us soon enough,\u201d James declared, beaming proudly.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone will.\u00a0 Take a look at this!\u201d\u00a0 He handed the paper first to Isaac Roop, who held it so Ben could read it, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerritorial Enterprise<\/em>,\u201d Roop read.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this mean, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst issue of our newspaper,\u201d Jernegan replied.<\/p>\n

Ben noticed the date line on the front page.\u00a0 \u201cCarson Valley, Utah Territory–Published every Saturday morning at the Office on Mill St., Genoa, Carson Valley,\u201d he read.\u00a0 \u201cYou aim to keep this up regular, then, make a weekly of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout time this territory had a paper with a non-Mormon outlook,\u201d James stated.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI have a friend who\u2019d agree with you.\u00a0 For that matter, I do, too.\u00a0 You have extra copies for sale?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo happens we do,\u201d Jernegan grinned, \u201cor will as soon as we get back to the office and run them off.\u00a0 This one was hot off the press.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take two,\u201d Ben said, \u201cone for me and one for that friend I mentioned.\u00a0 If your paper prospers, the first issue ought to be a real keepsake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jernegan and James both laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLike your attitude, Cartwright.\u00a0 Mind if we quote you in the next issue?\u201d<\/p>\n

It was Ben\u2019s turn to laugh.\u00a0 \u201cIf you consider my remarks newsworthy, gentlemen, be my guest.\u201d<\/p>\n

A man stuck his head in the door of the Stockade Bar.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Thompson\u2019s in!\u201d he yelled, and the saloon\u2019s population emptied into the snowy street.<\/p>\n

Ben joined the general stampede for the post office.\u00a0 Soon he found an uncrowded spot and tore into John\u2019s letter.\u00a0 The letter was longer than usual, for John not only sent news of himself and Will, but described the development of the new town they considered their home.\u00a0 Temporary home, Ben devoutly hoped, but the letter gave no indication of that.\u00a0 If anything, John sounded proud, the way Ben did when he wrote about the development of Carson City.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough our town is less than a month old, it\u2019s growing fast,\u201d John reported, telling how one hundred and eighty men living on the west side of Cherry Creek had held a meeting on October 30th to found the town of Auraria, territory of Kansas.\u00a0 He and Will, however, had located on the east side of the creek in the even newer town first called St. Charles and finally Denver in honor of the territorial governor.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a rivalry between the two towns,\u201d John wrote.\u00a0 \u201cAuraria\u2019s bigger, but you\u2019d like Denver better, Ben.\u00a0 Quieter, more businesslike.\u00a0 Why, we\u2019ve even had our first sermon preached here!\u00a0 Methodist preacher, too, the kind my Martha favored.\u00a0 So you can quit worryin\u2019 about your big brother.\u00a0 Denver\u2019s rough, but we\u2019ve already got more religion here than in your God-forsaken western Utah.\u00a0 (Mormons don\u2019t count, little brother!)\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had to laugh at that remark.\u00a0 He\u2019d be sure to share it with Clyde Thomas, too, who would appreciate it even more than Ben.\u00a0 He read on: \u201cWill seems to be taking to the miner\u2019s life.\u00a0 Our claim is showing some good color, so maybe I\u2019ve finally found my El Dorado after all these years.\u00a0 Good to have my boy here to share it when it comes.\u00a0 For now, though, we\u2019ve got to leave off mining to build ourselves a solid cabin before winter sets in.\u00a0 Too bad we can\u2019t move that old one of yours here and save ourselves the trouble!\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled.\u00a0 Obviously, he\u2019d neglected to tell his brother that cabin was already spoken for.\u00a0 He read on, \u201cI\u2019d better close for now.\u00a0 Will has the axes sharpened, and it\u2019s time to chop down some more cottonwoods.\u00a0 Write soon, little brother, and try not to scold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben winced uncomfortably.\u00a0 John knew him too well, knew how much he\u2019d like to scold his big brother for his endless pursuit of gold.\u00a0 At least, the town of Denver sounded like it had a promising future, or would if the gold held out.\u00a0 Time would tell.\u00a0 Maybe, like Marie\u2019d said, John could build himself a future there alongside Cherry Creek.\u00a0 Maybe, someday, he\u2019d be the one urging Ben to come share his good fortune, and Ben would be the one disappointing John.<\/p>\n

Ben folded the letter, taking out the one from Adam, instead, and his son\u2019s news brought the smile back to his face.\u00a0 Adam, who had at first bewailed spending the Christmas holidays in San Francisco, seemed to have had a change of heart.\u00a0 At least, he said he was looking forward to a good time.\u00a0 Evidently, Lawrence Larrimore had written the boy, promising to take him to any theater presentation he chose, as well as arranging a party for Adam and his own youngsters.<\/p>\n

The mention of a party reminded Ben of why he was in town.\u00a0 To buy ranch supplies, of course, but those were the least important items on his list.\u00a0 Hop Sing and, to a lesser extent, Marie had been growing frantic about finding everything they needed to make the Ponderosa\u2019s annual Christmas Eve party memorable.\u00a0 Ben had hoped to do a little duck hunting near the river on the way back, but Snowshoe hadn\u2019t gotten in as early as he\u2019d expected.\u00a0 High time he headed for home, if he didn\u2019t want to listen to a diatribe before the Chinese cook would condescend to serve supper.<\/p>\n

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

For the next week, as Hop Sing and Marie combined efforts to prepare refreshments for the upcoming Christmas Eve party, tempting aromas wafted almost constantly from the kitchen, tempting the two youngest Cartwrights into forbidden territory.\u00a0 Both boys received the same high-pitched rebuke from the irate Cantonese cook, but while Little Joe\u2019s excursions were viewed with tolerance by his indulgent mother, Hoss\u2019s were soundly scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou are old enough to know better, Hoss,\u201d Marie reproved, dusting floury hands on her apron, \u201cand to keep your little brother away, as well.\u00a0 Return to your lessons at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss sighed.\u00a0 Taking Little Joe\u2019s hand, he returned to the front room, willing Friday to come quickly so the hated schoolbooks could be tossed aside for a few days.\u00a0 \u201cHere, play with bun-bun,\u201d he directed, giving the toddler his toy rabbit.\u00a0 \u201cBrother has to study.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe frowned, but sat babbling to bun-bun for a few minutes before ambling off toward the inviting kitchen once more.\u00a0 He was in the dining room before Hoss realized he\u2019d disappeared.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe,\u201d he hissed softly, not wanting the two bakers to hear him.\u00a0 When the toddler ignored him, Hoss got up and tiptoed after his brother.<\/p>\n

By the time he caught up, however, Little Joe was already in the kitchen, pulling on his mother\u2019s skirt.\u00a0 \u201cTookie?\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n

Marie turned just in time to see Hoss enter the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI told you to keep an eye on him,\u201d she reprimanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried,\u201d Hoss protested, \u201cbut it\u2019s hard to watch him and the primer, too.\u00a0 Maybe I should quit studying for a while, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat is most generous of you, Hoss, but perhaps you are right.\u00a0 We will never get all these gingercakes baked if this one keeps pestering for a cookie.\u201d\u00a0 She patted Little Joe\u2019s curly head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe if you gave him one,\u201d Hoss suggested, tongue flicking involuntarily over his lower lip.<\/p>\n

Marie giggled, hiding her lips behind delicate fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI do not think it is Little Joe you are thinking of, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u00a0 Nevertheless\u201d\u2014\u2014she took two gingercakes from the cooling rack and presented one to each boy\u2014\u2014\u201cNow keep him out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Punkin,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s eat our cookies in the other room.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe smiled and followed obediently, now that he had what he wanted.<\/p>\n

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

To Hoss\u2019s delight, Friday finally arrived and, with it, the official suspension of all lessons until after the holidays.\u00a0 Early that morning he went with his father to select a tall evergreen, and they spent the afternoon, while Little Joe napped, decorating the tree with their handmade ornaments and small calico bundles of candy for the younger guests who would attend the party that evening.\u00a0 Laura Ellis arrived about three o\u2019clock to help Marie deck the mantel and staircase with pine boughs and cones and supervise the moving of furniture and the arrangement of the refreshment table.<\/p>\n

When Little Joe woke, Hoss was delegated the responsibility of keeping the baby away from the tree.\u00a0 First, he sat Indian-style beneath the branches and, gathering his brother into his lap, explained the purpose of the tree and how tomorrow morning they would find many presents waiting under it.\u00a0 \u201cSo you mustn\u2019t touch,\u201d Hoss finished.\u00a0 \u201cSanta won\u2019t like it if you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded soberly as he reached for the wooden bird gracing the limb nearest him.\u00a0 Hoss sighed and pulled the youngster\u2019s hand back.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear what I said?\u201d<\/p>\n

His father, bringing in an armload of firewood to place in the woodbox beside the massive stone fireplace, laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d be wiser to take him out of temptation\u2019s reach, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess,\u201d Hoss admitted with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go play with my Noah\u2019s Ark, Punkin.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe was fond of the boat full of animal pairs, so Hoss successfully kept him occupied until time to dress for the party.<\/p>\n

Since Ben finished dressing first, he took Little Joe downstairs so his mother and Laura could complete their toilettes without distraction.\u00a0 Setting the baby on his knee, he asked, \u201cNow, has Hoss told you all about what happens tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanna,\u201d Little Joe replied, smiling in a way that told Ben his youngest was looking forward to a visit from St. Nick.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, and is there something special my little boy would like Santa to bring him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggie,\u201d Little Joe responded immediately.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid you\u2019re too young to be responsible for a pet, baby.\u00a0 You\u2019ll have to share Klamath with Hoss for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head vigorously.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no, no, no,\u201d he insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWa-wer doggie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWater doggie?\u201d Ben asked, puzzled, then the light, woefully, dawned as Ben realized the gift his son wanted was one he couldn\u2019t possibly put beneath the tree.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you\u2019d have forgotten the water doggies by now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe patted his father\u2019s chest with a pleading palm.\u00a0 \u201cWa-wer doggie,\u201d he repeated poignantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, Santa cannot bring you a seal for Christmas,\u201d Ben said, with little hope of the toddler\u2019s understanding.\u00a0 \u201cSeals\u2014\u2014uh, water doggies\u2014\u2014don\u2019t like snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s face looked so pitiful Ben cuddled him close.\u00a0 \u201cThere, now, you\u2019re gonna have a nice Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss, coming down the stairs decked out in his best suit, asked on seeing his little brother\u2019s dejected face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants a water doggie\u2014\u2014a harbor seal\u2014\u2014for Christmas,\u201d Ben lamented.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what he said when me and Inger talked to him about Santa on Thanksgiving,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou failed,\u201d Ben reported glumly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, he\u2019ll forget when he sees his presents,\u201d Hoss assured his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Ben muttered ruefully, \u201cand, speaking of presents, you will not see yours until suppertime if you dare wake this baby early, like you did last year.\u00a0 Furthermore, you will stay home to tend your cranky little brother instead of watching me win us a fat bird at the turkey shoot tomorrow afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa!\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cLet your brother sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Not to mention your weary parents<\/em>, he added silently.<\/p>\n

Guests, many more than the previous year, began arriving shortly before sundown.\u00a0 Though the Cartwrights didn\u2019t feel prosperous enough to invite the entire population of western Utah, they did expand the guest list to include a number of prominent families in the area.\u00a0 Abe Curry was a natural addition, along with a few others from Carson City.\u00a0 Theodore Winters and his family from Pleasant Valley, just north of Washoe, came for the first time, as did James Sturtevant, a newcomer to the territory after the Mormon exodus.\u00a0 The new federal Indian agent, Frederick Dodge, now making his headquarters in Genoa, came, as well as older acquaintances like John Reese and Stephen Kinsey.\u00a0 Since several lived south of Genoa, however, those with young children, like the Motts, would leave early.\u00a0 Ben had given a special invitation to Lucky Bill\u2019s widow and her son Jerome, but neither came, evidently still not up to socializing among people, like Winters, associated with her husband\u2019s hanging.<\/p>\n

The children, as usual, enjoyed Ben Cartwright and Doctor Martin\u2019s joint reading of A Christmas Carol<\/em>, and the calico-wrapped candy put an even brighter sparkle in their eyes.\u00a0 Dancing, as always, lasted into the wee hours, making Ben doubly glad he\u2019d spoken to Hoss about waking them early.<\/p>\n

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

Toward evening on the twenty-fourth of December, Adam leaned over the rail of the steamboat Eclipse<\/em>, headed for San Francisco.\u00a0 Despite the brave letter he\u2019d written home, he felt more forlorn, more homesick this holiday season that at any time since he\u2019d started school in Sacramento.\u00a0 Not that the outlook was totally bleak.\u00a0 After all, Mr. Larrimore had promised to show him a good time, and Adam was looking forward to a night or two at the theater and maybe a Christmas party at the Larrimore home.\u00a0 He had a full week to spend in San Francisco, however, and he wasn\u2019t sure he could endure the company of Sterling Larrimore that long.\u00a0 He\u2019d never liked the boy, who was four years his senior.\u00a0 Of course, they were both older, both young men now.\u00a0 That might make a difference.<\/p>\n

Only Lawrence Larrimore met Adam when the steamer pulled into San Francisco.\u00a0 \u201cBig party tonight,\u201d Lawrence explained.\u00a0 \u201cThe ladies are adding those last minute touches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLadies?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 Obviously, Mr. Larrimore meant his wife, but that was only one lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cCamilla and Jewel, son,\u201d Lawrence elaborated, giving the boy a conspiratorial wink.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re both quite fashionable tonight, I can assure you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s dark eyebrows met in a straight line.\u00a0 Jewel a lady?\u00a0 Why, she was nothing but a little girl.\u00a0 Older now than the six-year-old he remembered from the trail, of course.\u00a0 How old would she be?\u00a0 Suddenly, Adam laughed.\u00a0 She was fourteen, just a year younger than he was, and he considered himself a young man.\u00a0 Maybe Jewel did qualify as a young lady.\u00a0 In fact, Adam realized, she was exactly the age of the enchanting Philippa Gallagher.<\/p>\n

Somehow, when he met Jewel later that evening, however, she managed to look much younger than his friend Martin\u2019s sister, maybe because Jewel tried too hard to look grown up, while Philippa kept to simple styles that flattered her youthful face and figure.\u00a0 Jewel, of course, didn\u2019t have a figure to flatter in the first place; to Adam, she looked like a flour sack tied with string in the middle.\u00a0 Her looks wouldn\u2019t have mattered, though, if her manners had been better.\u00a0 She openly snubbed Adam for a country rustic until her mother insisted she dance with their guest.\u00a0 Not even the harmonious tones of the string quartet, so much more to Adam\u2019s refined taste than the fiddle music he\u2019d have danced to back home, could make it an enjoyable experience.<\/p>\n

Every other young lady at the party, however, found him a desirable partner.\u00a0 Adam had learned to dance from his father, who always glided smoothly to the music, and had polished his style with the help of his roominghouse mates.\u00a0 Thanks to them, he knew the latest steps and could perform them gracefully.\u00a0 That, added to his handsome face and congenial conversational ability, sharpened by evenings in the home of Senator Gallagher, made many a girl eager to spin around the room in his arms and reluctant to relinquish him to the next eyelash-batting competitor.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take Jewel long to realize that her house guest was the sensation of the evening among her friends, and she began to look at Adam through new eyes.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t the kind of boy her mother had described as eligible, certainly not well-to-do, but he was good-looking, especially those dark, magnetic eyes.\u00a0 Finding herself drawn into their depths, Jewel took action.\u00a0 She looped her arm through Adam\u2019s and emitted a nervous giggle.\u00a0 \u201cFor shame, Melanie Jane!\u201d she said with a simpering pout.\u00a0 \u201cYou silly girls can\u2019t monopolize all his time, you know.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s my guest, after all, and I\u2019ve only had one itty bitty dance with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melanie Jane looked irritated, but since the song had ended, she curtsied graciously.\u00a0 \u201cI enjoyed our dance so much, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she said suavely.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps I could find room on my card for you later this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease do,\u201d Adam replied and meant it.\u00a0 Melanie Jane was slim and graceful, in addition to being quite pretty.\u00a0 Too well-mannered to turn Jewel down, he danced with her next, although he would have preferred the company of almost anyone else.\u00a0 She did dance well, for her mother had paid exorbitant sums to the city\u2019s finest instructor to ensure the girl\u2019s social graces, but evidently those skills had been honed at the expense of educational ones.\u00a0 Adam finally gave up trying to converse with his young partner, for there was no substantive subject on which she could make a literate statement.<\/p>\n

Despite Jewel\u2019s fawning presence and Sterling\u2019s languid tolerance of the son of his father\u2019s backwoods friend, Adam enjoyed the evening.\u00a0 The party lasted until nearly 3 a.m., however, so he was glad when it finally ended and he could retire to the richly appointed guest room provided for him.\u00a0 Needing to unwind, he lay awake on his bed, trying to imagine what gifts would be waiting for him beneath the tree the next morning.\u00a0 He was pretty sure they would seem simple and sparse to Sterling and Jewel, but he didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 They\u2019d be treasures to him because they came from people who loved him, and he intended to hold his head high. \u00a0As simple, rustic and frugal as his family might seem to society\u2019s elite, he\u2019d rather be the son of Ben Cartwright than be sired by the richest nabob in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss dutifully, if impatiently, waited until his little brother awoke on his own, and the entire family was rewarded with a more agreeable attitude from the youngest.\u00a0 Little Joe still needed help unwrapping his gifts, but he seemed delighted with each revelation, from the rubber ball he rolled across the floor to the carved wooden squirrel on wheels that Hoss passed down to him.\u00a0 Marie was delighted with her gray linen walking boots, even though she wouldn\u2019t be able to wear them until she again visited a town with boardwalks to protect them from the dust and mud.\u00a0 Ben, of course, professed complete satisfaction with the fine imported tobacco and new pipe he received, and Hoss seemed equally thrilled with his new treasures.<\/p>\n

Finally, only one gift remained beneath the tree, one so small it had been overlooked earlier.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s for Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said after retrieving it from the dark corner beside the staircase.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, from the Thomases, I suppose,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t have one from them yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, that\u2019s what it says,\u201d Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHere, Punkin, another present for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe dropped the rubber ball, which bounced toward the stairs, and tore a corner of the paper hiding his new gift.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s soft,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cI bet it\u2019s another animal, like bun-bun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNelly\u2019s handy with a needle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just how handy became evident when Hoss helped tear away the paper.\u00a0 \u201cDoggie!\u201d Little Joe cried ecstatically and hugged the leather seal to his heart.\u00a0 \u201cWa-wer doggie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow on earth!\u201d Ben ejaculated.\u00a0 \u201cHow could she possibly have known he wanted that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInger, I bet,\u201d Hoss suggested.\u00a0 \u201cShe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that makes sense,\u201d his father admitted.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing padded in from the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cBleakfast almost leady,\u201d he announced.\u00a0 \u201cVelly special Chlistmas bleakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cWe will be there in a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking satisfied, Hop Sing shuffled back into the kitchen to put the final touches on an especially abundant holiday brunch.\u00a0 The other Cartwrights, as well as one already-stuffed guest, gathered around the table.\u00a0 Little Joe had continued to cling to his favorite present, and no one had the heart to tell him that water doggies didn\u2019t belong at the table.<\/p>\n

Immediately after eating, Ben and Hoss loaded the buckboard with generous packages of the leftovers from the party the night before and a carpetbag of night clothes.\u00a0 They\u2019d be spending the night with the Thomases in Carson City and sharing Sunday dinner with them the next day.\u00a0 Then, bundled in thick winter outerwear, they piled into the wagon for the long, chilly ride into Genoa.\u00a0 Actually, the shooting match would be held just outside town, on their side of the Carson River and would be attended by virtually every man in the vicinity who thought he had a chance to win one of the prize turkeys brought in from California for the contest.<\/p>\n

The Thomases were already there when the Cartwrights arrived, as were Dr. Martin and Sally.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re entering the contest, too!\u201d Ben exclaimed, pumping the doctor\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

The doctor laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I\u2019m just here for the show.\u00a0 I doubt I could even win one of the chickens, much less a turkey.\u201d\u00a0 In addition to three turkeys, to go to the three best shots, the organizers of the shooting contest were providing chickens and sage hens as lesser prizes.\u00a0 Almost every man who entered was likely to go home with something, but each one hoped for something rarer than the sage hen that appeared on most tables fairly regularly anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you be frettin\u2019,\u201d Billy Thomas offered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see to it Ma invites you to dinner when she cooks the fat bird I bring home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be the one bringin\u2019 home the turkey for dinner tomorrow,\u201d Clyde declared, \u201cbut the doc and Sally is welcome to share it all the same.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s folks is already comin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cI intend to earn the turkey for tomorrow\u2019s feast, gentlemen, so if you want the honor, I\u2019d advise you to shoot straight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wish me to help cook it, I suggest you help me down from this wagon,\u201d Marie said pertly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my love,\u201d Ben said, turning, red-faced, back to his neglected duty, \u201calthough in a pinch I could probably bring Hop Sing down to Carson to roast the turkey.\u201d\u00a0 He gave his wife a saucy wink.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in my kitchen!\u201d Nelly declared.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need that yeller\u2019s help when it comes to roastin\u2019 turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure don\u2019t!\u201d Hoss shouted in agreement.\u00a0 \u201cI \u2018member how good you done that other time we had turkey.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he clambered over the side of the wagon, Nelly reached up to lift Little Joe down.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, what\u2019s this, Sugarfoot?\u201d she cooed, touching the toy clasped tightly in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cDid Santa bring you a new playpurty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWawer doggie,\u201d Little Joe crowed, holding it out for her to inspect.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd do you like the water doggie?\u201d Nelly plied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes he ever!\u201d Hoss cackled.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t turn loose for one minute.\u00a0 We had an awful time gettin\u2019 his leggin\u2019s and coat on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I bet Santa\u2019s proud to see him enjoyin\u2019 it so,\u201d Nelly smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe should be,\u201d Marie said softly.\u00a0 Chuckling together, she and Nelly walked to the thick pallet Nelly had spread on a cold, but snowfree, patch of ground and settled down to gossip and watch Little Joe make his seal splash into the patchwork sea until time for the shooting to start.<\/p>\n

Each entrant paid a modest entry fee, then one by one each man stepped up to fire the weapon of his choice at the designated target.\u00a0 After the first round of shooting, half the contestants were eliminated.\u00a0 They would be the recipients of sage hens, only one for those who shot widest of the target, up to three for the top men in the group.\u00a0 Clyde Thomas was disgruntled, not only because both Ben and Billy had aimed truer than he, but because he\u2019d missed advancing to the next level of competition in the most frustrating manner possible.\u00a0 He\u2019d been top shooter among those eliminated.<\/p>\n

\u201cTough luck, Clyde,\u201d Ben said, clapping him on the back.\u00a0 \u201cI remember all the times you outshot me along the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut of practice, I reckon,\u201d Clyde mumbled.\u00a0 \u201cBeen buyin\u2019 my meat already butchered too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa,\u201d Billy announced, chest expanding.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll uphold the honor of the Thomas men.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde groaned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPart of me wishes he\u2019d get the shellackin\u2019 a mouth like that ought to earn him, if the Good Book speaks true about pride goin\u2019 before a fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the bigger part of you wants that Thomas honor upheld,\u201d Ben snorted.<\/p>\n

Clyde grinned and with a sheepish shrug stood back to watch the rest of the contest.<\/p>\n

The target was moved back and once again each man aimed and fired.\u00a0 Ben felt his muscles tense up when his turn came, then willed himself to relax, aim carefully and squeeze the trigger.\u00a0 Only five men would advance beyond this round, and he wanted to be one of them.\u00a0 His bullet struck close to center, but far enough away that Ben was certain five others would be closer.\u00a0 Yet when every man had taken his shot and the names of those who would advance were called, Ben grinned happily as he heard his own.<\/p>\n

\u201cYea, Pa!\u201d Hoss cried, jumping up and down with excitement.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re gonna get us a turkey!\u201d<\/p>\n

Those who were eliminated from the second round were each awarded a single fryer for their efforts.\u00a0 Ben took advantage of the brief break between rounds, while the cackling prizes were being passed out, to accept his son\u2019s hearty hug.\u00a0 \u201cNothing certain yet, boy, but I\u2019ll try my best,\u201d he promised.\u00a0 Only three men who shot in this final round would win turkeys, the others taking home two plump fryers apiece.\u00a0 Chances were looking good that they\u2019d dine on turkey for dinner tomorrow, however; Billy Thomas was still in the running, too, and if he kept shooting as well as he had been, there was little likelihood of his taking the fall Ben felt certain the little braggart deserved.<\/p>\n

The order of shooters was announced:\u00a0 Richard Sides, Samuel Buckland, Ben Cartwright, James Sturtevant and, finally, Billy Thomas.\u00a0 Sturtevant took his place in line beside Ben and leaned on his rifle as he watched Dick Sides aim at the target, which had been set back further than before.\u00a0 \u201cLeastways, Washoe Valley is well represented, eh, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 Sturtevant had a point, since three of the final five contestants resided there.\u00a0 \u201cSomething to be said for putting your own meat on the table, I guess.\u201d\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t really a valid explanation; like most of his neighbors, Ben raised or bought the majority of his meat.\u00a0 Hunting was fast becoming something men did for sport, not to feed their families, but Ben figured he and his nearest neighbors probably hunted more than men who lived in town.<\/p>\n

Sides fired and the crowd gasped in awe, for the bullet struck just below the black bull’s-eye.\u00a0 Sam Buckland\u00a0 whistled.\u00a0 \u201cThought I had a chance, but ain\u2019t nobody gonna beat a shot like that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeak for yourself,\u201d Billy Thomas announced.\u00a0 \u201cI aim to try.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all aim to try, boy,\u201d Sturtevant muttered, \u201cbut tryin\u2019 and doin\u2019 is two different things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, clearly overawed by Sides\u2019 performance, Buckland stepped up to take his shot.\u00a0 It struck well left of center.\u00a0 \u201cDad blamed target\u2019s too far back,\u201d he muttered as he walked back to join the spectators.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled to himself.\u00a0 It was precisely that distance that was intended to separate the good shooter from the true marksman, and he figured it was about to weed him out, as well.\u00a0 Except for the indignity of losing to smart-mouthed Billy Thomas, he wouldn\u2019t have minded too much.\u00a0 He\u2019d had an enjoyable afternoon, even if the only reward he took home was two chickens.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Pa!\u00a0 You can do it,\u201d Hoss hollered.\u00a0 \u201cYou can win us a turkey!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTurkey!\u201d Little Joe whooped in imitation of his big brother.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and waved at his sons.\u00a0 With inspiration like that, he\u2019d have to try his best.\u00a0 After all, such fine boys deserved a father to look up to.\u00a0 He took his time, aimed for the bull’s-eye and fired.\u00a0 The crowd roared its approval, for the bullet seemed to have struck just right of center.\u00a0 From this distance it was impossible to tell whether Sides\u2019 bullet or Cartwright\u2019s had come closer.\u00a0 That decision would be left to the official judges.<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty fine shot, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy congratulated him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you aim to do better, right, boy?\u201d Sturtevant snickered.<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI aim to try, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sturtevant bared his teeth in a loud cackle.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, boy, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just remember,\u201d Billy teased.\u00a0 \u201cTryin\u2019 and doin\u2019 is two different things.\u201d\u00a0 Ben took advantage of his quasi-familial relationship to aim at Billy\u2019s ear the cuff he thought that remark merited.\u00a0 Billy just grinned and ducked.<\/p>\n

Sturtevant took his shot.\u00a0 It hit just below Sides\u2019 mark, so he stood clearly in third place, with only one shooter remaining.\u00a0 As Billy advanced to the shooting line, he held his rifle overhead, pumping his arms to incite the crowd\u2019s applause, and the bystanders responded with encouraging shouts and hand-clapping.\u00a0 Though he would need a near perfect shot to win the desired turkey, Billy seemed totally undaunted, his face reflecting such confidence that Ben couldn\u2019t help laughing.\u00a0 How can you stay irritated with a youngster as irrepressible as that?<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n

Whistling cockily, Billy raised his rifle with a relaxed arm, sighted carefully and let the bullet fly.\u00a0 And fly it did\u2014\u2014straight to the bull’s-eye!\u00a0 There was no question in anyone\u2019s mind as to who had won the fattest turkey of the three.\u00a0 Billy\u2019s bullet had hit dead center.\u00a0 Ben clapped him on the back, then got out of the way, for the onlookers were rushing forward to shake the young man\u2019s hand and add their congratulations.\u00a0 With his game leg, Clyde had a hard time pushing through the crowd, but he finally reached his son, and it was clear from the expression on Billy\u2019s face that it was his father\u2019s approval that meant the most.<\/p>\n

Hoss hurried over to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cDid we win one, Pa?\u201d he asked eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cDid we get a turkey?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rumpled the youngster\u2019s sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, boy, we got a turkey.\u00a0 Not sure where I placed, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho cares?\u201d Hoss yelled.\u00a0 \u201cWe got a turkey, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben bent over to hug the exuberant boy.\u00a0 Who cared, indeed?\u00a0 When the judges announced that Dick Sides had come in second and Ben Cartwright third, Ben just gazed into Hoss\u2019s glowing face and knew that was reward enough for him.<\/p>\n

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

Adam knotted his new cravat, then adjusted the silk top hat at a jaunty tilt and smiled with satisfaction at his reflection in the mirror.\u00a0 The hat would have looked out of place back home, but it suited San Francisco.\u00a0 He felt highly fashionable, thanks to the gifts he\u2019d received this Christmas.\u00a0 Among other things, his parents had provided material for a new suit, and Mrs. Larrimore had escorted him to the best tailor in town for a fitting.\u00a0 The suit had been delivered just this morning, so tonight\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve ball would be the first opportunity the boy had had to wear it.\u00a0 The hat and cravat, gifts from the Larrimores, set the outfit off to perfection.\u00a0 Adam was grateful, for his old suit had grown a pinch tight in the shoulders.\u00a0 Tonight, though, he\u2019d be able to dance in comfort, as well as style.<\/p>\n

Thoughts of the ball reminded him of his family once more, for, like him, they were probably getting dressed about now for the traditional dance back home.\u00a0 He\u2019d thought of them many times during the past week.\u00a0 It was hard not to notice the contrasts between the Larrimores\u2019 lifestyle and the simpler one Adam was accustomed to on the Ponderosa. Adam wasn\u2019t sure which he preferred.\u00a0 Having the theater and opera available whenever you wanted was a luxury not found in western Utah, but neither did San Francisco have the Ponderosa\u2019s fragrant pine forests or the clear waters of an alpine lake at its backdoor.\u00a0 Too bad a fellow couldn\u2019t have both.<\/p>\n

Then Adam grinned at his own foolishness.\u00a0 A fellow could have both, obviously; he was proof of that.\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t have them at the same time, anymore than a boy could eat peach pie and chocolate cake in the same mouthful.\u00a0 He might as well enjoy the sophisticated pleasures of San Francisco while he could, knowing that the simpler joys of home were waiting for him when he returned.<\/p>\n

He joined Sterling and Mr. Larrimore in the parlor to wait, as usual, for Mrs. Larrimore to finish dressing.\u00a0 She shouldn\u2019t be as late as usual tonight, however, for she wouldn\u2019t have Jewel\u2019s toilette to supervise.\u00a0 The girl had insisted, against her mother\u2019s admonition, on stuffing herself with pastries at Delmonico\u2019s after the opera, which ran especially late last night, and had paid the penalty in a distressed digestive system.\u00a0 Adam was sorry Jewel was ill, of course, but he couldn\u2019t help feeling relieved that she wouldn\u2019t be attending the Young People\u2019s Ball with him and Sterling.\u00a0 Her attentions had become altogether too leech-like over the past few days, and Adam welcomed the respite.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Larrimore breezed in.\u00a0 \u201cWell, now, are we all ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are now,\u201d her long-suffering husband muttered sardonically.<\/p>\n

Camilla disdained his comment with a flap of her hand that reminded Adam of Nelly Thomas\u2019s characteristic gesture. \u00a0\u201cAre you boys sure you wouldn\u2019t rather attend the Civic Ball with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith all those boring political types?\u201d Sterling scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous, mother.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t given Adam a chance to respond for himself, but the young Cartwright would have agreed anyway.\u00a0 Not that he considered mingling with the mayor and other governmental officials boring.\u00a0 Since Sterling had confided that all the prettiest young ladies would elect to attend the Young People\u2019s Ball hosted by a prominent San Francisco family, however, Adam wouldn\u2019t have hesitated for a moment in making the same choice.<\/p>\n

Once they\u2019d left in a hired carriage, Adam learned that Sterling had other plans.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t really want to go to another stuffy dance, do you?\u201d the older boy inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like dances,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know, but, really, they do get so dreary when you have them night after night,\u201d Sterling drawled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s have some fun, instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, who didn\u2019t have the opportunity to attend dances \u201cnight after night\u201d didn\u2019t consider them dreary, but, as Sterling\u2019s guest, he felt he should accede to the other boy\u2019s wishes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kind of fun?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou like shows, don\u2019t you?\u201d Sterling queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Adam agreed readily, \u201cif that\u2019s what you\u2019d rather do.\u00a0 Opera or theater?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sterling gave a disdainful laugh.\u00a0 \u201cYou are such a child, Adam!\u00a0 I meant a real eye-stopping show.\u00a0 I don\u2019t suppose you\u2019ve ever even been to a melodeon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam admitted.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA musical show, sort of,\u201d Sterling replied with a quizzical smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like music,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d the older boy replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have a night on the town, then, just us fellows.\u00a0 Good thing Jewel took sick, huh?\u00a0 She\u2019s such a tattletale, we\u2019d have to have gone to the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they entered the melodeon, the first thing Adam noticed as they took their seats at a round table was the bar along one side of the room.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a saloon!\u201d he hissed at Sterling.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me guess: you\u2019ve never been in a big, bad saloon before,\u201d Sterling mocked.<\/p>\n

Adam flushed crimson.\u00a0 \u201cSure, I have,\u201d he declared hotly.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t feel required to explain that he\u2019d been ushered out within moments of his entry or that both he and Billy Thomas had had their bottoms blistered as payment for the escapade.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy make a fuss then?\u201d Sterling yawned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said we were gonna see a\u00a0 musical show,\u201d Adam objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are,\u201d Sterling said.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t a saloon, Adam.\u00a0 They serve drinks, sure, but it\u2019s a melodeon, like I said.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to drink unless you want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the first act came on stage, Adam settled back to enjoy the scantily-clad singer\u2019s song.\u00a0 The lyrics, however, were so suggestive that he found himself blushing with embarrassment.\u00a0 Seeing his companion\u2019s heightened color, Sterling laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI can see you\u2019re going to get a real education tonight, school boy,\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0 \u201cIs that all?\u201d he asked when the songstress left the stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, they just take a break between acts to sell drinks,\u201d Sterling explained.\u00a0 \u201cWant one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, thanks,\u201d Adam said tersely.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself,\u201d Sterling replied, raising a finger to attract the attention of a pretty waiter girl.<\/p>\n

The girl who responded couldn\u2019t have been much older than Adam, but the heavy layer of paint on her face masked her youth.\u00a0 Her low-cut neckline and the skirt ruffling barely below her hips masked almost nothing, however, and Adam felt his neck growing warm as she leaned over to display her charms when she brought Sterling\u2019s shot of whiskey.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a looker, huh?\u201d Sterling queried, watching Adam closely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWhen\u2019s the next act?\u201d\u00a0 He hoped it would be soon and of better quality than the previous song.<\/p>\n

A humorous skit soon began on stage.\u00a0 At first Adam laughed, for some of the lines were hilarious, but as the skit proceeded, its humor became more raunchy, its actions bawdier.\u00a0 Adam felt disgusted, and his discomfort accelerated when, during the break between acts, a waiter girl in beribboned bloomers and hip-high boots perched on his lap and stroked his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cHow \u2018bout comin\u2019 up to my room?\u201d she suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m real gentle with the young ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, no\u2014\u2014thanks,\u201d Adam replied, polite despite his growing distaste for this establishment and its regular residents.\u00a0 His pa had taught him to treat all women with respect, and the habit persisted even though this particular woman didn\u2019t seem to merit respect.<\/p>\n

The waiter girl plastered an eloquent pout on her lips.\u00a0 \u201cLet me bring you a drink, then,\u201d she offered.\u00a0 When Adam shook his head, the pout deepened.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s a girl supposed to make a living, sonny?\u201d she simpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a drink,\u201d Sterling muttered, clearly perturbed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wasn\u2019t sure afterwards why he gave in.\u00a0 Maybe just to get the girl off his lap.\u00a0 Maybe because he didn\u2019t relish looking like a little boy in front of her and Sterling Larrimore to boot.\u00a0 Maybe because he\u2019d always had a curiosity about the taste of liquor and the atmosphere of the melodeon already had his senses reeling enough to make the suggestion enticing.\u00a0 Whatever the reason, Adam ordered a beer.<\/p>\n

Sterling laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNot up to whiskey yet, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeer suits me fine,\u201d Adam muttered, dark eyebrows meeting in a line over his glowering black eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring the kid a beer,\u201d Sterling told the waiter girl.<\/p>\n

She laughed, too, giving Sterling a knowledgeable wink.\u00a0 \u201cSure thing, sonny.\u00a0 One beer, coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sipped his beer tentatively, not sure he\u2019d like the taste.\u00a0 He did, though, once he\u2019d gotten past the froth, and when Sterling offered, he accepted a second drink.\u00a0 The acts on stage were no more musical than before, but Adam began to laugh at jokes that would have seemed pointless earlier.\u00a0 His head was spinning when they left the melodeon following his third beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go by the Cobweb Palace next,\u201d Sterling suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel so good,\u201d Adam muttered.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we ought to go back to your place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sterling laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNot yet.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got to work it off, boy.\u00a0 My father will lambast me if I bring you home in this condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat condition?\u201d Adam demanded as he missed the step into the carriage.\u00a0 He would have fallen onto the ground had Sterling not been behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re funnier than Mark Wentworth, the first time I took him around town,\u201d Sterling sniggered.\u00a0 \u201cNever mind.\u00a0 Just stick close to me.\u00a0 You haven\u2019t seen anything yet!\u201d\u00a0 At his instruction the carriage took them to the north end of Meiggs Wharf, where they entered an ill-lit drinking establishment festooned in all corners with cobwebs.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite a place, huh?\u201d Sterling commented.\u00a0 \u201cAbe Warner likes spiders, so no one\u2019s allowed to bother them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The proprietor\u2019s love for spiders was all too obvious.\u00a0 The light was dim because cobwebs hung from the chandeliers.\u00a0 They also covered the bottles of liquor behind the bar, effectively removing whatever appetite for liquid refreshment Adam had left.\u00a0 Even the nude paintings on the wall were scarcely visible through the gossamer webs draping them.\u00a0 Evidently, the owner had an appreciation for other forms of wildlife, too, for beneath the cobwebs a row of cages held monkeys, parrots and other exotic animals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have a stone fence,\u201d Sterling told the waiter, then grinned at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s whiskey watered down with apple juice, for your information, country boy.\u00a0 Time to slow down if we plan to arrive home sober.\u00a0 You\u2019d better lay off altogether, though.\u00a0 You lied before, Adam; this was your first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo drink,\u201d Adam admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter not have more, then,\u201d Sterling advised.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I got something better than liquor to show you after this.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cWait and see,\u201d Sterling sneered.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you ask Warner to show you his walrus tusks and whale teeth?\u00a0 He\u2019s got quite a collection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The collection was, indeed, interesting, for into each tusk or tooth was carved a patriotic scene.\u00a0 Adam complimented Warner on the craftsmanship.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to give something like this to my father,\u201d he said, pointing to a tusk with a square-rigger carved in its side.\u00a0 \u201cHe was an officer on a ship like this before we came west.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight be arranged, for a price,\u201d Warner said, flattered enough to ignore the fact that the young man wasn\u2019t drinking.\u00a0 He and Adam quibbled over price a few minutes before coming to terms.\u00a0 Adam tried to negotiate for a whale\u2019s tooth to give Hoss, but he hadn\u2019t brought much money with him that night and couldn\u2019t offer enough to satisfy the whiskered art dealer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNice piece,\u201d Sterling commented when Adam returned to the table and showed him the tusk.\u00a0 \u201cSouvenir of a special night, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for my pa,\u201d Adam explained, then suddenly paled.\u00a0 He had a feeling Pa wouldn\u2019t approve of where he\u2019d gotten the present, and it was highly unlikely Pa would consider this a \u201cspecial night\u201d to be remembered.\u00a0 The thought of having to tell his father what he\u2019d done that night sickened Adam, but the idea of concealing it tied his stomach in even tighter knots.\u00a0 \u201cWe should leave,\u201d he told Sterling.\u00a0 \u201cYou said you needed to stop drinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said \u2018slow down,\u2019\u201d Sterling slurred, \u201cbut I guess it\u2019s time, all right.\u00a0 Got another stop, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot another saloon,\u201d Adam said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, something better.\u201d\u00a0 Sterling lurched out of his chair and stumbled toward the door with Adam in his wake.\u00a0 \u201cChinatown,\u201d he told the driver as he groped for the carriage door.\u00a0 The driver headed for Dupont Street.<\/p>\n

As they walked down the narrow alleys of Chinatown after getting out of the carriage, Adam couldn\u2019t imagine what Sterling found to attract him in the row of two-room, wooden shacks.\u00a0 Finally, they stopped beside one.\u00a0 \u201cNow, to start the New Year right,\u201d Sterling announced gleefully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll buy you a lookee, first, so you can decide.\u00a0 I figure that\u2019s about all you can handle, but I\u2019ll be going in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s head had begun to clear, but evidently his judgement was still impaired by the alcohol he\u2019d consumed earlier.\u00a0 When Sterling ushered him to a window and told him to take a good look, he did.\u00a0 He jumped back, appalled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a girl, and she\u2019s\u2014\u2014she\u2019s\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaked?\u201d Sterling suggested, leering.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than that,\u201d Adam stammered.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s\u2014\u2014there\u2019s a man in there, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, watch the show!\u201d Sterling cackled, clapping Adam on the back.\u00a0 \u201cI paid two bits for your entertainment.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to waste it, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure do!\u201d Adam sputtered angrily.<\/p>\n

Sterling shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cSuit yourself, but you\u2019re not looking while I\u2019m in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not!\u201d Adam protested.\u00a0 \u201cWhat would your folks say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sterling collared the younger boy roughly.\u00a0 \u201cNot a thing, because you\u2019re not telling, are you, country boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam twisted free.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t dirty my mouth talking about this!\u201d he yelled and stalked back to the carriage.\u00a0 He flopped down on the cushioned seat, wishing he could erase the image of the fragile-boned girl with almond-skin and short, sleek hair.\u00a0 She was just a little girl, not even as old as the one back at the melodeon, and she\u2019d stared back at Adam with vacant, coal-black eyes.\u00a0 He\u2019d never seen a creature more wretched.<\/p>\n

Ten minutes later Sterling returned, stuffing his shirttail back in his trousers.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t look so shocked,\u201d he ordered Adam loftily.\u00a0 \u201cYellers are cheap trash.\u00a0 I aim to graduate to the Upper Tenderloin after I come into Father\u2019s money.\u00a0 They\u2019ve got class whores up there on Mason and Larkin streets, if you\u2019re ever interested.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d Adam snarled.<\/p>\n

Sterling just laughed.\u00a0 \u201cProbably couldn\u2019t pay the ticket, anyway, country boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam folded his arms and pressed his back against the coach seat.\u00a0 He wanted to get as far away from Sterling Larrimore as possible.\u00a0 He was grateful he\u2019d be heading back to Sacramento the next morning.\u00a0 The first thing he\u2019d do once he got there was take a long, hot soak at the Alpha Bath House to scour off every trace of San Francisco.\u00a0 Then he\u2019d have an unpleasant letter to write to his father.\u00a0 He dreaded that, but he knew he\u2019d have to do it before he\u2019d ever feel clean again.\u00a0 There\u2019d be at least one benefit to the confession: Adam was pretty sure he\u2019d never have to spend another holiday with the Larrimores.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN<\/p>\n

News From Near And Far<\/h4>\n

The weather throughout January of 1859 was uniformly frosty.\u00a0 Snow drifts piled against the Ponderosa ranch house, locking its inhabitants indoors, never a pleasing prospect with two lively boys in the house.\u00a0 Toward the end of the month, however, a sudden break in the weather brought sunny skies, and Marie gladly sent her youngsters outdoors to play for an hour or two each day.\u00a0 Ben welcomed the warm weather as an opportunity to give closer attention to his cattle.<\/p>\n

The first of February arrived with a clear sky, but the air seemed cooler, a harbinger of returning cold.\u00a0 Though no storm clouds loomed on the horizon, and though the Ponderosa\u2019s huge stone fireplace kept the front room warm, Marie shivered, dreading the blizzard she felt sure would arrive within days.<\/p>\n

What actually arrived late that morning was something that brought more warmth to her heart than the fireplace possibly could.\u00a0 Hoss, taking a break from his schoolwork to romp outside with a ponderously bundled Little Joe, flung open the door.\u00a0 \u201cMama!\u201d he cried from the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cWe got company!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie dropped the mending she was doing in the mauve chair by the fire and began to pat her hair into place as she stood.\u00a0 \u201cOh, who is it, Hoss?\u00a0 The Thomases?\u201d\u00a0 The two families had not been able to meet for several weeks.\u00a0 Even though the weather had been warm on Sunday, the roads had still been packed with snow.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, it\u2019s Mrs. Ellis and Jimmy,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cI know recess is \u2018bout over, but we can stay outside and play, can\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Hoss, it is time to come in,\u201d his mother said as she hurried to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Mama,\u201d Hoss whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBring your brother in at once,\u201d Marie said firmly, \u201cand take off his wraps.\u201d\u00a0 She hastened across the yard to welcome her friend.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Laura, it is so good to see you!\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way the sky looked, I thought I\u2019d better take a chance while I could,\u201d Laura laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, if it snows quicker than I think, you may have two houseguests for a long time to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey would be most welcome,\u201d Marie smiled, gently touching Jimmy\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cMy, you are cold, child!\u00a0 Come in by the fire at once.\u201d\u00a0 She took the boy\u2019s hand and led her visitors inside.<\/p>\n

Hoss stood sulking in the middle of the room, his warm jacket still on.\u00a0 \u201cI reckon it\u2019s long enough for Little Joe to be out, but me and Jimmy can play outside, can\u2019t we, Mama?\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think not, Hoss,\u201d his mother replied.\u00a0 \u201cJimmy has had a long, cold ride and should warm himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he must,\u201d Laura added.\u00a0 \u201cYou youngsters have plenty of toys to play with inside, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut no lessons, right, Mama?\u201d\u00a0 The pathetic expression on Hoss\u2019s face made both mothers laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no lessons,\u201d Marie tittered.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a guest, Hoss.\u00a0 Please stable Mrs. Ellis\u2019s horse, then you and Jimmy may play upstairs, if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe tugged on Marie\u2019s skirt.\u00a0 \u201cDoggie, Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook in the box by the fireplace, Jimmy, and get him his seal, s\u2019il te plait<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d the Ellis youngster replied, immediately digging into Little Joe\u2019s toy box while Hoss headed for the barn.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome here, you pretty thing,\u201d Laura cooed, scooping Little Joe into her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may find him a squirming thing,\u201d Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe doesn\u2019t sit still for long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably a good thing,\u201d Laura chuckled as she sat on the maroon-striped sofa with alternating stripes of cream strewn with blue flowers.\u00a0 \u201cAs cold as the weather\u2019s been, he likely stays warmer that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is terrible, no?\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cI wish this warm weather could last, but I know better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou and half the miners in the territory,\u201d Laura smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt you\u2019ve heard of the new strike.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have heard nothing,\u201d Marie moaned.\u00a0 \u201cSo far Ben has managed to ride in for the mail when it comes, and, of course, he brings a paper then, too, but I have not left the house since New Year\u2019s Eve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoggie,\u201d Little Joe whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cJimmy, haven\u2019t you found that toy yet?\u201d Laura asked sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 I was just lookin\u2019 at the other things,\u201d Jimmy said, nose in the carved box.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all baby stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat is Little Joe\u2019s box, Jimmy.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s is upstairs.\u00a0 The seal, s\u2019il te plait<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jimmy handed the stuffed toy to Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cCan I go up to Hoss\u2019s room?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Hoss returns,\u201d his mother said sternly, \u201cthough if you continue to whine like a baby, Jimmy, perhaps Little Joe\u2019s toys would make more appropriate playthings for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am!\u00a0 I\u2019ll be good,\u201d the four-year-old declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mentioned a gold strike?\u201d Marie probed, bending to pick up the toy seal when Little Joe made it dive off Laura\u2019s arm into an ocean of air.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and this is real news,\u201d Laura announced.\u00a0 \u201cHasn\u2019t even appeared in the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cGood!\u00a0 I will have news to share with Ben for a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you may not know that several of the miners had planned to winter in Franktown,\u201d Laura began, \u201csquatting in some of the houses the Mormon settlers left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but it is good to put the houses to use,\u201d Marie mused.\u00a0 \u201cThat is where Madame Cowan is living, too, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot anymore,\u201d Laura giggled, \u201cbut that\u2019s getting ahead of my story.\u201d<\/p>\n

The door flew open and Hoss rushed in.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go upstairs, Hoss,\u201d Jimmy cried.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no good toys down here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d Hoss agreed.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, and you may take Little Joe, as well,\u201d Marie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 He was always glad to play with his little brother when no one else was around, but Jimmy was closer to his age, and Hoss would have preferred not being saddled with the baby while he had company.<\/p>\n

Laura gave the top of the toddler\u2019s curly head a kiss and relinquished him to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cPlay nicely, Jimmy,\u201d she cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cRemember, Little Joe is smaller than you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s bring your water doggie,\u201d Hoss suggested to Little Joe, whispering conspiratorially to Jimmy as they mounted the stairs, \u201cHe\u2019ll stay out of our way better if he has his favorite toy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Jimmy whispered back, quick to align himself with the bigger boy he admired.\u00a0 \u201cGood idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we can visit undisturbed,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cShall I have Hop Sing prepare tea?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr coffee.\u00a0 Whichever\u2019s easier,\u201d Laura replied.\u00a0 \u201cI could use a hot drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should have thought of it earlier,\u201d Marie apologized, \u201cafter your long drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHad my arms full before now,\u201d Laura laughed.<\/p>\n

When Marie returned from her consultation with Hop Sing, Laura continued her tale of the new mining strike.\u00a0 \u201cThe weather looked so nice last Friday that several of the miners decided they might as well go back to work,\u201d she began again.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see: there was Pancake Comstock, Old Virginny, Big French John Bishop, Aleck Henderson and Jack Yount.\u00a0 Probably some others, too, but those are the ones who found the gold.\u00a0 You know any of them?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have met Messieurs<\/em> Comstock and Finney,\u201d Marie replied, \u201cand I think Monsieur<\/em> Bishop was at the New Year\u2019s Ball.\u00a0 The others I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCustomers, of course,\u201d Laura commented.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s how I know them.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t seen much of any of them while they\u2019ve been at Franktown, though.\u00a0 Eilley\u2019s been running a boardinghouse for the boys, and with the weather being so cold, none of them have wanted to drive to Carson City for what they could find a few doors down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be worth the ride,\u201d Marie declared loyally.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, she doesn\u2019t serve much besides salt pork and beans, but her batter biscuits are real good, according to the miners I\u2019ve talked to.\u00a0 Anyway, like I was saying, the warm weather convinced these miners to head for GoldCanyon.\u00a0 The melting snow gave them plenty of water to swish in their pans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they found gold?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Saturday\u2014\u2014a nice-sized pocket of it,\u201d Laura said, \u201cenough to make everyone down the canyon scramble up to Gold Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGold Hill?\u201d\u00a0 Not recognizing the name, Marie tilted her golden head inquiringly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what they\u2019re calling the new strike,\u201d Laura explained.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just a mile or so up the canyon from where the miners left off working when winter hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered, bringing a tray with a china teapot, sugar and creamer, as well as two cups and saucers.\u00a0 \u201cVelly good see you again, Missy Laula,\u201d he said smoothly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Laura replied, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cYou make the best tea in the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing beamed.\u00a0 \u201cYou got good sense, like Missy Cahtlight.\u00a0 Hop Sing like cook for ladies got good sense.\u00a0 You stay lunch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, she will,\u201d Marie answered.\u00a0 \u201cPlease prepare something special, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVelly special,\u201d Hop Sing promised and shuffled quickly back to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe miners are making Gold Hill their headquarters now,\u201d Laura said, as she added sugar and cream to her tea, \u201cso you\u2019ll have to add that name to your list of prominent places in western Utah.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie laughed, stirring her own cup, \u201cbut how sad for Madame<\/em> Cowan that all her boarders have moved to a new town, despite the fame of her batter biscuits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t waste your sympathy on Eilley Orrum!\u201d Laura hooted, using Mrs. Cowan\u2019s maiden name, by which most people knew her since her separation from her Mormon husband.\u00a0 \u201cThat one can take care of herself.\u00a0 I\u2019ll have you know she\u2019s moved to Gold Hill, too, boardinghouse and all!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how is that possible?\u201d Marie queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, she had help,\u201d Laura laughed.\u00a0 \u201cSome of her boarders\u2014\u2014Sandy Bowers, for one\u2014\u2014loaded everything from pots and pans to the boards from her house on pack mules and carted it to Gold Hill.\u00a0 She\u2019s sharing a wall with a bar run by a fellow called Old Nick.\u00a0 Between the two of them, they manage to see most of the new town\u2019s residents every night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Madame<\/em> Cowan has made a wise business move?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cOne which will hurt you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura shrugged and took another sip of tea.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not worried.\u00a0 I get enough business in Carson City to get by.\u00a0 Besides, if you ask me, it\u2019s gold Eilley\u2019s chasing, not customers.\u00a0 She always did have a touch of gold fever, used to pester the Grosch boys to distraction about their claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI think, perhaps, it is not gold fever, but husband fever, that afflicts Madame<\/em> Cowan.\u00a0 Surely you noticed how she eyed with favor every unattached man at our Christmas Eve party\u2014\u2014especially poor Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe won\u2019t snare him,\u201d Laura giggled.\u00a0 \u201cSome of these newer folks may not be as quick to spot danger as he, however.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cSo many new people in the territory, and I know so few.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know Sandy Bowers,\u201d Laura said.\u00a0 \u201cYou couldn\u2019t miss that big Scot.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I mentioned him before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, him I know,\u201d Marie smiled, \u201cbut he is not new to the territory.\u00a0 I have seen him at several New Year\u2019s Eve balls.\u00a0 He dances most enthusiastically.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe surely does, but I\u2019ll take him over Old Pancake or James Finney any day!\u201d Laura declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, perhaps so will Madame<\/em> Cowan,\u201d Marie teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a feeling she\u2019d take anything in pants!\u201d Laura snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat gossips we have become this morning,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cComes from lack of opportunity,\u201d Laura admitted, \u201cbut you\u2019re right.\u00a0 We should mind our tongues a bit better, or we\u2019ll be teaching our boys bad ways.\u00a0 Besides, I like Eilley, even if she is man-hungry.\u201d\u00a0 Determined to turn the conversation to safer ground, she asked if Marie had heard from Adam lately.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>, he is always faithful to write,\u201d Marie replied, \u201cand the mail has not once failed this winter, as you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s Adam up to?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI am afraid his last letter brought most distressing news.\u201d\u00a0 She proceeded to relate the unpleasant tale of Adam\u2019s sortie into the darker side of San Francisco society.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, of course, took all the blame to himself,\u201d she finished hotly, \u201cbut Sterling Larrimore is four years older than our boy!\u00a0 He knew he was taking Adam where no young boy should go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Adam\u2019s at just the age when sampling so-called grown-up entertainment can be most enticing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, but we depended on Monsieur<\/em> Larrimore to provide only appropriate entertainment for our son,\u201d Marie fumed on, \u201cand Ben is so provoking!\u00a0 I have told him he should write to his friend at once and tell him what his boy has done to ours, but Ben refuses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Laura probed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, he says it is not a message to be delivered by mail,\u201d Marie sputtered, \u201cthat he must talk face to face with Lawrence, so there will be no misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can see Ben\u2019s point,\u201d Laura said softly.\u00a0 \u201cGod forbid I should ever receive such news about Jimmy, but I know it would come easier if an old friend spoke with me directly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut when can that be?\u201d Marie cried, throwing up her hands in frustration.\u00a0 \u201cWe will not see the Larrimores before spring.\u00a0 Probably not even then, for I do not think they will travel to Placerville for Katerina\u2019s wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the date set for the wedding?\u201d Laura asked, deftly changing the subject to one less inflammatory.<\/p>\n

The subterfuge worked, for Marie was easy prey to anything romantic.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes,\u201d she replied, her smile returning.\u00a0 \u201cLetters have been flying between here and Placerville.\u00a0 Enos tells us they will exchange their vows the fifteenth of May, just after Little Joe\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll celebrate that on the road, then.\u00a0 No birthday cake this year, I take it, but you must promise to let me bake one for the little sweetheart\u2019s third birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed readily.\u00a0 \u201cHe will be old enough then for a small party.\u201d\u00a0 She clapped her palm to her lips.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I forgot to mention that the Reverend Wentworth will come to Placerville for the ceremony.\u00a0 Ben is paying his way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow nice!\u201d Laura said, sharing her friend\u2019s enthusiasm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll mean a lot to Enos and his bride to have the minister who traveled west with them witness their vows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, and with the Paynes planning to come, as well, it will be almost a reunion of the Larrimore train,\u201d Marie bubbled on.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept for the Larrimores, I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, there is one other family everyone has lost track of,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cI do not recall their name, but Ben sometimes wonders about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a wonder the rest of you have kept in touch,\u201d Laura commented.\u00a0 \u201cMost folks just went their separate ways.\u00a0 Ben must have come west with a good group.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, from all I have heard,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 She stood and picked up the tea tray.\u00a0 \u201cYou will meet some of them this spring.\u00a0 Reverend Wentworths\u2019 two younger children will be visiting us until fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou told me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be looking forward to meeting them,\u201d Laura replied.\u00a0 \u201cMay I help you with those?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, I will be back in a moment,\u201d Marie said, \u201cthen we can\u201d\u2014\u2014she paused, hearing a horse trot into the yard.\u00a0 \u201cOh, that will be Ben, coming home for lunch.\u00a0 Do not tell him what gossips we have been this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no tattletale,\u201d Laura laughed, \u201cespecially not when I\u2019m as guilty as you!\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Adam scurried up the stairs to his room, for Mrs. Maguire had told him he had mail waiting.\u00a0 \u201cSure, and it\u2019s just the usual letters from your family,\u201d she laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s homesick you are, Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Homesickness was not the malady that made the boy tear up the stairs, however.\u00a0 Malaise of the heart came closer to the truth, for Adam had lived in sick dread of his father\u2019s reaction to his escapade through the back streets of San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Flinging open the door to his room, he saw two letters propped against the books on his desk.\u00a0 He reached for the one from his father first.\u00a0 Whatever Hoss had to share could wait.<\/p>\n

Harold Lissome, coming in right after Adam, halted when he saw the envelope in his roommate\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cIs it from your father?\u201d\u00a0 Adam had shared everything with Harold, and the older boy knew how anxiously Adam had been awaiting his father\u2019s response.<\/p>\n

When Adam nodded solemnly, Harold laid a compassionate hand on the other boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll want to read it alone,\u201d he said, \u201cso I\u2019ll clear out for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t be long.\u00a0 I know you\u2019ve got a test to study for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake all the time you need,\u201d Harold replied softly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be downstairs in the parlor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam unsealed the letter, took a deep breath and began to read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy dearest Adam,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How grieved I was to learn of your difficulties in San Francisco.\u00a0 I must first beg your forgiveness for putting you in the path of such temptation.\u00a0 I naturally assumed I could entrust you to Mr. And Mrs. Larrimore, but never thought of their leaving you unsupervised.\u00a0 I am most disheartened to learn that my trust was misplaced.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As to your own behavior, I was, of course, disappointed that you yielded to the temptation to drink.\u00a0 I know that without the influence of an older boy you would not have done so, and I am grateful that even under the influence of liquor, you could not be persuaded to do worse.\u00a0 Perhaps I am at fault for not making my feelings on the consumption of alcohol plain to you, but I did not anticipate the need at your early age.\u00a0 Again, I ask your forgiveness for my laxity in parenting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let me express to you my sincere hope that you will not again taste liquor until you are at least eighteen.\u00a0 Even then, I trust you will be moderate in your consumption, as I have always tried to be.\u00a0 Excess lowers resistance to other unsavory behavior, as I think you observed in Sterling Larrimore.\u00a0 I know I can trust you to respect my wishes in this matter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thank you for the carved walrus tusk.\u00a0 The scene does indeed remind me of my days on a similar ship with your grandfather.\u00a0 I will keep it on my desk beside your picture, two special reminders of the young man I miss so much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Study hard, but please stop confining yourself to your quarters.\u00a0 As you have been doing so since the first of January, I consider that discipline enough.\u00a0 I order you to spend a night at the theater with your friends, young man!\u00a0 (Legitimate theater, however\u2014\u2014no more melodeons.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your loving father,<\/p>\n

Benjamin Cartwright\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Adam folded the letter, he felt his eyes begin to water.\u00a0 He\u2019d been so afraid that he had lost his father\u2019s respect, but Pa sounded like he was blaming himself more than Adam.\u00a0 Adam never wanted his father to feel that way again, so he determined to evaluate every decision he made in light of what his father would want him to do.\u00a0 If I do that, I can\u2019t go far wrong<\/em>, Adam concluded.\u00a0 He was ready to read Hoss\u2019s letter now, but in fairness to Harold, he went downstairs first.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s all right,\u201d he said when his friend looked up inquiringly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you it would be,\u201d Harold grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got a good father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best in the world,\u201d Adam boasted warmly.\u00a0 \u201cHe ordered me to go to the theater.\u00a0 How about Friday evening?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Harold replied, slamming his book shut.\u00a0 \u201cNow, upstairs and finish your homework, my boy, so you can quiz me for my history test.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and the two boys returned to their room, each wrapping an arm around the other\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 The first thing Adam did on reaching the room was to read Hoss\u2019s short letter:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What\u2019s up?\u00a0 Pa wouldn\u2019t read me your letter to him, so I know something\u2019s the matter.\u00a0 You in trouble?\u00a0 Not me, I am doing good.\u00a0 Little Joe, too, except he makes his water doggie bark too much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We got good and stuffed on them turkeys Pa and Billy shot at the contest.\u00a0 Billy came in first and Pa third.\u00a0 We ate Billy\u2019s bird right off, but saved ours to butcher for New Year\u2019s.\u00a0 Had Hangtown Fry for breakfast then, too.\u00a0 Bet you ain\u2019t had nothing that good at that boardinghouse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Guess what.\u00a0 There is gonna be a horse race in Carson City, the first ever, on February 2.\u00a0 Pa says him and me will go, if it don\u2019t snow too deep for the horses to run.\u00a0 You ever seen one?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I like that walrus tooth you give Pa.\u00a0 I want one, too.\u00a0 Okay?\u00a0 Don\u2019t study too hard.\u00a0 You know I won\u2019t!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your brother,<\/p>\n

Hoss\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

Glancing up, Harold grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBack to your books, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tipped his desk chair back on two legs and folded his arms behind his neck.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 My little brother seems to think I study too much as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold reached over to push Adam\u2019s chair to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he\u2019s probably right, but you can\u2019t help me \u2018til you finish your own work, and I need help!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam popped his roommate a sharp salute.\u00a0 \u201cAye, aye, sir.\u00a0 Back to my books, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold gave a satisfied nod as Adam opened his algebra text and, propping his forehead with his hand, returned to his study of the Medes and Persians.<\/p>\n

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

The very night Laura Ellis and Jimmy headed back to Carson City, the weather turned horrid again, so Hoss wasn\u2019t able to go into town for the anticipated horserace.\u00a0 A hard wind blew from the southwest, bringing three inches of snow by morning.\u00a0 Within ten days a foot covered the valleys and even more fell in the Sierras.\u00a0 The new telegraph to Placerville was knocked out, but that didn\u2019t matter to Hoss.\u00a0 Adam couldn\u2019t afford to send an expensive wire, anyway.\u00a0 What mattered to Hoss was that on the twentieth of the month, for the first time that winter, the mail didn\u2019t arrive.\u00a0 First it had come by stage, then as the weather worsened, by sled and later by mule.\u00a0 Now the snows in the mountains were too deep even for Snowshoe Thompson, a tragedy unknown before.\u00a0 Hoss, who had begged permission to ride in for the mail, had nothing but that bad news to deliver when he returned to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Though Hoss pleaded every morning, it was six whole days before his hard-hearted father would let him brave the cold roads once again, and there still wasn\u2019t any mail.\u00a0 \u201cCan I check again tomorrow?\u201d Hoss pleaded at supper that evening.\u00a0 \u201cI just know the mail will get through tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t go traipsing off every day, boy,\u201d Ben snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYou have chores and lessons to be done.\u00a0 Do your work well and you can do whatever you like come Saturday again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSaturday!\u00a0 Another whole week?\u201d Hoss moaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no need, however, to go even then,\u201d Marie interjected.\u00a0 \u201cWe plan to take dinner with the Thomases the next day, so you can get your mail then, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa said Saturday,\u201d Hoss squealed.<\/p>\n

Ben lifted a silencing hand.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re so impatient you can\u2019t wait one more day, you may go to Carson on Saturday, Hoss\u2014\u2014provided I don\u2019t hear another word about it until then!\u201d<\/p>\n

From the tone of his voice, Pa meant business, so Hoss quickly agreed to the terms and kept his impatience carefully checked until the designated day.\u00a0 He rode into Carson City that morning with a heart full of hope, for while snow still remained on the valley floor, it was beginning to melt and the last two days had been warm, without a cloud in the sky.<\/p>\n

Hoss tied his horse to the rail in front of Ormsby\u2019s mercantile and hotel and went in to see if the mail had arrived.\u00a0 \u201cSure did, son,\u201d Mrs. Ormsby told him.\u00a0 \u201cGot in on Thursday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss groaned.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s letter had been sitting here two whole days without his getting a chance to read it!<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon your pa will be wanting a copy of the paper, too,\u201d the storekeeper suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 He tucked the latest copy of the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> under his arm, stuffed Pa\u2019s two letters in his jacket pocket and tore open his personal letter from Adam.\u00a0 Getting his own mail was fun, and Adam never let him down.<\/p>\n

The letter read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear Hoss,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You guessed right.\u00a0 I did get in some trouble in San Francisco.\u00a0 Sterling Larrimore took me to some places I shouldn\u2019t have gone.\u00a0 One of them was the saloon where I bought Pa\u2019s walrus tusk.\u00a0 I had a couple of beers.\u00a0 That was two too many, little brother, so don\u2019t get any ideas!\u00a0 I doubt I can get you a walrus tusk, since I don\u2019t ever intend to go back to that saloon or even to San Francisco anytime soon.\u00a0 MaybePa will buy you one sometime.\u00a0 It came from the CobwebPalace.\u00a0 You\u2019d like the place because it had cages of monkeys and parrots\u2014\u2014carved whale\u2019s teeth, too.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019d like one of those better.\u00a0 It would fit in your treasure box easier than a big tusk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I will try not to study too hard if you promise to study harder.\u00a0 Judging by your last letter, your grammar could use some work.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let that water doggie bite you!\u00a0 I\u2019m guessing his bark\u2019s worse than his bite, though.\u00a0 Ha!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yours,<\/p>\n

Adam\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss scowled when he began the last paragraph.\u00a0 Just like Adam to bring up his grammar, always a sore point with Pa.\u00a0 Hoss never could figure out what the fuss was all about.\u00a0 He managed to make himself understood\u2014\u2014better than Little Joe, at least.\u00a0 The baby couldn\u2019t put together even one whole sentence, but nobody complained about his grammar.\u00a0 Then he grinned at Adam\u2019s nonsense about the water doggie.\u00a0 He\u2019d be sure to read that part to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Tucking away his letter, Hoss ambled over to the Thomases to beg a meal and a bag of cookies, if he was lucky.\u00a0 Since he\u2019d been cautioned about dawdling today, Hoss left right after lunch, putting the family\u2019s mail and a dozen sugar cookies carefully in the saddlebags he\u2019d gotten for Christmas.<\/p>\n

Later that evening Hoss waited impatiently for his father to peruse Adam\u2019s letter.\u00a0 \u201cCan I read this one,\u201d he asked as soon as his father finished, \u201cor is Adam in more trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you know about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gulped.\u00a0 Maybe Adam was supposed to have kept things secret from his little brother, and here Hoss had gone and spilled the beans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked you a question, Hoss,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2014yes, sir,\u201d Hoss stammered.\u00a0 \u201cJ\u2014just what Adam wrote me.\u00a0 He said he went some places he shouldn\u2019t\u2014\u2014like saloons\u2014\u2014and drank beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d Ben probed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 It\u2019s okay he told me, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he wanted to,\u201d Ben said, relieved that Adam had omitted the more sordid visit to Chinatown in his letter to his eight-year-old brother.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing like that this time, if you were hoping for more juicy details.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Hoss assured his father.\u00a0 \u201cI was wantin\u2019 to find out what he got for his birthday.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t say in my letter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHis birthday was less than two weeks ago.\u00a0 This letter was posted before that.\u00a0 Unless he peeked, he couldn\u2019t have known what was in those packages I left with Mrs. Maguire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t peek,\u201d Hoss sighed.\u00a0 Straight-laced Adam never did step over the line.\u00a0 Of course, he had drunk those beers.\u00a0 Maybe he was easin\u2019 up some, after all.\u00a0 Then again, maybe not.\u00a0 He had gone and confessed the whole thing, a really stupid move in Hoss\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 Why court trouble when you could avoid it just by keeping your mouth shut?\u00a0 \u201cSo, can I read the letter or you just wanna tell me what\u2019s in it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t read it,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s in cursive, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to hear Adam\u2019s news,\u201d Marie smiled from her chair by the fire.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I should have read it out loud to begin with.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d been reluctant to do that, though, after having to stop suddenly in the midst of Adam\u2019s last epistle to avoid Hoss\u2019s hearing what it contained.\u00a0 \u201cAdam just thanked me for forgiving him, and he promises he\u2019ll never abuse our trust again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was not our trust in him that was abused,\u201d Marie muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t start,\u201d Ben warned.\u00a0 To distract her, he hurried on with the other details of Adam\u2019s letter.\u00a0 \u201cHe also said his studies were more difficult this term, but he\u2019s still doing well and finds his lessons interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is good news,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

Ben sobered.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but there was bad news, too, my love.\u00a0 You remember young Jamie Edwards?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u00a0 Such a sweet boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam had a letter from him.\u00a0 You know the boy was always frail.\u00a0 Well, he was sick so much in November and December that he couldn\u2019t complete the first term, and Josiah is making him take the rest of the year off to recuperate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a shame,\u201d Marie sympathized.\u00a0 \u201cHe loved learning as much as Adam, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t sound bad to me,\u201d Hoss grunted.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind takin\u2019 some time off from school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re out of luck, you healthy boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sure Adam is more sympathetic with his friend than Hoss is,\u201d Marie smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201calthough he seems to relish that he and Jamie will be back on the same level again next year.\u00a0 Jamie started his academy work a year earlier than Adam, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember,\u201d Marie said quietly, bending over her sewing.\u00a0 Though she said nothing else, Ben knew she was thinking about those troubled early days of their marriage when Adam had been so confused and hostile.\u00a0 The reason Adam had started school a year later than planned was his father\u2019s unexpected trip to New Orleans, and Ben\u2019s bringing home a new bride had only made the boy more miserable at delaying his education in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cShall I read the letter from John now?\u201d Ben asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, s\u2019il te plait<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat and began:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDear Ben, Marie and boys:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will and I are in good health and hoping this finds you in the same.\u00a0 We are getting along better now.\u00a0 Will\u2019s really caught up in the excitement of our booming town of Denver.\u00a0 He was particularly pleased with the holster and handgun I gave him for Christmas and is growing proficient in handling it.\u00a0 I can almost hear you criticizing, little brother, but I beg you to withhold judgement.\u00a0 You don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like in a rough mining town.\u00a0 Even a boy needs to be able to protect himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben,\u201d Marie interjected.\u00a0 \u201cWill is only a little older than Adam, is he not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout six months,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cOf all the fool notions!\u00a0 Giving a handgun to boy of sixteen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat what you got Adam for his birthday, Pa?\u201d Hoss queried excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, playing on the rug by the fire, started to cry.\u00a0 \u201cThere, there, sweet boy,\u201d Marie soothed, gathering him into her lap.\u00a0 \u201cPapa does not mean to frighten you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m sorry, little fellow,\u201d Ben murmured, \u201cand I\u2019m sorry I yelled at you, Hoss.\u00a0 Your question was ridiculous, however.\u00a0 Both your brother and your cousin are too young to be toting weapons.\u00a0 That just invites trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUncle John says Will needs protectin\u2019,\u201d Hoss argued.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want him to get hurt, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Ben replied with strained patience, \u201cbut I believe that Uncle John should avoid putting his boy in a position where he needs protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike you puttin\u2019 Adam in with that stinkin\u2019 Sterling?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what got him in trouble, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie giggled at the sudden discomfort on Ben\u2019s countenance.\u00a0 \u201cOui, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>, but I believe your father has learned his lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf not, I have ample folk to remind me,\u201d Ben said dryly and returned to his brother\u2019s letter:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have found no big strike yet, but continue to pan enough to get by.\u00a0 Neither Will nor I feel ready to give up, although I appreciate your offer to help us relocate.\u00a0 I never was cut out for a farmer, and Will seems to have had his fill of it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben groaned.\u00a0 The words reminded him of ones once spoken by his second wife\u2019s brother, Gunnar Borgstrom.\u00a0 Not thinking himself cut out for a shopkeeper, Gunnar had headed for the gold fields across the Isthmus of Panama and had never been heard from again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that all?\u201d Marie queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cUmm?\u201d Ben muttered, attention slowly returning.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah.\u00a0 Just sends his love, requests I write soon, that sort of thing.\u00a0 No more news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, I think you must give up this dream of John\u2019s coming here,\u201d Marie said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess so,\u201d Ben sighed, \u201cthough if it\u2019s the thrill of seeking gold he craves, he might as well do it at Gold Hill.\u00a0 Sure seems to be growing since Old Virginny staked out the first claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gonna move to Gold Hill, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

Ben closed his eyes and shook his head.\u00a0 Sometimes he despaired of his middle boy\u2019s ever following a conversation closely enough to understand what had actually been said.\u00a0 \u201cNo, son,\u201d he replied with as much patience as he could muster.\u00a0 \u201cNo, we\u2019re gonna stay right here on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStay here,\u201d Little Joe babbled from his mother\u2019s lap.\u00a0 Ben laughed.\u00a0 Hoss might miss the point of any conversation, but not that youngest son of his.\u00a0 Little Joe didn\u2019t miss a thing.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER NINETEEN<\/p>\n

Bridled Justice<\/h4>\n

Arms akimbo, Nelly Thomas stood in the kitchen doorway, looking into the parlor.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t that Billy back yet?\u201d she demanded.\u00a0 \u201cDinner\u2019s nigh on to ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde looked up from the game of checkers he was playing with Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cYou serve it up when it\u2019s done,\u201d he ordered brusquely.\u00a0 \u201cNo call for that boy holdin\u2019 up the rest of us.\u00a0 He knows when dinner\u2019s served.\u00a0 Had no business traipsin\u2019 off this mornin\u2019, anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cJust where did he traipse off to?\u00a0 Down the street to the Martins?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc\u2019s got better sense than to let that scamp chase after his daughter that early of a Sunday morning,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, he took off for Genoa right after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the attraction at Genoa?\u00a0 Somebody plant a new daisy there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d understand him chasin\u2019 a skirt; he\u2019s of an age for that, but it ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 that sensible.\u00a0 Says he\u2019s just plain sick of the sight of Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, itchy feet.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled as he jumped one of Clyde\u2019s red markers.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s of an age for that, too, Clyde, although I wouldn\u2019t think Genoa rated much as a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFur as he could get and not miss dinner, I reckon,\u201d Clyde cackled, then frowned in concentration over his next move.<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s devotion to his stomach proved the inspiration for his return, just as his mother and Marie finished setting out the food.\u00a0 \u201cHigh time you got home,\u201d his father complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I\u2019d be back for dinner, and here I am,\u201d Billy grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, make yourself useful, son,\u201d Nelly said.\u00a0 \u201cTell the younguns it\u2019s time to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Ma,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 He sauntered into the narrow hall and hollered up the stairway, \u201cHey, come and get it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you scamp!\u201d Nelly scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that ain\u2019t what I had in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll work.\u00a0 That Hoss has got mighty sharp ears where food\u2019s concerned.\u201d\u00a0 The clatter of feet rushing down the stairs proved his words.<\/p>\n

Everyone gathered around the table and folded their hands while Ben said grace over the meal.\u00a0 Then, as Clyde carved the roast teal, Ben asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s the big news over to Genoa, Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAw, Uncle Ben, you know there ain\u2019t never much goin\u2019 on there, any more than here.\u00a0 Was kind of an interesting poker game at the Stockade, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Stockade Bar?\u201d his mother squealed.\u00a0 \u201cYou been drinkin\u2019 and gamblin\u2019 on the Lord\u2019s Day?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ma,\u201d Billy sputtered, \u201cthough I don\u2019t see as it\u2019d be such a sin.\u00a0 John Herring\u2019s a year younger than me, and he was playin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAge has nothin\u2019 to do with it,\u201d Nelly scolded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a sacrilege, that\u2019s what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo better than I\u2019d expect from a Mormon,\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you doin\u2019 runnin\u2019 with such trash?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBein\u2019 Mormon don\u2019t make him trash,\u201d Billy snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou been listenin\u2019 to your Uncle Ben too much, boy,\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Herring boy\u2019s got a pretty rough reputation, Billy,\u201d Ben said, ignoring Clyde\u2019s thinly veiled criticism.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, I\u2019ve heard he\u2019s been threatening to shoot people all over the valley.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I heard him do that once, but I figured it for just talk.\u00a0 Anyway, he was peaceable enough this morning, even when he lost his bridle to Elzy Knott.\u00a0 You know, the one that runs the sawmill.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the grist mill,\u201d Clyde added.\u00a0 \u201cKnott\u2019s a decent fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot if he\u2019s gamblin\u2019 on the Sabbath,\u201d Nelly insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, you\u2019re too strait-laced, Ma,\u201d Billy muttered as he piled his plate with mashed potatoes and ladled duck gravy over them.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t much else to do in a town the size of Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least, that Herring boy\u2019ll think twice about doin\u2019 it again,\u201d Nelly stated.\u00a0 \u201cLosing his bridle should be a good lesson to him on the dangers of gambling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy hooted.\u00a0 \u201cSome lesson!\u00a0 His uncle waltzed in and said the bet was no good, \u2018cause it was his bridle and John didn\u2019t have permission to gamble it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean his stepfather, don\u2019t you?\u201d Ben asked, a twinkle in his eye.\u00a0 Like everyone else at the table, except the children, he knew that Herring had married his brother\u2019s widow, giving him a dual relationship to the boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope there was no trouble, no gunplay,\u201d Marie observed after a brief titter circled the table at Ben\u2019s remark.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, Elzy just gave up the bridle,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cTold me afterwards he figured Mr. Herring must have needed it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Knott boy\u2019s a considerate young fellow,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s always impressed me as a hard worker and a fair dealer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy!\u201d Billy protested.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, he must be twenty-five, twenty-six years old, Uncle Ben!\u00a0 Just how old does a fellow have to be before you quit callin\u2019 him a boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOlder than you, boy,\u201d Clyde grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOlder than you.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Two days later, after the sun had dipped behind the mountains edging the Ponderosa, Billy Thomas rode into the yard, tied his horse\u2019s reins to the hitching rail and pounded on the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re late,\u201d Ben commented dryly when Hop Sing had admitted the young man.\u00a0 \u201cWe just finished dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not be rude, Ben,\u201d Marie chided, then smiled at Billy.\u00a0 \u201cI am sure Hop Sing can prepare you a plate if you have not eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t, but I\u2019m not hungry, ma\u2019am,\u201d Billy said twirling his hat between his hands.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 Lack of appetite in Billy Thomas was a sure sign of trouble, just as it would have been in his own boys.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Billy dropped his hat, then leaned over to snatch it up from the floor and started twirling it again.\u00a0 Marie gently took it from his fingers and laid it on the cabinet to the left of the front door, then stroked his arm soothingly.\u00a0 \u201cHave you come to visit or to bring news, Billy?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Billy bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cI come\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014I come to invite you to a funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Marie uttered a sharp cry, Billy grabbed her arms quickly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, ma\u2019am,\u201d he assured her at once.\u00a0 \u201cNot any of my folks.\u00a0 Not anyone you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho is it?\u201d Ben demanded through tense jaws.\u00a0 \u201cQuit stammering around and speak plain, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy jerked a nod at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cElzy, Elzy Knott, Uncle Ben.\u00a0 You\u2019ve done business with him, but I didn\u2019t figure Marie knew him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe young man who so kindly returned the bridle he\u2019d won in the poker game?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou told us about him Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am, the same one,\u201d Billy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot more trouble over that bridle?\u201d Ben queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Billy grunted.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t it beat all, Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSit down and tell us what you know, boy,\u201d Ben said, pointing toward the sofa.<\/p>\n

Billy seemed glad to sit.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Hoss, how you doin\u2019?\u201d he asked of the youngster seated by the hearth building blocks with his little brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m doin\u2019 good, Billy.\u00a0 How \u2018bout you?\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s scarcely a time for small talk, Billy,\u201d Ben stated firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it is scarcely talk for small ears,\u201d Marie added.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, please take Little Joe to your room to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Ma,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna hear.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d deliberately kept quiet until he was spoken to in hopes his parents wouldn\u2019t notice he was eavesdropping.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo as you\u2019re told,\u201d Ben ordered in a voice that told Hoss no argument or disobedience would be tolerated.<\/p>\n

Once the boys had left Ben turned to Billy.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, son.\u00a0 What started the trouble up again?\u00a0 Knott have second thoughts about that bridle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might say that,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cI can only tell what I heard, Uncle Ben.\u00a0 I reckon the whole story\u2019ll come out at the trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly,\u201d Ben said with strained patience.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, what I heard was that after giving the bridle back, Elzy saw Herring\u2014\u2014the uncle\u2014\u2014well, stepfather\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Ben ordered tersely.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, but this thing\u2019s got me shook to pieces,\u201d Billy stammered.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t never had to testify at a trial before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou?\u00a0 Were you there when it happened, Billy?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 It\u2019s what happened Sunday I got to give witness to,\u201d Billy explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll you need do is tell the truth,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to be so nervous about that, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but I counted \u2018em both friends, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy moaned.\u00a0 \u201cNow one\u2019s dead and the other likely to hang for shooting him.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want no part of puttin\u2019 that noose around his neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless you know more than you\u2019ve said so far, your testimony couldn\u2019t possibly do that,\u201d Ben assured him.<\/p>\n

Billy uttered an edgy laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I don\u2019t know enough to do much harm or good, do I?\u00a0 All I saw was that poker game and the return of the bridle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease continue, Billy,\u201d Marie urged.\u00a0 \u201cYou said Monsieur<\/em> Knott saw Monsieur<\/em> Herring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and he\u2014\u2014the uncle\u2014\u2014step\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s just use uncle, son,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cor we\u2019ll never get to the end of this tale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy returned a lop-sided grin.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, the uncle, he was gamblin\u2019 that bridle hisself, and when Elzy saw that, he took it away.\u00a0 Said if the bridle was gonna be gambled off, he\u2019d already won it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he had a point,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019m not sure it was wise to contest it.\u00a0 So Herring shot Elzy over it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot the way I heard it,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cI guess he thought Elzy was right and let him take the bridle.\u00a0 That was Sunday or Monday.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t got it straight which.\u00a0 It was today Elzy got shot and it was the kid, John Herring, that did it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was tempted to throw his hands in the air.\u00a0 If it was this hard for Billy to state a few simple facts, maybe he was right to be nervous about testifying in a trial.\u00a0 \u201cWhat caused the quarrel today?\u201d Ben pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bridle, like I said,\u201d Billy declared.\u00a0 \u201cMeanin\u2019 no disrespect, Uncle Ben, but if you\u2019d quit interruptin\u2019, I might could get this told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, what I heard was that this morning John saw a young fellow that works for Elzy puttin\u2019 the bridle on a horse and took it away from him.\u00a0 Then Elzy went after John, barged right in his house to get the bridle back and John shot him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have young Herring in custody?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he took off for the hills, but he\u2019s been caught.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen is the funeral, Billy?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cIf Ben knew this family, we should pay our respects, oui<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s why I came,\u201d Billy said, \u201cso you could.\u00a0 Pa says most everybody in the valley\u2019ll be there.\u00a0 The funeral\u2019s tomorrow afternoon, at the Knott place.\u00a0 His pa\u2019s mighty wrought up, said he wouldn\u2019t have his boy buried in the Mormon Cemetery, since it was a Mormon shot him, so he\u2019s gonna start his own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be there,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will sleep here tonight and go with us, oui<\/em>?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Billy said, looking relieved that his errand was accomplished.\u00a0 \u201cI brung a change of clothes so I could do just that, and, if you don\u2019t mind, I reckon I\u2019ll take that plate of food now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben sat beside Clyde in the front row of benches in the courtroom.\u00a0 The room was starting to fill up, now that the time for the trial was near, but it had been almost empty when they arrived.\u00a0 Clyde had wanted a good seat to see his boy testify, and since the Cartwrights had spent the night in Carson City after the funeral, it had been possible to get to Genoa early. \u201cAlmost as big a crowd as yesterday,\u201d Ben commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Knott was well-liked.\u00a0 Folks are interested in seein\u2019 justice done,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think it will be?\u201d Billy, sitting on the other side of his father, asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they don\u2019t load the jury with Mormons,\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr vigilantes,\u201d Ben added wryly.\u00a0 \u201cMighty hard to get a fair trial in these parts, with so many opposing factions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Knotts don\u2019t hold with vigilantes,\u201d Billy said, \u201cand I never heard of John\u2019s bein\u2019 part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis uncle\u2019s connected to \u2018em,\u201d Clyde mumbled.\u00a0 \u201cNow, that\u2019s the last I want to hear of such talk, at least in public.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, Pa,\u201d Billy said quickly.\u00a0 He knew his father was warning him that it wasn\u2019t safe to voice your opinions too strongly, when the man sitting next to you might take the opposite side and be all too willing to shoot you for disagreeing with him.\u00a0 Billy figured he had enough to be nervous about, just being a witness in this trial, without riling his father or, worse, some vigilante in the process.<\/p>\n

Billy was one of the first witnesses to testify, and the look of relief as he left the stand was evident to all.\u00a0 Ben clasped the boy\u2019s hand as he moved past him to take his place beside his father again.\u00a0 Clyde nudged his son\u2019s leg with his knee and gave him a nod of approval.\u00a0 Ben couldn\u2019t help thinking, however, that it was a good thing the prosecutor had kept the questions short and simple or they might have been listening to Billy\u2019s rambling testimony \u2018til past noon.\u00a0 Even with expert questioning, the trial hadn\u2019t covered much ground by the time it adjourned for the midday meal.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to eat at Singleton\u2019s?\u201d Ben asked as they exited the courtroom.\u00a0 \u201cMy treat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood as any,\u201d Clyde said, \u201cthough with provisions as short as they\u2019ve been, we\u2019ll be lucky to get more than bread and beans.\u201d\u00a0 Not many freight wagons had made it over the Sierras yet, and everyone\u2019s supplies were running low.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least, that colored cook of his does a good job with \u2018em,\u201d Billy said with a grin, \u201cand I\u2019m half-starved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe usual result of skipping your breakfast, young fellow,\u201d Ben teased.\u00a0 Nervous about his testimony, Billy hadn\u2019t wanted to chance filling his belly with fatback and biscuits.<\/p>\n

The dining room of Singleton\u2019s Hotel was crowded, so the trio had to wait for a table.\u00a0 By the time the food arrived, Billy was not the only one ready to wolf it down.\u00a0 As predicted, the best the menu had to offer was brown beans and cornbread, but the beans were seasoned flavorfully and the cornbread was moist and tender.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou plan to stay for the afternoon session, Ben?\u201d Clyde asked as he crumbled cornbread into his beans.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled before answering.\u00a0 Ostensibly, his reason for being there this morning was to lend moral support to his young \u201cnephew.\u201d\u00a0 That reason no longer applied, since Billy\u2019s testimony had ended, but Ben had to admit he had a certain curiosity to see how the trial ended.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I might as well,\u201d he said casually.\u00a0 \u201cBy the time I collected my family and got back to the Ponderosa, the best part of the working day would be over.\u00a0 How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Billy here wants to stay,\u201d Clyde said, \u201cseein\u2019 as how he was friends to that Herring boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s lips twitched.\u00a0 Clyde wasn\u2019t fooling him: he wasn\u2019t staying just for Billy\u2019s sake; Clyde was curious himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cElzy was my friend, too,\u201d Billy insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of old for you, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d Ben twitted.\u00a0 \u201cA man of twenty-six?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we weren\u2019t close\u2014\u2014and I ain\u2019t tight with John, either, for that matter\u2014\u2014but you know how it is, Uncle Ben.\u00a0 You see someone day in, day out and you feel like they\u2019re part of you.\u00a0 Then, suddenly, they\u2019re gone, and even if you weren\u2019t close\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand, Billy,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019d all be better off if we felt that kind of kinship with our fellow man.\u201d<\/p>\n

They finished the meal and hurried back to the courtroom, just as the trial reconvened.\u00a0 Though they weren\u2019t back in time to get a good seat, they had no trouble following the testimony, for the room was small.\u00a0 The prosecutor was slow to elicit the facts, however, and court adjourned that afternoon with nothing more established than that Herring had taken the bridle back from Knott\u2019s employee.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight as well stay over and see how it ends,\u201d Clyde suggested as they arrived back at Carson City.\u00a0 \u201cBe dark by the time you got to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI should get back,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWe need to get our garden in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, it\u2019ll keep,\u201d Clyde urged.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t hardly warm enough yet to think of plantin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tempter,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re not just using me for an excuse to get out of work yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNever claimed otherwise.\u00a0 How \u2018bout it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave it up to Marie,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be stayin\u2019 then,\u201d Billy predicted.\u00a0 \u201cShe don\u2019t get that many chances to pay long visits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we wouldn\u2019t want to deprive the ladies of their chance to socialize, would we, Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe downright unchivalrous,\u201d Billy declared with a twinkle in his blue eyes.<\/p>\n

Marie was more than willing to extend her visit to Carson City, while the boys were positively delighted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t never get enough time to play with Jimmy,\u201d Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

Leaving the others to their chosen amusements, Ben, Clyde and Billy returned to Genoa the next morning.\u00a0 Again the prosecutor built his case slowly, questioning first the youngster employed by the Knotts as to what he had told young Knott about Herring\u2019s actions and the attitude with which Elzy Knott had received the news.<\/p>\n

The most painful testimony of the morning was given by Thomas Knott, Elzy\u2019s father.\u00a0 \u201cThe reason me and my younger son went to Herring\u2019s house with Elzy was to see the boys settled their differences peaceably,\u201d Knott stated, \u201cbut that hot-headed Mormon just up and shot my boy!\u201d\u00a0 The grief-stricken father broke down, weeping, and a recess was called to give him time to recover his equilibrium.<\/p>\n

Back on the stand, Knott described entering the Herring household and asking to speak with John.\u00a0 \u201cThe boy\u2019s mother told us he was in the back room, armed, threatening to shoot anyone who opened the door,\u201d Knott testified.\u00a0 \u201cI told Elzy to let it go, but he said he\u2019d have that bridle or lose his life.\u00a0 And that\u2019s just what he did\u2014\u2014over a bridle!\u201d \u00a0Again, the elderly Knott broke down.\u00a0 Again, a brief recess was called.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgainst my advice, Elzy opened that door,\u201d Knott said when the trial resumed, \u201cand just like he\u2019d threatened, Herring shot first and asked questions later.\u00a0 Why, it could have been his own mother opening that door, but Herring didn\u2019t care!\u00a0 The bullet tore through my boy\u2019s cheek and he fell down, bleeding out on the floor.\u00a0 My boy died there, before my eyes, before his younger brother, who\u2019d just got in from back east.\u00a0 Hadn\u2019t had a week together when\u2014\u2014when\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

It was obvious to all that Knott had taken all he could, so the judge suggested dismissing early for lunch and conducting the cross-examination afterwards.\u00a0 \u201cThey ain\u2019t gonna finish today even, at this rate,\u201d Clyde grumbled as they again headed for Singleton\u2019s to eat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we haven\u2019t even heard from Herring\u2019s family yet,\u201d Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I can give another day to this.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t promised Marie and the boys they could have today to visit, I\u2019d head home this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t last much longer,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cNot much happened after Elzy was shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed gruffly.\u00a0 \u201cBoy, you have no idea how a pair of lawyers can stretch out \u2018not much.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The lawyers ably proved Ben\u2019s point that afternoon.\u00a0 Little new information was elicited, although several other witnesses were examined, including Elzy Knott\u2019s wife, although she hadn\u2019t seen the shooting at all.\u00a0 Mrs. Knott had been summoned to the Herring house immediately after the shooting and had thrown herself on her young husband\u2019s body, severely lacerating her hand on the bone fragments pushing out through his cheek.\u00a0 Though it had little bearing on Herring\u2019s guilt or innocence, her testimony was the kind that stirred the emotions of the courtroom and made Ben wonder if young Herring might be found guilty, in spite of the jury box packed with vigilante-friendly members.<\/p>\n

The case finished that afternoon, but as the hour was late, the jury\u2019s deliberations were held over for the next morning.\u00a0 Ben decided he\u2019d give them until noon to reach a decision.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re leaving after lunch,\u201d he told his family, \u201cverdict or no verdict.\u00a0 I\u2019ve neglected the Ponderosa long enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Compared to the trial itself, however, the jury\u2019s deliberations were strikingly brief.\u00a0 In little over an hour, fleet-footed young men, Billy among them, were racing through the streets of Genoa yelling that the jury was in.\u00a0 Everyone interested, and that was almost everyone in town, ran to the courtroom.\u00a0 Not everyone managed to squeeze in, but Ben and the two Thomases did.<\/p>\n

The foreman of the jury delivered the verdict and the judge read it: not guilty.\u00a0 The crowd milling Main Street afterwards seemed divided in its opinion of whether justice had been done.\u00a0 While Elzy Knott had not appeared to intend violence against Herring, he had entered the Herring house uninvited, and many felt that he had incurred the predictable penalty for invading the privacy of another\u2019s home.\u00a0 Others declared this was just another case of vigilantes protecting their own, regardless of what was right.<\/p>\n

Not long afterwards a copy of the Valley Tan<\/em>, a Salt Lake City newspaper independent of Mormon interest, reached Genoa, and one of its prominent articles increased the feeling that justice in Utah\u00a0 Territory would always be bridled by special interests.\u00a0 In it, Judge John Cradlebaugh, after a futile attempt to indict those he held responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre, charged that it was impossible to mete out justice to the criminal in Utah and accused the Legislature of enacting laws for the express purpose of protecting the guilty.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY<\/p>\n

Legacy of Mercy<\/h4>\n

As the days warmed, the grass aimed its blades at the nourishing sun, and Ben Cartwright decided to move his herd to better pasture.\u00a0 The cattle had come through the winter well, and with a few weeks\u2019 fattening, some should be ready to market.\u00a0 As he rode through the herd, Ben evaluated the stock according to their readiness for sale.\u00a0 Though he didn\u2019t plan to take many over the Sierras this spring, he would, at least, drive a few to Placerville when his family headed there to attend Enos and Katerina\u2019s wedding and to escort Mark and Mary Wentworth back to the Ponderosa for a visit.<\/p>\n

Ben felt he was keeping faith with his second wife in welcoming the Wentworths to his home, and the thought warmed his heart.\u00a0 Even before their arrival, however, the Ponderosa was to serve as the refuge Inger Borgstrom Cartwright had envisioned.\u00a0 Ironically, the threat was the same one that had sparked her dream back in St. Joseph.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights first became aware of the trouble in Carson City when Billy Thomas drove up late one evening in April in a buckboard with his sister Inger.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, folks.\u00a0 Am I in time for dinner?\u201d the irrepressible redhead asked, sweeping off his slouch hat when Hop Sing ushered the two youngsters into the dining room.<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie both stood from their places at the table, and Marie greeted the little girl with a hug and a kiss.\u00a0 \u201cMais oui<\/em>.\u00a0 Hop Sing was just ready to serve dessert, but we can have him fill plates for you both.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Billy grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike Ma didn\u2019t feed us before we left!\u201d his little sister muttered irritably.<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI can always eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Hoss agreed cheerily.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled, then turned to the Chinese cook.\u00a0 \u201cPrepare a plate for young Mr. Thomas, please, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle girl, too?\u201d Hop Sing asked.<\/p>\n

Inger shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gotta have dessert, anyway,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re havin\u2019 poppy seed cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCake good,\u201d Little Joe added, having had a piece at noon.<\/p>\n

Inger shook her head, but pulled out a chair and sat down next to her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is good to see you children,\u201d Marie said tentatively, \u201cbut it is late for you to come alone.\u00a0 Is something wrong at home?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSort of,\u201d Billy mumbled, reaching for a yeast roll although he as yet had no plate to put it on.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Inger snapped indignantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it, Billy?\u201d Ben demanded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd no more beating around the bush.\u00a0 You know if your folks need help\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t,\u201d Billy said quickly, taking a plate of roast beef, potatoes and carrots from the Chinese cook.\u00a0 \u201cThat is, except for a favor they sent me to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said at once.\u00a0 \u201cWe will be most glad to do whatever they ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy snickered.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be so quick to speak up, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 What Ma wants is for you to take care of this nuisance for a few days.\u201d\u00a0 He hooked a stubby thumb toward Inger as he shoveled potatoes in with the other hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a nuisance!\u201d Inger snapped, then started to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you are not,\u201d Marie soothed as she knelt beside the distraught child.\u00a0 \u201cYou are a most welcome guest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly, I said no beating around the bush,\u201d Ben said bluntly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Billy said, suddenly serious.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t no real problem yet, at least not for us, but when Ma heard there was cholera in town, she got to frettin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCholera!\u201d Marie cried.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Ben asked hoarsely.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Sally told me,\u201d Billy replied, slicing off a piece of beef.\u00a0 \u201cJust a few cases, her pa says, but you know how Ma is where cholera\u2019s concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 Having lost one child to the disease, it was no wonder Nelly wanted to send her precious daughter as far from danger as possible.\u00a0 \u201cYou and your folks are welcome to stay here, too, \u2018til the threat\u2019s past,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

Billy sopped his meat in the gravy on his plate.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, Pa\u2019s busy at the trading post, and Ma says she ain\u2019t afraid for herself.\u00a0 We figure, her and me, that we ain\u2019t likely to get it since we had it before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Billy, you might as well stay here,\u201d Ben countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd have somebody jump my claim?\u201d Billy hooted.\u00a0 \u201cNo thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you finally talked your folks into lettin\u2019 you go minin\u2019,\u201d Hoss cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, and my claim\u2019s showin\u2019 some good color, so I reckon I\u2019ll stick close to it,\u201d Billy reported, polishing off the last bite on his plate.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how \u2018bout that poppy seed cake?\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Ben nuzzled his wife\u2019s cheek as they lay side by side in their rosewood four-poster, but Marie did not respond with her usual ready passion.\u00a0 She allowed Ben to hold her and stroke her, but instead of returning his kisses, she merely lay in his arms and trembled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, dearest?\u201d Ben whispered.<\/p>\n

Marie turned an anxious face to him.\u00a0 \u201cB\u2014Ben, you do not think Inger is ill, do you, that\u2014\u2014that she already has the cholera?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d Ben said, perplexed.\u00a0 \u201cNelly wouldn\u2019t have sent her here if she\u2019d shown any signs of the disease.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did not act like herself tonight,\u201d Marie murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that,\u201d Ben replied lightly.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s upset about being sent away from home, I suppose\u2014\u2014maybe worried about her folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that is all it is,\u201d Marie whispered, still trembling.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurely, you don\u2019t want to turn the little girl away,\u201d Ben said, disturbed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, we cannot do that,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014I just do not want any harm to come to\u2014to\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled, at last understanding.\u00a0 \u201cTo your baby,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo both our sons,\u201d Marie corrected, \u201cbut Little Joe is so small, Ben, that I worry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t,\u201d Ben soothed, holding her closer.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s small, but sturdy.\u00a0 Marie, my love, you have got to get over this constant concern for that child.\u00a0 It\u2019s needless.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not mock my fears, Ben,\u201d Marie begged, keeping her voice low to avoid waking the baby in the next room.\u00a0 \u201cYou have never lost a child.\u201d<\/p>\n

The words stabbed Ben\u2019s heart.\u00a0 As if he hadn\u2019t known abundant loss in his own life!\u00a0 The deaths of his parents, then Elizabeth and Inger.\u00a0 Still, the thought of losing one of his boys was agonizing.\u00a0 He took Marie\u2019s slender hand.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t yellow fever, dearest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and cholera does not kill?\u201d Marie asked hotly.<\/p>\n

Ben laid his hand across her lips to remind her to lower her voice.\u00a0 \u201cYes, of course, it does, but just because you lost one child to yellow fever does not mean you will lose another to cholera.\u00a0 That\u2019s superstition, Marie, and you really must not give in to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you once that death follows me,\u201d Marie wept, burying her head against his chest.<\/p>\n

With his fingertips Ben raised her chin and gazed consolingly into her shimmering eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAnd then I told you that was in the past, that there was life ahead for us, remember?\u00a0 Have I been wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled weakly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, no, Ben.\u00a0 With you I have known only life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, relax,\u201d he urged.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure there\u2019s nothing worse than homesickness afflicting our little guest, but if Inger\u2019s in any danger, it\u2019ll show up in the next day or two and we\u2019ll isolate her.\u00a0 I really think you\u2019re worrying over nothing, though.\u00a0 Try to sleep, my love.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled her head onto his shoulder and stroked the golden head until her breathing grew more regular.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow come I gotta do lessons when I got company?\u201d Hoss whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wish to have your summer free, you must do your work now,\u201d Marie explained patiently.\u00a0 \u201cYou know we leave for Placerville next month, so we cannot afford to miss a day.\u00a0 Besides, Inger can study with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger frowned.\u00a0 If anything, she was less successful with books than Hoss, for Nelly wasn\u2019t as diligent about regular lesson time as Marie.\u00a0 She tended to give more attention to her daughter\u2019s domestic education, feeling that was what a girl child needed most.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not too good at this,\u201d the little girl muttered as she knelt next to Hoss at the low table before the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe help,\u201d Little Joe offered, squeezing in between the other two children and patting the open book they would share.<\/p>\n

Marie pulled him away quickly.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d she said, with more sharpness than usual.\u00a0 \u201cYou play over here.\u201d\u00a0 She placed the toddler a good distance away from the others.\u00a0 Little Joe started to protest.\u00a0 \u201cOh, don\u2019t cry, mon petit<\/em>,\u201d Marie murmured.\u00a0 \u201cHere is bun-bun and your seal, your blocks and your ball.\u00a0 Now play quietly while Hoss and Inger study.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe play HaHa, Inggy,\u201d Little Joe whimpered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you play here, with your toys,\u201d Marie said firmly and walked away to begin teaching her small class.<\/p>\n

Little Joe wasn\u2019t used to being denied what he wanted, however, so he promptly pushed up and headed for the table.\u00a0 This time he sat beside Inger and smiled beatifically up at his mother.\u00a0 Inger giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not funny,\u201d Marie said, picking up the child once more.<\/p>\n

Hoss and Inger exchanged an amused glance and bit their lips to keep their laughter contained.\u00a0 Anything that interfered with the hated lessons was funny to them.<\/p>\n

That morning Little Joe demonstrated that he had either inherited or absorbed the characteristic Cartwright stubbornness, for nothing, not even receiving his first-ever spanking from his doting mother, discouraged his efforts to join the class.\u00a0 Marie finally burst into tears and sent the two older children outside to play, while she held the wailing youngest, who couldn\u2019t understand why he couldn\u2019t go with the others.<\/p>\n

The other children couldn\u2019t understand, either.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with your ma?\u201d Inger quizzed as soon as she and Hoss were alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss muttered, brow creasing.\u00a0 \u201cShe always lets Little Joe come out with me, and I ain\u2019t never seen her swat him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Inside, Marie laid her tear-streaked cheek against the baby\u2019s equally damp one, and rocked her indignant child back and forth on her lap.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you understand I am trying to keep you safe?\u201d she moaned, then shook her head.\u00a0 How could Little Joe possibly understand?\u00a0 He knew nothing of the dangers of disease, nothing of how fragile life could be.<\/p>\n

Finally, Marie wiped her cheeks dry and kissed her still-whimpering child.\u00a0 \u201cThere now, mon petit<\/em>, Mama is sorry to make you sad.\u00a0 Your papa was right to scold me last night.\u00a0 I am being superstitious and making everyone miserable.\u201d\u00a0 She carried Little Joe outside and handed him to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cPlay,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave a cry of delight and flung his arms around Hoss\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Mama,\u201d Hoss said, face screwing up in thought.\u00a0 \u201cYou okay, Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie took a deep breath and lied.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, I am fine.\u00a0 You may play outside another half hour, then we will try again with your lessons.\u00a0 If you study hard, I will ask Hop Sing to let us use the kitchen to bake gingercakes this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, that\u2019ll be fun!\u201d Inger cried with the brightest grin she\u2019d shown since her arrival the night before.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled and gently touched the girl\u2019s soft cheek.\u00a0 This child had more cause to worry than she, and Marie resolved from that moment to forget her own concerns by alleviating those of the little girl separated from her family.\u00a0 I wish I could be more like your namesake<\/em>, she thought.\u00a0 To that Inger, all this would come naturally, I know<\/em>.\u00a0 Though she didn\u2019t realize it, however, Marie\u2019s heart, wounded by a tortured past, was beginning to open, and as she matured, she was becoming more like that sacred memory of Hoss\u2019s mother than she could have imagined.<\/p>\n

Though several residents of Carson City died of cholera that spring, the Thomases were spared.\u00a0 Little Inger remained at the Ponderosa for three weeks, until her mother was certain no one in town was showing signs of cholera.\u00a0 When she left, she threw her arms around Marie.\u00a0 \u201cI want to come back sometime,\u201d she declared earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cYou bake fancier stuff than Ma, and it\u2019s fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie kissed her cheek warmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou will be welcome anytime.\u00a0 Perhaps you can stay a week while Mary is here, and we will have an all-girls\u2019 party.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how \u2018bout me?\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI like makin\u2019 cookies, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can be our taster,\u201d Inger giggled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the part of bakin\u2019 you like, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Unable to deny the obvious, Hoss grinned, satisfied that he\u2019d partake of the best part of the fun this summer.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE<\/p>\n

Threatened Peace<\/h4>\n

With the beginning of May, Marie marshaled her troops to finish planting the garden.\u00a0 Next to the onions, potatoes and other vegetables planted late in April, she, Hop Sing and Hoss (with Little Joe\u2019s dubious help) sowed cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and beans, as well as herbs such as sage, thyme, mint and mustard.\u00a0 Everything had to be done by the end of the first week, in preparation for the family\u2019s departure the next Tuesday.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the eighth of May, the Cartwrights and Thomases dined in their own homes, rather than sharing a meal.\u00a0 They would, after all, being seeing plenty of each other over the next week or so.\u00a0 Marie and Nelly planned to meet the next day at the Montgomery cabin to give it a final sprucing, then the following day they would all leave for Placerville.<\/p>\n

Although the Cartwrights were not expecting company that afternoon, a knock sounded at the door of the Ponderosa ranch house, and Hop Sing scurried to answer it.\u00a0 Ben rose from his armchair at once and strode to welcome Frederick Dodge with a warm handshake.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t seen you since Christmas Eve, my boy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s much too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d the Federal Indian agent replied, \u201cand I wish this visit could be as pleasant as that evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben caught the sober tone in Dodge\u2019s voice and at once offered him a seat on the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cIs there a problem?\u00a0 Anything I can help with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, to both questions,\u201d Dodge said softly.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps, the children\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie caught the hint.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, it is time for Little Joe\u2019s nap.\u00a0 Would you take him upstairs and read him a nice, long story?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, okay,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 I may not be the brightest kid in the world, <\/em>he sighed, but I know when someone\u2019s tryin\u2019 to get shed of me<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the two boys had disappeared, Dodge leaned forward.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s been a murder, Cartwright\u2014\u2014or a massacre, depending on whom you talk to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMassacre!\u201d Marie cried, growing pale.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s been killed?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you know at least one of the victims,\u201d Dodge replied.\u00a0 \u201cPeter Lassen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben said, his face grave.\u00a0 Though he wasn\u2019t well acquainted with the old Danish settler, everyone had heard of the Lassen Cutoff through the Black Rock Desert.\u00a0 Many, Ben\u2019s brother among them, cursed the day they\u2019d decided to take it.\u00a0 Not only did the so-called short-cut add so many miles to the journey that it was commonly referred to as Lassen\u2019s Horn Route, it also led through some of the most dry, desolate country the emigrants had ever encountered.\u00a0 Lassen, however, had proven himself a friend to the Paiutes, and Ben respected him for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cLassen, Lemericus Wyatt and a young fellow called Edward Clapper set out from Susanville to take supplies to William Weatherlow\u2019s party,\u201d Dodge related.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know Captain Weatherlow,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Dodge said, anticipating Ben\u2019s question.\u00a0 \u201cA relief party was sent out, but hadn\u2019t returned by the time the message was sent to me.\u00a0 All I know is that Lassen and Clapper are dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWyatt escaped?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, in bad shape from what I hear.\u00a0 Not injured.\u00a0 Just the rigors of the ride.\u00a0 A man of his age\u2014\u2014he\u2019s past sixty, I\u2019m told\u2014\u2014finds it pretty rough running for his life on an unsaddled horse with nothing but a picket rope to hang onto.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grunted his agreement.\u00a0 Though little more than half Wyatt\u2019s reported age, he knew he\u2019d find such a ride a rugged experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mentioned a massacre,\u201d Marie quavered.\u00a0 \u201cDid this Monsieur<\/em> Wyatt accuse the Indians?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t what he said, ma\u2019am,\u201d Dodge answered, \u201cor whether he was in any condition to say anything.\u00a0 There are people accusing the Paiutes, though, so I need to investigate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat doesn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 The Paiutes and Lassen got along well.\u00a0 Winnemucca\u2019s nephew Numaga even helped him and the Honey Lake settlers fight off an invasion by the Pit River Indians.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree,\u201d Dodge said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cI personally suspect the Mormons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo proof of that, either,\u201d Ben argued.\u00a0 \u201cAs you say, you need to get the facts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge leaned forward, hands on his knees.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here.\u00a0 I need to talk to Wyatt and the relief party and, of course, Numaga.\u00a0 That\u2019s where you come in, Cartwright.\u00a0 I may need an interpreter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWalter Wasson?\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cHe lives up that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue, but he may not be available,\u201d Dodge said, \u201cand, frankly, as hot as the town is, I\u2019d welcome two sane voices I could count on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Ben agreed at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben,\u201d Marie protested, laying a trembling hand on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cWe are to leave for Placerville day after tomorrow.\u00a0 You cannot possibly return from Honey Lake by then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben put his arm around her.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you\u2019ll have to go on without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, no,\u201d she objected.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I\u2019m causing a problem,\u201d Dodge said quietly, \u201cbut if the Indians are to blame, or even if they\u2019re only believed to be, this whole territory could erupt.\u00a0 I consider the situation grave, Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do I,\u201d Ben said solemnly.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, I will do my best to be in Placerville by the fifteenth, but this must take precedence.\u00a0 I can scarcely bring Ebenezer\u2019s children here for the summer if we\u2019re going to be in the midst of an Indian war.\u201d<\/p>\n

The suggestion of warfare made Marie tremble all the more, as she suddenly began to fear for her own children.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I will take the boys to Placerville, as planned,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThey will be safe there, and, Ben\u2014\u2014you will be careful?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took her face between his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI will be careful.\u00a0 Don\u2019t fret, my love.\u00a0 Hopefully, we\u2019ll settle this quickly, and I\u2019ll be standing at your side when Enos and Katerina exchange their vows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded, giving him a weak smile.\u00a0 \u201cI will pack your things at once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy suit, too,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t have time to stop by home.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

When he heard horses outside, Little Joe charged out of what would soon become the Montgomery cabin.\u00a0 \u201cAunt Nelwy!\u201d he cried happily.\u00a0 \u201cInggy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie came storming after him.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, come back here,\u201d she demanded, then whirled on Hoss, who had followed her outside.\u00a0 \u201cI told you to watch him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am watching him,\u201d Hoss insisted, \u201cbut he\u2019s fast, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly scooped the toddler up and planted kisses on both cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Marie, he\u2019s just bein\u2019 friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMama\u2019s in a bad mood,\u201d Hoss whispered to Inger when she jumped off the wagon.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s cheeks flamed.\u00a0 \u201cI heard that, Hoss,\u201d she informed him, palms planted on her hips, \u201cand if you do not wish to see what a truly bad mood I am in, you will watch your little brother while we work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Inger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m helping in the house,\u201d Inger announced loftily.\u00a0 \u201cYou play with the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed at Hoss\u2019s clouded countenance as she handed Little Joe to him.\u00a0 \u201cHere you go, Sunshine, though you\u2019re not livin\u2019 up to that name today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss broke into a grin then and, hefting Little Joe over his shoulder, headed toward the creek.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, don\u2019t go in the water,\u201d Marie chided.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s chilly for this time of year, and I don\u2019t want you or Little Joe catching cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss sighed, wondering what in the world he was supposed to do to entertain his little brother until the ladies\u2019 work was done.<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, honey lamb, you are in a mood,\u201d Nelly commented.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to fret yourself so; we\u2019ll get the cabin ready in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie clenched her fists until the knuckles turned white.\u00a0 \u201cI am not worried about that.\u00a0 It is Ben that worries me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMen are a bother, all right,\u201d Nelly chuckled while she unloaded the buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s Ben up to this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRiding into an Indian war!\u201d Marie sputtered.<\/p>\n

Nelly dropped the package of curtains and spun around.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you sayin\u2019, girl?\u00a0 We ain\u2019t had no trouble with injuns.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie quickly described Frederick Dodge\u2019s visit the previous day.\u00a0 \u201cBen left with him at once, and he expects me to just go on to Placerville without him!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t be alone,\u201d Nelly soothed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not Ben!\u201d Marie ranted, then choked.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2014\u2014he may be in danger, Nelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly stroked the younger woman\u2019s arm. \u00a0\u201cBen can take care of himself.\u00a0 Besides, we don\u2019t know it was Paiutes murdered them folks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cMonsieur<\/em> Dodge thinks it was Mormons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, my Clyde would be quick to agree with that!\u00a0 Come on, honey lamb, we got plenty of work to occupy our minds today.\u00a0 Don\u2019t the Bible say to think on things that are good and pleasant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 Having been reared in a convent, she could have quoted the verse more accurately, but she didn\u2019t wish to embarrass the less learned woman.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, something like that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do it, then,\u201d Nelly advised.\u00a0 \u201cThink about how Katerina\u2019s gonna love her new home.\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s get to sprucin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed then.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve started sweeping.\u00a0 Only the front room remains.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInger can do that,\u201d Nelly said, \u201cwhile we hang the curtains.\u00a0 She\u2019s a good hand at sweepin\u2019, aren\u2019t you, sugar pie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Inger replied, proud of the compliment.<\/p>\n

Just then Little Joe rounded the corner of the cabin to clutch at Inger\u2019s skirt.\u00a0 Hoss came puffing after him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m tryin\u2019, honest I am,\u201d he panted defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, try harder,\u201d Inger scolded.\u00a0 \u201cWe got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWanna play house, Inggy?\u201d Little Joe suggested.\u00a0 He pointed to the cabin.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u00a0 Big house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe became most fond of that game while Inger stayed with us.\u201d\u00a0 She removed Inger\u2019s skirt from the toddler\u2019s clutching fingers.\u00a0 \u201cWe are not playing house today, mon petit<\/em>; we are making a real house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe help,\u201d Little Joe offered with a bright smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Marie pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am, I\u2019ll try,\u201d Hoss said, taking Little Joe by the hand.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Punkin.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if we can find some squirrels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSwirwy?\u00a0 Okay,\u201d Little Joe conceded and began to pull Hoss toward the woods.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thing they distract easy at that age,\u201d Nelly chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we have a chance,\u201d Inger giggled.<\/p>\n

When the two boys entered the woods, Little Joe broke free and trotted ahead.\u00a0 \u201cSwirwy!\u00a0 Here, swirwy!\u201d he called to the trees.<\/p>\n

Hoss grabbed his hand again.\u00a0 \u201cYou stay with me,\u201d he scolded, \u201cand quit that yellin\u2019.\u00a0 You\u2019ll scare off every squirrel in twenty miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded and walked quietly by his brother for a few minutes.\u00a0 Then he stooped to scoop a handful of acorns from the ground.\u00a0 \u201cLookee, HaHa\u2014\u2014nuts!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThem ain\u2019t nuts, they\u2019re acorns.\u00a0 Squirrels eat \u2018em, though; Indians, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSwirwy nuts!\u201d Little Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, guess so,\u201d Hoss conceded.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s sit down awhile.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe seemed agreeable so the two brothers flopped side by side beneath a towering oak.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe a squirrel will come by if we\u2019re real quiet,\u201d Hoss suggested.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was rarely quiet for long, but his voice was not the first the break the silence.\u00a0 Above them a sharp trill sounded.\u00a0 Looking up, Hoss pointed at the bird perched in a nearby pine.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember what kind of bird that is, Little Joe?\u00a0 I told you last week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlue jay,\u201d Little Joe chirped readily.<\/p>\n

Hoss ruffled the younger boy\u2019s golden brown hair.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 You\u2019re a smart little whippersnapper, ain\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was about to agree when Hoss clamped a hand over his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cLook, it\u2019s a squirrel,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe, if we\u2019re real quiet, I can coax him over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss held out a handful of acorns and whistled softly.\u00a0 The squirrel eyed the acorns with desire, his dark eyes furtively flickering this way and that.\u00a0 He crept a step closer, then another, and finally drew near enough for Hoss to pick him up.\u00a0 At first the wild animal reacted with fear, but gradually his trembling body quieted under the gentle boy\u2019s touch.<\/p>\n

Little Joe reached out to stroke the squirrel\u2019s soft gray back.\u00a0 \u201cGo easy,\u201d Hoss cautioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe hold,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, but be real easy.\u201d\u00a0 He handed the squirrel to his little brother.<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s arms closed tightly around the squirrel.\u00a0 The animal reacted with a sharp cry and slashing claws.\u00a0 Little Joe turned the animal loose and began to bawl.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, you ain\u2019t hurt, are you?\u201d Hoss asked, carefully examining his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just a scratch, nothing to cry about.\u00a0 What\u2019d you squeeze him so tight for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLove swirwy,\u201d Little Joe sobbed.\u00a0 \u201cHug.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d you like me to hug you that tight, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike!\u201d Little Joe claimed, his lower lip protruding.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah?\u00a0 Well, let\u2019s see,\u201d Hoss snickered, engulfing the little boy in a bear hug.\u00a0 \u201cYou like that, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe began to cackle with glee.\u00a0 \u201cMore, more!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll break you in half if I hug more, you silly thing.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at the sun peeking through the trees.\u00a0 \u201cHey, it\u2019s gettin\u2019 on toward noon, Little Joe.\u00a0 We better head back and see if they\u2019re ready to spread out the food yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHungwy,\u201d Little Joe agreed.\u00a0 \u201cEat, HaHa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d the older boy corrected as he helped the younger to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re talkin\u2019 good enough now to say it right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head vigorously.\u00a0 \u201cHaHa,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n

Hoss rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou learn what you want to learn, don\u2019t you, Punkin?\u00a0 Well, we\u2019ll work on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sun stood directly overhead when the boys reached the cabin.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Mama, ain\u2019t it about time to eat?\u201d Hoss asked as they entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cEat, Mama,\u201d Little Joe smiled, certain she wouldn\u2019t refuse him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, you younguns can wait a bit,\u201d Nelly chided.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve just about got things set to rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure do,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cThe old cabin never looked so fancy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed, remembering her first disheartening look at this cabin when, as newlyweds, she and Ben had returned from New Orleans.\u00a0 Though the cabin\u2019s furnishings were still simple, they were, indeed, \u201cfancy\u201d by comparison.\u00a0 Yellow calico curtains graced the spotless kitchen windows and elegant, white lace ones the simple parlor, Ben and Marie\u2019s old bedroom.\u00a0 So far, the parlor held only a rocking chair and round occasional table, both crafted by Clyde Thomas, but Enos had sent Katerina the money to purchase any sofa she wanted.\u00a0 She\u2019d written back that Lawrence Larrimore had refused her money, insisting the sofa be his gift to them.\u00a0 That and a large package addressed to Mrs. Cartwright were waiting in Placerville.\u00a0 Marie couldn\u2019t wait to see the expression on Ben\u2019s face when he uncrated it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, please bring the bedding from our buckboard,\u201d Marie requested, \u201cthen you may spread the picnic.\u00a0 We will join you shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss cheerfully carried the bedding into the back bedroom, then with an even brighter countenance ran outside to unpack the picnic basket.\u00a0 Little Joe tagged behind him like a faithful puppy.<\/p>\n

The two women, assisted by Inger, made the bed with crisp, new muslin sheets and down-filled pillows in snowy cases, then covered it with a colorful patchwork quilt.\u00a0 While Marie had sewn the bedding and made the pillows, the quilt was a gift from the larger community.\u00a0 Though she had never met Katerina Zuebner, Laura Ellis had insisted they hold a quilting bee in her home and had invited every woman in Carson City.\u00a0 Young girls like Sally Martin and the Winnemucca girls had come, as well, and even little Inger had taken a few stitches.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurtains turned out real pretty,\u201d Nelly said as they stood back to admire the room.\u00a0 \u201cMaking them match the blue band of the quilt pulls everything together, and that lace you tatted on the edges sure sets \u2018em off, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThe good sisters taught me well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly flinched momentarily.\u00a0 Having been raised to believe that all Catholics had one foot in hell, she didn\u2019t like being reminded that Marie was a Papist.\u00a0 Out here, of course, where there were no churches anyway, there weren\u2019t any idols to bow down to, and Marie seemed a god-fearing sort, even if she had been reared in a false faith.\u00a0 She was right about one thing, anyway:\u00a0 whatever else those nuns might have been, they were good teachers.<\/p>\n

Nelly hooked an arm through the younger woman\u2019s elbow.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve done all we can here.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get on outside.\u00a0 If Little Joe\u2019s helpin\u2019 spread that picnic, like I figure, we may have to scrape my apple pie off the tablecloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about that,\u201d Inger giggled.\u00a0 \u201cHoss ain\u2019t likely to let that baby near the apple pie!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ladies laughed and went out to find a neatly spread lunch waiting for them.\u00a0 After a relaxed meal, they separated, each having a number of last-minute preparations to make for their trip on the morrow.\u00a0 The work and the fun had effectively taken Marie\u2019s mind off the difficulties into which Ben might be riding.\u00a0 As she lay alone in bed that night, however, her fingers tightened on the corner of his pillow slip, and it was late before she fell asleep.<\/p>\n

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

The streets of Susanville roiled with heated accusations when Ben and the Indian agent rode into town.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you gonna do about them murdering savages?\u201d a grizzle-bearded rancher demanded of Dodge moments after they dismounted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll all be slaughtered in our beds!\u201d a hysterical woman cried.<\/p>\n

Dodge raised both hands to gain the attention of the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright and I have just come from the Paiute encampment on Smoke River.\u00a0 Numaga, whom you know as Young Winnemucca, denies having anything to do with the deaths of Lassen and Clapper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d you expect him to say?\u201d another rancher shouted.\u00a0 \u201cThat he killed \u2018em in cold blood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen, please,\u201d Dodge pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re here to ascertain the facts.\u00a0 I need to speak to anyone who has direct knowledge of the incident.\u00a0 Is Mr. Wyatt here?\u00a0 Has the relief party returned?\u201d<\/p>\n

A man of imposing stature stepped forward.\u00a0 \u201cI am William Weatherlow, sir.\u00a0 With the relief party that came to my assistance, I investigated the site of the murders and will be pleased to offer what testimony I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Mr. Weatherlow.\u00a0 If you could assemble any others with pertinent information, I would like to meet you as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all here,\u201d another man said, \u201cand the saloon\u2019s open.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dodge, Cartwright, Weatherlow and five others entered the saloon, taking seats at adjoining tables.\u00a0 The streetmongers drifted in after them, settling into chairs around the room.\u00a0 One aspiring author took out paper and pencil, intending to send a report to the Territorial Enterprise<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe men have asked me to act as their spokesman,\u201d Weatherlow said, \u201cbut you\u2019re free to question any of the others if you need confirmation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure they\u2019ll speak up if they have anything to add,\u201d Ben commented, and murmurs of agreement circled the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I said outside,\u201d Weatherlow began after introducing the others, \u201cwhen the relief party told us what had taken place, we proceeded to Lassen\u2019s campsite.\u00a0 We found his body and that of Edward Clapper and buried them immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThem bodies was ripe,\u201d another man muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, weren\u2019t no stayin\u2019 in camp \u2018til they was planted,\u201d another offered.<\/p>\n

Dodge nodded.\u00a0 \u201cDid you examine the scene after the burials?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did,\u201d Weatherlow replied, \u201cbut found no clues to identify the killers.\u00a0 Footprints and hoofprints of all kinds\u2014\u2014boots and moccasins,\u00a0 horses shod and unshod, but some of the tracks looked quite old.\u00a0 The supplies were still there, untouched.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cIndians on a raid wouldn\u2019t leave food or any other useful gear behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weatherlow\u2019s eyes narrowed as he glanced at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cNot their usual way,\u201d he admitted, almost reluctantly.\u00a0 Ben cocked his head to examine Weatherlow, trying to figure why so reasonable a man seemed to want to blame the Indians.<\/p>\n

Dodge nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIt certainly seems unlike the behavior of Indians who, basically, live by scavenging.\u00a0 Mr. Wyatt, you were the only actual witness to this attack.\u00a0 Were the attackers Indians or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Wyatt shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t say.\u00a0 Everything happened so fast.\u00a0 I woke up to the sound of shots and a heap of hootin\u2019 and hollerin\u2019.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t see clear \u2018cause a frosty haze was hanging low, and I didn\u2019t aim to make myself a target.\u00a0 I ran for the horses fast as my old legs would carry me, grabbed the picket rope and jumped on back.\u00a0 Hung on like that for a hundred and forty miles.\u00a0 I never was much of a horseman, and without a saddle\u2014\u2014well, I burned my hands, hanging tight to that rope, but I didn\u2019t stop for nothin\u2019 \u2018til I got here to Susanville.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw no Indians?\u201d Dodge pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome Paiutes came into camp the night before,\u201d Wyatt recalled, \u201cbut they seemed friendly enough.\u00a0 Lassen was good friends with the Paiutes, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what Numaga said,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 \u201cThe Paiutes are grieved by Lassen\u2019s death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe the Paiutes had anything to do with this affair,\u201d Weatherlow concluded.\u00a0 \u201cNone of the local Indians seem to know anything about it, and, after all, we have a treaty with them.\u00a0 They fought side by side with us against the Pit River Indians, who, I believe, are the ones behind this massacre.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey wouldn\u2019t have left the supplies either,\u201d Ben argued.\u00a0 \u201cDid Lassen or Clapper have any enemies?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Cartwright, my men and I were the only ones out that way,\u201d Weatherlow snapped.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re accusing me, say so straight out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m accusing no one,\u201d Ben said firmly, \u201cleast of all you, Weatherlow.\u00a0 I know you for an honorable man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Weatherlow muttered, \u201cbut there\u2019s been talk.\u201d\u00a0 He cast a reproachful look at the silent observers of the meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo answer your question, though,\u201d Wyatt inserted, \u201cLassen had a passel of enemies.\u00a0 Plenty of folks blamed him for what happened to them along that cutoff of his.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless other evidence develops,\u201d Dodge concluded, \u201cI find that the most logical explanation.\u00a0 Lassen and Clapper were the victims of a revenge killing, most likely having been trailed for that purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rumbles of dissent were heard, some still accusing the Paiutes, others finding their old foes, the Pit River Indians, likelier suspects.\u00a0 Only a few nodded approval of Dodge\u2019s decision, but since the settlers couldn\u2019t determine which Indians were to blame, neither Ben nor the Federal agent thought they would seek reprisals against the Paiutes.\u00a0 Satisfied that the territory was not about to explode into open warfare, Ben pushed his mount over the Sierras and south toward Placerville.\u00a0 Thankfully, he was a better horseman than Lemericus Wyatt, for he had a hard ride ahead.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO<\/p>\n

Wedding in Placerville<\/h4>\n

A party of four stood waiting when the Sacramento stage pulled into Placerville late Friday evening.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Adam!\u201d Hoss hollered as soon as his brother descended from the coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, yourself,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 He chucked Little Joe under the chin.\u00a0 \u201cAnd hey and happy birthday to you, little fellow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, stwanger,\u201d Little Joe gurgled, pleasantly parroting the greeting he\u2019d been taught.<\/p>\n

Adam arched an eyebrow at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cThat your doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head in adamant denial.\u00a0 \u201cNot me, no, sir!\u00a0 I don\u2019t teach him nonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s your culprit,\u201d Marta laughed, swatting a smirking Billy Thomas on the arm.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s devilment bein\u2019 done, you should know where to look for its source, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI sure should by now.\u00a0 Hello, Marta, good to see you<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, how \u2018bout me?\u201d Billy demanded.<\/p>\n

Adam cocked his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t believe we\u2019ve met, stranger<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy scowled and clapped his friend on the back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, bein\u2019 new in town, you likely ain\u2019t heard that the best place to eat is Mama Zuebner\u2019s Cafe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFigured to ask the hefty fellow,\u201d Adam drawled, laying a hand on Hoss\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHe looks like he knows all the best places.\u201d\u00a0 They all laughed, Little Joe loudest of all, although he had no idea what the joke was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe better hurry,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama is closing early tonight,\u201d Marta explained, \u201cbut she won\u2019t \u2018til we\u2019ve eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m with Hoss,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cSince your ma ain\u2019t gonna open at all tomorrow, I don\u2019t want to miss my last chance for a good meal.\u00a0 All them bags yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid so,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cGive me a hand, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Hoss.\u00a0 Give that boy to Marta.\u00a0 You\u2019re big enough to tote a bag or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet I am,\u201d Hoss bragged, dumping Little Joe into Marta\u2019s outstretched arms.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re stayin\u2019 at the El Dorado, Adam,\u201d he said as he hefted a carpetbag under each arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways do,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u00a0 I thought he and Marie would be here to meet me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam, he\u2019s not here,\u201d Marta murmured sympathetically.<\/p>\n

Adam stopped dead still.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean he\u2019s not here?\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t miss your sister\u2019s wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMay have to,\u201d Billy muttered, \u201cif we got injun trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know that,\u201d Marta said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t go worryin\u2019 Adam over nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn injun war ain\u2019t nothin\u2019, missy,\u201d Billy bit back.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you two quit sniping at each other and tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sorry,\u201d Billy muttered.\u00a0 \u201cYour Pa rode off to Honey Lake\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith that agent feller,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Dodge?\u201d Adam queried.\u00a0 Though he had never met the Federal Indian agent, he knew the name from his father\u2019s letters.\u00a0 Hoss nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOld Peter Lassen got hisself killed,\u201d Billy continued as they walked toward the hotel, \u201cand some folks think it was injuns done it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa don\u2019t think so,\u201d Hoss inserted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but he went with Dodge to check it out,\u201d Billy concluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s comin\u2019 here after,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie here?\u201d Adam asked, nodding at the hotel entrance.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she\u2019s with Mama,\u201d Marta answered.\u00a0 She opened the door, holding it for the others.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry about your pa, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Adam said, though his voice was edged with concern.\u00a0 \u201cEnos here yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, he\u2019s over at the cafe, mooning over Katerina,\u201d Marta laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBilly, help Adam get his things upstairs.\u00a0 I know two little boys who are getting hungry, if you aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy scowled playfully at the girl.\u00a0 \u201cJust like a woman\u2014\u2014orderin\u2019 around the first man she spots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho spotted one?\u201d Marta giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t see nothin\u2019 but little boys here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you two,\u201d Adam muttered with a patronizing shake of his head.\u00a0 \u201cTo listen to you, no one would guess you liked each other at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, we don\u2019t,\u201d Billy assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a bit,\u201d Marta affirmed with a mischievous grin.<\/p>\n

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

Throughout the day Saturday the wedding guests arrived, first the Paynes, then just past noon the Wentworths.\u00a0 The female members of each party immediately disappeared into the kitchen of Mama Zuebner\u2019s Cafe to help prepare refreshments for the wedding reception the next day.\u00a0 That evening the former members of the Larrimore train commandeered several tables in the dining room of the El Dorado Hotel.\u00a0 While the food didn\u2019t compare to what they\u2019d feast on tomorrow, everyone enjoyed talking over old times and reminding one another of amusing incidents along the trail.\u00a0 No one mentioned the sadder memories of that journey, for this was a time for celebration.<\/p>\n

Marie tried to join in the festive mood, even though the memories they shared were not hers.\u00a0 Her attention repeatedly drifted away from reminiscences of the Overland Trail, however, to imagined dangers of one nearer home, the trail to HoneyLake.\u00a0 She toyed with her food, unable to escape her fears for Ben.<\/p>\n

Since the friends spent so much time talking, they were only half-through their dinners when Ben walked in to complete the circle.\u00a0 Eight (almost nine)-year-old Susan Payne was the first to see him.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ben!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d soon followed, then \u201cOh, Ben!\u201d as friends and family rose to welcome the man for whom they\u2019d all felt concern.<\/p>\n

Ben embraced his wife, then each of his sons.\u00a0 \u201cBen?\u201d Marie asked, and he understood the question she hesitated to put into words.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s all right,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll give you the details later.\u201d\u00a0 He began moving around the room, greeting friends he hadn\u2019t seen in months.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour injun-lovin\u2019 ways is gonna get you killed yet,\u201d Clyde scolded.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me what you was up to?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t have time,\u201d Ben replied, giving his old friend a hearty clap.<\/p>\n

\u201cRidin\u2019 smack into a Paiute camp,\u201d Clyde ranted on.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it all the time,\u201d Ben chuckled and continued greeting his other friends.<\/p>\n

Finally, he came to the table the Zuebners were sharing with the man soon to be a member of their family.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Katerina murmured, circling his neck with her slender arms, \u201cI am so glad you have come.\u00a0 I wanted so much for you to be at my wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben tenderly kissed her cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have missed it for anything, Katerina.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSir?\u201d Enos queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problems,\u201d Ben assured him.\u00a0 \u201cYou can feel at ease about bringing your new bride home.\u201d\u00a0 Enos smiled broadly, clearly relieved.<\/p>\n

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

The sun shone bright Sunday, as if heaven itself were smiling on the lovers\u2019 nuptials.\u00a0 The ceremony was held beneath the towering pines with almost half the town of Placerville in attendance.\u00a0 Not all had been specifically invited, but the miners who ate regularly at the cafe felt as if Katerina were one of their own and they had every right to add their good wishes to the occasion.\u00a0 The Zuebners, being simple folk themselves, were flattered, rather than offended.\u00a0 In fact, the huge baking the day before had been done in anticipation of a crowd.<\/p>\n

Stef\u00e1n stood tall as he escorted his sister to the place where her groom waited beside the Reverend Wentworth.\u00a0 Ben found it hard not to picture Frederich Zuebner as the young man walked past.\u00a0 Stef\u00e1n had stepped into his father\u2019s shoes at an early age, and year by year he looked more like the stalwart farmer they had all been indebted to in the early days of their journey west.<\/p>\n

Katerina had grown taller, but she still looked the same to Ben, making it hard for him to believe she was actually old enough to marry.\u00a0 He smiled when he realized the little girl he remembered from the trail was only three years younger than his own wife.\u00a0 No wonder Marie was so excited about having Katerina come to live near them!<\/p>\n

The biggest change, to Ben\u2019s eyes, was in Katerina\u2019s sister.\u00a0 The tomboy of the trail, though spunky as ever, was blossoming into a young lady as lovely and graceful as Katerina.\u00a0 And since Marta was only a year younger, no doubt they\u2019d soon be celebrating another wedding.\u00a0 The thought jolted Ben for a moment as he wondered how far his own boy, now sixteen, might be from standing, red-faced, waiting for his bride as Enos now waited for Katerina.<\/p>\n

When the two sweethearts stood together, the Reverend Wentworth smiled and addressed them directly.\u00a0 \u201cEnos, Katerina, it is a pleasure to witness the love that blooms between you.\u00a0 Its seed was planted in fertile soil, the soil of shared struggles and triumphs.\u00a0 You have each known both sorrow and happiness in your lives, and you will find your life together no different.\u00a0 That is why your vows will be for better and for worse, in sickness and in health.\u00a0 Knowing the fires in which your love was forged, however, I have no doubt that you will keep your vows and in the keeping find a love still greater than that which you feel today, when your hearts seem so full.\u201d<\/p>\n

The minister led the couple in a simple reciting of their vows, and after the glowing pair exchanged a shy kiss, Katerina enveloped her mother in a warm embrace, then turned to kiss her brother on the cheek.\u00a0 The miners, growing misty-eyed at the memory of their own wives and daughters back east, demanded their right to kiss the blushing bride; then everyone adjourned to the cafe for all the strudel, crepes (Marie\u2019s contribution), wedding cake and punch they could possibly hold. Hoss was heard to comment that he wished someone would get married every day.<\/p>\n

The next morning the Cartwrights, Thomases, and the two younger Wentworth children boarded the stage, while\u00a0 the newly married Montgomerys headed over the Sierras in a buckboard with two large crates and several smaller boxes.\u00a0 As Ludmilla stood on the boardwalk, tears streaking her normally cheery cheeks, Marta stepped close to place a bolstering arm around her mother, as if to remind her that she still had a daughter at home.\u00a0 When the stage pulled away, Billy Thomas leaned out the window to flap his hat in farewell.\u00a0 Marta laughed and wagged a flaxen braid at the redheaded mischief she liked more than she cared to admit.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE<\/p>\n

Settling In<\/h4>\n

Ben looped his horse\u2019s reins around the hitching rail in front of Ormsby\u2019s Carson City store and waited for the stage to pull in.\u00a0 He helped the ladies descend, then, with the help of Clyde, Adam, Billy and Mark, unloaded the baggage.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou all come up to my place and rest yourselves before headin\u2019 on to the Ponderosa,\u201d Nelly invited.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, thank you,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThat stagecoach always leaves me exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn one condition,\u201d Ben inserted quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Nelly queried suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you come with us when we go,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes, you are much too tired to cook tonight,\u201d Marie urged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now, I don\u2019t know about that,\u201d Nelly demurred.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasiest way to get your buckboard back,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 Since the newlyweds were using the Cartwright\u2019s wagon, he had planned to borrow Clyde and Nelly\u2019s to return home.<\/p>\n

Clyde cackled.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s got a point, Nelly girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if we come back tonight,\u201d Nelly conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI been lookin\u2019 forward to sleepin\u2019 in my own bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men hefted all the bags and the entire party walked down the street to the Thomases\u2019 sunny yellow frame house.\u00a0 Mary caught her breath when she saw it.\u00a0 \u201cOh, is this your home, Mrs. Thomas?\u00a0 It\u2019s charming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWait\u2019ll you see the Ponderosa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy gave him a shove.\u00a0 \u201cAw, quit braggin\u2019 up your own place.\u201d\u00a0 He gave Mark a wink.\u00a0 \u201cAdam here thinks the Ponderosa\u2019s got the best house in the world, just \u2018cause he helped plan it.\u201d\u00a0 Tossing a smirk at Adam, he added, \u201cAfter all, smarty britches, my Pa planned and<\/em> built this place, and without the help of no fancy San Francisco architect, neither.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you two quit scrappin\u2019 at each other,\u201d Nelly scolded.\u00a0 \u201cCome on in, folks, and we\u2019ll show you around our mansion.\u201d\u00a0 She was teasing, of course, but to the Wentworth youngsters, whose home was the renovated hulk of a beached sailing vessel, even the modest rooms looked stately.\u00a0 Mary cooed with delight over Inger\u2019s cozy bedroom, especially the corner where Clyde had constructed a play kitchen for his little girl.<\/p>\n

Watching her, a grim look came into Mark\u2019s hazel eyes.\u00a0 His little sister had never had the opportunity to play at being a housewife.\u00a0 Practically from childhood, the motherless girl had been forced into being the real thing, and Mark, who adored her, couldn\u2019t help taking up the offense she refused to carry.<\/p>\n

As they started downstairs, Nelly told Inger to run to Mrs. Ellis\u2019s for a loaf of bread.\u00a0 \u201cAnd tell her Billy\u2019ll be \u2018round shortly to fetch our cow\u2014\u2014and say thanks for her keepin\u2019 it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Inger responded, leaving at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what are you up to, Nelly?\u201d Ben chided.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to feed this mob.\u00a0 We\u2019ll eat at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know these younguns can\u2019t wait that long,\u201d Nelly argued.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just gonna slice some bread and cheese to tide \u2018em over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, I\u2019m hungry,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me something I don\u2019t know!\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou stay hungry from sunup to sundown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably dreams about cookies all night, too,\u201d Adam snickered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, his taste runs more to pie,\u201d Billy cackled.<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled.\u00a0 \u201cHow come you\u2019re always funnin\u2019 me \u2018bout eatin\u2019 good?\u00a0 Don\u2019t nobody fuss if Little Joe says he\u2019s hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow often does he say it?\u201d Billy hooted.\u00a0 The youngest Cartwright\u2019s appetite was, by reputation, as small as Hoss\u2019s was large.<\/p>\n

Now, however, Little Joe patted imperiously at his father\u2019s leg.\u00a0 \u201cHungwy, Pa,\u201d he whimpered.<\/p>\n

Chuckling, Ben tousled the boy\u2019s curly hair.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess we all are.\u00a0 Give me a knife and I\u2019ll slice that cheese, Nelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, everyone entered the kitchen, sitting or standing around the table while Ben cut slice after slice of cheese.\u00a0 Inger soon returned with two loaves of bread.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Ellis says you don\u2019t owe her nothin\u2019 for the bread,\u201d the girl declared, \u201con account of she\u2019s been usin\u2019 our milk while we been gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair enough,\u201d Clyde agreed.<\/p>\n

Ben snatched the first sandwich.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take this with me,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better get out to the Ponderosa and warn Hop Sing he has guests for dinner.\u201d\u00a0 He kissed Marie as he passed.\u00a0 \u201cStay and rest as long as you like, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not too long,\u201d Hoss added fretfully.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing don\u2019t like folks bein\u2019 late.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Hop Sing?\u201d Mark asked Adam in an undertone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur cook,\u201d the oldest Cartwright boy replied, nonchalantly taking a sandwich, quartering it and handing one portion to his baby brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you had servants,\u201d Mark muttered.<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cServant!\u00a0 Tyrant is more like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me know when you plan to tell him that,\u201d Billy commented dryly.\u00a0 \u201cI want to be across the Sierras when the storm breaks out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amid the laughter Marie explained.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing is more a part of our family than a servant, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, after Pa saved his life, he just moved in,\u201d Adam snickered, \u201cand we haven\u2019t been able to budge him out of the kitchen since.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho wants to?\u201d Hoss demanded seriously.\u00a0 \u201cHe cooks good!\u201d\u00a0 Even Mark laughed then.<\/p>\n

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

If the Thomas house looked like a mansion to the Wentworth children, the Ponderosa ranch house seemed almost a castle, albeit a rustic one.\u00a0 \u201cOh!\u201d Mary gasped with delight.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s so\u2014\u2014so\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBig,\u201d her brother suggested bleakly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that, too,\u201d Mary smiled, patting his arm to soothe the resentment she could see building, \u201cbut I was thinking beautiful.\u201d\u00a0 Mark took her arm tenderly and escorted her into the house with the others.<\/p>\n

Inside, the guests and returning members of the family were greeted by a beaming Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to Pondelosa,\u201d the Chinaman announced, like a king admitting subjects into his realm.\u00a0 \u201cDinnah leady one hour, maybe less.\u00a0 You sit down, lest flom tlavel,\u201d he ordered so imperiously no one thought of disobeying\u2014\u2014with one exception.\u00a0 Little Joe, instead of heading for the designated seating area, wrapped small arms around Hop Sing\u2019s leg and rubbed his cheek against the cook\u2019s blue pantaloons to say how much he\u2019d missed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, go with mother,\u201d Hop Sing dictated, lightly patting the toddler on the head.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing cook now.\u201d\u00a0 Marie came quickly to dislodge her child, but it was obvious the little Cantonese was pleased by the display of affection.<\/p>\n

Watching the scene, Mark had to admit that Adam had told the truth.\u00a0 Hop Sing was, indeed, more part of the family than a servant.\u00a0 Never had the Wentworth boy seen any of the Larrimore servants hugged by a child or treated with the deference the Cartwrights showed Hop Sing.\u00a0 So far, however, he didn\u2019t see any signs of the tyrannical behavior their oldest son had credited to the cook.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s show our guests to their rooms,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys each grab a bag and follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The procession headed upstairs, stopping at the first open door.\u00a0 \u201cThis will be your room, Mark,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s brow knitted quizzically.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I\u2019d be bunking with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan if you like,\u201d Adam offered, \u201cunless you snore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is fine,\u201d Mark replied, secretly thrilled to have a room to himself for the first time in his life.\u00a0 Setting his carpetbag just inside the door, he followed the others down the hall.\u00a0 He wanted to see where his sister would be sleeping.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my room,\u201d Hoss told him as they passed the next door, \u201cand that one across the hall is Adam\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGiving him the full tour, are you, Hoss?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 As they came to the end of the hall, which branched both directions, he pointed to the left.\u00a0 \u201cOur room is down there, with the nursery beside it.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to the right.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Mary\u2019s room with be at the end of the hall.\u00a0 It\u2019s the sunniest in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark smiled when he saw windows on two walls of his sister\u2019s room.\u00a0 The only window in her bedroom at home was a porthole.\u00a0 This looked much brighter, the kind of place he wished their father would provide for the fragile flower of their family.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll all want to freshen up before dinner,\u201d Marie suggested, then smiled at the youngster clinging to her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI will be in the nursery cleaning this one if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, may I help you?\u201d Mary asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou may bathe him after dinner, if you like.\u00a0 I\u2019m only going to wash his face and hands now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary smiled and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t wait,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cI love babies\u2014\u2014especially you, sweetie pie.\u201d\u00a0 She blew a kiss to Little Joe.<\/p>\n

When dinner was served, Hop Sing effectively demonstrated how he had earned the title of tyrant, for he loudly castigated anyone he felt did insufficient justice to the food on his plate.\u00a0 Little Joe, chief culprit, as always, just smiled and ignored the rebuke, but Mary seemed fearful of giving offense.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hop Sing,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve worked hard to prepare a special feast, but I\u2019m not used to seeing so much wonderful food at one setting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing\u2019s head tilted quizzically.\u00a0 He\u2019d been specifically ordered by Mr. Cartwright to keep the meal simple and had reluctantly complied, but the young lady seemed impressed nonetheless.\u00a0 \u201cIs nothing,\u201d he alleged.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing fix ploper meal for you \u2018morrow.\u00a0 You see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019ll let me help you in the kitchen,\u201d Mary suggested softly, and the countenances of both her brother and the Chinese cook darkened.\u00a0 Bathing a baby was one thing, but Mark bristled at the thought of his sister working as a servant in this home, while Hop Sing responded with characteristic defensive of his domain.<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing not need help,\u201d he sputtered.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, it\u2019s I who need help,\u201d Mary said, smiling sweetly.\u00a0 \u201cI do all the cooking at home, but Mama died before she could teach me much.\u00a0 I know I could learn a great deal from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing, as addicted to praise as a bear to honey, melted at once.\u00a0 \u201cYou come kitchen anytime, missy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou got good sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie giggled into her napkin until the cook had returned to the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a high compliment, Mary,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing rarely lets even me in his kitchen, and there are few people he admits have good sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I meant it,\u201d Mary protested.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t cook this well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do fine with what you have to work with,\u201d Mark muttered.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t make crown roast out of tripe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark, please,\u201d Mary whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter dig in and clean your plates,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cPeach pie for dessert.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss obeyed his father\u2019s command with relish.\u00a0 Peach pie was among his favorite foods.<\/p>\n

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

Mary had risen early to help Hop Sing in the kitchen, and by breakfast\u2019s end, everyone knew the sweet-tempered child had found a home there.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Maly make velly nice biscuit,\u201d Hop Sing reported.\u00a0 \u201cAlmost good as Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d Ben agreed tactfully, knowing Hop Sing to have a touchier ego than Mary.\u00a0 He winked at the girl, however, to make certain she didn\u2019t think he found her biscuits in any way lacking.\u00a0\u00a0 Then Ben looked at her brother, seated beside Mary.\u00a0 \u201cHow well do you sit a horse, Mark?\u201d<\/p>\n

The young man flushed.\u00a0 \u201cNot too well, I suppose.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t touched an animal of any kind since we came to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better take Hoss\u2019s mare then,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s gentle.\u00a0 I thought we\u2019d ride out and take a look at the herd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark sat rigid in his straight-backed chair.\u00a0 \u201cThat your way of telling me I have to work for our keep?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone at the table fell silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mark,\u201d Mary moaned miserably.\u00a0 Mark bit his lip, suddenly aware of how rude he had sounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son,\u201d Ben said after a moment\u2019s thought.\u00a0 \u201cYou and Mary are our guests, and you certainly don\u2019t have to do anything to earn that.\u00a0 I thought you might enjoy riding out with us men, but if you prefer to stay around the house with the women and children, that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChildren!\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t a kid, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned at his middle son.\u00a0 \u201cI meant Little Joe, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you said children, Pa, not just child,\u201d Hoss argued.\u00a0 \u201cThat ain\u2019t good grammar, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed and, smirking at Hoss, mimicked, \u201c\u2018I ain\u2019t<\/em> a kid, Pa.\u00a0 That ain\u2019t<\/em> good grammar, Pa.\u2019\u00a0 Since when do you give a hoot about grammar?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss winced.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince it gives him a chance to rebuke his father,\u201d Ben remarked dourly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s rather ridiculous, Hoss, to correct someone else\u2019s grammar while making worse mistakes yourself; furthermore, if you intend to debate your maturity, interrupting your elders is not a good way to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Hoss muttered and gave quick attention to his final flapjack.<\/p>\n

The Wentworth youngsters had both looked nervous during the exchange between father and son, but they soon saw that neither Ben nor Hoss was disturbed.\u00a0 It gave Mark hope that his own misbehavior might be similarly excused.\u00a0 He took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid there was nothing mature about my surliness, either, sir.\u00a0 I\u2014I\u2019m sorry, too.\u00a0 I\u2014I would rather ride with the men, if you\u2019ll still have me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re more than welcome, Mark.\u00a0 Perhaps I should have explained myself better to begin with.\u00a0 While you\u2019re here, it\u2019s my intention to treat you as I would one of my own boys.\u00a0 They have chores to do, of course, but I pay them a salary, and I would expect to do the same for you, if you choose to work with us.\u00a0 I assumed you would find that more satisfying than a summer of idleness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark smiled slightly.\u00a0 \u201cThat sounds fine, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Pa,\u201d Little Joe piped up demandingly.\u00a0 \u201cPay me, too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cFor what?\u00a0 What chores do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFeed chickens, Pa,\u201d Little Joe insisted seriously.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI thought that was your chore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cIt is and I do it.\u00a0 He just scatters a handful or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, ho ho,\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re gonna contract out your chores, boy, you\u2019ll have to pay your hired help yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t get much to start with, Pa,\u201d Hoss complained, \u201cand he don\u2019t help enough to earn a cent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen pay him in kind,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOne bedtime story should be about right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou can read him one of Aesop\u2019s fables, like I used to do you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 He\u2019d pay up, since he had to, but he still thought he was being overcharged.<\/p>\n

Mary quickly and Mark slowly began to settle into life at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Mary\u2019s serene spirit seemed to have a calming effect on Hop Sing, and she spent many hours in his kitchen.\u00a0 Though Mark was less skilled at the chores Ben assigned him than his sister in her domestic ones, he began to be more comfortable on horseback and graduated from Hoss\u2019s gray mare to animals with a bit more spirit.\u00a0 He seemed to grow more at ease around the Cartwrights, too, though Ben sometimes caught an unhappy look on the boy\u2019s face that made him think Mark was comparing his own home to the one he and Mary were sharing this summer.\u00a0 Ben hoped that the change, while obviously good for both Wentworth youngsters, would not simply increase Mark\u2019s resentment of the austerity to which he would ultimately return.<\/p>\n

When Paul Martin and his daughter Sally came to dinner the first Saturday after his arrival, Mark Wentworth clearly found the Ponderosa an even more appealing place.\u00a0 He almost gasped when he saw the doctor\u2019s beautiful daughter, and for the first time he earned a scolding from Hop Sing for neglecting his dinner.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what we need,\u201d Ben chuckled to Paul later as they sat down to a game of chess, \u201canother fish to snap at that bait you keep dangling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not dangling it,\u201d Dr. Martin grunted, \u201cand that boy\u2019s too old for Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 Sally was only sixteen to Mark\u2019s twenty-one, but having just attended the wedding of a couple separated by more than that made five years seem a narrow gulf to cross.\u00a0 Ben could understand his friend\u2019s attitude, though; Adam was the same age as Sally, and Ben certainly wasn\u2019t ready to see his boy tie the knot with anyone.\u00a0 Girls tended to marry younger than boys, however, and Dr. Martin might just have to face up to it.<\/p>\n

Everyone was surprised when they heard a knock at the door.\u00a0 Hop Sing set down the dishes he was clearing from the dining table and scurried over to answer it.\u00a0 \u201cIs too late fo\u2019 visitor come,\u201d he ranted.\u00a0 \u201cDinnah over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt anyone came to eat at this hour,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s probably one of the men.\u201d<\/p>\n

The figure in the doorway was, indeed, one of Ben\u2019s employees, but the last one he\u2019d expected to see.\u00a0 \u201cEnos!\u201d Ben cried.\u00a0 \u201cCome in, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos doffed his hat and entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, where\u2019s that pretty wife of yours?\u201d Dr. Martin asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been looking forward to seeing her again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too,\u201d Sally said.\u00a0 \u201cThere aren\u2019t nearly enough young women in this territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enos grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMy wife is at the cabin, and she loves the way you and Mrs. Thomas fixed it up, Mrs. Cartwright.\u00a0 She\u2019s unpacking our things, but I wanted to make that special delivery for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Enos, you could have waited until morning,\u201d Marie rebuked gently.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat special delivery?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n

Marie laughed lightly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it is a little early, but I suppose you will not object to receiving your anniversary gift tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon not,\u201d Enos chuckled, \u201cbut I need help bringin\u2019 it in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help,\u201d Adam offered at once.\u00a0 \u201cMark?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Mark agreed.<\/p>\n

Mary clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, how romantic!\u00a0 I love presents!\u201d\u00a0 Obviously, the generous-hearted girl didn\u2019t need to receive a gift herself to take pleasure in the giving.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin joined the three younger men outside and helped to carry in the long, rectangular crate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth could that be?\u201d Ben muttered to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne way to find out,\u201d Dr. Martin chuckled.<\/p>\n

Amid everyone\u2019s laughter, Ben removed the lid from the crate.\u00a0 Almost at once his youngest son stood on tiptoe to peer over the edge.\u00a0 \u201cOoh,\u201d he cooed, grabbing a handful of straw.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not for you,\u201d Adam scolded, lifting the toddler out of the way.<\/p>\n

Ben, meanwhile, was hastily pulling aside the packing material.\u00a0 When he saw the rich mahogany case, he stood silent in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a clock,\u201d he whispered at last.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t say,\u201d Paul scoffed saucily.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014\u2014but how did you know I\u2019d like\u2014\u2014\u201d Ben sputtered to his wife.\u00a0 \u201cWhen did you\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ask too many questions,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDo you like your gift or not?\u201d<\/p>\n

In answer, Ben enwrapped her slender frame with his strong arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough of that, you two,\u201d Paul scolded.\u00a0 \u201cThere are innocent children here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, we see that all the time,\u201d Hoss grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cTut, tut, shameless display,\u201d Paul twitted.\u00a0 \u201cDecide where you want this monstrosity while we get it out of the crate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cRight by the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the left.\u00a0 Yes, that is perfect,\u201d Marie agreed.<\/p>\n

The four who had carried the grandfather\u2019s clock inside hefted it from the box and set it in the designated location.\u00a0 Paul positioned the hands and set the long pendulum swinging.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not quite like the one you enjoyed your first winter here,\u201d Marie said, her voice tremulous.<\/p>\n

Ben squeezed her hand.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s better.\u00a0 It\u2019s ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re gonna start again,\u201d Hoss informed the doctor soberly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne kiss to say thanks,\u201d Dr. Martin instructed.\u00a0 \u201cThen let\u2019s get on with our chess game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, let\u2019s,\u201d Ben agreed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWith inspiration like this, I\u2019m bound to emerge victorious.\u201d\u00a0 He gave his wife a lingering kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that!\u201d the doctor hooted.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing shuffled in to hand a package of hurriedly constructed sandwiches to Enos.\u00a0 \u201cYou take you missy,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d Enos replied.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have much experience in deciphering Hop Sing\u2019s unique phrases.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants you to take them to Katerina,\u201d Marie interpreted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMissy not want cook after long tlavel,\u201d Hop Sing explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, well, thanks, Hop Sing,\u201d Enos said.\u00a0 \u201cReckon I best be gettin\u2019 back.\u00a0 Katerina\u2019s a little edgy about stayin\u2019 alone in this wild country of ours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d think Katerina had been listening to Mrs. Larrimore,\u201d Ben chuckled from his seat across a chessboard from Paul Martin.\u00a0 \u201cGive her our love.\u201d\u00a0 Promising that he would, Enos departed.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s gift must, indeed, have inspired Ben to great heights, for he easily defeated the more expert Dr. Martin in two games of chess that night.\u00a0 And he found even greater cause for glee in the look on Dr. Martin\u2019s face when Mark hooked his arm through Sally\u2019s elbow to escort her to the buggy at evening\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

In the days after that visit, Mark could be heard humming as he went about even the most mundane chores.\u00a0 Ben was glad to see his young guest happy, for he had been asked to attend another mass political meeting and had delayed accepting the invitation, not wanting to leave Marie to cope with a difficult guest.<\/p>\n

The meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 6th.\u00a0 Though the Cartwrights normally honored the Sabbath, they and their guests had worked the day before so that Ben might feel secure in leaving the ranch for the meeting.\u00a0 To reward the boys for their extra effort, Ben gave surprise orders that morning.\u00a0 \u201cI fancy having fish for supper, boys,\u201d he smiled, \u201cso I\u2019ll expect you to spend the day dangling a pole in some nearby creek.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned, understanding that his father was giving them the day off.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thanks!\u201d Hoss bubbled.<\/p>\n

Mark looked puzzled for a moment, not quite able to comprehend the gift of a day\u2019s pleasure, especially on a weekday.\u00a0 His own father\u2019s strong work ethic rarely permitted any rest except on Sunday, if you could call spending all day in church restful.\u00a0 When he realized Ben was serious, he began to smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you have time to stop by the Thomas place and see if Billy could come, Pa?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask,\u201d Ben promised, \u201cbut he\u2019ll probably be out at his claim by the time I come by.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe plucked at his father\u2019s sleeve.\u00a0 \u201cMe fish, too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think so, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tweaked the toddler\u2019s nose.\u00a0 \u201cCouldn\u2019t risk it, wiggleworm.\u00a0 The fish might think you were bait.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Little Joe\u2019s face started to pucker, his mother lifted him onto her lap to console him.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and Adam will bring back a special fish, just for you, won\u2019t you, boys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing,\u201d Hoss promised.\u00a0 \u201cOne just your size.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFish that size are too small to keep,\u201d Mark grinned, getting into the spirit of the banter.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 It was good to see all the boys content\u2014\u2014well, with one pint-sized exception.\u00a0 Little Joe still looked none too pleased at being left behind.<\/p>\n

The toddler, however, was the first to welcome Ben home, and he did so with a hug and his characteristically bright smile.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing fwying my fish for supper, Pa,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that so?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWill you share with me?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed happily.<\/p>\n

\u201cDinnah leady now,\u201d Hop Sing declared petulantly.\u00a0 \u201cYou almost miss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re so glad you came while the fish is hot,\u201d Mary added, giving Hop Sing\u2019s arm a soft pat.<\/p>\n

\u201cDat light, velly glad,\u201d Hop Sing agreed, suddenly all smiles.\u00a0 \u201cSit table now, please.\u201d\u00a0 Ben tossed Mary a grateful wink.<\/p>\n

The family and their summer visitors filed into the dining room.\u00a0 Still holding his youngest, Ben pulled out a chair and sat down.\u00a0 Marie reached for the boy to lift him into his high chair, but Little Joe protested vociferously.\u00a0 \u201cNo, stay Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave him,\u201d Ben conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI rather like the feel of his arms around my neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not likely to stay there,\u201d Adam teased.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t call him wiggleworm for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cbut let me enjoy my baby while I can, before he grows into a great lout like his big brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing entered with a platter piled high with fish, rolled in cornmeal and fried crisp.\u00a0 \u201cMine, Pa.\u00a0 Eat my fish,\u201d Little Joe insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just which fish is yours, little one?\u201d Ben asked, lips twitching.<\/p>\n

Little Joe couldn\u2019t seem to decide, for the fried fish looked different from the one Hoss had brought in on the end of a string and donated to his little brother.\u00a0 Mary pointed to the largest piece visible.\u00a0 \u201cIt must be that one, Little Joe,\u201d she suggested.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just right for sharing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe beamed.\u00a0 \u201cMine!\u201d he chortled.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the tastiest of the lot, I\u2019m sure,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 Eating with a fidgety toddler in his lap was awkward, but he managed to fork in a bite here and there between seeing to his son\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head at her husband\u2019s foolish fondness, conveniently overlooking how often she gave in to their youngest\u2019s whims.\u00a0 As she cut off a bite of fish, she asked how the meeting had gone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was very encouraged,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019ll be an election the fourteenth of next month to select fifty delegates to a constitutional convention, as well as one to send to Washington with the document we create.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe, Pa?\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou sound like you plan to be one of those delegates.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d sure like to,\u201d Ben admitted, fingering through a piece of fish to remove the bones for Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI always dreamed of being part of the building of a state.\u00a0 Of course, we\u2019re a long way from that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it important to you, sir, being part of a state?\u201d Mark asked.\u00a0 \u201cSeems to me you folks are doing well just like you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a good life,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I do want the advantages of state government for my family, Mark.\u00a0 There\u2019s no real authority here to deal with lawbreakers, just vigilante justice.\u00a0 In fact, I heard there\u2019s been another murder, at Gold Hill this time, and still no appropriate way to deal with such cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone we know, Pa?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know no miners except Billy,\u201d Hoss declared, then looked worried.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t Billy, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, son,\u201d Ben assured him, then turned to answer Adam\u2019s original question.\u00a0 \u201cThe victim was a newcomer, fellow named John Jessup, but you might know the accused, William Sides.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know him as well as I do his brother Richard, but we\u2019ve met.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam whistled.\u00a0 \u201cIf Dick\u2019s brother is like him, he\u2019d have the temper to do murder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not evidence, Adam,\u201d Ben stated sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam agreed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cIs there going to be a trial?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can call it that,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cSince Sides is a vigilante member, the verdict will undoubtedly be not guilty.\u201d\u00a0 He looked back at Mark.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why we need a proper state government, to give some semblance of justice.\u00a0 And there are other reasons.\u00a0 Now we have no public education, none of any kind really.\u00a0 Even civil matters have to be taken to Salt Lake City, and that\u2019s just too far to be practical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalifornia was a state when we got there,\u201d Mark argued, \u201cand I can\u2019t see that it helps that much.\u00a0 Father would tell you we have a very wicked city in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chose to ignore the note of cynicism in Mark\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019d be right, most likely\u2014\u2014about parts of it, at least.\u00a0 You\u2019ve seen the Barbary Coast.\u00a0 Think how much worse it would be if there were no control on the vices there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure, but he suspected that his father had told Mr. Cartwright about his adventures on the Barbary Coast, adventures Mark wasn\u2019t proud of anymore.\u00a0 He\u2019d gone there the first time to defy his father\u2019s rigid concept of righteousness, and every other trip had been after some major argument with the minister, as well.\u00a0 Mark cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I hope you achieve your dream, sir,\u201d he said, hoping to divert Ben\u2019s attention from allusions to the Barbary Coast.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid we\u2019re destined to failure, as usual.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe Congress would ever grant territorial status to such an unpopulated area, but, at least, we\u2019re doing what we can.\u00a0 Work, hope and prayer\u2014\u2014sometimes they can make dreams come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben may have thought western Utah\u2019s small population would place any hope of a separate territory beyond reach.\u00a0 Looming on the horizon that warm June night, however, were events that would bring an influx of new residents and give a value to the sparsely-settled land Congress could not afford to ignore.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR<\/p>\n

The Back Side of the Wilderness<\/h4>\n

The following Saturday evening, as a buggy was heard rolling into the yard, Mary Wentworth jumped up from her seat on the sofa beside Marie and clapped her hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, that must be Sally and her father!\u201d\u00a0 Mark, warming himself by the fire, kept his feelings masked as he turned around.\u00a0 Yet he was, if anything, more delighted than his sister that Sally Martin would be spending a week at the Ponderosa, his first look at the doctor\u2019s pretty daughter having only whetted his appetite for further viewing.\u00a0 Both youngsters were surprised, however, when Hop Sing admitted Billy Thomas, instead of Dr. Martin, with the girl they had expected.\u00a0 Everyone stood and moved toward the door to welcome the two young people.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s for supper, Hop Sing?\u201d Billy demanded as soon as he passed through the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou stay eat?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.\u00a0 \u201cWho invite you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou got plenty, \u2018cause her pa ain\u2019t gonna make it.\u201d\u00a0 As Hop Sing stomped back to the kitchen, ranting in Chinese, Billy lifted Little Joe under the arms and tossed him in the air.\u00a0 \u201cHey, there, short shanks.\u00a0 How\u2019s life treatin\u2019 you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Little Joe crowed with exhilarated rapture, Marie gave a cry of terror and snatched her child away.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Billy, you\u2019re just awful,\u201d Sally scolded.\u00a0 \u201cMy father says no baby should be tossed around like that.\u00a0 They\u2019re too delicate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMai oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie sputtered, wrapping protective arms around her precious boy.<\/p>\n

Billy just shrugged.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t see that the flight had done the baby any harm.<\/p>\n

Ben cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaking of the good doctor, where is he?\u00a0 He was supposed to bring Sally here tonight, not you, you rapscallion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that was Billy\u2019s doing, all right,\u201d Sally tittered.<\/p>\n

\u201cFigured as much,\u201d Adam said drolly.\u00a0 He winked at the Wentworth youngsters.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s mischief marching, you can pretty much expect Billy to be leading the parade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Billy protested.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t my fault that miner decided to do a belly roll down the side of a hill and break his leg.\u00a0 I just fetched the doc, is all.\u00a0 Seemed only neighborly to bring Sally on, since her pa was occupied.\u201d\u00a0 Everyone snickered, knowing it didn\u2019t take neighborliness to inspire Billy to take a pretty girl for a drive, especially when a good meal waited at the end of the excursion.<\/p>\n

Ben clapped the boy on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t anyone ever tell you that no good deed goes unpunished, Billy?\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it!\u201d Billy scowled, glaring at both Sally and Adam, who merely laughed in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, Mr. Cartwright, you mustn\u2019t say so,\u201d Mary inserted seriously.\u00a0 \u201cFather would say you should never discourage good deeds, for, indeed, they are rewarded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI stand corrected.\u00a0 You\u2019re right, of course.\u00a0 We shouldn\u2019t discourage good deeds, especially in Billy\u2019s case.\u00a0 They\u2019re so few and far between.\u201d\u00a0 The remark brought another round of laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep it up, and I won\u2019t tell you the latest news from Gold Hill,\u201d Billy threatened.<\/p>\n

Ben tweaked the boy\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cOh, well, if you come bearing news, I guess we\u2019ll have to feed you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHumph!\u201d Hop Sing fumed from the dining room.\u00a0 \u201cYou not haf feed.\u00a0 Hop Sing haf feed.\u00a0 Dinnah leady now!\u201d\u00a0 He plunked a bowl of mashed potatoes onto the table and shuffled back to the kitchen, muttering to himself.<\/p>\n

No one hesitated, knowing how volatile Hop Sing could become if they didn\u2019t respond promptly.\u00a0 Billy nonchalantly hooked an elbow through Sally\u2019s arm, and she, just as nonchalantly pulled free to link arms with Adam, who grinned saucily and pulled out a chair for the young lady.\u00a0 Billy was so put out he didn\u2019t see Mark sidle up to take a seat on Sally\u2019s other side.<\/p>\n

Ben gave Billy\u2019s freckled neck a consoling rub.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you\u2019ve been outflanked, my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can sit by me,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks all to pieces,\u201d Billy scowled, but he took the offered chair.<\/p>\n

Ben took two smoked pork chops and passed the platter to Mark on his left.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what\u2019s this hot news from Gold Hill?\u201d he demanded of Billy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you hit it big, did you, buddy?\u201d Adam grinned, taking the platter from Sally and forking a chop into his own plate.<\/p>\n

Having made the mistake of sitting where Hoss would get first crack at the food as it passed, Billy eyed the diminishing meat platter with concern.\u00a0 \u201cNot me, not yet,\u201d he muttered, \u201cbut there\u2019s those that have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly, Billy,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhen are you gonna give up this wild goose chase?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot such a wild goose chase now, from what I hear,\u201d Sally smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cO\u2019Riley and McLaughlin sure don\u2019t think so,\u201d Billy declared, forking the final pork chop, thankful Hoss had left him at least one.\u00a0 \u201cYou know them, Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think so.\u00a0 I don\u2019t get a chance to meet many miners since I quit running the trading post with your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s so,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they took out close to three hundred dollars yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree hundred!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, he\u2019s joshing,\u201d Adam snorted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t neither,\u201d Billy snapped back.\u00a0 \u201cIf it weren\u2019t so, would Old Pancake be hornin\u2019 in on the claim?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComstock?\u201d Ben asked, ladling gravy over his meat and potatoes before passing the bowl.\u00a0 \u201cI know him, of course.\u00a0 I thought he\u2019d taken over the Grosch brothers\u2019 old claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy sawed his pork chop into bite-sized pieces and laid them on a slice of bread in anticipation of drowning them in the gravy when it reached him.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Comstock\u2014\u2014always layin\u2019 claim to everything in sight.\u00a0 Now he says the land them other two found the gold on belongs to him, claims old man Caldwell sold him the spring they was usin\u2019 and a hundred sixty acres for a ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRanch,\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cOld Pancake never saw the day he\u2019d work a ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I think,\u201d Billy agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWish I could\u2019ve been at that meeting this afternoon.\u00a0 Bunch of miners near Gold Hill is gonna organize a new district, laws and all, and I hear there\u2019s some got words to say about what Comstock done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you missed it in a good cause,\u201d Sally smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSomeone had to get help for that injured miner, and as Mary says, I\u2019m sure your good deed will be rewarded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn heaven, maybe,\u201d Billy grunted, looking as though he\u2019d rather receive his reward on earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeaven!\u201d Adam hooted.\u00a0 \u201cSince when do they let the likes of you in heaven?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sure Billy will be in heaven,\u201d Mary declared, ever the minister\u2019s daughter, \u201cand I know his good deed will be rewarded there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter be,\u201d Billy muttered.\u00a0 \u201cSure ain\u2019t much reward bein\u2019 passed out around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Billy?\u201d Sally teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cKiss comes to mind,\u201d Billy suggested, but his cocky grin faded when Sally merely blew one across the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got chocolate pie for dessert,\u201d Hoss reported.\u00a0 \u201cThat oughta be reward enough for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon so,\u201d Billy cackled, giving the youngster\u2019s sandy hair a tousle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will stay the night, oui<\/em>, Billy?\u201d Marie asked as Hop Sing cleared the dinner dishes in preparation for serving dessert.<\/p>\n

\u201cFigured I would,\u201d Billy concurred.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how Ma is about me minin\u2019 on Sunday, so ain\u2019t much point in goin\u2019 home.\u201d\u00a0 He moaned slightly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd all the best claims\u2019ll be took by Monday, I just know they will.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Ben said dryly.\u00a0 \u201cThose two miners probably found the only pocket of gold in all of western Utah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, maybe so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to bunk downstairs or with me or Mark?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr me,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

Little Joe banged his spoon on the table.\u00a0 \u201cMe, me!\u201d he cried, not really sure what he was volunteering for, but anything involving the big boys was always enticing.\u00a0 They shut him out so often.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything but that!\u201d Billy hooted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take Adam, I reckon.\u00a0 Hey, Adam, how \u2018bout haulin\u2019 the old boat up to Tahoe and doin\u2019 some fishin\u2019 tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Ben answered for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy wheedled.\u00a0 \u201cThem Washos ain\u2019t gonna miss one mess of fish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa doesn\u2019t let us go up to Lake Tahoe before July,\u201d Adam explained to Mark and Mary.\u00a0 The others already knew of Ben Cartwright\u2019s restriction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only fair to give the Indians first rights during their fishing season,\u201d Ben stated firmly.\u00a0 \u201cBy July, they\u2019ll start gathering, instead.\u00a0 Then you can fish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow kind of you to care about the Indians, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Mary commented, blue eyes sparkling.\u00a0 \u201cFather says what has happened to the California Indians since the white man came is a sin black as midnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA tragedy,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cEntire nations wiped out.\u00a0 I pray that never happens here, which is why Tahoe is off limits until July.\u00a0 Understood?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Hoss and Adam agreed readily.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Billy mumbled.<\/p>\n

Finishing his pie, Ben patted his lips with a red-checked napkin.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Billy, since you\u2019re taking the doctor\u2019s place tonight, I guess that means you\u2019ll be my chess partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnh-uh!\u201d Billy snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t play nothin\u2019 harder than checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you play, Mark?\u201d Sally suggested.\u00a0 \u201cMy, but you\u2019ve been quiet this evening!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed, hoping no one guessed that the reason for his almost total silence had been his absorption in watching the pretty girl.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014I\u2019ve never played chess before, Miss Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be good at it,\u201d Sally said, \u201cand I\u2019ll be glad to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to take on two of you, do I?\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to play you the song I\u2019ve been learning,\u201d Adam complained to Sally.<\/p>\n

The girl laughed lightly.\u00a0 \u201cPlay away, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019ll hear it.\u201d\u00a0 As she started to rise, Mark quickly stood and pulled out her chair.\u00a0 Sally rewarded his gentlemanly manners with a gracious smile.<\/p>\n

Hoss tapped Billy\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll play checkers with you, Billy.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t much good at it, but you\u2019ll like that better than chess with Pa or listenin\u2019 to old Adam strum that guitar of his.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, me play,\u201d Little Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou play what?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cChess, checkers or guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBath,\u201d Marie tittered.\u00a0 \u201cHe plays bath time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary reached for the toddler.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s have a nice, warm bath, Little Joe,\u201d she suggested. \u00a0\u201cThen I\u2019ll read you a story.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe agreed.<\/p>\n

The evening ended quietly as everyone settled into his or her chosen activity: Marie and Mary upstairs bathing Little Joe; Ben and Mark (with Sally perched beside him) concentrating over the chessboard on the cleared dining table; Hoss and Billy matching wits at checkers at the table before the fire; and Adam, seated in his father\u2019s mauve armchair, strumming a soft ballad as background to the idyllic scene.<\/p>\n

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

Having begged his father for a day off to check out the mining excitement, Adam hurried through his breakfast, for Billy was anxious to get an early start.\u00a0 Clucking indulgently, Ben turned to Mark.\u00a0 \u201cYou off with them, my boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark felt torn in two directions.\u00a0 The day the boys had planned sounded interesting, but Sally\u2019s presence at the Ponderosa made staying home with the ladies a much more inviting proposal than before.\u00a0 Mark was certain he\u2019d be in for hours of ribbing, though, if he made that choice.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll come along,\u201d he decided, \u201cif the boys don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe you\u2019ll \u2018divine\u2019 the best spot for my claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben groaned and Mark scowled, Ben because he didn\u2019t care for puns and Mark because he didn\u2019t like being connected with his father\u2019s ministry.\u00a0 \u201cThe three of you get out of here,\u201d Ben grunted, \u201cand don\u2019t show your faces until suppertime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut don\u2019t be late,\u201d Sally urged.\u00a0 \u201cKaterina\u2019s coming over and we\u2019re all going to spend the day baking marvelous things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark smiled.\u00a0 If there was going to be that big a hen party here, he\u2019d obviously made the right choice, but he couldn\u2019t resist the opportunity to advance his standing with Sally Martin.\u00a0 \u201cThat sounds wonderful, Miss Sally,\u201d he said in a transparent attempt to flatter.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure anything you bake will be marvelous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie exchanged a knowing glance with Ben.\u00a0 He nodded, accepting her analysis, for Marie was usually sharp in reading people\u2019s hearts, especially when romance was in the air.\u00a0 Mark was evidently attracted to Sally, and the warmth with which she responded to him indicated the attraction might be mutual.<\/p>\n

The exchange of glances, both between Ben and Marie and between Mark and Sally, didn\u2019t escape Billy\u2019s notice.\u00a0 As he and the other two boys prepared to leave, he caught Sally in a light embrace and gave her a peck on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cStill my best girl, ain\u2019t you?\u201d he asked, loud enough for Mark to hear.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Course, you are.\u201d\u00a0 He pecked her again.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous,\u201d Adam teased.\u00a0 \u201cYou know Sally prefers me.\u201d\u00a0 He kissed the girl on the opposite cheek.<\/p>\n

Sally just shook her head, eyes dancing.\u00a0 Like most girls, she relished being the object of contention by multiple suitors.\u00a0 She stole a glance at Mark, secretly hoping he\u2019d say something flattering and follow it with a kiss, but the Wentworth lad stood silent, red-faced and flustered, and his farewell kiss was given to his sister.\u00a0 Sally smiled softly at him, seeing something touching in his hesitance and in his tenderness with Mary.\u00a0 No doubt, he\u2019d be the same way with his future wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t you ride any faster?\u201d Billy complained as the three young men left the Ponderosa slopes and moved into the openness of the valley floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope,\u201d Adam responded placidly, taking a long, satisfying whiff of the sage-scented air.\u00a0 \u201cMark doesn\u2019t sit a horse well enough to race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s lower lip thrust out.\u00a0 \u201cSorry to hold you back,\u201d he muttered tautly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Adam assured him, turning quickly in his saddle.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re getting to be a pretty good horseman, and, besides, Billy doesn\u2019t need to be in such an all-fired hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOught to leave the both of you behind, that\u2019s what I ought to do,\u201d Billy grunted, but made no move to quicken his roan\u2019s pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMark and I are in no hurry, and the company\u2019s not that congenial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToss around any more of them big words,\u201d Billy threatened, \u201cand I\u2019ll take off for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam just snickered, knowing an idle threat when he heard one.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI never know when to take the two of you seriously,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHardly ever,\u201d Adam said with a wink, \u201cand Billy, next door to never.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three exchanged similar banter periodically throughout the lengthy ride to Gold Hill.\u00a0 They made their way through Devil\u2019s Gate, where walls of gray rock towered on both sides of the narrow path of a sinuous stream.\u00a0 As they approached the bustling camp, Billy gave a loud groan.\u00a0 \u201cI knew it; I just knew it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at the people!\u201d Adam exclaimed.\u00a0 Tents dotted the barren hillsides in every direction, and two-legged drones milled in service of a golden queen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Ma the best claims would be took if I waited \u2018til Monday.\u201d\u00a0 Billy growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, there\u2019s Old Pancake,\u201d Adam said and ambled his sorrel mare forward.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Mr. Comstock,\u201d he called when he drew close.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do, my boy.\u201d\u00a0 The lanky man benevolently scratched his chin whiskers.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome to the Comstock Lode.\u201d\u00a0 Riding up behind Adam, Mark grimaced, for Comstock\u2019s dark clothing and sanctimonious air reminded him of a minister, making him uneasy with reminders of home.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Comstock Lode?\u201d Adam queried with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThat what they\u2019re calling Gold Hill now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Comstock squared his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cIf they ain\u2019t, they soon will be.\u00a0 Reckon you heard about the strike on my claim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I heard is that the claim belonged to a couple other fellers and you just horned in on it,\u201d Billy asserted boldly as he reined in next to Adam and Mark.<\/p>\n

Adam winced.\u00a0 Sometimes Billy had just about the sense God gave a goose.\u00a0 Other times, like today, he didn\u2019t act that well endowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCallin\u2019 me a claim-jumper, are you, boy?\u201d Comstock drawled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing for you I\u2019m an easy-goin\u2019 sort.\u00a0 You\u2019d find yourself starin\u2019 down a shotgun barrel if you said that to most men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI figure I\u2019m safe,\u201d Billy snorted, \u201cwith a man too lazy to cook more than flapjacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly,\u201d Adam hissed in warning.\u00a0 \u201cYou better watch your tongue, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch your own,\u201d Billy advised.\u00a0 \u201cThought there was a meetin\u2019 Saturday to settle who owned that claim, Pancake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, the claim\u2019s mine,\u201d Comstock reported with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, O\u2019Riley and McLaughlin have their shares\u2014\u2014Old Virginny and Manny Penrod and some others, too.\u00a0 We\u2019re all partners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust who ain\u2019t got a share in this claim?\u201d Billy snickered.<\/p>\n

Comstock rubbed his hairless upper lip as if in deep thought.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll tell you, sonny, who ain\u2019t got a share.\u00a0 You ain\u2019t, that\u2019s who.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy gave a short laugh, appreciating a joke, even when he was the butt of it.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, and if I stay here jawin\u2019 with you, I ain\u2019t likely to stake one of my own.\u201d\u00a0 He headed his roan up the canyon.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys comin\u2019?\u201d he asked, looking back over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna look around awhile and catch up with you later.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced over at Mark.\u00a0 \u201cGo with whichever of us you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stick with you,\u201d Mark replied.\u00a0 He welcomed the chance to be alone with Adam.\u00a0 He needed to get some things straight and figured the Cartwright boy was the best source for the information he wanted.<\/p>\n

It was awhile before the Wentworth lad had a chance to talk, however, for Adam seemed intent on investigating the length and breadth of the \u201cComstock Lode,\u201d stopping to chat amiably with practically every miner whose path they crossed about the worth and extent of his claim.\u00a0 None seemed to have struck color approaching the value of the original strike, but each felt confident the next shovelful of earth would reveal shining nuggets of astounding size.<\/p>\n

When the sun stood overhead, Adam\u2019s stomach finally reminded him that his body needed feeding as much as his brain.\u00a0 \u201cEilley Orrum\u2019s place is here somewhere,\u201d he told Mark.\u00a0 \u201cNothing like Hop Sing fixes, but we can, at least, get beans and biscuits there.\u00a0 The biscuits are supposed to be first-rate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack that way,\u201d Mark said, pointing.\u00a0 \u201cAbout half a mile.\u201d\u00a0 Unlike Adam, he hadn\u2019t been so absorbed in conversing with miners that he\u2019d lost sight of more basic attractions.<\/p>\n

The two young men rode back to the building Mrs. Cowan shared with Old Nick\u2019s Bar and grabbed one of the few tables.\u00a0 The proprietress greeted Adam warmly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brings you hill boys up to the diggings?\u201d she asked jovially.\u00a0 \u201cDecided to leave ranching for better-paying work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever,\u201d Adam replied decisively.\u00a0 \u201cWe just heard about the excitement and rode over with a friend of ours to see how the place was booming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBooming it is!\u201d Eilley cackled gleefully.\u00a0 \u201cMore customers than I can serve comfortably, but there\u2019s beans and bacon left, boys\u2014\u2014coffee, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo biscuits?\u201d Mark asked.\u00a0 \u201cI hear they\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eilley leaned over to give his cheek a soft pinch.\u00a0 \u201cYou hear right, sonny, and you\u2019re in luck.\u00a0 I just set a batch to bake.\u00a0 Be ready soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEilley,\u201d a tall, light-haired fellow called.\u00a0 \u201cYou save me some of those biscuits, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you, Sandy.\u201d\u00a0 The Scottish lady, who had broken ranks with the edicts of the Mormon Church to remain near the diggings, gave the miner an encouraging wink.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t let one of my regular boarders go hungry, now would I?\u201d\u00a0 She went after the coffeepot and two tin cups for her newest customers, stopping to refill Sandy Bowers\u2019 cup first.<\/p>\n

Adam leaned close to Mark\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like Mrs. Cowan\u2019s casting bait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWidow?\u201d Mark whispered back.<\/p>\n

Adam grinned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDivorced, I think\u2014\u2014twice over, and man-hungry again.\u00a0 Dangles bait for Doc Martin every chance she gets.\u00a0 He pays her no mind, but maybe Sandy will take the bait.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of looks like it appeals to him,\u201d Mark smiled.<\/p>\n

The two boys fell silent as Eilley approached their table, coffeepot in hand.\u00a0 When she left to dish up their beans and bacon, Mark traced the rim of his coffee cup with his index finger.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaking of Dr. Martin,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t know we were,\u201d Adam mumbled into his coffee cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mentioned him,\u201d Mark said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cAnyway, there\u2019s something I\u2019ve been wanting to ask you\u2014\u2014about his daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, I\u2019ve known her for years,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cKnow about all there is to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark looked uneasy and began to stammer out his query.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2014\u2014uh\u2014I was just wondering if\u2014\u2014well\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpit it out,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt can\u2019t be that bad.\u201d\u00a0 He took a long sip of coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014\u2014all this talk Billy does about her being his girl,\u201d\u00a0 Mark said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cIs\u2014\u2014is it just talk or are they really\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly talks that way about any girl within ten yards,\u201d Adam snickered.\u00a0 \u201cHe sparks Sarah Winnemucca when Sally\u2019s not around, even Marta, Katerina\u2019s sister, over to Placerville, when he passes through.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s not serious about Miss Sally?\u201d Mark asked, sounding relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly\u2019s never serious about anything,\u201d Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou should know that by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about you?\u201d Mark pressed.\u00a0 \u201cYou said this morning that she preferred you.\u00a0 Were you just teasing Billy or did you mean it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAiming to rile Billy, mostly,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no reason,\u201d Mark mumbled.<\/p>\n

Adam looked up quickly, for something in Mark\u2019s tone told him exactly why the other young man was so interested in Sally Martin\u2019s possible attachments.\u00a0 \u201cI used to be kind of sweet on Sally,\u201d he said more seriously.\u00a0 \u201cShe was the first girl I ever took interest in, but there\u2019ve been others since I went to school in Sacramento.\u00a0 Not sure how I feel about her now.\u00a0 Maybe just friends, maybe more.\u00a0 Don\u2019t mind competition, though, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re asking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed.\u00a0 \u201cAm I that obvious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah!\u201d Adam laughed as Mrs. Cowan brought their plates.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, what\u2019s all the fun?\u201d she demanded playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust killing time \u2018til the biscuits came,\u201d Adam rejoined, smiling impishly, and Eilley wagged a remonstrative finger under his nose.<\/p>\n

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

Adam and Mark returned to the Ponderosa late that afternoon.\u00a0 As he swung off his sorrel, Adam waved to his father, who had just exited from the barn.\u00a0 Wrapping the reins around the hitching rail, Adam hustled across the yard.\u00a0 \u201cPa, you won\u2019t believe the folks crawling all over that mountain!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t I?\u201d Ben snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI can even tell you where some of them came from!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere?\u201d Adam queried, quick as ever to read his father\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cYup.\u00a0 Enos was by earlier to report how many men took off for the gold fields over the weekend,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re mighty short-handed, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, the excitement\u2019ll wear off and they\u2019ll be back,\u201d an unconcerned Adam prophesied.\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, you can count on us, right, Mark?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, right,\u201d Mark muttered.\u00a0 He lingered outside, twisting the strands of his horse\u2019s reins through his fingers, as Adam headed for the house.<\/p>\n

Ben gave his guest a long, thoughtful appraisal.\u00a0 \u201cSomething on your mind, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sort of,\u201d Mark admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI was just thinking.\u00a0 My father sends me out here for you to straighten out, and it turns out you really need me.\u00a0 Kind of ironic, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brown eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat makes you think that\u2019s why you\u2019re here, Mark?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark laughed harshly.\u00a0 \u201cI know my father.\u00a0 He favors steady work too much to smile on a summer off unless he thought being out here on the backside of the wilderness would keep me from worse temptations.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t he tell you I\u2019m the black sheep of his flock?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite the way he put it,\u201d Ben said quietly, \u201cbut, yes, he told me you\u2019d had some problems holding a job\u2014\u2014and some in the wise use of what you did earn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he thought you could turn me around,\u201d Mark muttered bitterly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny turning around that\u2019s done will be done by you,\u201d Ben said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got three boys of my own to raise, and you have a father, one who loves you dearly and is only concerned for your welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he\u2019s concerned about is the embarrassment to his ministry,\u201d Mark sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cQuite a joke, don\u2019t you think, if the minister\u2019s son turns into the town drunk?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s visage turned to granite.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t find that amusing, young man,\u201d he said sternly.\u00a0 \u201cIs that really the goal of your life, Mark, embarrassing your father, hurting him the way he\u2019s hurt you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling that the older man had seen straight through to his tortured heart, Mark flushed darkly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014\u2014I\u2019m not trying to hurt anyone,\u201d he stammered defensively.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s salt-and-pepper eyebrows met in a straight line.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s flush deepened.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, all right, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben touched the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it you\u2019re holding against your father, Mark?\u00a0 His poverty?\u00a0 Surely, you know he does the best he can for you and Matthew\u2014\u2014and Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the mention of his sister\u2019s name, Mark\u2019s hazel eyes shimmered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s killing her,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0 \u201cThat awful ship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Ben said softly.\u00a0 \u201cShe deserves\u2014\u2014even needs\u2014\u2014a tightly-framed house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry convincing our father of that,\u201d Mark muttered, bitter again.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think he knows,\u201d Ben said swiftly.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I think back on all the years I dragged Adam around from place to place with nothing but a succession of boardinghouses to call home\u2014\u2014well, there\u2019s no greater frustration for a father than to want more for his child than he can provide.\u00a0 I think that\u2019s what your father feels, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe cares more about the derelicts on the Barbary Coast than he does about Mary,\u201d Mark accused, jaw tight.<\/p>\n

Ben folded his arms and leaned his hips against the hitching rail.\u00a0 \u201cEvidently, so do you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Mark demanded, his fists knotting.<\/p>\n

Ben jabbed a broad finger at Mark\u2019s chest.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a grown man, Mark, able to bring home a man\u2019s wage.\u00a0 Between you and Matthew, there ought to be plenty to provide for your sister, even without help from your father.\u00a0 But, no, you squander your pay in the cesspools of the Barbary Coast, and not even with the lofty goal that takes your father\u2019s funds.\u00a0 He, at least, is trying to help the poor wretches trapped there.\u00a0 You\u2019re trying to become one of them!\u00a0 How does that help Mary?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark backed away, his mouth moving, but no sound emerging.\u00a0 Suddenly, he stopped and his chin began to tremble.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d he murmured sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t been any help at all.\u00a0 All I\u2019ve done is worry Mary, make her miserable.\u00a0 I meant to hurt my father, but it\u2019s her I\u2019ve hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of them,\u201d Ben said softly.\u00a0 \u201cMatthew, too, I imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nodded, willing now to see good in everyone except himself.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do I do, Mr. Cartwright?\u00a0 How do I turn it around?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stepped forward to encircle the young man\u2019s shaking shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cWanting to is half the battle, son.\u00a0 As to the rest, you\u2019ve got a chance to start fresh here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed abruptly.\u00a0 \u201cYou said earlier that your father had sent you to the backside of the wilderness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI meant no offense\u2014\u2014against you, anyway,\u201d Mark said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThe Ponderosa\u2019s a grand place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t offended,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI was just remembering a sermon your father preached on the trail, about God sending Moses to the backside of the wilderness to grow him into the leader he needed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

A half-smile lifted one corner of Mark\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 \u201cGuess that\u2019s where I picked it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Mark, why don\u2019t you put your time in the wilderness to good use, like Moses did?\u00a0 Of course, he had forty years, while you have only one summer, but I just bet you could do a lot of growing up in that time\u2014\u2014if you choose to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s head lifted at last.\u00a0 \u201cI choose to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ben gave him a hearty clap on the back.\u00a0 \u201cGood!\u00a0 Now, let\u2019s get inside and sample those goodies the ladies have been baking this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t fool me,\u201d Mark laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve already had your samples.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuilty as charged,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cbut if you want yours, you\u2019d better hustle.\u00a0 Hoss was wheedling for more when I left.\u201d\u00a0 Laughing, they walked arm in arm to the house.<\/p>\n

No one remarked on how long Mark had remained outside after Adam came in, but, looking up to welcome him, Sally noted a certain somberness in his face that hadn\u2019t been there before.\u00a0 To coax back his smile, she paid him extra attention that night, even agreeing to a walk in the moonlight, the first of several during her stay at the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

On her final night, Mark surprised himself by telling Sally everything: his fears for Mary, his anger with his father, his days of idleness and nights of drunken rambling through the dark alleys of the Barbary Coast, and, finally, his confrontation with Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure what made him unburden himself that way, except that he was beginning to care for the girl and wanted no secrets cropping up later to shock and disillusion her.\u00a0 Better to know from the start that there was no hope than to build dreams only to see them shatter when the truth was revealed.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019d talked himself empty, Sally took both his hands in hers, smiling radiantly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m honored that you trusted me with your problems, Mark, and so glad you\u2019ve made the decision to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked earnestly into her sapphire eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou really think I can, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

She squeezed his fingers encouragingly.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I know you can!\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen it happen, and here\u2019s the best place, too.\u00a0 It did wonders for my father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sally nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a changed man since he met Uncle Ben.\u201d\u00a0 She described for Mark the terror-filled night when irate miners, convinced of Dr. Martin\u2019s malpractice, had set fire to the Martin cabin, not realizing a woman and child lived there, too.\u00a0 \u201cAfter Mother\u2019s death, Father fell to pieces,\u201d Sally explained to a sympathetic listener.\u00a0 \u201cHe sent me away almost immediately\u2014\u2014to school in Hawaii.\u00a0 I thought then that he blamed me for Mother\u2019s death\u2014\u2014because he\u2019d saved me first and couldn\u2019t get back to her in time\u2014\u2014but I know now that he was afraid to keep me near him, afraid those miners would harm me to get back at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMust\u2019ve been rough on you,\u201d Mark murmured.\u00a0 \u201cI know what it is to lose a mother, but, at least, I had the rest of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it was hard,\u201d Sally recalled, glancing up as if seeing those sad memories enacted on the face of the moon.\u00a0 \u201cFather came here\u2014\u2014to the backside of the wilderness, as you called it\u2014\u2014to lose himself.\u00a0 Instead, he found a friend and a new life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m looking for,\u201d Mark said earnestly, \u201ca new life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll find it,\u201d Sally replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd\u2014\u2014and you\u2019ve already found a friend.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned forward to tenderly kiss his cheek.<\/p>\n

Mark took her in his arms.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t kiss her that night.\u00a0 He only gazed deeply into her eyes and found in them the inspiration he needed to become the man Sally envisioned him to be as they stood together under the stars.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE<\/p>\n

Short-handed Summer<\/h4>\n

Ben lifted his gray felt hat and wiped his brow.\u00a0 The longest, hottest day of the year, and he had to spend it doing one of the chores he liked least.\u00a0 Bringing in a crop of hay was vital to his cattle\u2019s survival during the winter, but it had to be done at the time of year the sun made a man\u2019s skin glisten with sweat.\u00a0 Chuckling, he shook his head.\u00a0 Having Adam home must be rubbing off on him, if he\u2019d taken to that kind of poetical descriptions.\u00a0 His brown shirt was drenched, and the skin beneath it didn\u2019t glisten; more likely, it trickled his back in muddy tracks from neck to waist.<\/p>\n

Ben wrinkled his nose.\u00a0 He reeked, too, but the work had to be done, especially in view of the decimation inflicted by grasshoppers on Washoe Valley\u2019s crops of both wheat and hay earlier that month.\u00a0 And there was no delegating it to the hands this year; there weren\u2019t many, and he couldn\u2019t risk offending the ones he had by taking them away from the cattle for this kind of work.\u00a0 He\u2019d enlisted, instead, the kind of helpers who put the needs of the ranch above their personal pride.\u00a0 Adam and Mark were spread out to his right, while Enos and Hoss flanked him on the left.<\/p>\n

Seeing the youngster put his back into the work, Ben smiled.\u00a0 Just short of nine now, Hoss was almost man-size, and he was doing the work of a man this summer, in place of men who\u2019d deserted their positions.\u00a0 Ben felt proud, and he intended to see that the boy was rewarded with a man\u2019s wage for his efforts.\u00a0 Goodness only knew what he\u2019d spend it on, though.\u00a0 After he\u2019d bought up all the candy in the territory\u2014\u2014there wasn\u2019t much to be had\u2014\u2014he\u2019d likely still have money left.<\/p>\n

Ben crammed his hat back on his head, but as he did, he caught sight of a rider heading his way.\u00a0 Glad of an excuse to postpone the hated haying, he moved toward the rider, his brow wrinkling as he recognized his neighbor, Augustus Harrison.\u00a0 By all rights, a confirmed rancher like Harrison should have been in his own hay fields, bringing in his own crop.\u00a0 As Ben raised a hand in greeting, he wondered what had brought Harrison to the Ponderosa this sultry first day of summer.<\/p>\n

Harrison swung down from a chestnut gelding.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Cartwright.\u00a0 See you\u2019re busy bringing in your hay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup, that time of year,\u201d Ben offered amiably.\u00a0 \u201cSurprised you\u2019re not doing the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison grunted.\u00a0 \u201cBeen to the diggings, tryin\u2019 to hire hands for the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind any?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Harrison shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot a one.\u00a0 All crazy for gold and not a one interested in an honest day\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, most of my hands took off, too,\u201d Ben commiserated.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without my boys here.\u201d\u00a0 The younger men had quit working to walk up behind Ben.<\/p>\n

Harrison smiled at them.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you\u2019ve got a fine crew here, Cartwright.\u00a0 I rode by hopin\u2019 I might hire \u2018em off you for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t spare them.\u00a0 Like I said, I\u2019m short-handed myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I figured it was a fool\u2019s errand, but I\u2019m gettin\u2019 desperate enough to try anything.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled a rock from his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cHad another reason for stoppin\u2019 by.\u00a0 I picked this up in Gold Hill this morning.\u00a0 Thought you might know what it is, you bein\u2019 an educated man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed heartily as he turned the blue-black clay over in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cWhen it comes to minerals, I\u2019m as ignorant as they come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stepped to his side and took the ore sample.\u00a0 \u201cThis looks like the blue stuff the miners claim is gumming up their sluices,\u201d he commented.\u00a0 \u201cPractically every miner I talked to the other day complained about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but I\u2019m wonderin\u2019 if it doesn\u2019t have some value of its own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cocked his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re giving up ranching for a pick and pan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight have to if I can\u2019t hire any workers,\u201d Harrison jibed.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, I\u2019m just the curious sort.\u00a0 Figured I might send this sample to NevadaCity for assay, see what that \u2018blue stuff\u2019 is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d sure like to see the report,\u201d the ever inquisitive Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou going to Nevada City during haying season?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Harrison shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNaw, J. F. Stone\u2019s headed there for supplies.\u00a0 You know him, don\u2019t you, Cartwright?\u00a0 Runs the Stone and Gate trading post on the Truckee River.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve met him,\u201d Ben replied, \u201cbut I\u2019ve never traded with him.\u00a0 I do my business in Carson and Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFair man,\u201d Harrison commented, \u201cand an obliging one.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be glad to take the sample for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d sure like to see the report,\u201d Adam said again.<\/p>\n

Harrison grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHeard you the first time, son.\u00a0 Sure, I\u2019ll be glad to let you see it\u2014\u2014especially if you\u2019ll think over bringin\u2019 in my hay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone of that!\u201d Ben snorted.\u00a0 \u201cThe audacity of the man\u2014\u2014trying to hire away my best crew right under my nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss moved close to his father\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t leave you, Pa, whatever them others do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, Harrison swung onto his chestnut.\u00a0 \u201cLoyal hand you got there, Ben.\u00a0 Reckon I\u2019m wasting my time tryin\u2019 to tempt him away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and circled Hoss\u2019s shoulders with an affectionate arm.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe you\u2019ve got something in common with those miners after all, Augustus\u2014\u2014wasting time, I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison tipped his hat.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t waste anymore of yours, at any rate.\u00a0 I\u2019ll let you get back to your hayin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Harrison rode away, Ben gave a low moan of displeasure.\u00a0 \u201cBack to work, boys,\u201d he grunted, his own steps dragging as he turned back in begrudging duty.<\/p>\n

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

As Mary struggled to squeeze shoes onto Little Joe\u2019s reluctant feet, Marie tied her bonnet ribbons in a pert bow to the left of her chin.\u00a0 The boys were outside saddling their mounts, but Ben had remained behind for a final cup of coffee and a farewell kiss for his lady.\u00a0 \u201cHave a good time,\u201d he said as he bestowed it, \u201cand bring home lots of tasty treats.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but there will be none today,\u201d Marie advised him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that\u2019s what this hen party was about,\u201d Ben declared, looking puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t Katerina teaching you all to make some of her German specialties.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cLebkuchen, but it is not for now; it is for Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas!\u201d Ben exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Marie started to respond, but before she could, Hop Sing bustled into the front room.\u00a0 \u201cThis what you want, Missy Cahtlight?\u201d he queried.<\/p>\n

Marie took the two clay jars he was holding.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, those look perfect, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose had better be full of cookies when you return,\u201d Ben admonished playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not be perverse, Ben,\u201d Marie scolded.\u00a0 \u201cThey will be full of dough, not cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDough?\u201d Ben sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you were doing the baking at Laura\u2019s, in that big oven of hers.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that why you had to wait \u2018til Saturday, so she\u2019d have her regular baking done?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked at Mary and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cMen\u2014\u2014they simply do not listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven small ones,\u201d Mary agreed, tweaking Little Joe\u2019s toes.\u00a0 \u201cPlease be still, baby,\u201d she pleaded, \u201cand let me put on this last shoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want shoes,\u201d Little Joe whimpered, kicking his foot against her knee.\u00a0 Keeping shoes on his feet, never an easy task, had become an unending battle with the arrival of warm weather.<\/p>\n

Ben had allowed Adam to run barefoot as a toddler, sometimes of necessity when he didn\u2019t have the price of a pair of shoes, but that had been back east.\u00a0 Here, where rattlesnakes could crawl across a baby\u2019s path with little warning, Ben insisted the boys wear shoes.\u00a0 Besides, it was a point of pride with him that he could now afford to keep his children well-clothed and solidly shod, year round.\u00a0 \u201cSit still,\u201d he ordered, and seeing the look on his father\u2019s face, Little Joe frowned, but quit wiggling.<\/p>\n

The minor rebellion curbed, Ben turned to reason with his wife.\u00a0 \u201cNow, dearest,\u201d he said slowly, \u201cI know you\u2019re a good enough cook to\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s cheeks flamed.\u00a0 \u201cI am an excellent cook, as you should know.\u00a0 I did not ask you to bring another into this house!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grimaced, hoping Hop Sing hadn\u2019t heard her tirade.\u00a0 In contests between his virulent Chinese cook and his fiery Creole wife, Ben felt there was no safe ground.\u00a0 He laid a soothing hand on Marie\u2019s slender neck.\u00a0 \u201cYour cuisine is beyond compare, dearest,\u201d he murmured, treading softly, \u201cso surely you realize that you can\u2019t keep cookie dough fresh for six months.\u00a0 It\u2019ll draw maggots.\u201d\u00a0 Or worse<\/em>, he added silently.<\/p>\n

Mary giggled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what I said, too, but Katerina says not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a special process,\u201d Marie declared, dipping her chin sharply, \u201cand that is what we must learn today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s a new one on me,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be mighty interested in tasting the results\u2014\u2014come Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled and gave his cheek a forgiving kiss.\u00a0 Slipping an arm around her waist, Ben escorted her to the buckboard.\u00a0 Mary followed, with Little Joe, both feet snugly laced into sturdy brown shoes, toddling beside her.\u00a0 After helping both ladies mount the wagon, Ben lifted Little Joe up to Mary and handed the reins to Marie.\u00a0 \u201cBe sure to find out what time the celebration starts on the Fourth,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be late.\u201d\u00a0 Abraham Curry was again planning festivities in Carson City for Independence Day, and the Cartwrights were planning to attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll remember,\u201d Marie promised.<\/p>\n

When she returned that afternoon, Ben, who had spent that day doing needed chores close to home, met the buckboard in the yard and helped both Marie and Mary down.\u00a0 Mary immediately carried the sleeping baby up to his room, but Marie stayed outside to fulfill a commission given her by Nelly Thomas.\u00a0 \u201cNelly hopes we will host a private celebration at Lake Tahoe instead of attending the one in town,\u201d she told Ben.\u00a0 \u201cShe says Billy is much too absorbed in this latest mining nonsense and wants to get him as far away from talk of gold as possible.\u201d\u00a0 Marie smiled persuasively into her husband\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI told her I was sure you would agree.\u00a0 After all, our guests have not yet seen the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cif Billy will go along with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd why should he not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s getting to be a pretty big boy to be ordered around by his mother,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but will you say the same about your boys when they come to his age?\u201d Marie teased.<\/p>\n

Ben wagged a remonstrative finger beneath her nose.\u00a0 \u201cOnly one close to his age is Adam, and I already give him a fair measure of freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, but Adam is mature for his age,\u201d Marie demurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t expect any argument from me when you\u2019re praising my son!\u201d Ben laughed and kissed her lips firmly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I suppose you want those crocks of dough carried inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019il te plait, mon amour<\/em>,\u201d she said with a gracious smile.<\/p>\n

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

Brilliant sunlight glinted off the surface of the azure lake the Fourth of July as a small vessel, painted a yellow almost as vivid as the sun, skimmed north toward Cave Rock.\u00a0 In the bow Mark Wentworth, eyes closed against the glare, lay sprawled, basking in the warm rays splashing his face, sucking in the pungent pine as if it were the breath of life.\u00a0 For Mary, he was sure it was.\u00a0 His sister was with the other ladies, combing the hills for succulent strawberries.\u00a0 Mrs. Cartwright had promised that if they found enough, she and Mary would make strawberry jam tomorrow and that Mary could take a share home to San Francisco.\u00a0 Mary had babbled happily to her brother about what a wonderful Christmas they would have with both that jam and the lebkuchen.\u00a0 How like Mary to be planning ahead for other people\u2019s pleasure!<\/p>\n

A chubby hand shook his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Mark, wake up!\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou gotta see the Lady of the Lake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not asleep,\u201d Mark said, obediently sitting up and shading his eyes to examine the landmark Hoss was so eager to show.\u00a0 Mark wasn\u2019t really interested, but he didn\u2019t want to disappoint his young tour guide.\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 Maybe some of Mary\u2019s kind ways were finally rubbing off on him.\u00a0 He bet Sally would be proud, if she could see him now.<\/p>\n

In the stern of the sailboat an animated conversation was being conducted, although debate or even quarrel might have been a more apt description.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you mind your own business?\u201d Billy demanded hotly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy best friend is my business,\u201d Adam snapped back, \u201cespecially when he\u2019s making a fool of himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m a fool, I got plenty of company,\u201d Billy snorted.\u00a0 \u201cLately, there\u2019s more of us miners than you ranchers around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

That remark hurt, and Adam glowered with indignation.\u00a0 He, along with Hoss and Mark, had been carrying a much heavier load than usual since the strike at Gold Hill, and he was just plain tired.\u00a0 Too tired, he decided suddenly, to waste his one free day arguing with a hardhead like Billy.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t want to see you turning out like my Uncle John and Cousin Will,\u201d he said in a less irritated tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho says they\u2019re doin\u2019 bad?\u201d Billy countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, you know how it was, Uncle John traipsing all over the world, leaving his wife and son to get by as best they could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ain\u2019t got a wife,\u201d Billy pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cIf I did, sure, I might have to settle for a regular job, but I\u2019m footloose and fancy free and aim to enjoy it while I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cBilly, you\u2019re incorrigible!\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy gave his friend a hard push that sent Adam to his back on the boat\u2019s floor.\u00a0 \u201cLay off the big words, smarty britches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat up, waving his hands to make peace.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, okay.\u00a0 I\u2019m just saying you\u2019d probably make better wages coming to work with us, and we could sure use the help.\u00a0 How much color are you finding on that claim of yours, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome,\u201d Billy muttered defensively.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, I admit it ain\u2019t much, but, at least, I don\u2019t have tons of that blue stuff gumming up my sluices, like some of them others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Had the citizens of Nevada City, across the Sierras, been able to hear Billy\u2019s boast, they would have laughed him to scorn.\u00a0 Only three days before, the results of Augustus Harrison\u2019s assay had been printed in the Nevada Journal<\/em>.\u00a0 The \u201cblue stuff\u201d the miners bemoaned turned out to be almost pure silver.\u00a0 With the trace of gold contained in the sample Harrison had sent in, the assay estimated the ore\u2019s value at $3,876 a ton.<\/p>\n

A new wave of miners was already headed for western Utah.\u00a0 As journalist J. Ross Browne would later report, the roads were jammed with a serpentine line of people of every description:\u00a0 \u201cIrishmen wheeling their worldly goods on wheelbarrows; Americans, Frenchmen, and Germans on foot leading horses heavily packed; Mexicans driving long trains of pack mules; dapper-looking gentlemen riding fancy horses; women dressed in men\u2019s clothes mounted on mules or burros; organ grinders; drovers; cripples and humpbacks; and even sick men got up from their beds all stark mad for silver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through the first two weeks of July the ranchers of Washoe remained in blissful ignorance of the flash flood roaring toward them.\u00a0 As election day approached, Ben grew antsy.\u00a0 He wanted to be named a delegate to the constitutional convention more than he cared to admit.\u00a0 He\u2019d been tied so close to home by the shortage of workers, however, that he hadn\u2019t had much chance to let his feelings be known to any but close friends.\u00a0 He was sure he could count on Clyde\u2019s vote and Dr. Martin\u2019s, but didn\u2019t know how many others he might secure\u2014\u2014or how many might actually get counted.\u00a0 At last year\u2019s election, the votes from four out of six precincts had been thrown out, due to alleged irregularities.<\/p>\n

Ben arrived early in Carson City to cast his ballot, then spent the remainder of the day either sitting in the Thomas\u2019s parlor, downing gallons of coffee, or roaming the streets, greeting friends and acquaintances as they arrived to vote.\u00a0 \u201cFool notion,\u201d he muttered back in the parlor as the time drew near when the polls would close.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m no politician.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPoint in your favor, I\u2019d say,\u201d Clyde chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cQuit frettin\u2019, Ben.\u00a0 Folks in these parts know a good man when they see one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cThey generally define \u2018a good man\u2019 as one who thinks like them, and I, my friend, have taken some pretty unpopular stands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde folded his hands behind his neck and leaned against the sofa back.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t remind me,\u201d he grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMight have to change my vote if you keep bringin\u2019 up what a fool you been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben knew he was being teased, but he scowled anyway.\u00a0 However lightly Clyde Thomas might take the election, it was serious to him.\u00a0 When the polls officially closed, Ben, along with other hopeful candidates, paced the street outside Curry\u2019s trading post, where the ballots were being tallied.\u00a0 Finally, the door opened and Abraham Curry himself stepped out to announce the results.<\/p>\n

A shout of approval met the name of the man chosen as the representative who would be sent to Washington, D. C., with the memorial to be drafted by the convention.\u00a0 James Crane, formerly a journalist from California, was a popular choice.\u00a0 Ben had voted for him and had been virtually certain Crane would be elected.\u00a0 If only I felt that sure about myself<\/em>, he moaned inwardly.<\/p>\n

Involuntarily, he held his breath as the delegates\u2019 names were read.\u00a0 They were listed in alphabetical order, so Ben had a mercifully short wait.\u00a0 As he heard his name read, his mouth dropped in amazement, but he quickly closed it, sensing the expression an inappropriate way to respond to such an honor.\u00a0 Clyde clapped him on the back, and numerous others came to shake his hand.<\/p>\n

When all the names had been announced, Curry shouted to get the crowd\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cGentlemen\u2014\u2014congratulations to all the fine men elected to represent us at the constitutional convention.\u00a0 All delegates are directed to convene in Genoa on the eighteenth of this month.\u00a0 Come prepared to stay several days.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s stomach jumped into his throat.\u00a0 The eighteenth!\u00a0 Only four days away, and a million things to tend to, especially if he were to be gone several days.\u00a0 He pressed his bay back toward the Ponderosa to share his good news and elicit the support he\u2019d need to make his dream of serving the community a reality.<\/p>\n

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

Though Ben rose in darkness, the entire family, except Little Joe, was assembled in the front room when he brought his carpetbag downstairs.\u00a0 He had given the sleeping toddler\u2019s forehead a kiss before descending and now gave Marie and both his older sons a farewell embrace.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not leaving yet,\u201d Marie laughed gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou will not neglect your breakfast and leave me to deal with Hop Sing, monsieur<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I couldn\u2019t do anything that cruel.\u00a0 Goodness knows, I feel bad enough about leaving at all, things being the way they are.\u201d\u00a0 In the four days since the election, the first wave of newcomers had poured over the Sierras in search of silver, and most of the hands who hadn\u2019t deserted before were now staking claims on the Comstock Lode.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t give it a thought, Pa,\u201d Adam urged.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll manage just fine, and what you\u2019re doing is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed, her face radiant with pride.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll take good care of them cattle, Pa,\u201d Hoss promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Mark added.\u00a0 \u201cYou can trust us, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gazed gratefully at each reassuring face.\u00a0 \u201cI know I can, and I thank you all for making this possible for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBleakfast leady,\u201d Hop Sing called insistently from the dining room.\u00a0 \u201cYou eat now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Ben replied, spinning on his heels and popping a snappy salute at the cook.<\/p>\n

Many times during the days that followed, Ben found himself remembering that final morning at home and drawing sustenance from the support so freely given.\u00a0 There were moments during the convention when he doubted that he was making any contribution worth leaving the burden of his ranch to such young men.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss still seemed little more than children playing at man\u2019s work, and while Mark was, of course, older, he was far less experienced with livestock.\u00a0 Enos Montgomery had promised to send word if problems arose, but to Ben, who\u2019d first known him as a young fellow along the trail, even the foreman seemed barely more than a boy, despite his being past thirty.<\/p>\n

The opening days of the convention were frustrating.\u00a0 At first, the delegates could not even agree on why they were there.\u00a0 Most felt their purpose was to frame a constitution for a provisional government, but a vocal minority believed they were only there to provide a foundation for a later constitutional convention.<\/p>\n

Ben was amused to find himself siding with the majority after so often being the lone voice in opposition to some widely held position.\u00a0 He favored appealing to Congress for separation from the Territory of Utah on the basis of need, asking the legislators to overlook the small population of their area.\u00a0 Others pointed out that their population was booming, with more people pouring in from California every day in response to the new silver strike.\u00a0 Ben, personally, didn\u2019t consider that a stable population base, but hoped Congress would think otherwise.<\/p>\n

As the discussion turned to grievances against the present territorial government, Ben began to think Clyde Thomas should have been a delegate in his place.\u00a0 He, at least, would have enjoyed the virulent attacks upon the Mormons.\u00a0 Ben thought a number of the charges unfair and said so.\u00a0 While he agreed that the Mormons themselves adhered too slavishly to the views of Brigham Young, to say that they exercised absolute spiritual despotism over the western parts of Utah was, Ben felt, going too far.<\/p>\n

\u201cFurthermore,\u201d he declared, \u201cI find no basis for accusing the Mormons of inciting the Indians to attack gentiles.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had no Indian trouble here, and while the Mountain Meadows Massacre was a tragedy that can be laid at the Mormons\u2019 doorstep, it was a single, unrepeated incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about Lassen\u2019s murder?\u201d a delegate from Susanville demanded.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThe official investigation concluded that was a revenge killing, and there\u2019s no proof otherwise.\u00a0 We cannot base our memorial to Congress on supposition, gentlemen.\u00a0 It must stand solidly on truth.\u201d\u00a0 He took a breath and continued.\u00a0 \u201cI believe, as you do, that this region must separate from the Territory of Utah\u2014\u2014not because of unproven allegations, but because geographic distance produces governmental failure.\u00a0 To provide genuine justice for the eastern Sierra, we must have our own territory.\u201d\u00a0 A shout of approval met his last sentence.<\/p>\n

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

Hearing Hop Sing\u2019s irate ranting amid the clatter and clash of pans, Mary Wentworth rose at once from her seat at the breakfast table.\u00a0 Marie lifted a restraining hand as she stood herself.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Mary, please finish your breakfast.\u00a0 I will tend to Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie whisked toward the kitchen, her own temper surging to the surface.\u00a0 Whatever problems the Chinese cook thought he was having, he had no more right than any of the rest of them to take it out on innocent pots and pans, and the lady of the house was determined to make that point crystal clear.<\/p>\n

In the week since Ben had left for Genoa, everyone\u2019s temper was set on short fuse.\u00a0 The boys\u2019 edginess was understandable.\u00a0 In order to make up for the shortage of workers, they\u2019d been starting their work day at the first crack of dawn and ending it only when they could no longer see what they were doing.\u00a0 Mary had wanted to rise even earlier, to help Hop Sing prepare breakfast before the sun rose, but Marie had firmly insisted the girl remain in bed as long as the rest of them.\u00a0 Mary\u2019s health seemed renewed by the dry climate and crisp air, and Marie thought it unwise to jeopardize the progress the girl had made by overextending herself.\u00a0 Mark agreed, and Mary submitted meekly.\u00a0 Though she wanted to help, she couldn\u2019t argue against them both.<\/p>\n

Upstairs, Little Joe awoke to a black sky.\u00a0 Of them all, he was having the most trouble dealing with Ben\u2019s absence.\u00a0 For him, it wasn\u2019t just Ben who\u2019d left in the dark of night, never to return, but Adam, Hoss and Mark, as well.\u00a0 Since the older boys left before he woke and didn\u2019t arrive home until after he went to bed, Little Joe had seen nothing of them for a week, either.\u00a0 Mama and Mary paid him extra attention, but even they were growing weary of repeating explanations the toddler simply couldn\u2019t comprehend and thoroughly exasperated with his insistent question of when Pa was coming home.<\/p>\n

Connecting the darkness with the disappearances, Little Joe felt certain he could discover where everyone had gone, if he went looking before the sun came up.\u00a0 So, although he was usually content to stay in his crib and cry until someone answered his summons, on that Monday morning he flung his short leg over the wooden rail and clambered down.<\/p>\n

He pattered into his parents\u2019 adjoining bedroom, ready to spring onto the bed and nab Pa before he had a chance to get away, but Pa wasn\u2019t there.\u00a0 Little Joe frowned with frustration, then his emerald eyes flew wide with fear.\u00a0 Mama wasn\u2019t there, either!\u00a0 What if she, too, had disappeared into the night and left him all alone?\u00a0 Little Joe charged pell-mell down the hall.<\/p>\n

Heedless by nature, and more so in his panic, the toddler\u00a0 plunged\u2014\u2014literally\u2014\u2014down the stairs.\u00a0 His bare foot slipped on the well-polished first step, and he tumbled, head over heels, to the landing several feet below.<\/p>\n

Marie was still in the kitchen, castigating an equally vociferous Hop Sing, but everyone remaining in the dining room jumped up at the sound of the little body bumping against each step in its descent.\u00a0 Nimble Adam reached the stairs first, just as Little Joe hit bottom with a loud thud.\u00a0 He leaped the four steps to the landing and snatched the baby up.\u00a0 \u201cYou okay?\u201d Adam asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

Little Joe said nothing, didn\u2019t, in fact, even seemed to be breathing.\u00a0 His little legs kicked furiously, but no sound escaped.\u00a0 Just as Adam began to be really frightened, the toddler finally caught his breath and began to wail.<\/p>\n

Laughing in relief, Adam pulled him to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cThere, there, you\u2019re okay,\u201d he soothed.<\/p>\n

Though Marie hadn\u2019t heard the tumble down the stairs, she was, as always, alert to the sound of her child\u2019s cry.\u00a0 Rushing into the front room, she snatched Little Joe from Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have you done to him?\u201d she demanded hotly, still smarting from her unfinished quarrel with Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have I done to him?\u201d Adam sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cPicked him up off the floor, that\u2019s what I\u2019ve done to him!\u201d\u00a0 He stalked to the front door, jerked it open and turned back toward Marie.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve sure got a long memory, lady!\u201d\u00a0 He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the grandfather clock beside it gave an extra chime.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe fell down the stairs, Mrs. Cartwright,\u201d Mary explained, her gentle eyes pained by the exchange of harsh words.\u00a0 \u201cTruly, Adam did nothing but try to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie blanched.\u00a0 My temper, my horrible temper<\/em>, she thought.\u00a0 When shall I ever master it?<\/em>\u00a0 She tried to soothe her wailing baby, but Little Joe screamed on, whether from fear, pain or just the absorbed tension of those around him, no one could have said.\u00a0 Deciding she couldn\u2019t let Adam leave with such ugliness between them, Marie hastily deposited her baby with Mary, whose soft lullaby eventually quieted the child.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Marie called as she entered the barn.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I must speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore accusations?\u201d Adam snapped, flinging a striped saddle blanket onto his sorrel mare.<\/p>\n

Marie flushed, but, reminding herself that she was the one in the wrong, she spoke softly.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Adam, an apology.\u00a0 I should have known you would do nothing to harm your little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOught to by now,\u201d Adam muttered, still offended.\u00a0 \u201cEven at my worst, I wouldn\u2019t have done that.\u00a0 I know you used to think I would, but it was never true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you disliked me so much.\u201d\u00a0 Marie closed her eyes to shut out the painful memories.\u00a0 \u201cThat is what you meant by my long memory.\u00a0 Oh, Adam, I thought we were past those terrible days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so, too,\u201d Adam mumbled.<\/p>\n

Her fingertips touched his arm.\u00a0 \u201cCan we not lay aside ill feelings and begin again, mon ami<\/em>?\u00a0 Truly, I know what a fine young man you are; I would trust you with my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not with your baby,\u201d Adam accused.\u00a0 The wound, though less sharp, still smarted.<\/p>\n

Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cIt is a great fault with me, I know.\u00a0 You cannot imagine what he means to me, after so many hard things in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t know everything about Marie\u2019s background; in fact, he was sure there were things so awful Pa had deliberately kept them from him and Hoss.\u00a0 He remembered enough, suddenly, to wash away his anger in compassion.\u00a0 He\u2019d faced hard circumstances in his life, too, and, after all, Marie\u2019s clinging to Little Joe was no different than his clinging to his memory of Inger when another woman appeared to take her place.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014should get back to the little fellow,\u201d Adam said softly.\u00a0 \u201cHe probably needs you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease come back and finish your breakfast,\u201d Marie pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve had plenty,\u201d Adam assured her.\u00a0 \u201cHonest, I\u2019m not mad; I\u2019m just full. \u00a0Tell Mark and Hoss I\u2019ll meet them in the north pasture.\u201d\u00a0 To seal their renewed friendship, he brushed her cheek with a light kiss, then led his horse into the yard.<\/p>\n

Smiling, Marie returned to the house.\u00a0 Mark and Hoss were back at the table, polishing off the last of the flapjacks.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is Little Joe\u2014\u2014and Mary?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was afraid he\u2019d take a chill in just that little nightshirt,\u201d Mark explained.\u00a0 \u201cShe took him upstairs to dress him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout finishing her own meal,\u201d Marie scolded.\u00a0 \u201cI will send her down at once.\u00a0 I can dress my own baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before she reached the stairway, however, a piercing scream echoed down the hall.\u00a0 Marie ran up the stairs and into the nursery.\u00a0 \u201cMon petit<\/em>,\u201d she cried, gathering the weeping boy into her arms.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Mary replied, looking worried.\u00a0 \u201cI had him settled down nicely, but when I tried to put on his dress, he screamed.\u00a0 I think I hurt him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whispering words of endearment, Marie took the tiny dress and guided Little Joe\u2019s arm toward the sleeve.\u00a0 Again, the child screamed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s just what happened with me,\u201d Mary said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat can be hurting him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs your brother still here?\u201d Marie asked quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see,\u201d Mary replied at once and immediately hurried out of the nursery.\u00a0 \u201cMark,\u201d she called from the stair landing, \u201cMrs. Cartwright wants you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark wiped his lips with the checked napkin and came toward his sister with long strides.\u00a0 He followed her down the hall, with Hoss at his heels.\u00a0 Although he hadn\u2019t been summoned, the younger boy wasn\u2019t about to be left behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Mark, I\u2019m glad you have not left yet,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cI think Little Joe has hurt himself in his fall.\u00a0 Would you ride to Carson City and ask Dr. Martin to come, s\u2019il vous plait<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, ma\u2019am, be glad to,\u201d Mark said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll go, too,\u201d Hoss offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>, you must go to your brother,\u201d Marie directed.\u00a0 \u201cIf no one meets him, he will worry and come looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t see that as much of a problem.\u00a0 So what if Adam took a day off.\u00a0 He was probably ready for one.\u00a0 Hoss sure was!\u00a0 And nobody was getting one, except Mark.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t seem fair, but Hoss had a feeling he\u2019d get nowhere arguing about it.\u00a0 He did as he was told.<\/p>\n

Mark was glad of the opportunity for a trip to Carson City, especially one that took him in close proximity to Miss Sally Martin.\u00a0 He was sorry Little Joe was hurt, of course, but it was hard not to enjoy the prospect before him.\u00a0 Though he had intended to buzz around the doctor\u2019s fragrant flower for a while after delivering his message, Mark found himself riding back to the Ponderosa at the doctor\u2019s side.\u00a0 Something about Dr. Martin\u2019s quick response, maybe, triggered the boy\u2019s concern, or perhaps his curiosity.\u00a0 He wanted to see Sally\u2019s father at work.<\/p>\n

When the doctor arrived, Marie was sitting in the rocker in the nursery holding her child.\u00a0 Little Joe had cried for an hour, first because he was hurt and, then, because his cruel-hearted mother wouldn\u2019t let him down to play.\u00a0 He\u2019d finally cried himself to sleep, but he woke when Dr. Martin lifted him from his mother\u2019s arms and back into his crib.<\/p>\n

Marie and Mary stood back, while Mark peeked through the door, as the doctor tenderly examined the baby.\u00a0 When his right arm was moved, Little Joe yelped, though not so loudly as before. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, baby,\u201d Dr. Martin murmured, \u201cbut I have to see where you\u2019re hurt.\u201d\u00a0 He probed gently around the toddler\u2019s neck, then raised up, giving Little Joe\u2019s head a soft pat.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s his collarbone,\u201d he told Marie.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s hand flew to her mouth to stifle a shriek.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s broken his neck?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin\u2019s rested consoling hands on her shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no,\u201d he soothed.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that serious.\u00a0 It\u2019s what we call a green twig break, Marie.\u00a0 The bones of a child this young are still flexible.\u00a0 They bend, rather than break.\u00a0 It\u2019ll hurt for a few days, but, I assure you, it\u2019s not serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie sighed with relief.\u00a0 \u201cWill you give him something for the pain, doctor?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think he needs it.\u00a0 It\u2019s movement that brings the pain, so what we\u2019ll do is immobilize the arm.\u00a0 A large napkin should do the trick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get one,\u201d Mary offered.<\/p>\n

When she returned, the doctor folded Little Joe\u2019s tiny arm close to his chest and pinned the red-checked napkin around his neck.\u00a0 Then he lifted the little boy and sat in the rocker with him.\u00a0 In words the toddler could understand, he explained the purpose of the sling.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t try to take your arm out, Little Joe,\u201d he concluded.\u00a0 \u201cIt will hurt if you do.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe promised solemnly.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s probably good for the rest of the day,\u201d he told Marie, \u201cbut you\u2019d better watch him.\u00a0 I predict by tomorrow he\u2019ll have forgotten both the pain and my instructions.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the doorway, Mark looked on, fascinated.\u00a0 Dr. Martin had a real way with kids.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help admiring the man, even wishing he could do something as useful with his own life.<\/p>\n

Over the next couple of days, the family seemed to recover their good spirits as they rallied to support Little Joe.\u00a0 Since they\u2019d managed to get all the cattle moved to the upper pastures, where the grass wasn\u2019t over-grazed as it was beginning to be in the valley, the boys shortened their working hours.\u00a0 They all wanted to be home early enough to see how Little Joe was getting along.<\/p>\n

Hoss stayed with his little brother both Tuesday and Wednesday.\u00a0 Marie declared that job as essential as herding cattle, for, as Dr. Martin had predicted, Little Joe soon wearied of having his arm in a sling and repeatedly tried to remove it.\u00a0 Having Hoss to play with helped keep him content, and Hoss felt content, too, to take a rest from man\u2019s work and be a boy again.<\/p>\n

Near suppertime on Wednesday, July twenty-seventh, Ben finally arrived home after nine days of labor he considered harder than ranch chores.\u00a0 He was glad he\u2019d accepted the responsibility and proud of the memorial the convention had drafted petitioning Congress for redress of their governmental woes.\u00a0 He\u2019d had his fill of politics, though, at least for the time being.\u00a0 What he wanted most was to embrace his family and have a quiet, relaxing smoke on his pipe.<\/p>\n

Adam and Mark weren\u2019t home when he arrived, but Hoss immediately engulfed his father in a bear hug, while Marie rose from her mending to welcome her husband home.\u00a0 With one arm, Little Joe pushed himself up from the rug in front of the fire and toddled happily toward Ben.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he cried, his face rapturous.<\/p>\n

Ben started to kiss his wife, but turned to smile at the baby first.\u00a0 Seeing the checkered napkin confining his son\u2019s arm, he lifted the boy gingerly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to you, precious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe fell down the stairs,\u201d Hoss reported, \u201cbut he\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked reproachfully at his wife.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you send for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no need,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin says he only needs to keep his arm still a few days.\u00a0 We did not want to take you from your important work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you been, Pa?\u201d Little Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGenoa, baby,\u201d Ben said, sitting in his mauve armchair with the boy in his lap.\u00a0 \u201cDid you miss Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and those bad stairs hurt me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben sympathized.\u00a0 \u201cI guess Pa will have to give those stairs a very necessary little talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed emphatically.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Pank \u2018em good, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben threw his head back and laughed, then cuddled his baby.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they sure deserve a good \u2018panking, hurting Pa\u2019s precious like they did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow was the convention?\u201d Marie asked as she settled in the blue armchair across from him.\u00a0 \u201cDid all go as you wished?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s some statements in the memorial I don\u2019t agree with, but it makes a strong case for our own territory.\u00a0 That\u2019s what matters.\u00a0 We did our best; the rest is up to Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled proudly, certain Ben\u2019s best would be more than ample to move the stoniest heart among the nation\u2019s legislators.<\/p>\n

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

Hoss\u2019s birthday fell on the final Saturday of July and was celebrated almost exactly as it had been the previous year.\u00a0 The same group of friends, with the addition of the Wentworths and newly married Montgomerys, met at Washoe Lake for another afternoon of picnicking and swimming.\u00a0 This year Hoss didn\u2019t have to be coaxed into the water.\u00a0 He splashed and cavorted with the rest of the youngsters, not quite as if he\u2019d been born to it, but with far more confidence than before.\u00a0 Even Little Joe, at last released from his confining sling, dog-paddled happily with the older children, Mary hovering over him like a clucking hen with her chick.<\/p>\n

Leaving the younger men to watch over the children, Ben lay sprawled on a blanket near the shore, perusing with avid interest the latest Territorial Enterprise<\/em>, which Clyde had brought to the picnic.\u00a0 The entire issue had been devoted to the convention at Genoa, and Ben was pleasantly surprised to find himself lauded as an oratorically gifted moderate in favor of separation from Utah.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at him soppin\u2019 up the sugar sauce about hisself,\u201d Clyde cackled from a nearby blanket, where he, too, was resting after the huge meal.<\/p>\n

Ben flushed crimson, knowing the charge was true.\u00a0 He was enjoying the flattering words of the paper\u2019s editor.\u00a0 But, then, who wouldn\u2019t?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just jealous.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin, lying next to Ben, yawned and turned to sun his other side.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo such thing,\u201d Clyde contradicted.\u00a0 \u201cMe, I got no taste for politics, but Ben here has got his appetite whetted for it.\u00a0 Next thing you know, he\u2019ll be runnin\u2019 for governor of the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot \u2018til they move the capital from Salt Lake City,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 He turned his back on Clyde, fearing his thoughts might be as easily read as the newsprint of the Territorial Enterprise<\/em>.\u00a0 Governor Cartwright.\u00a0 It had a nice ring to it.\u00a0 Ben had little expectation of rising that high in government, but now that he\u2019d had a few days to recuperate from his first plunge into politics, he was looking back on the experience as one he wouldn\u2019t mind repeating.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX<\/p>\n

A Wedding, a Proposal and a Promise<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The slow, sultry days of August weren\u2019t so slow this year.\u00a0 Normally, August was a time to relax from the rigorous work of the summer.\u00a0 Crops laid by, little to do but let the cattle graze and grow fat, maybe escort a calf or two into the world.\u00a0 This year, due to the shortage of hands and Ben\u2019s prolonged political absence, the ranch was running behind schedule, so August was a time to catch up on work that couldn\u2019t be done before.<\/p>\n

Ben had assumed the latest mining craze would subside by now and some of his hands drift back to more regular employment.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t happening, however.\u00a0 Instead, Californians continued to pour over the Sierras into the new camp, now called Ophir.\u00a0 A four-stamp mill had even been set up on the Carson River to process the ore with equipment hauled by oxen from Sacramento, a sure sign the strike was expected to last.\u00a0 The lure of silver was keeping the mining excitement alive, though few were making much money.\u00a0 Old Pancake Comstock seemed to have done the best so far, having just sold his share in the claim he had finagled from McLaughlin and O\u2019Riley for $11,000.\u00a0 Billy Thomas might arguably be considered to have fared the worst, his miniscule pocket of gold having so little \u201cblue stuff\u201d mixed in that its value was virtually nil.<\/p>\n

As in most new mining camps, it was the business people who made the greatest profits.\u00a0 Eilley Orrum, for instance, was making enormous profits, serving meals and washing laundry for the miners, but she had also become a mine owner herself.\u00a0 Espousing great faith in the Comstock Lode, she gladly accepted abandoned claims as payment for unpaid bills.\u00a0 One of those claims adjoined that of Sandy Bowers, a dowry neither seemed able to resist.<\/p>\n

Knowing of the geographic motivation, Ben scoffed the day he received the hand-written invitation to Sandy and Eilley\u2019s wedding.\u00a0 \u201cOf all the stupid reasons to tie the knot,\u201d he muttered, \u201cmerging claims has got to take the cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Ben, perhaps they are truly in love,\u201d Marie argued.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head, laughing.\u00a0 \u201cMy love, only a romantic like you would believe that.\u00a0 Eilley wanted a man, any man.\u00a0 The fact that they can combine their claims and have twenty feet of mining property only adds to Bowers\u2019 allure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI disagree,\u201d Marie said, lifting her chin to proclaim her feminine superiority in affairs of the heart.\u00a0 \u201cMonsieur<\/em> Bowers has many fine qualities.\u00a0 He is, perhaps, a bit shy for Madame<\/em> Cowan\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot to mention a bit young,\u201d Ben inserted slyly.\u00a0 Sandy Bowers was fourteen years younger than Eilley Orrum.<\/p>\n

Marie tilted her head coyly.\u00a0 \u201cFor you to bring up a difference of age is tr\u00e9s dr\u00f4le, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had the good grace to blush and acknowledge himself outflanked.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t imagine why they invited us, anyway,\u201d he grunted.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re neighbors, of course, but not that close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, but you are a man of importance now,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cCertainement<\/em>, they would want an esteemed delegate to the constitutional convention to attend their nuptials.\u201d\u00a0 As she breezed into the kitchen to check on how soon supper would be served, Ben sat puffing his pipe and trying to decide if she had been serious or teasing.<\/p>\n

A close perusal of the other guests crowding Old Nick\u2019s Bar the day of the wedding shed no light on the reason for their invitation.\u00a0 Ben spotted a few other delegates from the convention, which seemed to suggest a desire to associate with the leaders of the community, certainly not all neighbors like the Cartwrights.\u00a0 Maybe they were friends of Sandy\u2019s, though, Ben conceded.\u00a0 The hearty young man who had first come west as a teamster for John Reese was universally, usually instantaneously, liked.\u00a0 It was conceivable he counted among his friends people Eilley\u2014\u2014or Ben himself for that matter\u2014\u2013didn\u2019t even know.<\/p>\n

After the brief ceremony the party adjourned to the adjoining boardinghouse for refreshments, which consisted primarily of Eilley\u2019s famous batter biscuits and beans.\u00a0 So much for social pretensions, Ben chuckled to himself, but with so many to feed, the simple fare was probably the most practical, especially since flour was now selling in Genoa for only twenty cents a pound, a sure indication their community was no longer considered a frontier settlement.\u00a0 The miners, some invited, some not, squeezed in for the free meal, then carried their tin plates outside to perch on nearby rocks or squat on the ground when all available seating was taken.\u00a0 As a fiddler grated out melodies on an ancient violin, those who had finished eating began to dance.<\/p>\n

Darkness had already fallen when Ben gathered his family for the ride home.\u00a0 \u201cDo we have to go now?\u201d Adam complained.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s gonna be a shivaree, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cDo you consider that a proper way to fete newlyweds, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cSure do.\u00a0 Mark does, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyebrow arched higher, but his chin quivered with unreleased laughter.\u00a0 \u201cLet Mark speak for himself, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to stay,\u201d Mark admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never been to a shivaree.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, either,\u201d Adam pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo doubt an essential element of a gentleman\u2019s education,\u201d Ben commented dryly, then laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, you can stay.\u00a0 Just remember we have a full day\u2019s work ahead tomorrow, so try to get some<\/em> sleep tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe will.\u201d\u00a0 He fixed his eyes on a pebble near the toe of his boot.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014\u2014uh\u2014\u2014don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d let me borrow your pistol.\u201d\u00a0 Though Ben hadn\u2019t worn his sidearm to the wedding, it was in the wagon in case of trouble along the road, a precaution Ben considered reasonable with so many strangers in the territory.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou suppose correctly,\u201d Ben stated, eyes growing stern.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust for noise-making,\u201d Adam argued.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t plan to shoot anyone, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u00a0 This way there won\u2019t be any unplanned shootings, either,\u201d Ben said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cYou need a pistol about as much as you needed that tour of the Barbary Coast with Sterling Larrimore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face, flushing furiously, jerked up.\u00a0 \u201cPa, it\u2019s not fair to bring that up when you said it was over and done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s countenance softened.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, you\u2019re right.\u00a0 I apologize, and I promise I won\u2019t hold it over your head again.\u201d\u00a0 Then he grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re still not getting the pistol.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and gave the pebble at his foot an irritated kick.\u00a0 \u201cHow are we supposed to make noise for the shivaree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave his son\u2019s backside a playful swat.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re young; making noise comes natural.\u201d\u00a0 He tossed Mark a wink and turned to help Marie and Mary into the buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cHave fun,\u201d he called over his shoulder as he drove away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, you\u2019d think I was a little kid,\u201d Adam grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cMy cousin Will\u2019s only a year older than I am, and he carries a handgun all the time.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t I been pulling a man\u2019s share around the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure have,\u201d Mark conceded, \u201cbut your pa\u2019s right about the gun.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need it, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a fine one to be giving advice about listening to fathers,\u201d Adam snuffled, then winced.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, that was a lousy thing to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it was,\u201d Mark muttered, \u201ceven if it is true.\u00a0 What was that about a tour of the Barbary Coast?\u00a0 Never figured you for the type to get in that kind of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam scowled.\u00a0 \u201cI had help.\u00a0 Listen, I don\u2019t mind telling you, but now\u2019s not the time.\u00a0 We got to figure some way to raise a racket.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark snatched up a tin plate some miner had left on the ground while he danced.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna find another plate to hit against this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 Banging two plates together was the kind of noise Little Joe might relish, but Adam wasn\u2019t a baby.\u00a0 Compared to the crack of a pistol, he didn\u2019t think it would be loud enough to satisfy him.\u00a0 By the time the miners descended on the recently bedded bride and groom, however, he hadn\u2019t come up with anything else, so he and Mark stood side by side, clanging plates and yelling at the top of their lungs.\u00a0 Miners added to the cacophony with the clamor of drills striking pans and firearms exploding skyward.\u00a0 The newlyweds took it all in good grace and were finally allowed to enjoy their marriage night alone.<\/p>\n

As they rode back to the Ponderosa, Mark again brought up the subject of Adam\u2019s excursion to the Barbary Coast.\u00a0 When Adam had freely confessed what happened, Mark shook his head in disgust.\u00a0 \u201cThat Sterling!\u00a0 That\u2019s who talked me into my first trip to the Barbary Coast, too, but I didn\u2019t think even he would take a kid like you to Chinatown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t appreciate being called a kid, but chose to overlook it in his curiosity about another point.\u00a0 \u201cHe ever take you there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, just once; about the same thing happened as with you.\u00a0 I went out drinking with him a lot, but I couldn\u2019t stomach the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, you didn\u2019t\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, heard too many of my father\u2019s sermons, I guess, or seen too many sailors scraping themselves raw after visiting those girls.\u00a0 Sterling used to laugh and call me \u2018preacher boy,\u2019 just to rile me, but I\u2019m glad now I didn\u2019t give in.\u00a0 I could never hope to win a decent girl like Sally if I\u2019d done what he pushed me to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 He felt the same way.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re serious about Sally, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark smiled dreamily.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, and I think she likes me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guarantee it!\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cShe moons over you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t mind?\u00a0 You said once you weren\u2019t sure how you felt about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked thoughtful for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t have very deep feelings for Sally \u2018cause it doesn\u2019t bother me at all to see you with her.\u00a0 No, you\u2019ve got a clear road where I\u2019m concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope I\u2019ve got one with her father, too,\u201d Mark murmured.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna ask for her hand before I head back to California.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood luck,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s the apple of his eye.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark moaned softly, suddenly wishing he were on better terms with the Almighty.\u00a0 He had a feeling approaching Sally\u2019s father was a subject for heart-felt, long-winded prayer.<\/p>\n

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

At breakfast a few days after the Bowers\u2019 wedding, Ben was apportioning out the day\u2019s assignments when Marie interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cYou must spare Adam today,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cLaura is coming to measure him for his new clothes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need new clothes,\u201d Adam said quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>, you do,\u201d Marie insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou have grown much this last year, Adam, and there is little time left before you return to school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laid his fork aside and placed both hands, palms down, on the table.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not going to school,\u201d he stated, dark eyes determined.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are,\u201d Ben, who was sure he knew the reason behind Adam\u2019s decision, said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you know I can\u2019t,\u201d Adam argued.\u00a0 \u201cMark and Mary will be going home soon, and if I leave, too, what help will you have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe,\u201d Hoss asserted loudly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a good hand, ain\u2019t I, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my best,\u201d Ben smiled with pride.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy point, exactly,\u201d Adam said bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cIf Hoss is the best you\u2019ve got\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Hoss hollered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing against you, Hoss,\u201d Adam explained quickly, \u201cbut you\u2019re just\u201d\u2014\u2014he started to say \u201ca kid,\u201d then finished, instead\u2014\u2014\u201cone person.\u00a0 Pa needs more help than just you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll have more,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cTuquah will be coming back to work soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hooted.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, and stick with you \u2018til pi\u00f1on harvest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d Ben admitted, \u201cbut I\u2019ll manage, Adam.\u00a0 You are not curtailing your education, young man, even if the whole world goes raving mad for silver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo argument,\u201d Ben said firmly as he rose from his chair.\u00a0 \u201cYou will stay home today for your fitting, and you will begin packing for Sacramento as soon as your things are ready.\u00a0 That\u2019s an order, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark followed Ben outside.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry to leave you short-handed, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be glad to stay on longer, but I have to take Mary back before the first storms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you do,\u201d Ben replied at once.\u00a0 \u201cShe mustn\u2019t risk being caught here for the winter.\u00a0 I think it best you return with Adam, as we originally planned.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want your father to be concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor do I,\u201d Mark said, surprised that he cared about the man he\u2019d felt only bitterness toward when they parted last spring.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re sure you\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wasn\u2019t sure at all.\u00a0 He could probably get by with the help of Tuquah and a few other Washos, and if the mining fever died down, there\u2019d be others to choose from, but neither was a reliable source of help.\u00a0 Ben decided to lie.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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

While the younger men worked with the cattle, Ben had assigned himself the task of inspecting the grass of Washoe Valley.\u00a0 Ordinarily, he waited until September to move his herd back to the lower pastures.\u00a0 By then the grass had had two months to grow back after the haying season and was ready to support cattle again.\u00a0 He\u2019d hoped the grass might be tall enough to move them earlier this year so Mark and Adam could help with the roundup.\u00a0 The grass wasn\u2019t ready, though, so the cattle would have to wait, and Ben would have to find someone else to drive them down from the hills.<\/p>\n

Though the forage was inadequate, Ben could see a few cattle grazing close to the lake.\u00a0 Coming toward him from that direction was a young man on a chestnut gelding.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Mr. Cartwright!\u201d the fellow called when he drew near.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Fowler recognized your bay.\u00a0 He\u2019d like you to ride over to the lake.\u00a0 Got a problem he needs your help with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Ben said, turning his horse to the east.\u00a0 \u201cAnything serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, dead serious,\u201d Fowler\u2019s wrangler muttered.\u00a0 \u201cThink we may have some rustlers cornered.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 Rustling was a serious crime to cattlemen like himself and Fowler, the kind that couldn\u2019t be ignored.\u00a0 As he galloped toward Washoe Lake, however, Ben found himself hoping Fowler was mistaken or, if not, that the evidence against the men was irrefutable.\u00a0 Law and order still resided in the hands of vigilantes in Carson County, and if the men were found guilty, they were likely to pay a painful penalty.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t relish the thought of another futile fight to protect the rights of men he believed innocent.\u00a0 It would just be Lucky Bill all over again.<\/p>\n

Ben reined in close to the neighboring rancher.\u00a0 \u201cYou think you\u2019ve caught some rustlers, Fowler?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I get suspicious when anybody offers me a yoke of oxen for what these fellows were asking,\u201d Fowler grunted, and when he quoted the price, Ben gasped.\u00a0 No genuine cattleman would price his stock at the ridiculously low figure Fowler named.\u00a0 The two buckskin-clad men tied to a tree beside the lake didn\u2019t look naive enough to be greenhorns from the east, and once ignorance was ruled out, the logical conclusion was that the oxen were indeed stolen and the thieves wanted to convert them to cash quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have any proof?\u201d Ben queried.<\/p>\n

Fowler shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cJust suspicious, like I said.\u00a0 Wondered if you\u2019d lost any cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben replied quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t keep oxen anymore, just beef cattle, and we\u2019re not missing any.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I sent riders out to most of the ranchers in the county,\u201d Fowler went on.\u00a0 \u201cI think we ought to hold these men \u2018til we hear if anyone\u2019s missing a span of oxen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get solid proof, though, before we do anything more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever intended otherwise,\u201d Fowler muttered.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t aim to take part in no lynching, even if they\u2019re guilty, like I think.\u00a0 There\u2019s better ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben didn\u2019t know whether to feel relieved or not.\u00a0 He was glad to have at least one man\u2019s support against a hanging, but Fowler\u2019s dark countenance made Ben wonder what \u201cbetter ways\u201d the rancher had in mind.<\/p>\n

One by one other ranchers drifted in.\u00a0 Some had simply sent word by Fowler\u2019s messengers that they had no cattle missing, but most were concerned enough about the threat of rustlers in the territory to come themselves to evaluate the situation.\u00a0 Ben began to breathe easier as each man reported no losses from his ranch.<\/p>\n

Finally, a rancher from McMarlin\u2019s Station rode in.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re my oxen,\u201d the man declared, black eyes snapping.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure, Campbell?\u201d Fowler asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Campbell snarled.\u00a0 \u201cLook at the way the ears are notched.\u00a0 Any of my neighbors can tell you that\u2019s my mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d another rancher from near McMarlin\u2019s Station vouched when he had examined the notches.\u00a0 \u201cSeen Campbell\u2019s mark many times.\u00a0 These oxen are his, beyond any doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s stomach knotted.\u00a0 With the legal authority in Salt Lake City four hundred miles away, none of the ranchers would consider delaying justice.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t even a place in the county where suspected criminals could be held while awaiting trial.\u00a0 The trial would take place immediately, under the scant shade of the big pine on the west side of WashoeLake.\u00a0 And from the evidence already presented informally, Ben was certain the verdict would be guilty.<\/p>\n

Sick at heart, he walked away, hating himself for his reluctance to intervene.\u00a0 He refused to take part in vigilante justice, but couldn\u2019t bring himself to oppose it, either.\u00a0 Not this time.\u00a0 Not for guilty men.\u00a0 But while he wouldn\u2019t be a participant, he couldn\u2019t leave without knowing the men\u2019s fate, however impotent he might be to change it.<\/p>\n

The jury was chosen quickly, the evidence presented and the decision rendered with even greater dispatch.\u00a0 Determining the sentence took longer.\u00a0 Some ranchers favored stringing the two defendants, Ruspas and Reise, to the big pine.\u00a0 Others seemed reluctant to countenance another hanging, dreading the kind of division that had split the territory after the hanging of Lucky Bill.\u00a0 One man suggested flogging the two culprits, another branding their cheeks with the letter T to designate them thieves to all they came in contact with.\u00a0 Then an even more severe penalty was suggested by the Washoe rancher whose suspicions had been originally aroused.\u00a0 \u201cWhere I come from, the standard punishment for rustling is removal of the left ear,\u201d Fowler decreed.\u00a0 \u201cGives a man reason to think twice before he steals again.\u201d<\/p>\n

A wave of nausea swept over Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s barbaric!\u201d he shouted, striding forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t shown any interest in my problem before, Cartwright,\u201d Campbell snapped.\u00a0 \u201cWhy mix in now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter keep out, Cartwright, unless you want more of what happened the last time,\u201d a rancher who had been present at the hanging of Lucky Bill threatened.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cLook, I know I\u2019m only one man.\u00a0 I can\u2019t prevent your doing whatever you decide, and I won\u2019t be foolish enough to try.\u00a0 But I\u2019m begging you not to do something that may bring reproach on our territory for decades to come.\u00a0 Campbell has his oxen back, so why not just banish these men?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, into the desert without a canteen,\u201d another rancher, Jim Sturtevant, suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a death sentence, and a more cruel one than hanging,\u201d Fowler interrupted sharply.\u00a0 \u201cI say we banish this scum from our territory, sure, but give \u2018em something to remember us by, something to remind them that CarsonCounty don\u2019t tolerate rustling.\u00a0 Taking an ear\u2019s a lot less barbaric, to use Cartwright\u2019s word, than taking a life.\u00a0 Gives a man a chance to mend his ways if he\u2019s so inclined.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the murmurs of agreement, Ben knew the decision had been made, so he wasn\u2019t surprised when the jury, after briefly conferring, ordered the removal of the left ear of each convicted rustler.\u00a0 He started to stalk away, to distance himself from the gruesome business.\u00a0 Then he halted.\u00a0 Undoubtedly, the men would require medical assistance once the sentence was carried out.\u00a0 If he couldn\u2019t prevent the mutilation, perhaps he should, at least, remain long enough to see that the rustlers\u2019 wounds were properly tended.<\/p>\n

Sturtevant, the chosen executioner, seemed almost gleeful as he sharpened the straight, double-edged blade of his \u201cArkansas toothpick\u201d on a rock.\u00a0 Looking visibly pale, the older rustler was led forward.\u00a0 Sturtevant pulled back the brown hair that barely covered Reise\u2019s left ear and with a quick downward slice, severed it from his head.\u00a0 Reise groaned and clutched the bleeding surface.<\/p>\n

Kneeling beside the older rustler, trying to stanch the flow of blood, Ben couldn\u2019t understand the grin on Ruspas\u2019s face as he was led forward for removal of his ear.\u00a0 When Sturtevant jerked back the greasy, shoulder-length, black hair, however, Ben and everyone else could see that Ruspas had no left ear to remove.\u00a0 Obviously, this was not his first unsuccessful attempt as a cattle thief, and the rustler was hardened enough to laugh at frustrating the jury\u2019s decree.<\/p>\n

The humor of the situation struck the jury, too, and everyone, even Ben, laughed when they realized there was no way to carry out the sentence.\u00a0 The jury quickly reconvened, though, and changed the penalty to removal of the right ear, a decision which effectively wiped the smug smile from Ruspas\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

Sturtevant again stepped forward, grasping the walnut handle of his sharply pointed blade, and swiftly severed the right ear of the now sober Ruspas.\u00a0 Tossing the ear to the jury, Sturtevant laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, you\u2019ve got both rights and lefts, and the ears are properly mated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we have,\u201d Fowler chuckled, then his face darkened as he turned to the two bleeding men.\u00a0 \u201cYou men are ordered to depart this territory at once.\u00a0 Get to your feet and head for the Sierras, boys, and don\u2019t let CarsonCounty see your faces again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait a minute,\u201d Ben protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cMixin\u2019 in again, Cartwright?\u201d Campbell snarled.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly to ask one concession,\u201d Ben said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re sending injured men into rugged mountains.\u00a0 If you truly don\u2019t intend this to be a death sentence, let Dr. Martin tend their wounds first.\u00a0 I promise I\u2019ll see them out of the territory myself once the doctor says they\u2019re fit to travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

There were murmurs both of approval and dissent.\u00a0 Then Fowler raised a weathered hand.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 I\u2019ll suggest a compromise: just to prove we\u2019re not barbarians, Cartwright, we\u2019ll let your doctor friend bind up their wounds, if you\u2019ll see these men out of our county by sundown tomorrow.\u00a0 Is that agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing the nods of the other ranchers, Ben knew he could achieve no further leniency.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s agreed,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d appreciate it if one of you men heading south would stop by Carson City and ask Dr. Martin to come by my place.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take these men there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n

As the other ranchers rode away, Ben helped Ruspas and Reise to their saddles.\u00a0 Moving west, toward the Ponderosa, Ben thought ironically that these two bloody men were not the kind of guests he had originally expected when he built all those extra rooms in his home.\u00a0 The rooms were the fulfillment of a promise to his second wife, who yearned to open their home to souls in need.\u00a0 It was not Inger to whom he\u2019d be bringing these unsavory guests, however, and at first Ben wasn\u2019t sure how Marie would react.<\/p>\n

Then he rebuked himself for the unworthy thought.\u00a0 Marie might not share Inger\u2019s all-encompassing compassion for humanity, but she would not tolerate any man\u2019s suffering alone when she could ease his pain.\u00a0 No, Marie\u2019s only concern would be for her children.<\/p>\n

The children! \u00a0Hoss was working away from the house with the older boys, but Ben suddenly saw a vivid picture of the effect seeing these mutilated men would have on impressionable Little Joe and tender-hearted Mary.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to get them both safely out of the way before letting Ruspas and Reise enter the Cartwright home.<\/p>\n

Though Ben was arriving home earlier than usual, the hour was late enough that he knew both Mary and Little Joe would be inside.\u00a0 He told the two rustlers to wait on the porch.\u00a0 \u201cI need to get my children out of the way,\u201d he explained.\u00a0 The older man, Reise, nodded, seeming to understand, but Ruspas merely sneered, shrugging off Ben\u2019s concern.\u00a0 Not wanting to lose a free night\u2019s lodging and the promised medical attention, however, he did as he was told without audible comment.<\/p>\n

The minute Ben edged in the door, Little Joe scampered to meet him, lifting his arms, as he did each evening when his father returned from work.\u00a0 Ben picked the child up and gave him the expected hug.\u00a0 \u201cMary, take Little Joe up to your room,\u201d he suggested softly, \u201cclose the door and stay there until I call you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary looked puzzled, but, obedient by nature, immediately stood.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d Marie, coming in from the kitchen where she and Hop Sing were consulting about dinner, queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, children,\u201d Ben said, handing Little Joe to Mary.\u00a0 The toddler whimpered and stretched his thin arms back toward his father.\u00a0 \u201cLater, baby,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0 \u201cGo with Mary now.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the youngsters mounted the stairs, Marie glided to her husband\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got guests,\u201d Ben muttered, \u201cnot the kind I relish having the children see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWhy have you invited such people to our home?\u201d she demanded.\u00a0 As Ben explained briefly, her face softened.\u00a0 \u201cBut, Ben, you should not leave injured men outside so long.\u00a0 Bring them in at once.\u00a0 We will put them in the downstairs bedroom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, relieved.\u00a0 He brought the men into the bedroom, where Marie was turning down the covers.\u00a0 \u201cPlease help them undress and get into bed, Ben,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI will have Hop Sing heat some water so we may dress their wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Martin\u2019s coming,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

Marie frowned at him.\u00a0 \u201cAnd he would prefer to work on clean patients, I am sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reise doffed his hat quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, ma\u2019am.\u00a0 We\u2019re much obliged.\u201d\u00a0 Ruspas flopped on the bed and started to pull off his boots, revealing a grimy big toe poking through his left sock.<\/p>\n

Ben grimaced.\u00a0 The sheets would surely need a good boiling after these two left.\u00a0 If his beautiful young wife noticed the filth of her two guests, however, nothing in her expression revealed her feelings.\u00a0 She sat first on one side, then the other, of the bed, gently washing away the caked blood, seemingly undisturbed by the gaping, jagged edges of skin or the sight of earless men.\u00a0 \u201cI have seen men injured before,\u201d she later explained to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cScarcely a night passed in New Orleans without the flash of dagger or epee.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Dr. Martin arrived, Marie went upstairs to explain to Mary what was taking place and why Ben had asked her to leave the room.\u00a0 Ben left the doctor to his ministrations and wandered outside.\u00a0 Leaning on the hitching rail, he took a deep breath of the pine-scented air.\u00a0 Clean, crisp, pure\u2014\u2014how Ben wished he felt as unsullied as the air!\u00a0 He thought back over everything he\u2019d done that afternoon and kicked the dust in disgust.<\/p>\n

Was there ever a right way to deal with these situations?\u00a0 He\u2019d tried to do the right thing in the affair with Lucky Bill, but his effort had been futile.\u00a0 Today he hadn\u2019t really tried, at least not like he had then.\u00a0 Had he held back because he knew the effort would again be futile or simply from fear of a beating?\u00a0 How could a man look deep enough inside himself to know why he did the things he did?\u00a0 But how could he afford not to when he had sons looking to him for example?<\/p>\n

When Dr. Martin came out, he saw Ben still leaning over the rail and ambled to his side.\u00a0 Ben turned to look at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cWill they be all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cNo giving them back what they\u2019ve lost, of course, but they\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan they travel?\u00a0 I gave my word I\u2019d see them out of the county by sundown tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it wouldn\u2019t be my first recommendation, but if they have to, they can travel.\u201d\u00a0 He looked closely at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYou all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t give anyone an excuse to punch me this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that bothers you?\u201d the doctor chuckled.<\/p>\n

Ben turned abruptly, stuffing his hands in his pants\u2019 pockets and scuffing at the dirt.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, it bothers me.\u00a0 Who am I, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA knight on a white horse?\u201d Paul suggested.<\/p>\n

Ben spun around to find the doctor smiling at him.\u00a0 \u201cThat was your dream, as I recall,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Paul had once described his reasons for coming west with that idealistic phrase.<\/p>\n

Paul nodded, then laid a hand on Ben\u2019s taller shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s every man\u2019s dream, one time or another, and most of us fall short of it.\u00a0 You, my friend, attain it far more than any man I know.\u00a0 Don\u2019t torture yourself over the times you can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked up and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGood advice, doctor.\u00a0 Any extra charge?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAs a matter of fact, yes.\u00a0 A good meal, to which Marie has already invited me, and a rousing game of chess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re on,\u201d Ben replied as they headed back inside.<\/p>\n

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

Between work and preparations for the coming departure, the final days of August skittered by.\u00a0 Mark, Mary and Adam would board the Pioneer Stage on Friday, the second of September, but before they did, Mark had one last call to make, one he had both dreaded and anticipated for weeks.\u00a0 Unable to put it off longer, he rode nervously into Carson City Thursday morning and knocked at Dr. Martin\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

When he answered the door, Dr. Martin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDid Little Joe take another tumble down the stairs or has Ben brought home more rustlers that need my attention?\u201d\u00a0 Mark shook his head, but Dr. Martin, noticing the young man\u2019s edginess, grew grave.\u00a0 \u201cAnyone else ill or injured?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark again shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir.\u00a0 I came to see you, to ask a question.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, come in, then,\u201d Dr. Martin said, relieved.\u00a0 \u201cHave a seat,\u201d he offered, indicating one of the two he kept for arriving patients in the small area curtained off from his examining room to the back of the cabin.<\/p>\n

Mark perched on the edge of the chair, fingers tapping his knees like the keyboard of a piano.\u00a0 Dr. Martin pulled a chair so he could face the young man and sat down.\u00a0 \u201cNow, what\u2019s this question you had?\u00a0 Something regarding your sister\u2019s health?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Mark said.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s feeling much stronger than when we came.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, our dry climate\u2019s proved invigorating for her,\u201d Dr. Martin commented.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad.\u201d\u00a0 He waited silently.<\/p>\n

Mark took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve come to ask, sir, for your daughter\u2019s hand in marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin\u2019s face sobered.\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u00a0 I thought you might; but when you delayed so long, I decided the threat was past.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark gulped.\u00a0 \u201cThreat, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHard for me to see it otherwise,\u201d Dr. Martin responded.\u00a0 \u201cSurely, you realize how I treasure my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs do I, sir,\u201d Mark countered.<\/p>\n

The doctor sat back, eyeing the young man cautiously.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps.\u00a0 You must also understand that I want nothing but the best for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs do I,\u201d Mark repeated.<\/p>\n

The doctor\u2019s mouth quirked slightly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd do you consider yourself \u2018the best\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin folded his arms.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m referring to your history of carousing, young man.\u00a0 I will not see my daughter married to a drunkard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know how much Mr. Cartwright has told you, sir, but\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright has told me nothing,\u201d Dr. Martin interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cIt was Sally herself who told me.\u00a0 Evidently, you felt no shame in telling her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was\u2014\u2014and am\u2014\u2014ashamed, sir,\u201d Mark said earnestly. \u00a0\u201cSally must have told you how deeply I regret my former behavior and how determined I am to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin nodded perfunctorily.\u00a0 \u201cHow determined you are remains to be seen.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been sheltered from temptation out at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 You may find it harder to resist once you\u2019re back in San Francisco, and until you convince me you have changed, you will not gain my permission to wed my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you mean I need to prove myself,\u201d Mark said slowly, \u201cI\u2019m willing to do that.\u00a0 It\u2019s my intention to return home tomorrow, find a steady job and, with my brother\u2019s help, provide a proper home for my sister.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll begin to save money for my future with Sally.\u00a0 I plan to be gone almost a year, sir.\u00a0 Is that not time enough to prove the seriousness of my intentions?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin only delayed his answer a couple of minutes, but to Mark the time dragged past like as many hours.\u00a0 Finally, the doctor said, \u201cA year\u2014\u2014yes.\u00a0 If you return home and put yourself under your father\u2019s authority for that time, and if there are no further indiscretions, I will reconsider my answer.\u00a0 Before you ask for Sally\u2019s hand again, however, I want a letter from your father assuring me that your conduct has been above reproach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though his relationship with his father had broken down, Mark knew the Reverend Wentworth for a fair man.\u00a0 His father would not withhold that letter of approval if Mark earned it.\u00a0 Neither, of course, would he hesitate to report unfavorable incidents, but with a prize like Sally to reach for, Mark was certain he\u2019d find the fortitude to meet even his father\u2019s high standards.\u00a0 He stood and reached for the doctor\u2019s hand to seal the bargain.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you next spring, sir, shortly after my father\u2019s written that letter.\u00a0 May I write Sally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProvided there is no discussion of love or marriage, you may write,\u201d Dr. Martin agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll both be interested in what you\u2019re doing and the progress you\u2019re making.\u201d<\/p>\n

The way he said it told Mark that Sally would not be the only one reading those letters.\u00a0 He\u2019d be sure to keep them circumspect.<\/p>\n

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

Ben hated farewells on principle, but the ones exchanged as the Pioneer Stage prepared for boarding in Carson City were unusually difficult.\u00a0 Having not understood until the last moment that his playmate of the summer was leaving, Little Joe was clinging to Mary Wentworth and weeping inconsolably, and the baby\u2019s grief seemed to set the mood of everyone else\u2019s good-byes.\u00a0 Hoss, with his new aspirations of manliness, was handling himself better, but it was obvious he, too, hated to see Mary go.\u00a0 In fact, he expressed the fervor of his feelings by informing Mary that he intended to marry her when he grew up, so she could stay at the Ponderosa forever.\u00a0 Between gently dealing with his boyish love and wiping Little Joe\u2019s tears, Mary had her hands full.<\/p>\n

With the stage depot in full view from Dr. Martin\u2019s office, Mark didn\u2019t dare hold Sally\u2019s hand, much less speak of marriage, nor did she use the forbidden word.\u00a0 Their eyes, however, communicated clear messages of love.\u00a0 Mark\u2019s dark eyes were warm with promise, while Sally\u2019s blue ones shone with confidence the pledge would be kept.<\/p>\n

Even Adam, usually dreamy with anticipation of a new school term, seemed reluctant to board the stage this time.\u00a0 He still felt that he was abandoning the Ponderosa in its hour of greatest need.\u00a0 When he\u2019d expressed that a few days earlier, however, his father had opened the Bible and pointed out a verse that advised against thinking of himself more highly than he ought.\u00a0 Adam got the point and said nothing further.<\/p>\n

When the time came to board the stage, Little Joe still refused to release his precious Mary, so Nelly Thomas, who with Inger and Billy was there to see everyone off, took the baby from her.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Sugarfoot.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if we can\u2019t find some cookies in Aunt Nelly\u2019s kitchen.\u201d\u00a0 Marie smiled, hopeful a tasty distraction would take her child\u2019s attention off his loss.\u00a0 Hoss hadn\u2019t been specifically invited, but cookies sounded like the perfect solace to him, too, so he trotted after Nelly and his brother.<\/p>\n

Ben helped Mary into the stage.\u00a0 The girl paused in the doorway to take a clay crock of lebkuchen dough from Marie.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019m leaving so much richer than I came,\u201d she enthused.\u00a0 Packed in her carpetbags, one more than when she arrived, were containers of strawberry jam and a number of new dresses she and Marie had made.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for a wonderful summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a pleasure to have you,\u201d Ben said warmly.\u00a0 He turned to shake Mark\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Mark nodded.\u00a0 He knew he\u2019d been anything but a pleasure when he first came, but hoped he\u2019d made up for that by his faithful work later.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t express what this summer has meant to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I think I know,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGive your father my best.\u201d\u00a0 Contained in that greeting was the certainty that a wonderful reunion awaited father and son in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

For Ben and his boy, however, it was months of separation that loomed before them.\u00a0 Seeing that Adam had finished his farewells to Billy and Sally, Ben gave his son a final embrace.\u00a0 \u201cWrite all about your studies,\u201d he dictated.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be real interested in that course on surveying you\u2019re hoping to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam replied soberly, \u201cand you write all about the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything you need to know,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

The answer didn\u2019t please Adam, who felt his father meant to hide any worries from him, but he saw no point in protesting.\u00a0 \u201cTell those ornery little brothers of mine good-bye,\u201d he laughed, instead.\u00a0 \u201cThey really know how to make a fellow feel important, running after cookies instead of staying to see me off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll miss you,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cdespite appearances to the contrary.\u201d<\/p>\n

When he\u2019d given Marie a swift peck on the cheek, Adam mounted the stage, wondering whether his father\u2019s parting remark was true. \u00a0Hoss, he was sure, would miss him, but he\u2019d find consolation in the letters that came with every mail.\u00a0 On the other hand, Adam had been too busy working to see much of Little Joe this summer.\u00a0 The little fellow would probably just forget him again.\u00a0 However, Adam didn\u2019t waste time regretting what he couldn\u2019t change.\u00a0 As the stage pulled out, the oldest Cartwright boy found his thoughts turning toward Sacramento and the nuggets of knowledge waiting to be mined there.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN<\/p>\n

Civil Matters<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ben entered, blowing on his fingers, and headed straight for the Ponderosa\u2019s massive stone fireplace.\u00a0 \u201cBrr!\u00a0 Cold out, boy,\u201d he told Hoss, the only member of the family in sight.\u00a0 Ben looked with irritation toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cGo see what\u2019s keeping your mother, will you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI know what\u2019s keeping her\u2014\u2014my little brother.\u00a0 He fights bein\u2019 bundled up tooth and toenail, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIf he could get a feel of that wind, he wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt couldn\u2019t be much colder than it is in here,\u201d Marie complained as she escorted her puckered-lipped toddler down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cI do hope it will be warmer in Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe a little,\u201d Ben conceded, \u201cbut I wouldn\u2019t count on it.\u00a0 I just hope the cold doesn\u2019t affect the turnout for the election.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie came to him, lifting her face for a kiss.\u00a0 \u201cI hate to see you worry about such things on your birthday, mon amour<\/em>.\u00a0 It should be a time for celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, for picnics and swimmin\u2019 parties,\u201d Hoss grinned, recalling his own birthday with fond remembrance.<\/p>\n

Ben tousled the boy\u2019s sandy hair.\u00a0 \u201cIn July, maybe!\u00a0 Please spare my aged bones any picnics or swimming today.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s bones were feeling every minute of his thirty-eight years this frosty morning.<\/p>\n

Little Joe patted his father\u2019s leg to get his attention.\u00a0 \u201cSwim, Pa?\u00a0 I wanna swim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed as he tossed the little boy up to his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou would!\u201d\u00a0 The tiny toddler seemed to relish cold weather.\u00a0 A dip in an icy lake would probably suit Little Joe to a T, even if the teeth of everyone else in the family were chattering loud enough to make music for Adam\u2019s ears in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice of \u2018em to put the election on your birthday, Pa,\u201d Hoss commented as they started toward the door.<\/p>\n

Ben gave his middle boy a hearty slap on the back. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t think that was their reason, Hoss, but the only present I want for this birthday is to see that constitution adopted.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they exited the house and moved toward the buckboard, Marie shivered under her rabbit skin cape.\u00a0 \u201cI am glad now that Mary left when she did.\u00a0 This cold would be terrible for her.\u201d\u00a0 Since the weather normally didn\u2019t turn chilly until October, there\u2019d been some discussion of the Wentworths\u2019 staying through September.\u00a0 Feeling homesick for her father, however, Mary had decided they, too, should leave when Adam returned to school.<\/p>\n

\u201cMary?\u201d Little Joe asked, head lifting from his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhere Mary?\u201d\u00a0 It hadn\u2019t been a week since the Wentworths and Adam had boarded the stage, and Little Joe was just beginning to get over his sense of loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you have to mention her name?\u201d Ben chided.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled contritely.\u00a0 \u201cYou are going to play with Inger and Jimmy today, Little Joe,\u201d she offered as a quick alternative.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good,\u201d the toddler crowed, happy again.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights loaded into the buckboard, the boys in the back, and drove through a gray mist that shrouded them in damp cold.\u00a0 Hoss gratefully huddled beneath wool blankets, but Little Joe, seemingly oblivious to the wind and wet, stood behind the wagon seat, chattering to his longsuffering parents.<\/p>\n

On arriving in Carson City, Ben went immediately to the polling place, while the rest of the family sought the warmth of the Thomases\u2019 parlor.\u00a0 After casting his ballot, Ben ambled over to the trading post to converse with Clyde and encourage any prospective voters who wandered in to support the constitution.\u00a0 Most agreed that they would, but the main topic of conversation around the pot-bellied stove was the sudden turn in the weather.\u00a0 None of the long-time settlers could remember such an early cold snap, and several fretted that they might be in for a harsh winter.\u00a0 Newer residents, especially those accustomed to the milder weather of California, scoffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI, for one, am going to lay in my winter supplies early\u2014\u2014and in quantity,\u201d Ben commented to Clyde, but loudly enough for everyone else to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Clyde announced to the room, though most tossed off his advice as salesmanship.\u00a0 \u201cJust have time to take down your order before we head to my place for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but I\u2019ll need to check with Marie before we finish,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake more sense to talk to Hop Sing, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d Clyde cackled.\u00a0 \u201cHe still rules the roost at your place, don\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 The comment drew laughter from everyone in the room who\u2019d ever been a guest at the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right, Ben,\u201d Augustus Harrison jibed.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t pay to rile the cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCooks,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got two of them to keep appeased, and neither one shy about expressing his or her opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supply list tentatively completed, Clyde herded Ben toward his place, where a surprise awaited the birthday celebrant.\u00a0 The dinner of New England pot roast and Boston-baked beans didn\u2019t surprise Ben; he\u2019d suspected Nelly meant to treat him to his favorite foods when she extended the invitation.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t, however, expected to find a party of people waiting to share the meal, as well as the huge sponge cake Laura Ellis had baked.<\/p>\n

\u201cSurprise, Pa!\u201d Hoss shouted needlessly when Ben entered the house to see Dr. Martin and Sally, in addition to the Thomases and Ellises.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Prise, Pa!\u201d Little Joe chortled, jumping and down as he clapped his hands.<\/p>\n

Ben scooped him up and shared the laughter.\u00a0 \u201cIt sure is!\u201d he declared.\u00a0 \u201cNow, who planned this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all had a part,\u201d Nelly chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cJust sort of fell together without much plannin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if you thought you were going to spend this birthday canvassing for votes, you are much mistaken, my friend,\u201d Paul Martin observed.\u00a0 \u201cBarring the intrusion of patients, you and I will be spending the afternoon over a chessboard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI could use something to take my mind off the election.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded her satisfaction.\u00a0 Just as she\u2019d thought when she\u2019d made the suggestion to Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n

By the time two strongly contested chess games had been completed, the polls were closed.\u00a0 Although the final results wouldn\u2019t be known until news of other precincts came in, Ben wanted to stay long enough to get a feel for how the constitution was being received.\u00a0 As would be proven later, the election in Carson City was a fair gauge for how the rest of the proposed territory was voting.\u00a0 The constitution was adopted and Isaac Roop elected provisional governor.\u00a0 Although Ben had received a substantial number of votes for that office in the Carson City balloting, outlying precincts all went for Roop.\u00a0 Ben received an unexpected birthday present a few days later, however, when he learned he\u2019d been elected to the territorial legislature to convene in December.<\/p>\n

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

The temperature continued to drop throughout September.\u00a0 Feeling the frosty air that greeted him each morning, Ben thought it prudent to bring the cattle down from the upper pastures to the warmer valley where grass would survive longer.\u00a0 Hoss was excused from lessons to assist in the roundup, but only escape from the hated schoolwork made up for the icy wind that swept over the Sierras and crept down the neck of his jacket.\u00a0 Snow flurries drifted through the air almost every afternoon, although there was no accumulation, and the snow melted almost as soon as it hit the ground.<\/p>\n

Once the cattle had been moved, Ben made a concerted effort to lay in a huge stockpile of firewood.\u00a0 Even if his own intuition had not been sufficient impetus, the warnings of Tuquah and the other Washo herdsmen would have alerted Ben to the severity of the winter to come.\u00a0 He intended to be prepared and hoped his neighbors would take similar precautions.\u00a0 Clyde, he knew, would, but Ben felt concerned about the miners who had poured across the Sierras that summer.\u00a0 He had assumed they would return to California for the winter, as local miners usually had, but as the weeks passed, it seemed evident most intended to stay.\u00a0 Few of them, Ben was sure, had the least idea of the hardships they would face before spring.<\/p>\n

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

Carson County suffered a temporary setback in its quest for self-rule toward the end of September when James Crane, who was to carry the proposed constitution to Congress, died of a sudden heart attack.\u00a0 After the funeral in Carson City, several friends suggested Ben run as his replacement in the special election set for November 12th, but Ben declined, feeling he couldn\u2019t afford to travel to Washington and remain as long as it might take to see the proper legislation through Congress.\u00a0 The Ponderosa and his family came first, so Ben willingly laid aside his political aspirations.<\/p>\n

In an attempt to reestablish the authority of Utah\u2019s territorial government, Judge John S. Child, an appointee of non-Mormon governor Alfred Cummings, had convened a session of the probate court on September 12th and set separate elections for October 8th.\u00a0 The court had closed for lack of business, and only three of the ten precincts bothered to open for the election.<\/p>\n

Ben abstained from voting for the first time in his civic life, for it seemed to him that Salt Lake City was about as responsive to the needs of western Utah as the British had been to their American colony\u2019s cry against taxation without representation.\u00a0 The situations were similar in Ben\u2019s mind, and while he didn\u2019t advocate revolution, he no longer felt obliged to support the territorial government.\u00a0 Child and Cummings issued commissions to those elected in October, but not one candidate wanted to take the oath of office under such uncertain conditions.\u00a0 Those who cared at all chose to await Congress\u2019s action on their bid for a separate territory.<\/p>\n

Most of western Utah\u2019s residents were too caught up in the almost daily changes on the Comstock to be concerned with who governed them.\u00a0 Small settlements were springing up all through the mining region: American Flat, Silver City, Gold Hill, Flowery Ridge and more.\u00a0 According to Billy Thomas, faithful reporter of all activity on the Comstock Lode, the mining district originally called Ophir or Ophir Diggings had earned a more auspicious name.\u00a0 In a typical drunken stupor, James Finney, known as Old Virginny to long-time residents of the area, had stumbled and broken a bottle of whiskey.\u00a0 Not wanting to waste it, Billy said, Finney had used the remaining liquor to baptize the ground as Virginia Town in honor of his home state.\u00a0 Ben and Clyde had a hearty laugh at the foolishness of calling the small congregation of miners a town, but the miners, gambling on a bright future, soon raised the ante by dubbing their town Virginia City.<\/p>\n

As the area continued to boom, Ben, too, began to catch the excitement of new developments.\u00a0 Not only was Virginia City being laid out in lots, but on one of them Wells Fargo soon established the first bank in the region.\u00a0 The growth was also affecting Carson City, supply station for the mines.\u00a0 A telegraph, called the grapevine (either affectionately or from maddening frustration with its frequent breakdowns), was strung from tree to tree, linking Carson City with Placerville.\u00a0 Then, in response to the northward population shift, the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> announced it would print its last issue from Genoa on October 29th, thereafter relocating to Carson City.\u00a0 Finally, when John Musser, who had presided over the constitutional convention, was selected as the new representative to Washington, Ben was sure the region was well on its way to becoming a territory.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT<\/p>\n

Snowed-In Christmas<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Collar turned up against the howling wind, Ben glued his chin to his chest and plowed through the whirling snow to the side of the house where firewood was stacked and covered in an attempt to keep it dry.\u00a0 Gathering an armload, he headed back toward the front door.\u00a0 Entering through the kitchen would have been closer, but Ben preferred to endure the cold a few moments longer rather than listen to the castigation of his Chinese cook.\u00a0 Besides, Marie was in the kitchen now, too, and suffered even more than Hop Sing from the icy gusts that blew white powder across the floor whenever any door was opened.<\/p>\n

The first snow had fallen on the twenty-second of November, the second four days later, blanketing the ground to a depth of five to six feet.\u00a0 Since then, scarcely a day had passed without more inches being added to the drifts piled against house and fence post, bunkhouse and barn.\u00a0 Even when the sun condescended to come out, never for longer than three days at a time, its frail beams dispensed no warmth.\u00a0 As November gave way to December, the temperature dropped to freezing on good days and below zero on others.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was still giving vent to his displeasure at being left indoors when Ben came in and dumped a load of logs in the wood box by the fireplace.\u00a0 Hoss, usually adept at handling his little brother, was scolding the toddler soundly for the racket he was creating.\u00a0 \u201cHoss,\u201d Ben chided softly, \u201cyou\u2019re not helping the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, how\u2019s a feller supposed to study with him carryin\u2019 on?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

A smile flickered at Ben\u2019s lips.\u00a0 Ordinarily, Hoss would have preferred any chore to sitting at his books, but he didn\u2019t share his younger brother\u2019s delight in winter weather.\u00a0 Even arithmetic seemed more enticing than waltzing through snowdrifts, though Ben\u2019s chunky middle son dutifully did that morning and evening to see to the needs of the animals in the barn.\u00a0 Unlike Little Joe, he was willing to stay in the house between those necessary trips outside, but even good-natured Hoss was showing the effects of too much time indoors.\u00a0 Cabin fever was the only explanation for his impatience with his adored little brother.<\/p>\n

Ben lifted the baby and sat down by the fire, gently stroking the heaving back as he whispered soothing syllables. \u201cYou have those sums worked yet?\u201d he asked Hoss when Little Joe began to quiet down.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, no thanks to squall-bawl there,\u201d Hoss grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh; let me see your slate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frowning, Hoss presented his work, sure he\u2019d done it incorrectly, as usual.<\/p>\n

There were mistakes, but Ben corrected them with as gentle a tone as he\u2019d used with the baby.\u00a0 Both boys were irritable, and while Ben normally didn\u2019t tolerate poor attitudes, he understood the tension underlying his sons\u2019 crankiness and made allowances.\u00a0 He wrote out new sums for Hoss to total and suggested the youngster try again.\u00a0 \u201cSupper should be ready by the time you finish,\u201d Ben said encouragingly, then went back to letting Little Joe ride his knee like a bucking bronc.\u00a0 \u201cRide a little horsey; go to town; buy my baby\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

A loud thumping sounded at the door.\u00a0 Ben waited a moment for Hop Sing to respond, but the Chinese cook was far less defensive about his prerogative to greet all callers now that exercising it meant a blast of cold air in his face.\u00a0 Chuckling to himself, Ben set Little Joe down and went to answer the door, the toddler pattering after him.<\/p>\n

Ben had expected the caller to be one of the men from the bunkhouse.\u00a0 Not that he\u2019d known any reason even they would need to see him.\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t imagine anyone living further away braving the freezing cold.\u00a0 To his surprise, the elderly man who stood outside his door was no one Ben knew, though he recognized the distinctive clothing of the Washo tribe.<\/p>\n

Ben held the door wide in invitation to the old Indian, who entered and extended a piece of paper to Ben.\u00a0 Ben scanned the letter quickly, frowning as he read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This Indian is a damned old thief.\u00a0 He will steal anything he can lay his hands on.\u00a0 If he comes about your camp, break his head.\u00a0 A Friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked sorrowfully at the gaunt old man.\u00a0 The Indian seemed to think Ben had not understood the letter, so he brought his fingers to his mouth repeatedly to simulate eating.\u00a0 Ben nodded.\u00a0 He\u2019d have guessed the Indian\u2019s purpose even without the gesture.\u00a0 A man with skin stretched that tight over his bones had to be hungry.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I have food for you,\u201d he said, motioning the Washo toward the fire.\u00a0 Little Joe, still at his father\u2019s heels, reached out to stroke the Indian\u2019s frayed rabbit skin blanket.\u00a0 Ben pulled the child back and pushed him toward Hoss, who sat on the hearth with Little Joe between his knees<\/p>\n

\u201cYou savvy English?\u201d Ben asked as the old man spread his hands eagerly toward the flames.<\/p>\n

The Indian shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cEnglish?\u00a0 Maybe so, some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held out the letter.\u00a0 \u201cThis letter bad.\u00a0 Say bad things of you.\u00a0 Make white men not help you.\u00a0 You savvy?\u201d<\/p>\n

When the Indian nodded grimly, Ben wadded the letter up and tossed it toward the fire.\u00a0 The missile fell short, but Hoss scooped up the offending paper and sent it to its destination.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAsk your mother to put together a generous packet of food for our friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hoss said and, taking Little Joe by the hand, shuffled into the kitchen to deliver the message.<\/p>\n

While they waited for his return, Ben offered the Washo a draw on his pipe, and the gap-toothed Indian grinned his pleasure in the smoke.\u00a0 Hoss came back, lugging a feed bag heavily loaded with supplies.\u00a0 Marie followed, looking apprehensive until she saw the age and condition of the Indian Ben had invited in.\u00a0 After he left, she moved into Ben\u2019s embrace.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben,\u201d she sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAre they all as hungry as that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cThose miners over at Sun Mountain are fools.\u00a0 They cut down the pi\u00f1on tree for their fires and deplete the wild game for their own stew pots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are hungry, too, Ben,\u201d Marie murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut if they destroy the food supply of the Indians, they just might end up paying for it with their lives.\u00a0 Desperate people sometimes take desperate action.\u201d\u00a0 He led his wife to the sofa and sat on the table before it, facing her.\u00a0 He took her hands between his.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, I know you won\u2019t like this, but I told Poito last spring that I would bring some beef up to his people when the weather turned bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, it is not safe!\u201d Marie protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou have told me there is ill feeling now.\u201d\u00a0 Misunderstanding had piled on misunderstanding, from the killings of McMarlin and Williams back in 1857, to the murders of Lassen and Clapper in the Black Rock Desert that spring of 1859.\u00a0 White men held red ones in suspicion, and the misgivings were mutual.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the more reason to assuage it,\u201d Ben pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t believe I\u2019ll be in any danger, my love, and I may do a great deal of good.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been waiting for the weather to improve, but if the Paiutes are suffering like that old Washo, I don\u2019t think I dare delay any longer.\u00a0 Then, too, there\u2019s that meeting of the legislature coming up the fifteenth.\u00a0 If I\u2019m to be back in time for that, I probably should leave in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were right to say I would not like this,\u201d Marie sputtered, cheeks growing crimson.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I have to do what I think is right,\u201d Ben said bluntly.<\/p>\n

Marie flounced up from the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cNo matter what I say?\u201d she demanded hotly.<\/p>\n

Ben stood and tried to pull her into an embrace.\u00a0 She resisted him with rigid body, flinging his arms away.\u00a0 \u201cIs this really the way you want to part, Marie?\u201d he asked, grasping her by both wrists.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not wish to part at all!\u201d she snapped.\u00a0 \u201cThat is your choice, monsieur<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 She struggled, but could not escape his iron hold.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, you\u2019re behaving like a child,\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n

Little Joe, always sensitive to loud noises, bellowed, and Marie broke free to soothe her distressed baby.\u00a0 \u201cDo not cry, mon petit<\/em>,\u201d she said, looking reproachfully at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYour father cares nothing for your tears\u2014\u2014or mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to your Indians,\u201d Marie sputtered as she carried Little Joe toward the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI will care for our children, as I shall have to do when the Indians take the life of their father!\u201d<\/p>\n

As she stormed out, Ben threw his hands in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe you shouldn\u2019t go, Pa,\u201d Hoss muttered, shifting uneasily from foot to foot.<\/p>\n

Ben sat down by the fire and pulled Hoss to his knee.\u00a0 \u201cI have to go, son.\u00a0 I gave Poito my word.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, promises are important,\u201d Hoss conceded, \u201cbut I hate it when you fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot overly fond of it myself,\u201d Ben said wryly.\u00a0 \u201cYour mother\u2019s worried, and I understand that, but I need understanding, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand you, Pa,\u201d Hoss said loyally, \u201cand if you want me to come with you, I\u2019ll sure do \u2018er.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled and gave the boy a hug.\u00a0 \u201cI appreciate the offer, son, but your mother would have my hide if I took you to the Paiute camp.\u00a0 Besides, I need you to look after her and your little brother while I\u2019m away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn case you don\u2019t come back,\u201d Hoss stated, brow creasing.<\/p>\n

Ben gave him a tighter squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m coming back, Hoss.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, and help them not to, if you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try, Pa,\u201d Hoss promised, taking his vow as seriously as his father did the promise to the Paiute leader.<\/p>\n

Ben told himself that once Marie\u2019d had time to cool down, he could make her understand.\u00a0 She, however, refused to speak to him throughout an unpleasant dinner.\u00a0 Not wanting to upset the children, Ben waited until they were asleep to reason with his wife.\u00a0 Nothing he said, however, changed Marie\u2019s opinion that he was risking his life needlessly, and for one of the few times in their marriage, they went to sleep with their backs to each other.<\/p>\n

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

Ben had never before driven cattle through such appalling weather.\u00a0 Fortunately, the snowfall was light, but even so his progress was slow as he herded several beeves toward Pyramid Lake, where the Paiutes were camped for the winter.\u00a0 He\u2019d chosen animals that were in top physical condition to ensure their surviving the drive, and though the cattle were suffering, they\u2019d make it.\u00a0 Pyramid Lake lay just ahead.<\/p>\n

The atmosphere of the Paiute camp seemed different as he rode in.\u00a0 Usually, young children ran to greet him, but today they hung back, or perhaps were held back by vigilant mothers.\u00a0 Ben and the cattle reached the middle of the encampment before anyone approached him.\u00a0 Ben recognized Sarah Winnemucca hurrying toward him, a wool blanket\u2014\u2014no doubt a gift from the Ormsbys, with whom she\u2019d lived until the increased tensions had driven her home\u2014\u2014protecting her dark braids from the drifting snowflakes.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou have brought us beef!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I promised your father,\u201d Ben said, raising his voice to be heard above the wind.\u00a0 \u201cIs he here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in camp,\u201d Sarah replied, \u201cbut my grandfather will wish to thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I wish to see him,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI brought him some tobacco.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be pleased,\u201d Sarah said.\u00a0 She motioned for some older boys to take charge of the cattle, then led the way to Captain Truckee\u2019s karnee.\u00a0 Ben found the old man looking frail, but in reasonably good health, considering the cold, and they enjoyed a pleasant conversation, though each expressed sorrow for the strained relations between white man and red.\u00a0 Captain Truckee had always looked upon white men as brothers and had frequently argued against his own people when they blamed the white men for such calamities as decimating disease or this year\u2019s unusually harsh winter.<\/p>\n

Ben rode away from Pyramid Lake, satisfied with the success of his expedition.\u00a0 If he could have spoken with Poito or Numaga, a better understanding might have been reached, but the gift of cattle would express his good intentions and, hopefully, make the Paiutes think more favorably of their white neighbors. \u00a0Even if no good came of this trip, Ben was glad he\u2019d made it.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t feed two tribes single-handed, of course, but what he could spare, he would, if only to make amends for what other white men had taken.\u00a0 As Marie had said, they probably had hungry white neighbors, as well, but Ben\u2019s sympathies lay with the Indians, whose food supply those white neighbors had usurped.<\/p>\n

The thought of Marie reminded Ben that he had another peace conference awaiting him.\u00a0 Marie had said little the morning he left, evidently feeling words were futile.\u00a0 She\u2019d let him kiss her on the cheek in parting, but had said nothing other than a whispered admonition to be careful.<\/p>\n

It was a different woman who greeted him when he rode in.\u00a0 Marie, oblivious of the snowflakes splattering her bare head, rushed outside to fall into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben, I am so sorry,\u201d she cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cDearest, you\u2019re freezing,\u201d Ben scolded.\u00a0 \u201cGo back inside.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be in as soon as I stable my mount.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cKiss me,\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n

Laughing, Ben wrapped sturdy arms around her shivering ones and forcefully pressed her lips.\u00a0 She returned the kiss with passion that warmed him better than the hottest fire, and that night in bed she more than made up for the rigid back she\u2019d turned the last night they\u2019d spent together.<\/p>\n

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

An article in the next issue of the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> made Ben feel even more gratified that he\u2019d done what he could to assist the neighboring tribes.\u00a0 Isaac Roop, newly elected governor of their unrecognized territory, had made his way from Susanville to Carson City, no doubt in anticipation of the following week\u2019s convening of the territorial legislature.\u00a0 On the way Roop had passed through Truckee Meadows and through the paper reported on the condition of the Washos camped there.\u00a0 \u201cThe Indians in Truckee Meadows are freezing and starving to death by scores,\u201d Roop reported in the newspaper\u2019s columns, telling how he had found three children dead and dying in one cabin. \u201cThe whites are doing all they can to alleviate the miseries of the poor Washos,\u201d the article continued.\u00a0 \u201cThey have sent out and built fires for them, and offered them bread and other provisions.\u00a0 But in many instances the starving Indians refuse to eat, fearing that the food is poisoned.\u00a0 They attribute the severity of the winter to the whites.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhite folks don\u2019t like the cold no better than Indians,\u201d Hoss protested when his father had finished reading the article aloud.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, we don\u2019t tell it when to snow.\u00a0 God does that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son,\u201d Ben explained, \u201cbut when things happen that people don\u2019t understand, they often look for someone to blame.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you took them beeves up to the Paiutes,\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, they won\u2019t be blamin\u2019 us if they\u2019re hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will blame whom they please,\u201d Marie said curtly, then dipped her chin in apology.\u00a0 \u201cStill, I, too, am glad you took the cattle, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about you?\u201d Ben chuckled, bouncing Little Joe from his lap to his shoulder.\u00a0 Little Joe chortled with delight.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a consensus, then,\u201d Ben laughed, \u201cand may all we legislators come to one as easily next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the provisional legislature met the following Thursday in the home of J. B. Blake of Genoa, however, Ben discovered that his prayer should have been for a quorum, not a consensus, for only four legislators showed up.\u00a0 Governor Roop delivered a message, a few resolutions were passed and a committee was appointed to draw up a memorial to Congress.\u00a0 Then the legislature adjourned to the first Monday in July, when, hopefully, the weather would favor a higher attendance.<\/p>\n

Ben spent that night in Genoa and the following one in Carson City.\u00a0 Marie wasn\u2019t expecting him home for several days anyway, so Ben decided to lay over for a visit with Clyde and Nelly, an infrequent luxury due to the increasingly bitter weather.\u00a0 As soon as the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> was available that Saturday, however, Ben tucked a copy in his saddle bag and headed for home.\u00a0 He pushed his mount, for another storm seemed to be brewing.<\/p>\n

Marie was surprised to see her husband home so early, for he had expected the legislature to be in session about a week.\u00a0 As she pulled off his boots so he could warm his feet at the fire, Ben explained about the poor attendance.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it is terribly cold,\u201d Marie empathized.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps it was to be expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoop made it all the way from Susanville,\u201d Ben said gruffly.\u00a0 \u201cIf anyone had reason to stay home by the fire, he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBut he is the governor, Ben.\u00a0 How could he not come?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWould look bad, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 He unfolded the newspaper and began to read while Marie massaged his bare soles.\u00a0 \u201cOne year today,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0 \u201cHardly seems possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Marie asked, looking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Enterprise<\/em>,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cBeen in publication a year now.\u00a0 And what a year it\u2019s been!\u00a0 Never dreamed the little paper would have so much news to report.\u201d<\/p>\n

After placing slippers on his feet, Marie perched on his knee to view the paper with him, her attention drawn more to the advertisements than to the news.\u00a0 \u201cSo many new businesses,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMostly hotels,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t have much use for them, unless we go to Genoa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I am interested in this one in Carson City,\u201d Marie giggled, pointing to the ad for the Pioneer Hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes, the one with the bakery attached,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cGood move for Laura to join her business with the hotel.\u00a0 Should bring in more customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd help her keep the business separate from her home,\u201d Marie added.\u00a0 \u201cThat is her real reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, here\u2019s a notice that might interest Dr. Martin,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like he\u2019ll have some competition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you mean, Pa?\u201d Hoss, doing his lessons at the table before the fire, asked.\u00a0 Uninterested in the conversation around him, Little Joe just continued to build fragile towers with his blocks.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain Anton Tjader, late of U. S. Marine Hospital, Chelsea, Massachusetts, offers professional services,\u201d Ben read.\u00a0 \u201cGunshot wounds a specialty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019ll stick with Doc, won\u2019t we?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my book, he is,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Hoss, we\u2019ll stick with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scrambled up and came to lean on the arm of his father\u2019s chair.\u00a0 \u201cAnything else interestin\u2019 in that paper?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben chucked the boy\u2019s chin.\u00a0 \u201cAny excuse to shirk your lessons, eh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Hoss scowled.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t so all-fired lazy as you make out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re a good worker\u2014\u2014in all ways but that,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cWell, here\u2019s something you might find interesting.\u00a0 Seems a Mr. F. Horn is offering a twenty-five dollar reward for the return of three boxes of assaying equipment lost in the recent snowstorm somewhere on the King\u2019s Canyon Grade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know where that is!\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cCould I go look for it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d Ben answered firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could sure use that money,\u201d Hoss grumbled.<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, use your head!\u00a0 Or better yet, stick it outdoors and take a look at the weather.\u00a0 The last place you need to be is further up the mountains.\u00a0 For that matter, you\u2019d have a hard time getting to town to collect that reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know what I\u2019m gonna do for Christmas presents,\u201d Hoss mumbled as he went back to his lessons.\u00a0 \u201cI got a good sum of money saved, thanks to you payin\u2019 me so good this summer, but I ain\u2019t been to town for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie reached across Ben to stroke the youngster\u2019s pudgy cheek.\u00a0 \u201cYou do not need to buy presents, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u00a0 That is Santa\u2019s job, and he is well prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanna?\u201d Little Joe piped up, finally hearing a subject that interested him.\u00a0 \u201cSanna come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you remember Santa, do you, my bright little boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe, dragging his bunny by one ear, toddled over and squiggled beneath the paper into his father\u2019s lap.\u00a0 \u201cHey, it\u2019s getting kind of crowded in this chair,\u201d Ben protested, but his velvet eyes were twinkling.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, we\u2019re gonna have that party, like we do every Christmas, ain\u2019t we?\u201d Hoss asked, face puckered with sudden worry.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss, but no one\u2019s gonna want to come up here with the kind of weather we\u2019ve been having.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, doggone it!\u201d Hoss muttered, pulling away.\u00a0 \u201cNo Thanksgiving and now no Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Marie exchanged a commiserating look.\u00a0 They, too, had been disappointed when they couldn\u2019t celebrate their traditional Thanksgiving meal with the Thomases.\u00a0 Marie had done her best to prepare a special meal, and the hired hands, at least, had seemed appreciative.\u00a0 Hoss had obviously missed seeing his friends and had looked forward to the annual Christmas Eve party as a chance to make up for the omission.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will have a fine Christmas,\u201d Marie promised, \u201ceven if we must celebrate it alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA real old-fashioned one,\u201d Ben added brightly, \u201clike we used to have when it was just you and me and Adam.\u00a0 Won\u2019t that be fun?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStinkin\u2019 snow,\u201d Hoss muttered and flopped down at the table to return to his studies.<\/p>\n

Little Joe squirmed out of his father\u2019s lap and into Hoss\u2019s.\u00a0 He patted his brother\u2019s face to get his attention.\u00a0 \u201cSnow not stink, HaHa,\u201d he soothed.\u00a0 \u201cSnow pwitty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, if you don\u2019t quit callin\u2019 me HaHa, I\u2019m gonna toss you out in that pretty snow,\u201d Hoss grumbled.<\/p>\n

Little Joe clapped his tiny hands.\u00a0 \u201cFun!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cGo play!\u201d\u00a0 The others moaned.\u00a0 Even Ben and Marie had lost their appreciation for the beauty of snow.\u00a0 There\u2019d been just too much of it lately.<\/p>\n

And still the snow descended.\u00a0 Day by day the drifts piled higher, and three days before Christmas a ferocious blizzard blew in.\u00a0 Ben dug a path from the kitchen door to the barn, so he and Hoss could get to the animals stabled there.\u00a0 Through chattering teeth Hop Sing loudly protested when Ben burst back in, wind howling after him.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, for the umpteenth time, it\u2019s our house!\u201d Ben shouted, \u201cand you\u2019d better make up your mind that it\u2019s our kitchen, too, because we\u2019re all gonna be in here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving Hop Sing to grumble to himself, Ben hurried through the chilly front room and up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cGet the baby dressed and bring him to the kitchen,\u201d he ordered Marie, sticking his head into their bedroom.\u00a0 Marie, shivering beneath the covers, sensed something wrong.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSnow and more snow,\u201d he grunted.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like a real siege of it, so I think we\u2019d better conserve our wood supply, just heat the one room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, that sounds wise.\u00a0 I will wrap Little Joe in his blankets and dress him by the fire,\u201d Marie said, getting up.\u00a0 She gave a cry of dismay as her bare feet touched the icy floor and hurried into her clothes.<\/p>\n

Ben hustled down the hall to wake Hoss, and together father and son plunged through the wintry blast to the barn.\u00a0 When they returned to the kitchen, Marie was sitting by the fire in a straight-backed chair, rocking a still drowsy Little Joe back and forth on her lap.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll bring down the rocker,\u201d Ben offered and Marie nodded her appreciation.<\/p>\n

He carried the rocking chair from the nursery to the kitchen, as well as some extra blankets to tuck around his wife and over her knees.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Ben,\u201d she whispered, folding a blanket around the now sleeping baby.\u00a0 \u201cThe cold is so bitter this morning.\u00a0 Do you think it will last long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He sat in one of the chairs Hoss had dragged in from the dining room and held his hands to the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill we lose many cattle, do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cQuite a few, I imagine.\u00a0 There\u2019s no getting to them \u2018til the blizzard dies down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many people in this kitchen,\u201d Hop Sing grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing cannot do his work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust fix some breakfast, would you?\u201d Ben snapped.<\/p>\n

\u201cGentlemen,\u201d Marie pleaded, \u201cif you quarrel, this kitchen will seem even smaller and more crowded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d Ben conceded.\u00a0 \u201cYou do the best you can, Hop Sing, and we\u2019ll try to stay out from underfoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHumph!\u201d Hop Sing snorted, but he dutifully began to fry flapjacks and sausage.<\/p>\n

Little Joe woke just as Hoss was polishing off the final flapjack and began to whimper.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no cly,\u201d the cook pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing make mo\u2019 light away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe lisped, flashing his ready smile.\u00a0 The toddler slid from his mother\u2019s lap and, trotting to the door, stretched for the handle.\u00a0 Unable to reach it, he patted the door with his open palm.<\/p>\n

Ben came behind the baby to scoop him up and hold him to the window.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s too cold, Little Joe.\u00a0 See all that nasty snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded happily.\u00a0 \u201cI like snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s over your head, silly son,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cCome back to the table and have your breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breakfast proved a satisfactory distraction from the enticing snow.\u00a0 Pulling a chair up to Hop Sing\u2019s work table, Ben held the boy in his lap and cut his pancake.\u00a0 Little Joe was still awkward with a fork, but he insisted on feeding himself.\u00a0 After the youngster had eaten half of what Hop Sing had cooked for him, Marie washed the effects of his independence from his cheeks with water heated on the stove.<\/p>\n

To Ben, that day seemed like one of the longest of his life.\u00a0 Being cooped up in a kitchen with two restless children and one crotchety Chinaman was not his idea of a pleasant way to idle away several hours.\u00a0 Marie and Hop Sing were keeping themselves occupied with cooking and washing the dirty dishes, so Ben delegated himself the responsibility of entertaining the children.\u00a0 Lessons took up the morning hours for Hoss, and having nothing else to do with the younger boy, Ben made Little Joe part of the class, the brighter part if the truth be told.\u00a0 When the lessons ended just before lunch, Little Joe proudly recited the numbers from one to ten for his mother and identified several letters of the alphabet when his father pointed to them.<\/p>\n

No one had worked up much of an appetite, but Marie and Hop Sing, during a morning in which they\u2019d had nothing to do but cook, had prepared a meal fit for field hands.\u00a0 Even sharing it with the three men in bunkhouse didn\u2019t make the huge roast disappear, though most of the vegetables were gone.\u00a0 \u201cFor mercy\u2019s sake, keep it light tonight,\u201d Ben pleaded, \u201cor we\u2019ll all have nightmares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, a soup, perhaps,\u201d Marie mused.\u00a0 \u201cWe could add potatoes and carrots to the beef, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing not need Missy tell him how cook,\u201d Hop Sing grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I know something better,\u201d Hoss inserted eagerly, \u201csomething we ain\u2019t had in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Hoss?\u201d Ben asked, pleased with any idea that might add interest to this interminable day, especially for the youngsters.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember how you used to put leftover beef in gravy and pour it over biscuits?\u201d Hoss asked, face glowing with nostalgia.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hoss,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat was because Pa didn\u2019t know how to cook well enough to do better by you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI liked it!\u201d Hoss declared, his face forming a pout.<\/p>\n

That was so rare an expression for even-tempered Hoss that Ben knew the boy really needed a silver lining in this cloudy day.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d he soothed, \u201cthat\u2019s what we\u2019ll have for supper.\u00a0 Beef in gravy over biscuits, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing frowned.\u00a0 \u201cNot sound like velly good suppah, Mistah Cahtlight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is, too, good,\u201d Hoss shouted, \u201cand Pa said I could have it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAllight, allight,\u201d Hop Sing muttered.\u00a0 He, too, could read the signs in Hoss\u2019s unaccustomed crankiness and judged it wise to give in to him.\u00a0 The way the snow was coming down, everyone would be camping in his kitchen again tomorrow, and the one thing that would make that worse was crying children.\u00a0 Since he had plenty of time, though, Hop Sing decided to make the beef and vegetable soup, too.\u00a0 Missy, at least, would show sense and choose the better meal\u2014\u2014maybe Mistah Cahtlight, too.<\/p>\n

As the snow fell in ever larger clumps, the afternoon dragged on.\u00a0 Ben played patty cake with Little Joe, then turned him over to his brother while he went to look for a book the boys and Marie might enjoy.\u00a0 When he returned, Hoss was on all fours with Little Joe riding his back.\u00a0 The toddler was squealing with joy, though the squeals that poured from the diminutive cook when horse and rider passed between his feet were less jubilant.<\/p>\n

\u201cRide over here, boys,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cStable your mount, Little Joe, and come listen to the nice story Pa\u2019s picked out to read.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss crawled to his father\u2019s feet, where his younger brother dismounted and began to rub his sides.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u00a0 What are you doin\u2019?\u201d Hoss demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cStable HaHa,\u201d Little Joe replied smoothly.\u00a0 \u201cAlways give HaHa rubdown after ride, huh, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s right, but a boy who\u2019s bright enough to learn his letters and numbers shouldn\u2019t cling to baby talk, Little Joe.\u00a0 Say your brother\u2019s name properly or no story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss,\u201d Little Joe said obligingly.\u00a0 \u201cGotta give Hoss rubdown.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss clambered up from the floor.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m rubbed enough.\u00a0 What\u2019s the story, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben showed him the book he\u2019d chosen, Ivanhoe<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about knights in armor and damsels in distress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie looked up with interest at the final phrase, though it made Hoss scowl.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t we skip that damsel in distress part,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIf we do, there\u2019s no one for the brave knight to rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss cackled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess that\u2019s right.\u00a0 Okay, Pa, we\u2019re ready.\u201d\u00a0 He sat on a folded blanket near Ben\u2019s chair and put Little Joe between his legs.<\/p>\n

Ben began to read to an enrapt Hoss.\u00a0 Little Joe had more trouble following the story and soon became bored.\u00a0 Seeing his wide yawns, Marie made him a pallet to nap on, then sat down by Ben, listening with sentimental ecstasy to the story of Winfred of Ivanhoe and the two women who loved him.\u00a0 Even Hop Sing drew ever closer to the family circle and eventually gave up all pretense of work as he leaned on the table, mouth open, eyes excited.\u00a0 When the time came to cook dinner, he and Marie worked together, grateful to be preparing simple dishes so they could keep most of their attention on the words Ben read.<\/p>\n

Seeing that dinner was ready, Ben stopped reading at a particularly exciting point in story.\u00a0 \u201cAw, Pa, what happens next?\u201d Hoss pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDinnertime, boy,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cand if you\u2019re not hungry, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d Hoss admitted, \u201cbut will you finish the story after we eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThe light\u2019s fading, son, but looks like we\u2019ll be spending tomorrow in this kitchen, too.\u00a0 I\u2019ll read some more tomorrow afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked disappointed at having to wait that long, but he was easily appeased by a heaping platter of beef gravy over biscuits.\u00a0 Little Joe woke up, rubbing his eyes, in time to join the family at supper and while he couldn\u2019t consume nearly as much as his big brother, his smile declared his satisfaction with the simple fare, especially the chocolate cake that followed the meal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we gonna do now?\u201d Hoss asked once dinner was over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we tell stories?\u201d Marie suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI will begin so your father may rest his voice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of stories?\u201d Hoss asked suspiciously, feeling certain ladies were inclined to sappy love stories.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, I think I shall tell you of the duel your father fought for my honor,\u201d Marie said with a sly look at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cTruly, he was as gallant as Sir Ivanhoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I think that\u2019s stretching it a bit,\u201d Ben sputtered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I, monsieur<\/em>, do not,\u201d Marie said, head lifting proudly.\u00a0 \u201cWe will let our sons decide if you did not, indeed, play the part of a noble knight that morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss pulled his chair close, so as not to miss a word.\u00a0 When Marie had finished the tale, he stood to pat his father on the head.\u00a0 \u201cSirPa,\u201d he declared, \u201ca noble knight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa night?\u201d Little Joe queried, looking through the window at the dark sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that kind,\u201d Hoss scoffed, \u201ca knight in armor\u2014\u2014well, except he didn\u2019t have none.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGive it up, Hoss,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all the same to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still too early for bed,\u201d Hoss pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cYou tell a story now, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben agreed and launched into a yarn from one of his sailing trips.<\/p>\n

When the story ended, Hoss begged for another, but Marie objected.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe is getting very sleepy.\u00a0 I think I should take him to bed before any more stories are told.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more stories tonight,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cLet me build a fire in our room; then I think we\u2019d all better hit the hay.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fire will not keep the nursery warm,\u201d Marie worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can sleep with us tonight,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna build a fire in my room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019d rather save the wood, son,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cYou can either sleep here in the kitchen or up in our room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith you,\u201d Hoss decided, \u201cbut it\u2019s gonna get awful crowded in that bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cGet a spare mattress from the bunkhouse, boy.\u00a0 We\u2019ll bed you down right by the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get it now.\u201d\u00a0 He passed through the hands\u2019 dining room that adjoined the kitchen and into the bunkhouse to retrieve his bed.<\/p>\n

Ben returned shortly and carried his drowsy youngest upstairs, putting him in the middle of the large rosewood bed.\u00a0 Hoss lugged in the narrow bunk mattress and stretched it before the fire.\u00a0 Marie brought Hoss\u2019s nightshirt from his room, and Hoss hustled into it and under the covers in record time.\u00a0 Ben and Marie both knelt to kiss him good-night.\u00a0 \u201cKeep toasty,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too,\u201d Hoss grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNight-night, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNight-night,\u201d Little Joe yawned and burrowed into his mother\u2019s pillow.<\/p>\n

The parents crawled in, one on each side of the little boy and reached across him to stroke each other\u2019s cheek, the closest good-night embrace they could manage under the circumstances.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s activities followed much the same pattern as the day before: lessons in the morning, Ivanhoe<\/em> after lunch and stories after supper.\u00a0 Little Joe was awake more that afternoon and, uninterested in the book Ben was reading, set about exploring the kitchen cupboards, much to Hop Sing\u2019s vocalized ire.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know how we\u2019re gonna keep these boys occupied tomorrow,\u201d Ben whispered to his wife after they\u2019d gone to bed.\u00a0 \u201cThey need to move around more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI will think of something, mon amour<\/em>.\u00a0 You have done so much already.\u201d\u00a0 She lay awake, trying to imagine some activity the boys might enjoy which could be done in a kitchen.\u00a0 If only they were having their usual Christmas Eve party.\u00a0 There\u2019d be almost more to do than they had time for.\u00a0 Slowly, a smile touched her lips as she made a decision.<\/p>\n

She shared it with Ben and the boys after breakfast the next morning.\u00a0 \u201cI have decided we will have our Christmas party this evening after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurray!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shouted.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one,\u201d Ben muttered, casting a reproachful look at his wife.\u00a0 \u201cYou know no one can get here.\u00a0 It\u2019s still coming down as if the heavens were a factory for snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people who are coming will not have to come through the snow,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cThey are not our usual guests, but we have three men in the bunkhouse who would enjoy a party, I am sure.\u00a0 We have been thinking only of ourselves, Ben, and that is not the true spirit of Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed not!\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, we must have a party, for our boys and for our men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we have enough wood to heat the front room?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cI was just taking extra precautions in case the storm lasted several days, as it still may, but we can spare enough for one evening, even if we spend another week in this kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd can we put up a big tree, like before?\u201d Hoss asked enthusiastically.<\/p>\n

Ben rolled his eyes, but declined to comment when he saw his son\u2019s dejected face.\u00a0 Ben had never had a Christmas tree when he was a boy, but to his sons it was an important symbol of the season.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think he could provide one this year, but, at least, he wouldn\u2019t mock the boys\u2019 desire for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I think you must excuse Hoss from his lessons this morning,\u201d Marie began, \u201cfor there is much to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDouble hurray!\u201d Hoss sang with glee.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Marie smiled, \u201cI want to make the lebkuchen and gingercakes, as well, so I will need my two boys to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good idea, Missy,\u201d Hop Sing objected.\u00a0 \u201cLittle boys not good help in kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want their help,\u201d Marie said firmly.\u00a0 Ben nodded, understanding that she meant the boys needed to be kept busy and playing with scraps of cookie dough was as good an option as she\u2019d been able to imagine.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take charge of setting up the front room for tonight.\u00a0 You boys help your mother now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet, Pa,\u201d Hoss grinned, \u201cand we\u2019ll sample all the goodies for you, in case you don\u2019t get back in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very thoughtful, son,\u201d Ben replied wryly.\u00a0 He went into the front room and hurried into his coat, for without a fire the room was chilly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d he mused, his breath condensing in white puffs before his face, \u201cfour Cartwrights, three men from the bunkhouse and Hop Sing.\u00a0 That\u2019s eight.\u00a0 Might as well leave the chairs around the table and all eat together.\u00a0 No fiddler, so no need to clear space for dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled as his thoughts turned to his eldest son.\u00a0 If Adam were here, they could dance to his strumming on the guitar.\u00a0 Adam was the lucky one this Christmas, spending his holiday with the Paynes at Rancho Hermoso, nothing worse than rain to dampen his spirits\u2014\u2014probably not even that.\u00a0 It was too cold to stand around missing his boy, however.\u00a0 Ben decided to pull the sofa and chairs closer to the fireplace, so everyone could sit near its warmth after they\u2019d eaten.\u00a0 He started to move the low table out of the way, then decided the men might like to play chess or checkers.\u00a0 He set out the game board and pieces, then made a final inspection of the room.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t look too festive,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n

He crossed to the alcove where his desk stood and looked out the window.\u00a0 The snow was still falling, though it appeared to be slowing down.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019d get lucky and be able to gather a few boughs before the party.\u00a0 Satisfied he\u2019d done all he could for now, Ben removed his coat and returned to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was standing in a chair by the work table, dish cloth tied around his neck, patting a wad of dough into a distinctly lumpy shape.\u00a0 \u201cLookee, Pa, I\u2019m cooking,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cTasty looking treat,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut it\u2019s kind of big, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBig cookie, just for Pa,\u201d Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will have others for the guests, won\u2019t we?\u201d Ben whispered as he drew near his wife\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

She smiled and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry; we won\u2019t touch your special cookie,\u201d she promised, then tittered at the expression on Ben\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

The noon meal consisted only of soup, for Marie and Hop Sing wanted to concentrate their efforts on refreshments for the party.\u00a0 The snow finally stopped while they were eating, so Ben bundled up, determined to provide a little festive greenery.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t plan to go far, though, merely to strip a few limbs from nearby pines.<\/p>\n

Just south of the house he found what he was looking for, and gathered an armload.\u00a0 As he started back, he spied a small pine, not as large as the tree they usually chopped down for Christmas Eve, but Ben though it might suffice today.\u00a0 He piled the branches by the front door, then got his axe and went back to attack the trunk.<\/p>\n

Dragging it inside, Ben called out, \u201cHoss, get in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hustled in.\u00a0 \u201cYou need me, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 He stopped when he saw the tree.\u00a0 \u201cYou got one!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure did,\u201d Ben said brightly, \u201cand I need your help if we\u2019re to get it set up and decorated in time.\u00a0 Put on your coat first, boy; I\u2019ll light the fire, but it\u2019ll take the room awhile to warm up.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Ben laid a fire, Hoss, bundled in his coat, started to drag the tree to its usual spot between the fireplace and the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Hoss, let\u2019s put it closer to the dining room this year,\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 The smaller tree was dwarfed by the large space it had to fill near the stairs.\u00a0 It looked better standing against the wall near the table.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll give extra light at dinner, too,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s good,\u201d Hoss agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the decorations,\u201d Ben said, \u201cand it\u2019s probably warm enough in here now for Little Joe, if he wants to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s asleep,\u201d Hoss reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust as well,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n

Between cooking and decorating and setting the table with their finest linen and crystal, the afternoon passed quickly for the Cartwrights.\u00a0 When everything was ready, Marie had the boys dress in their best suits and she donned her favorite coral satin and jewels to make the occasion seem even more special for the men.\u00a0 The three hands trooped in to supper decked out in their best, as well, obviously delighted to be the boss\u2019s special guests.<\/p>\n

Only Hop Sing refused to take a seat at the table.\u00a0 The little Cantonese, with his strict ideas of propriety, would not yield to anyone his right to serve the meal.\u00a0 He and Marie had tried to make it a gala one.\u00a0 The ham had been baked with a brown sugar glaze and was served with a sauce made from dried peaches.\u00a0 There were candied sweet potatoes and white ones, too, layered and fried in a buttered skillet, then inverted on the serving platter, as well as boiled carrots in a creamy cheese sauce.\u00a0 Mountains of yeast rolls waited to be slathered with butter and jam, and pickled beets and cucumbers rounded out the meal.<\/p>\n

When they\u2019d all eaten their fill, Hop Sing brought in a chafing dish filled with rolled pancakes swimming in sauce.\u00a0 To everyone\u2019s amazement and the youngsters\u2019 awestruck delight, Marie took a candle from the candelabra and touched the flame to the sauce.\u00a0 The sauce, made with brandy, caught fire and burned for a few moments, then went out.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe we\u2019d better not give the boys any of that!\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be foolish,\u201d Marie scolded.\u00a0 \u201cThe alcohol burns out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t that, ma\u2019am,\u201d one of the hands joked.\u00a0 \u201cThem pancakes just look so delicious Mr. Cartwright wants \u2018em all to hisself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are right,\u201d Marie smiled, \u201cbut you shall have the first crepes, Monsieur<\/em> Johnson.\u201d\u00a0 The ranch hand smirked at his good fortune, knowing Ben could take a joke, while the other guests wished they had been quicker on the trigger with a jibe to earn first crack at those intriguing pancakes.\u00a0 The two remaining hands didn\u2019t have long to wait, however, for Marie served them next, then her two little boys and, lastly, the head of the house, who feigned great displeasure at having to wait.<\/p>\n

After dinner they adjourned to the sofa and chairs near the fire, where Hop Sing served coffee and cookies.\u00a0 No one had room for anything else to eat then, but as the evening passed, the plate of cookies diminished visibly.\u00a0 The men politely turned down Ben\u2019s invitation to play checkers or chess.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t had much to do in the bunkhouse except play checkers these last few days,\u201d Lafe Johnson explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about a songfest, then?\u201d Ben suggested.\u00a0 \u201cSome good, old-fashioned Christmas carols to mark the occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the men nodded their approval, Marie smiled at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYou must lead us, mon mari<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben chuckled, \u201cbut you tell me if I pitch it wrong.\u00a0 Let\u2019s start with\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoy to the World!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis favorite,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cYes, son; we\u2019ll start with that.\u201d<\/p>\n

For nearly an hour voices, more or less tuneful, rang in songs remembered from happy years at childhood hearths.\u00a0 The songs made everyone nostalgic, so Ben suggested they each share a favorite Christmas memory.\u00a0 He began by describing the last Christmas he\u2019d shared with his parents.\u00a0 \u201cIt didn\u2019t differ from previous Christmases in any particular way,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut I cherish the memory because my parents died a couple of months later, and that Christmas was my last special memory of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no memories of my parents,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cThey died when I was very young, but the sisters at the orphanage always made Christmas a special time for us.\u00a0 I remember most vividly being sent to bed right after supper on Christmas Eve, so that we might have a few hours sleep before being awakened to go to midnight mass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA service to welcome the birth of the Christ Child, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>,\u201d his mother explained.\u00a0 \u201cWe would go to the church and sing an advent hymn at the very stroke of midnight.\u00a0 We wanted our voices to be the first thing Christ heard on his birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s do that tonight!\u201d Hoss cried.<\/p>\n

His father arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cAre you saying you\u2019d like to go to bed right away?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s face fell.\u00a0 \u201cAw, no, Pa.\u00a0 I just want to get up at midnight, and so does Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes he?\u201d Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m afraid you boys can\u2019t have it both ways.\u00a0 Late to bed and early to rise makes boys too cranky to open a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSurprise?\u201d Little Joe queried, eyes brightening.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow,\u201d his mother whispered, snuggling him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat Christmas memory do you treasure, Monsieur<\/em> Johnson?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReckon the last one, ma\u2019am,\u201d Lafe Johnson replied.\u00a0 \u201cLike Mr. Cartwright said, weren\u2019t nothin\u2019 real special about it, except I spent it with my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is she?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cBack east?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, not that far,\u201d Johnson cackled, \u201cbut might as well be.\u00a0 She\u2019s in California, and I been missin\u2019 her a heap this Christmas season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie murmured sympathetically.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have children, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am, ain\u2019t been so blessed yet.\u00a0 Seein\u2019 your sweet younguns, though, makes me want to get back to my missus soon as the snow melts and start up a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled fondly at his sons.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they\u2019re on their best behavior tonight, of course, in expectation of Santa\u2019s arrival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanna?\u201d Little Joe lisped and looked at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the morning,\u201d Hoss promised, then glanced significantly at his parents.\u00a0 \u201cReal early in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you dare,\u201d Ben warned with that significant arch of his eyebrow.\u00a0 Then he chuckled.\u00a0 No sense tryin\u2019 to sleep in tomorrow.\u00a0 Both boys were still sleeping in their parents\u2019 room, so when they woke, Ben and Marie would, without fail, be awakened, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna share my favorite Christmas then,\u201d Hoss announced.\u00a0 \u201cCan I go next?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait for your elders, boy,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, Se\u00f1or,\u201d Diego, their off-and-on Mexican ranch hand, remonstrated.\u00a0 \u201cWe like to hear what the muchacho<\/em> say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Lafe Johnson agreed.\u00a0 \u201cChristmas is for younguns, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben conceded, then chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhich of your many Christmas memories is your favorite, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat first one in the old place,\u201d Hoss replied quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI \u2018member how you popped a big bowl of popcorn and read that ghost story to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStory!\u201d Little Joe cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I remember,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cis that you fell asleep with your hand in the popcorn and didn\u2019t hear much of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStory!\u201d Little Joe demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, let\u2019s hear that story, if you still got it,\u201d the third hand suggested shyly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPopcorn and all!\u201d Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Marie and she nodded, so Ben found his copy of A Christmas Carol<\/em> while she and Mr. Johnson popped huge quantities of the fluffy treat.\u00a0 As Hoss had when Ben first read Dicken\u2019s tale, Little Joe fell asleep before it was done, but the men and Hoss sat enthralled to the end.\u00a0 Then, while Marie took the youngsters up to bed, Ben gave each of the men the small gift he\u2019d purchased long before, as well as some hard candy, originally intended for young guests at the annual Christmas Eve party.<\/p>\n

After banking the fire and building one upstairs to keep them warm through the night, Ben brought gifts for the boys and Marie and put them under the tree.\u00a0 Then he crawled into bed, knowing he\u2019d get little sleep that night, but content that he\u2019d made that Christmas a happy one for his men and his family.\u00a0 With their help, what he\u2019d thought would be a miserable day had turned into a memory he\u2019d always cherish.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE<\/p>\n

Ominous News and an Oncoming Flood<\/h4>\n

The sun finally came out after an absence of two months on the first day of February.\u00a0 There\u2019d been a few clear days during that time, of course, but the sky remained overcast and threatening.\u00a0 Ben always took advantage of the brief reprieves to ride out and inspect the herd, usually coming home discouraged.\u00a0 Rarely did one of these trips not reveal the frozen carcass of at least one beef.\u00a0 Between the animals lost to winter kill and those given to starving natives, the ranch was likely to show no profit whatsoever for the winter of 1859-1860.<\/p>\n

The losses would have been even greater but for the efforts of Ben\u2019s foreman.\u00a0 When Ben had finally gotten out of the house during the week between Christmas and New Year\u2019s Day, he\u2019d been surprised to find how well the cattle had fared.\u00a0 Pushing on to the Montgomery cabin, he learned why.\u00a0 Enos, with little regard for his own health, had gone out into the storm to make sure the cattle had sufficient feed.\u00a0 The weakest ones he\u2019d brought home on a rope, housed in his own barn and gone out to feed every day.<\/p>\n

As a result, the foreman lay in bed with a racking cough.\u00a0 Though the sky looked menacing, Ben had volunteered to ride to Carson City for the doctor, but Katerina had insisted there was no need.\u00a0 She trusted her mother\u2019s folk remedies, and with their aid Enos eventually recovered, having suffered enough to heed his employer\u2019s stern admonition to remember that people were more important than cattle.<\/p>\n

Marie took advantage of the first sunny day to boot both boys outdoors, and Little Joe happily constructed his first snowman with Hoss\u2019s help.\u00a0 The days continued fair, many of them almost as warm as summer, so the snowman didn\u2019t survive its third day.\u00a0 Soon the ground around the house was slushy, but Marie considered muddy floors a small price to pay for having the rowdy youngsters out from under foot.\u00a0 Much as she loved her children, she\u2019d seen too much of them this winter.<\/p>\n

With the return of warmer weather, both boys were banished from their parents\u2019 bedroom.\u00a0 Hoss went gladly, but Little Joe had grown fond of sleeping between them in the big bed and protested at the top of his lungs the return to his crib.\u00a0 Hating to hear him cry, Marie almost relented, but Ben stood firm, even when he had to direct a \u201cvery necessary little talk\u201d to his son\u2019s buttocks.\u00a0 The spanking softened the cries to a whimper, and Little Joe finally fell asleep.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the \u201clittle talk\u201d had to be repeated nightly for almost a week before the youngster seemed to retain its message.<\/p>\n

The Cartwrights eagerly began exchanging weekly visits with the Thomases, the first Sunday in Carson City and the second at the Ponderosa. \u00a0The nineteenth of February would have been Nelly\u2019s turn to play hostess again, but the two families met the day before, instead, to celebrate Billy\u2019s eighteenth birthday.<\/p>\n

Billy swooped a squealing Little Joe into the air when the toddler trotted into the house.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Short Shanks,\u201d Billy teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday,\u201d Little Joe repeated by rote, having been schooled by Hoss on the trip into town.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Short Shanks,\u201d Billy chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou aimin\u2019 to help me eat my birthday cake, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll help you, Billy, and Hoss will, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon I could count on that!\u201d Billy cackled, \u201cseein\u2019 as how we\u2019re havin\u2019 his favorite cake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChocolate with white icing?\u201d Hoss asked, blue eyes gleaming in anticipation.<\/p>\n

Little Joe tugged at Billy\u2019s sleeve.\u00a0 \u201cMy favorite, too, Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it now?\u201d Billy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll see to it you get the first slice, Short Shanks, else Big Boy here\u2019ll likely eat it all up from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the shelter of Billy\u2019s arms, Little Joe glared ominously at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, I wouldn\u2019t do that,\u201d Hoss muttered.\u00a0 \u201cQuit pickin\u2019 on me, Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m entitled,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich may just entitle you to a birthday paddling,\u201d Ben said with an upraised eyebrow, \u201cif you don\u2019t set that boy down and give your Uncle Ben a proper greeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Little Joe\u2019s backside a light swat, Billy let him down.\u00a0 \u201cGo upstairs and pester Inger awhile,\u201d he suggested, and Little Joe, with Hoss tagging after, ran off in search of a new playmate.<\/p>\n

Ben gave Billy a bear hug and rubbed his knuckles across the boy\u2019s scalp.<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d Billy yelped.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone it, Uncle Ben; that ain\u2019t no way to tell a man \u2018happy birthday.\u2019\u00a0 I reckon I\u2019ll take the younguns back if that\u2019s the best you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMan,\u201d Nelly scoffed from the kitchen doorway.\u00a0 \u201cJust turned eighteen and full of himself today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs he should be, Nelly, as he should be,\u201d Ben laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappy birthday, Billy,\u201d Marie said, placing a gentle kiss on the boy\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 Billy flushed and offered to unhitch the Cartwright\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn your birthday?\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHoss can see to that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t seem to be around,\u201d Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMan has to work, even on his birthday, I reckon.\u00a0 Seen you and Pa do it many a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head as the young man left.\u00a0 \u201cBilly sure seems to be emphasizing his manhood today,\u201d he commented as he sat next to Clyde on the parlor sofa.\u00a0 Marie hurried into the kitchen to help Nelly put the finishing touches on the meal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you fussin\u2019 about?\u201d Clyde snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI been listenin\u2019 to such as that all mornin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have the latest issue of the Enterprise<\/em>?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Clyde grunted, \u201cbut you\u2019d be better off waitin\u2019 \u2018til after dinner to read it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cMight spoil your appetite,\u201d Clyde muttered sourly.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like we\u2019re in for more injun trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Ben groaned.\u00a0 \u201cNow what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble up Susanville way,\u201d Clyde replied.\u00a0 \u201cMight as well read it, I reckon.\u00a0 Half the tale really will twist you in knots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat it will,\u201d Ben said, taking the paper from his friend.\u00a0 He scanned the front page articles quickly, then went back to read in greater detail the account of the murder of Dexter Demming, a settler in Honey Lake Valley and the subsequent manhunt for the Indians believed responsible.<\/p>\n

He tossed the paper aside in disgust.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do they always assume the Paiutes are to blame?\u201d Ben demanded, more of the air than of the man beside him.\u00a0 On learning of the murder, Governor Roop had sent two men as emissaries to Numaga, war chief of the Paiutes, to demand an explanation and to ask why his people were not keeping the treaty made with the Honey Lakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you always assume they ain\u2019t?\u201d Clyde asked pointedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Clyde, don\u2019t start that,\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Ben, I ain\u2019t sayin\u2019 that your friend Winnemucca had anything to do with it,\u201d Clyde argued, \u201cbut the way I read that paper, Smoke River Sam\u2019s bunch has turned renegade, broken away from Winnemucca\u2019s control.\u00a0 They\u2019re the ones I think did the killin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded gravely.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, looks that way, since the tracks led to their camp, and some of the stolen supplies were found near there.\u00a0 But Numaga\u2019s the one Roop tried to hold responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he weren\u2019t none too cooperative, either,\u201d Clyde asserted, \u201ctellin\u2019 Roop he wouldn\u2019t bring the other chiefs to Susanville to talk it over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head came up quickly.\u00a0 \u201cHow cooperative would you be, if you were accused of a crime you knew nothing about?\u00a0 A crime committed by people not under your control?\u00a0 Remember what happened when the Paiutes \u2018cooperated\u2019 back in \u201957.\u00a0 I can understand Numaga\u2019s wanting to avoid that kind of catastrophe, but it\u2019s this demand he\u2019s reported to have made for $16,000 to pay for the Honey Lakers\u2019 land that seems out of character.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think it ain\u2019t so?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Weatherlow\u2019s a reliable man.\u00a0 I have to accept his word, but it just doesn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 What would the Paiutes do with that kind of money?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBuy guns, maybe?\u201d Clyde asked, his brow wrinkling.\u00a0 \u201cRoop seems to think the Paiutes are plannin\u2019 war\u2014\u2014Weatherlow, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Ben picked up the paper and read again the words of Governor Roop, stating that the settlers of HoneyLake were \u201cabout to be plunged into a bloody and protracted war.\u201d\u00a0 Dear God, no,<\/em> he prayed.\u00a0 Spare us that<\/em>.\u00a0 Spare our red brothers that<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Primarily for Billy\u2019s sake, Ben managed to set aside his concerns when Nelly called them to dinner.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to see the boy\u2019s birthday tarnished with words of war.\u00a0 Instead, he asked Billy how things were going up at the mines.\u00a0 \u201cHave they started prospecting again with this break in the weather?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Billy said, \u201cbut I ain\u2019t been up there for a couple of months.\u00a0 I think I\u2019m through with mining, Uncle Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally come to his senses,\u201d Clyde cackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking for a job?\u201d Ben asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m short of hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, I reckon I\u2019ll stay here and help put in the crops,\u201d Billy answered.\u00a0 \u201cThen, come spring, I may do some haulin\u2019 for Mr. Curry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be good at that,\u201d Ben smiled, \u201cand there should be a tremendous demand for supplies, the way the territory\u2019s booming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, and the sooner the passes clear, the better,\u201d Clyde commented.\u00a0 \u201cI expect there\u2019s folks goin\u2019 hungry up to Gold Hill.\u00a0 Most of \u2018em didn\u2019t lay in supplies like we warned \u2018em to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFools,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t tell you, but I spotted a couple of rustlers butchering a beef on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou lynch \u2018em?\u201d Clyde asked mischievously.<\/p>\n

\u201cClyde!\u201d Nelly screeched.\u00a0 \u201cYou know better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure do,\u201d Clyde grinned.\u00a0 \u201cKnowin\u2019 old Ben, he probably made them rustlers a gift of the meat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, almost,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cThe cow was already dead, and scrawny to boot, but it wasn\u2019t an outright gift.\u00a0 I took a few feet of their claim in exchange.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde tipped back his chair and guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cLike I said, you made a gift of that meat!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cProbably, but you never know.\u00a0 They just might hit a rich vein and make me a millionaire, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, what nonsense,\u201d Marie chided.\u00a0 \u201cYou know you did it because you could not see men go hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen hungry too many times myself, I guess,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll deal with any man in need of food, but I won\u2019t tolerate rustling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy couldn\u2019t contain himself any longer.\u00a0 \u201cJust think, Uncle Ben.\u00a0 After all the times you made fun of me minin\u2019, you end up in the business yourself!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wagged a finger at Billy from across the table.\u00a0 \u201cYou, young man, are just asking for that birthday paddling I offered you earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the next few weeks, however, Ben found himself more involved in the mining business that he\u2019d dreamed possible.\u00a0 Hearing of his generosity with those first rustlers, other miners made their way to the Ponderosa, hat in hand, to ask for similar consideration.\u00a0 Those who could, paid cash, but Ben couldn\u2019t turn away a hungry man, even if all he received in return was a worthless stock certificate.\u00a0 After all, he told himself, he was investing in the future of a man and in the future of the territory.\u00a0 Before the passes through the Sierra Nevadas opened, Ben found himself the owner of a few feet in a good many claims on SunMountain.\u00a0 Most would never amount to much, but Ben held on to the stock and, over the years, earned enough in dividends to justify his investment of trust in his fellow man.<\/p>\n

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

Even before the passes were open, thousands of Californians, responding to Washoe fever, tried to break a trail through the snow.\u00a0 Few succeeded.\u00a0 The wise ones turned back when they found the way impassable; others, mad for silver, pressed on and paid for their obstinacy with the loss of legs and feet.\u00a0 Broken wagons, discarded packs, and dead animals littered the route, telling a grim tale of devastated dreams.<\/p>\n

When the road finally opened, it quickly became so clogged with travelers coming east that almost nothing headed the other direction could get through.\u00a0 In Sacramento, Adam Cartwright couldn\u2019t understand why no mail arrived from his heretofore faithful family and began to fear the recent rumors of an Indian uprising were perilously true.\u00a0 A news article in the Sacramento Bee<\/em> explained the situation just in time to prevent his joining the serpentine line writhing its way across the Sierras.<\/p>\n

Billy headed a team toward Placerville, intending to bring back a wagonload of supplies, but he got no further than Strawberry before he found himself fighting a losing battle.\u00a0 Even freighters headed with the general flow of traffic were finding the going rough, and the hungry miners of Sun Mountain had to tighten their belts another notch because food simply couldn\u2019t reach them.\u00a0 Ben began to wonder if his own supplies would hold out until fresh ones arrived.\u00a0 He\u2019d bought more than usual, in expectation of a hard winter, but if this craziness continued, even that might not be enough.<\/p>\n

At last a wagon made it through the melee to Virginia City, and miners rushed from all directions, determined to purchase at any price whatever food it held.\u00a0 To their disappointment, that first wagon contained nothing but blankets, tin plates and a consignment of liquor.\u00a0 Even whiskey would warm their empty bellies, however, and Moore, the man who owned it, took in two hundred dollars the first night, as well as renting blankets and sleeping space in his hastily erected saloon to forty men for a dollar apiece.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the second wagon brought flour, quickly auctioned off for five dollars a pound.\u00a0 Some of the miners were so hungry they mixed the flour with snow and ate it raw.\u00a0 The Cartwrights didn\u2019t barter for any of it.\u00a0 They had enough food to wait, in hope of better prices, for Billy\u2019s wagon to return.\u00a0 When the young man finally arrived, however, they discovered that even a fair price was higher than they were accustomed to paying.\u00a0 Flour now went for seventy-five cents a pound, bacon for forty and coffee was a luxury at fifty.\u00a0 As for hay and lumber, their prices made Ben deeply thankful that he grew his own on the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

Curiosity sent Ben, with Hoss as companion, on an exploration of Virginia City one Saturday morning.\u00a0 Hoss found the growing town exciting, although to Ben\u2019s more experienced eye, the place looked like a hodgepodge thrown together by a committee who hadn\u2019t consulted each other in the planning.\u00a0 Here and there a frame shanty had been tossed onto the side of the mountain, but most of the miners lived in, at best, tents of varied construction.\u00a0 The better ones were made of canvas, but blankets, brush, potato sacks, and even old shirts made acceptable building material, in lieu of expensive lumber.\u00a0 Empty whiskey bottles served as makeshift chimneys.\u00a0 Down the social scale from these more fortunate residents were the miners who simply usurped a coyote\u2019s hole or dug one similar and called it home.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa, they got hotels,\u201d Hoss cried excitedly.\u00a0 \u201cLook at that one!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben followed his son\u2019s pointing finger and snorted at the one-story building of planks whipsawed from local timber.\u00a0 It couldn\u2019t have held more than a dozen rooms, but it boasted a prestigious name, painted by a rough hand on its signboard.\u00a0 \u201cInternational Hotel, my eye!\u00a0 Well, at least, they\u2019ve got ambition, giving it a name like that.\u201d\u00a0 Ambition that would ultimately develop from that simple beginning to a hotel truly deserving of its name, though only its owners could see that bright future when the International Hotel first opened its doors in March.<\/p>\n

\u201cThree streets worth of shanties,\u201d Ben reported to his wife upon their return.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll never amount to anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie just laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou said that about the silver strikes, too, mon mari<\/em>, and yet people continue to come.\u00a0 You are not establishing much reputation as a prophet!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not, am I?\u00a0 Well, maybe good will come of it yet.\u00a0 I hope so.\u201d\u00a0 As spring progressed, however, the only benefit Ben saw to the thousands flooding into the area was the improvement of the Old Emigrant Road made by the freighters and stage line owners.\u00a0 Avalanches and the neglect of time had virtually destroyed the old road to Placerville, but if things continued as they were, by summer it should easily accommodate four-horse teams.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY<\/p>\n

Mochila Mail<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 April was a month of contrasts, comprising highs of exhilaration and lows of loss.\u00a0 Even the weather had its ups and downs, for after three weeks of beautiful, sunny, spring-like days, snow fell again on the fourth day of the month.\u00a0 It melted quickly as the day warmed, but before the moisture could evaporate, night came with temperatures cold enough to refreeze the melting snow.\u00a0 The next morning the ground was again white with fresh snow over the ice, and the pattern repeated itself day after day: ground icy in the morning, muddy by noon and slick with ice again by nightfall.\u00a0 Miserable, Marie lost her temper and demanded of the heavens when spring would ever come, then wished she had a priest to whom to confess.<\/p>\n

Ben and Hoss took the weather with better grace, perhaps because they were able to work outside while Marie was confined indoors with a petulant Little Joe.\u00a0 Or it might have been the anticipation of the arrival of the first Pony Express rider that consumed their thoughts and made them forget the cruel weather.\u00a0 The rider was supposed to have left St. Joseph, Missouri, on the third of April and planned to reach the West Coast in ten days.\u00a0 \u201cNews from the East in ten days!\u00a0 Just imagine,\u201d Ben had enthused when he first heard of the new postal service.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t feel cut off from the world anymore\u2014\u2014not with news traveling that fast!\u201d<\/p>\n

Three of the pockets in the Pony rider\u2019s mochila would remain locked until he reached Sacramento, but one, Ben had heard, would carry mail to be dropped off or picked up in transit.\u00a0 He hoped that his Missouri friend, Josiah Edwards, or his brother John would send him a letter by the very first Pony, but even if he didn\u2019t get any personal mail, the rider was bound to have news from back east.\u00a0 Hoss begged to come along, and Little Joe took up the cry, too.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t really understand what the commotion was all about, but he always hated being left out and, besides, he\u2019d have been in favor of anything that let him escape his mother\u2019s protective confinement in the house.<\/p>\n

In the end, everyone went, for Marie wanted a chance to visit with her friends, if nothing else.\u00a0 The men lounged on the street or in the plaza, feeling the occasion momentous enough to warrant the suspension of work.\u00a0 Ben kept the boys with him to free his wife to visit her friend Laura Ellis at the bakery.<\/p>\n

Just before 2:30 that afternoon, Billy Thomas, who\u2019d stationed himself outside town as lookout, charged down the main street, yelling at the top of his lungs, \u201cPony\u2019s comin\u2019!\u201d\u00a0 The loud announcement and the commotion that ensued brought his mother running to the porch. \u00a0Marie and Laura dashed out from the bakery.<\/p>\n

Billy spotted his father and swung off his roan next to him.\u00a0 \u201cAny minute now,\u201d he grinned.<\/p>\n

Ben, standing beside Clyde, swung Little Joe up to sit on his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cGet a good look at history in the making, boy,\u201d he said, then looked down at his side.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I aim to!\u201d Hoss whooped back.<\/p>\n

As Billy\u2019d promised, they didn\u2019t have long to wait.\u00a0 A bugle sounded, and at near blinding speed a wiry mustang raced down the street to the relay station.\u00a0 A young man dressed in the Pony Express company uniform of red shirt and blue britches swung off his horse and threw the locked moquila full of letters onto a new mount.\u00a0 The only mail dropped in Carson City was an eastern newspaper.\u00a0 Within two minutes the rider was off again, headed for Genoa.<\/p>\n

The men and women of Carson City crowded around the stationmaster, hoping for a crumb of news from the outside world.\u00a0 \u201cBest news there could be,\u201d the stationmaster hollered to make sure everyone heard him.\u00a0 \u201cCongress has introduced a bill to create Nevada Territory!\u201d\u00a0 He held the newspaper up for all to see the bold headline.\u00a0 A shout of exultation went up from the crowd.<\/p>\n

Still carrying his youngest on his back, Ben turned away, satisfied with the fruit of his long ride into town.\u00a0 He smiled down at Hoss, walking at his side as they headed back to Clyde and Nelly\u2019s place to pick up their buckboard and team.\u00a0 \u201cWell, what did you think, boy?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna be a Pony Rider, Pa!\u201d Hoss declared.\u00a0 \u201cThey ride like the wind!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a mite young, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd a mite hefty,\u201d Billy teased.\u00a0 \u201cMe, on the other hand, I\u2019m just the right size and age.\u00a0 I got me a notion to sign up straight away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better get a notion not to,\u201d his mother scolded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Ma,\u201d Billy groaned.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re always frettin\u2019 over nothin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t say nothin\u2019, boy,\u201d Clyde inserted.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a dangerous job, especially for them that rides through Paiute country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, there\u2019s a reason their advertisements say, \u2018Orphans preferred,\u2019 Billy,\u201d Ben added soberly.\u00a0 Then he grinned.\u00a0 \u201cStill, if I were your age, I think I\u2019d want to be part of something this exciting, too, so I can\u2019t fault you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I can!\u201d Nelly snorted.\u00a0 \u201cPut it right out of your head, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe tugged at his father\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Pa,\u201d he uttered insistently.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled the boy\u2019s fingers from his aching lobe.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got my attention, son,\u201d he muttered wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I wanna ride, too,\u201d Little Joe declared urgently.<\/p>\n

Ben guffawed.\u00a0 \u201cFor the Pony Express?\u00a0 I know<\/em> they don\u2019t take riders that<\/em> young!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI be good rider, Pa, please,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cYou get me horse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s see how well you stay on a real bucking bronc,\u201d Ben laughed and started toward the Thomas house at a trot.\u00a0 Little Joe, squealing with delight, kicked his pony\u2019s flanks.\u00a0 \u201cOuch!\u00a0 Cut that out!\u201d the pony yelled.<\/p>\n

Billy came running up behind them.\u00a0 \u201cTime to change mounts, like a real Pony rider, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled and swung his son over to Billy\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cTake him, by all means,\u201d he said, \u201cwhile his old mount takes a well-deserved rest.\u201d\u00a0 While Billy, not much more than an overgrown youngster himself, romped with the little boy, Ben slowed his steps to give the rest of the party a chance to catch up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou folks are stayin\u2019 to dinner, ain\u2019t you?\u201d Nelly queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Nelly, we already took lunch here,\u201d Marie chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we need to get home,\u201d Ben said, sitting on his friends\u2019 porch step, \u201cbut I need a brief rest first.\u00a0 This old horse isn\u2019t used to that kind of exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde flopped beside him on the step, grinning.\u00a0 \u201cPretty good little rider you got there, though.\u00a0 Hung on right good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019ll make a good one, when the time comes,\u201d Ben responded proudly.<\/p>\n

Clyde cackled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gonna come quicker than you think, I bet.\u00a0 You better be on the lookout for a mount for that youngun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s not three years old yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cJust one more month.\u00a0 Laura wants to bake him a cake and make a little party at her house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds fine, but he is not getting a horse for a birthday present,\u201d Ben said firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMais non<\/em>!\u201d Marie agreed quickly.\u00a0 \u201cHe is much too young.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better get set to listen to some bawlin\u2019, then,\u201d Hoss warned.\u00a0 \u201cHe don\u2019t like bein\u2019 told no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cIn that case, what he\u2019s likely to get for his birthday is a \u2018very necessary little talk.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you wouldn\u2019t!\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cProbably not.\u00a0 No, he\u2019d have to be pretty naughty to earn a spanking on his birthday.\u201d\u00a0 Before Little Joe\u2019s birthday arrived, however, events in the territory would ensure that there\u2019d be no birthday celebration at all for the toddler that year.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou boys had best be comin\u2019 down from there,\u201d Molly Maguire called up toward the roof, \u201celse you\u2019ll not be feedin\u2019 at me table tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho needs food tonight, Miss Molly!\u201d Adam Cartwright called down from his lofty perch.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe an angel and save us a plate,\u201d another boy pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cYou know we can\u2019t miss a sight like this!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m promisin\u2019 nothing,\u201d Molly said as she headed back toward the kitchen, feeling disgruntled because she had no acceptable way to see what the boys were so earnestly expecting.\u00a0 Other ladies in town had strategically placed themselves on balconies to await the arrival, but the boardinghouse had none.<\/p>\n

Deciding no one was coming to supper on time anyway, Molly set the food off the stove and headed up to the top floor, hoping she could see something from a window.\u00a0 \u201cWish I was a man,\u201d she muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d climb up with the lads, I would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHope she does feed us after,\u201d Harold Lissome, Adam\u2019s roommate, said.\u00a0 \u201cMy stomach\u2019s rumbling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe will,\u201d Adam assured his friend.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Molly has a heart as big as all Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she does,\u201d Harold agreed.\u00a0 \u201cShe won\u2019t let her boys go hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWish I\u2019d had my horse here,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d sure like to have ridden out to meet the Pony rider.\u201d\u00a0 About eighty people, in addition to the Sacramento Hussars, had met at Old Fort Sutter and lined both sides of the road the Pony rider would follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d Harold yelled, leaning forward to point at a cloud of dust moving toward them down J Street.<\/p>\n

In his excitement Adam almost lost his footing.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s them!\u201d he cried as a horseman carrying a small flag dashed past, followed by about thirty other riders, leading the way for the long-awaited Pony.\u00a0 Bells from church steeples and fire stations rang all around the city.\u00a0 A cannon from the square on Tenth Street boomed nine times, signifying the number of days they\u2019d waited for the Pony rider, and was echoed by the discharge of other firearms from the roofs lining the street where the Pony would pass.\u00a0 Men without guns waved their hats and ladies their handkerchiefs, and the boys on the roof of the boardinghouse, having no other way to express their enthusiasm, stood and waved their arms and shouted as only boys could.\u00a0 Amid the roar of the crowd, the red-shirted rider galloped up to the Pony Express office, having brought the mail through from St. Joseph in one hour less than the ten days promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get down to the Post Office,\u201d Adam suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot me,\u201d Harold laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m starving, and I\u2019m not expecting mail from back east.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, maybe I am,\u201d Adam declared.\u00a0 \u201cMy friend Jamie\u2019s at school in St. Louis, and I\u2019ll bet he wrote me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t that be something?\u201d Harold grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOne of the first letters to come by Pony Express!\u00a0 Yeah, that\u2019d be worth seeing.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go with you, but let\u2019s snatch a couple of rolls from the kitchen first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n

Each taking two rolls, the two boys raced from the kitchen down J Street.\u00a0 The sidewalk in front of the express office was crowded, but Adam and Harold pressed through, squeezing into spaces too small for adult bodies, and soon Adam was asking if there were a letter for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot likely, son,\u201d the postal clerk laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOnly six letters in the pouch.\u00a0 Now, who\u2019d be paying five dollars to write a young lad like you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gulped.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t realized the rates were that high.\u00a0 Unless Jamie had a lot more pocket money than Adam did, he wasn\u2019t likely to squander five dollars on a letter.<\/p>\n

Seeing him turn away, Harold grabbed his arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not giving up, are you?\u201d\u00a0 Then he stared the postal clerk down.\u00a0 \u201cYou check, mister; the name\u2019s Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d the clerk conceded, flipping through the thin envelopes.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be,\u201d he mumbled, then held out a letter.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like someone thinks a powerful lot of you, son.\u00a0 Got a girl back east, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam just grinned and shook his head.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t figure it was any of the clerk\u2019s business who was writing him.\u00a0 As he and Harold walked back toward the boardinghouse, Adam broke open the seal on the letter and gobbled up its contents.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Adam,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I hope your father won\u2019t be too disappointed.\u00a0 Father and I could only afford to send one letter by express, and he was kind enough to let me be the one.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it exciting to think how much closer you and I are becoming, in terms of time, at least?\u00a0 I am enjoying my studies this term, much more so than last, perhaps because my health has been better.\u00a0 It always is once winter is past.\u00a0 Have you thought about coming back east to further your education once you graduate from the academy?\u00a0 I am thinking about either Harvard or Princeton.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t it be grand if we could attend the same university?\u00a0 We always studied well together.\u00a0 Do think about it and write me your thoughts.\u00a0 I always enjoy your letters, especially the ones you write from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I guess you\u2019ll be going there within a few weeks of receiving this letter.\u00a0 Write me from there and tell me all the adventures of those little brothers of yours.\u00a0 Having no siblings myself, I always find your tales of their antics amusing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your friend,<\/p>\n

Jamie Edwards<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d better keep that in a safe place, Adam,\u201d Harold suggested. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a piece of history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI always keep Jamie\u2019s letters in a safe place.\u00a0 His journals, too.\u00a0 They\u2019re special to me, even without the history attached.\u00a0 Say, why don\u2019t I treat you to dinner out, to celebrate the occasion?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea,\u201d Harold said.\u00a0 \u201cI have a feeling we won\u2019t be in Miss Molly\u2019s good graces tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have the same feeling,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cGood thing for us she\u2019s a forgiving woman.\u201d\u00a0 Arm in arm, the two friends headed for one of the less expensive restaurants of Sacramento.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE<\/p>\n

The Last Sane Voice<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s eyes flew wide when he answered the loud thump at the door late one afternoon and saw the tall Indian standing there.\u00a0 \u201cWh\u2014what you want?\u201d the Chinese cook stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Ben Cartwright?\u201d the native asked.\u00a0 \u201cI speak him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing raised a trembling finger and pointed behind the Indian.\u00a0 \u201cIn b\u2014barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the Indian grunted, turned and walked away, Hop Sing slammed the door shut and ran screaming up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cMissy!\u00a0 Missy!\u00a0 Many Indians come!\u00a0 You run, hide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie, who had been lying down in her room, nursing a headache, rose with alarm.\u00a0 \u201cThe children\u2014\u2014where are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn barn with Mistah Cahtlight,\u201d Hop Sing chattered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, they be dead by now, Missy.\u00a0 You run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie ran, but toward the barn, not away from it, her first instinct being the protection of her family.\u00a0 She stopped abruptly when she saw the single Indian conversing with Ben.\u00a0 Hoss was beyond them, milking the cow, with Little Joe and Klamath lying in the straw next to him.\u00a0 \u201cOh,\u201d Marie cried sharply.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing said\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t repeat it,\u201d Ben cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cI can just imagine what Hop Sing said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie forced a smile to her lips as she faced the Paiute Natchez, whom she recognized from the time he had dined with them three years earlier.\u00a0 Hop Sing, who\u2019d kept as far away from the Paiutes as possible that evening, evidently hadn\u2019t.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014\u2014I thought there were more of you.\u00a0 Will\u2014\u2014will you be staying to dinner, Monsieur<\/em> Natchez?\u201d she asked hesitantly.<\/p>\n

Ben answered for the Paiute.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I\u2019ll be going with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie couldn\u2019t hide her concern.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Captain Truckee,\u201d Ben explained quickly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s dying and has asked me to come.\u00a0 There\u2019s no time to lose, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie gazed at the ground, afraid her eyes would betray her concern.\u00a0 Of course, there was no way Ben could refuse such a summons.\u00a0 The request of a dying friend must be honored, especially when to refuse would insult a people with whom relations were already strained.\u00a0 \u201cI will have Hop Sing prepare food for your journey,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said, giving her an encouraging smile.\u00a0 He knew what it was costing her to keep her demeanor calm and wanted her to know he was proud.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be in to say good-bye before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, Little Joe, come with me, s\u2019il te plait<\/em>,\u201d Marie said, her hand stretching toward the children.<\/p>\n

\u201cCow ain\u2019t finished givin\u2019 milk, Mama,\u201d Hoss argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s given enough,\u201d Marie said sharply, then bit her lip and glanced nervously at Natchez.\u00a0 Had he heard the fear in her voice?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Ben assured her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see they don\u2019t dawdle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie wanted desperately to take Little Joe, at least, with her, but she saw Ben\u2019s dark eyes flick a negating message at her.\u00a0 He was right, she knew.\u00a0 If Little Joe were forced to leave before his brother, he would be certain to protest the unfairness vociferously, and that would shame Ben before his friend.\u00a0 \u201cWell, as you say,\u201d Marie said finally, \u201cthey must not dawdle.\u00a0 Hop Sing will need the milk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell him he\u2019ll have it soon,\u201d Ben said, the smile returning to his face.\u00a0 She\u2019d understood and behaved just as she should.\u00a0 Oh, what a woman I married<\/em>, Ben exulted within.<\/p>\n

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

Long before reaching the Paiute encampment, Ben could see bonfires blazing against the darkness of the distant hills.\u00a0 Natchez explained that they had been lit to transmit the news of Captain Truckee\u2019s impending death.\u00a0 The old chief was an important man in the tribe, and many would want to comfort him by their presence in his final hours.\u00a0 Ben felt honored that he would be there, too, but concerned for what the old man\u2019s passing might mean for relations between red man and white.\u00a0 Captain Truckee had always been a friend to the men he considered his white brothers, but his views were shared by few other Paiutes.<\/p>\n

Riding into the camp, Ben immediately noticed another white man there, as well, and struggled to remember the man\u2019s name.\u00a0 Snyder\u2014\u2014that was it\u2014\u2014a man who, like Ben, had often had the epithet of \u201cIndian-lover\u201d thrown in his face, a man who, like him, was evidently a personal friend of Captain Truckee.<\/p>\n

As Ben dismounted, Snyder came forward and extended his hand.\u00a0 \u201cCartwright, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 They told me you\u2019d been sent for, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cA sad occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snyder nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI take it the old chief\u2019s very weak, so I\u2019ve been waiting for your arrival to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what Captain Truckee wants to say to us, but you were wise not to overtax his strength.\u00a0 Let him say what he will once and then seek his rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShall we go in now?\u201d Snyder suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Ben agreed, then turned to the young man who had been his guide to the encampment.\u00a0 \u201cNatchez, would you see if your grandfather is awake and strong enough to see us now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Natchez nodded and went into Captain Truckee\u2019s karnee.\u00a0 He emerged moments later and indicated that the two white men were to come in.\u00a0 They entered together.<\/p>\n

The karnee was dark, as it always was, but they located the old man\u2019s bed by using their noses.\u00a0 A putrid stench permeated the dwelling, the kind of stench that drew buzzards to a rotting carcass.\u00a0 It was the smell of death, and Ben felt his gorge rise, though not in mere physical nausea.\u00a0 He\u2019d been in the presence of death before: his parents, his wives.\u00a0 Those deaths had been more painful personal losses, yet there was something awesome about Captain Truckee\u2019s approaching demise. The moment Ben entered the karnee he knew he was there to witness the departure of a truly great man, one this territory, in particular, could ill afford to lose.\u00a0 It was not the smell that sickened Ben; it was the dread of what might follow this good man\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

As his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, Ben made out the faces of the others gathered near the old chief: Poito and his wife, along with their children, as well as other family members Ben knew less well.\u00a0 Poito lifted his father-in-law to a sitting position and supported him as he addressed the white man Snyder.\u00a0 \u201cI am now going to die,\u201d Truckee stated calmly.\u00a0 \u201cI have always loved you as if you were my dear son; and one thing I want you to do for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything,\u201d Snyder promised.\u00a0 \u201cAnything I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Captain Truckee glanced to his right, at his two granddaughters, Sarah and Elma.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, there are my two little girls.\u00a0 I want you to take them to California, to Mr. Bonsal and Mr. Scott.\u00a0 They will send them to school to the sisters at San Jose.\u00a0 Tell them this is my last request to them.\u00a0 Will you promise to do this for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will do this,\u201d Snyder said solemnly.\u00a0 \u201cI will do all in my power to see these girls have the education you desire for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is good,\u201d Truckee said and took a deep, labored breath.\u00a0 He stretched his hand toward Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you, my friend, you who have given so much to my people, to you I give the Indian name that white men know best, the name they give to Poito and Numaga.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinnemucca?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Truckee nodded.\u00a0 \u201cTo me, you have always been the white Winnemucca.\u00a0 By this name I speak of you when I speak with my people.\u00a0 You know what this name means?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe giver,\u201d Ben whispered.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know the Paiute language well, but this was one of the words he recognized.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore,\u201d Captain Truckee said.\u00a0 \u201cIt mean \u2018he who cares for the Numa, the people.\u2019\u00a0 You have cared for the people: you have fed them; you have lived among them as a brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs all men are brothers,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I ask you to do for me what a brother would among your people,\u201d Truckee continued after pausing for another long breath.\u00a0 \u201cSoon I will sleep with those who have gone before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI pray that will not be for many moons,\u201d Ben said, his voice growing hoarse.<\/p>\n

Truckee shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot many moons, not many journeys of the sun.\u00a0 Soon.\u00a0 You will help my people to bury me in the white man\u2019s fashion?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cut a sharp glance at Poito, uncertain how the proud Paiute would react.\u00a0 Then he looked solemnly back at Truckee.\u00a0 \u201cIf that is your wish and the wish of your people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wish,\u201d Truckee declared with sudden energy.\u00a0 \u201cThose who respect me will respect my wish.\u201d\u00a0 He gave his son-in-law a significant gaze, and Poito nodded almost indiscernibly.\u00a0 With his remaining strength the dying man told Ben exactly how he wished to be buried, and Ben promised to follow the instructions to the letter.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, will you both stay with me, as part of my family, until the darkness comes?\u201d Truckee whispered.<\/p>\n

Snyder and Ben exchanged an awestruck glance, then Snyder answered for them both.\u00a0 \u201cWe will stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Captain Truckee fell asleep while the others kept a virtually silent watch.\u00a0 Late the next morning the tribe\u2019s medicine man tried to rouse the old chief, but could not.\u00a0 Truckee slept all that day and into the night.\u00a0 Finally, shortly before midnight, he twisted on his pallet and his eyes opened.\u00a0 \u201cSon, where are you?\u201d he called feebly.\u00a0 \u201cCome and raise me up; let me sit up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Poito, the man the whites called Winnemucca, raised his father-in-law, whose eyes suddenly glowed with a brightness Ben had not seen for many years.\u00a0 Calling for his daughter Tuboitonie and the children, Captain Truckee murmured, \u201cI am tired, but I will soon be happy.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Tuboitonie\u2019s husband, Poito.\u00a0 \u201cNow, son, I hope you will live to see as much as I have, and to know as much as I do.\u00a0 And if you live as I have, you will some day come to me.\u00a0 Do your duty as I have done to your people and to your white brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Truckee\u2019s eyes fell on Ben.\u00a0 \u201cBury me as you have promised,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Unable to speak, Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

Truckee\u2019s lips moved again, but no sound emerged.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was his cry as he entered the Spirit land,\u201d his daughter Tuboitonie declared.\u00a0 \u201cWe could not hear it, but he cried out when he saw his mother and father in the Spirit land.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Sarah Winnemucca crept close to kneel beside her grandfather, taking his weathered face in her slim, supple hands.\u00a0 She just looked at him, unable to speak, until finally her mother pulled her gently away.<\/p>\n

The white men left the karnee, feeling the family should be alone.\u00a0 Sarah was the first to emerge.\u00a0 \u201cA great light has gone out,\u201d she murmured, eyes shimmering.\u00a0 \u201cThe world grows cold and dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2014\u2014and probably Snyder, too,\u2014\u2014longed to take the girl in his arms.\u00a0 Had she been a white girl, no doubt he would have, but Ben couldn\u2019t risk offending the Paiute maiden.\u00a0 What seemed a natural gesture of comfort to him might be perceived as an affront by people of a different culture.<\/p>\n

As soon as the body was prepared and the mourners assembled, Ben conducted the funeral as Captain Truckee had instructed.\u00a0 The old chief wanted to be buried with his \u201cwhite rag friend,\u201d the letter given him years before by Charles Fr\u00e9mont, so Ben folded the dead hands upon the man\u2019s chest with the rolled letter and similar documents from other white men, beneath them.\u00a0 He placed the Bible Fr\u00e9mont had given the chief over his heart.<\/p>\n

Truckee\u2019s body was lowered into the six-foot trough and earth piled over him.\u00a0 A cross with the chief\u2019s name carved on it was hammered into the ground at the grave\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Ben had told Poito that it was customary among white men to have a eulogy at the funeral.\u00a0 \u201cWords spoken in honor of the deceased,\u201d he explained and asked that a family member do Captain Truckee this honor.<\/p>\n

Ben had expected Poito himself to make the speech, since he was an acknowledged leader among his people.\u00a0 Perhaps Poito\u2019s dislike of white ways was too great a barrier for him to overcome, however, for the man chosen was Captain John, another of Truckee\u2019s sons-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cA good man is gone,\u201d Captain John began.\u00a0 \u201cThe white man knows he was good, for he guided him \u2018round deserts and led him in paths where there was grass and good water.\u00a0 His people knew he was good, for he loved them and cared for them and came home to them to die.\u00a0 All know that Truckee was a good man\u2014\u2014Paiute and Americans.\u00a0 He is dead; the good man is gone.\u00a0 All of our people cry, for they loved Truckee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Captain John diverged from his eulogy to speak to his people of how he would spread the news of Truckee\u2019s death and how a new leader would be found for the Paiutes.\u00a0 Then the Indian returned to his discourse on the life of the dead chief.\u00a0 \u201cNot many are fit to lead in the path where Truckee walked.\u00a0 Truckee was much with the white men; he liked their way and learned much of them that we don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 He wished to be buried as the white men bury their dead, and the white Winnemucca and the white men his friends have seen it done.\u00a0 I thank him and I thank them\u2014\u2014I thank all for Truckee and Truckee\u2019s people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben thanked Captain John for his good words and announced that the funeral was now ended.\u00a0 The statement was incorrect, for while the other Paiutes respected Truckee\u2019s wishes and let him be buried in the white man\u2019s fashion, they were determined to follow Indian custom, as well.\u00a0 Six of their best ponies were led to the side of the grave and killed.\u00a0 \u201cGrandfather must have good ponies to ride on his journey to the Spirit land,\u201d Sarah explained quietly to Ben and Snyder.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 Though he hated to see the waste of good horseflesh, he understood and accepted the Indians\u2019 right to follow their own customs.\u00a0 Another custom was set in motion immediately after the slaying of the horses.\u00a0 Truckee\u2019s karnee was burned to the ground, and all his people packed and headed north, leaving Sarah and Elma with the two white men.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be taking the stage to California,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cCome and stay with me at the Ponderosa until it leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to return home to settle some affairs before I leave,\u201d Snyder said, \u201cbut I would appreciate it if the girls could go with you.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll pick them up when it\u2019s time to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cGet your things together, girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the two Paiute maidens went to gather their few belongings, Snyder shook Ben\u2019s hand in farewell.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a terrible loss,\u201d he said, \u201cthe last sane voice we could count on among the Paiutes.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded solemnly.\u00a0 Snyder had put into words the thoughts of his own heart.\u00a0 Truckee was, indeed, the last sane voice in a world gone mad with fear and distrust.\u00a0 Where would they find another?<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO<\/p>\n

\u201cNo Longer Any Use for Counsel\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While Ben thought the last sane voice among the Paiutes had been silenced, there was one more.\u00a0 Discontent had been rising among the Indians, and from March onwards they had been slowly filtering away from the white settlements.\u00a0 Now they met in council at the edge of Pyramid Lake, not just the Paiutes with whom Ben was acquainted, but tribesmen from the four directions of the compass.\u00a0 From the south, near Walker Lake, came Chief Wahe, the brother of Winnemucca, and from the east the Shoshoni chief Qudazoboeat, who was married to a Paiute woman.\u00a0 Smoke Creek Sam, Winnemucca\u2019s renegade brother-in-law, was there, with chiefs representing tribes from Honey Lake, the Big Bend \u00a0of the Carson and Antelope Valley, among others.\u00a0 From the Black Rock Desert of the north came Chief Sequinata and from the northeastern Humboldt Meadows, Chief Moguannoga.\u00a0 Men from all sections, all in favor of war with the whites, all but one.<\/p>\n

As the council began, Winnemucca called for a spiritual leader to offer prayer to the Great Spirit; then he filled a pipe, tamping the tobacco with his index finger, lit it, smoked and passed the pipe to his right.\u00a0 Five times the pipe made the circle of chiefs, then five songs were sung, for among the Paiutes the number five was considered to have great power.<\/p>\n

Only when these important rituals had been completed did the talk turn to words of war.\u00a0 One by one the chiefs listed their grievances against the white men.\u00a0 They had cut the pi\u00f1on tree, robbing Paiute children of food.\u00a0 They had grazed their cattle on grass where Paiute ponies used to feed.\u00a0 \u201cThey accuse us of rustling when it is they who steal grass and ponies,\u201d the chief from HoneyLake complained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey killed one of our elders while he was out hunting rabbits,\u201d Chief Wahe declared, his visage dark as he recounted the tale of an old man bound and dragged until no skin remained on his bones.\u00a0 \u201cThen, while they laughed and drank whiskey in celebration, one of them scalped the dead man.\u201d\u00a0 Grunts of outrage rippled from man to man.<\/p>\n

The charges continued.\u00a0 A chief\u2019s son had been killed, a woman raped, then sent back to her tribe in shame when she became infected with the disease that makes men\u2019s loins burn.\u00a0 As the accusations piled one on another, Winnemucca listened silently.\u00a0 His feelings were well known; all men there knew he favored war with the whites, but he spoke no word, either for or against.<\/p>\n

Every man there favored war\u2014\u2014with one exception.\u00a0 Numaga, the one the whites called the Young Winnemucca to distinguish him from his older uncle, was the only one whose voice was raised against war.\u00a0 But his was an important voice.\u00a0 The Paiutes did not want to wage war without complete unanimity, especially when the one dissenting voice was that of their war chief, the man they expected to lead them in battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour skin is red, but your heart is white,\u201d Winnemucca taunted his nephew.\u00a0 \u201cGo away and live among the palefaces.\u201d\u00a0 But even this did not dissuade Numaga, and the council broke up late that night with no agreement reached.\u00a0 Each chief returned to his own encampment about the shores of Pyramid Lake, and Numaga rode from camp to camp, speaking to each chief, pleading with each man to give the white men one more chance.<\/p>\n

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

Ben, Marie and Hoss were at the breakfast table.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re goin\u2019 to town today, ain\u2019t we, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked between mouthfuls of scrambled egg.<\/p>\n

Ben took a slow sip of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cHadn\u2019t planned on it.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of work to be done, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but, Pa, it\u2019s Pony day!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been keeping up, have you?\u00a0 Well, I\u2019m glad to see your arithmetic skills are working well, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss scowled.\u00a0 \u201cIt don\u2019t take much learnin\u2019 to count to twelve, Pa.\u00a0 Even Little Joe can do that!\u00a0 Twelve days since the last Pony, so it\u2019s time again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time,\u201d Ben acknowledged, \u201cbut I guess I\u2019m getting jaded.\u00a0 I don\u2019t feel the need to watch him ride in this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d Hoss grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be a fine thing to see Billy come dashin\u2019 into town with the mail pouch?\u201d\u00a0 After hours of wheedling, Billy Thomas had managed to talk his reluctant parents into letting him sign on with the Pony Express.<\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine he\u2019d look about the same as Pony Bob,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThey all wear the same uniform.\u201d\u00a0 Billy\u2019s leg of the Express route stopped at Buckland Station, east of them, and didn\u2019t bring him through Carson City.\u00a0 The section from Buckland\u2019s through Carson City to Friday\u2019s Station near Lake Tahoe was regularly run by Robert Haslem, a Pony rider so adept and dedicated to his job that he\u2019d already earned the nickname of \u201cPony Bob.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cWell, how \u2018bout just me, then?\u201d he suggested tentatively.\u00a0 \u201cCould I go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Buckland\u2019s?\u00a0 By yourself?\u201d Ben snorted.\u00a0 \u201cCertainly not!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust to Carson, then?\u201d Hoss amended hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I guess you\u2019ve earned a day off,\u201d Ben said, giving the boy an indulgent smile.\u00a0 Since the first of May Hoss had been excused from his lessons and had been working at his father\u2019s side, putting in a full day\u2019s work, as handily as any grown man.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s grin split his face from ear to ear.\u00a0 \u201cAnd can I take Little Joe?\u201d he asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s grin twisted sheepishly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m guessin\u2019 no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re guessing right.\u00a0 The last thing I need is for you to put the subject of horses back in that boy\u2019s head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t never left,\u201d Hoss laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is true,\u201d Marie giggled.\u00a0 \u201cEvery time he sees you or Hoss ride out, he asks when Pa will get him a horse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben wiped his lips with a checked napkin and pushed his chair back.\u00a0 \u201cIn that case, son, let\u2019s get out of here before he wakes up.\u201d\u00a0 He laid an affectionate arm on Hoss\u2019s shoulder as they walked out.\u00a0 \u201cHave a good time,\u201d he said, \u201cand bring home all the news.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Hoss brought home no news that night.\u00a0 The Pony rider hadn\u2019t arrived, though the boy had waited all day.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t the only one disappointed, either.\u00a0 The miners of the region had hoped the rider would shout to them the results of the championship boxing match between British champ Tom Sayers and their own \u201cBenecia Boy\u201d Heenan from San Francisco.\u00a0 Local pride was at stake, and no news was more important.\u00a0 No news at all arrived that sixth day of May, though, and the miners were destined to be disappointed again the next day, for still no Pony rider charged down the trail.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think anything is wrong?\u201d Marie asked.\u00a0 \u201cThe Pony has not been late before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only run twice before,\u201d Ben pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s reason to assume the worst, although I\u2019m sure that\u2019s what\u2019s going through our friend Nelly\u2019s head.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs it would through yours if Hoss were an Express rider,\u201d Marie countered with a slight smile.<\/p>\n

Ben knew how to silence her teasing.\u00a0 \u201cOr Little Joe,\u201d he added with a maddening twinkle in his eye.\u00a0 \u201cNow, there\u2019s an Express rider you\u2019d worry about!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed lightly.\u00a0 \u201cSo long as his cruel father refuses to give him a horse, I have few worries of his riding for the Pony Express.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

While the miners of Virginia City were absorbed in waiting for news of a sporting event, at Pyramid Lake a man lay stretched full length on the cold ground, his face to the dust.\u00a0 Unable with mere words to convince the assembled chiefs of the wisdom of peace, Numaga had begun to fast on the fifth of May.\u00a0 All through that day and night he lay prostrate before his people, refusing both food and water.\u00a0 When the sun rose the next morning, he still lay there, shaming the Paiutes with his resolute determination in the face of their pleas to stop this foolishness and take nourishment.\u00a0 Yet all that day he again lay on the ground and no food or water passed his lips.<\/p>\n

That same day two young Paiute sisters disappeared.\u00a0 They had gone out to gather roots and not returned, so their parents, searching for them, followed a trail that led to Williams\u2019 Station, some sixty miles northeast of Virginia City.\u00a0 James Williams, who owned and operated the station in partnership with his two brothers, was not himself at the station, but his brothers Oscar and Calvin, whom he\u2019d left in charge, denied seeing the girls, even inviting the parents into the log house to see for themselves.\u00a0 The frantic parents returned to Pyramid Lake, where friends comforted them and promised to help them search for their daughters again the next day.<\/p>\n

When the sun rose on the seventh of May, it again revealed the figure of a prostrate man.\u00a0 For two days and nights Numaga had denied himself food and water in a last desperate attempt to persuade his people that war was not the solution to their problems with the white settlers.\u00a0 \u201cStop him,\u201d the people begged his uncle.\u00a0 \u201cDo not let him die before our faces, in front of our karnees<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

With determination Winnemucca strode across the camp to stand, legs spread, before the supine man.\u00a0 He waved his hand toward the white birds nesting on the rocks of Pyramid Lake. \u201cYour skin is colored by the glance of the sun, but your heart is white like the underfeathers of a pelican,\u201d he declared. \u201cGo!\u00a0 Go away and live with your white friends!\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga made no response.\u00a0 Later in the day others walked past him, their taunts turning to threats.\u00a0 \u201cGet up or we will kill you,\u201d they warned.<\/p>\n

Numaga twisted his head and stared upward, gazing past them.\u00a0 \u201cDo it if you wish, for I don\u2019t care to live,\u201d he replied, then turned his face to the dust again.<\/p>\n

The other Paiutes mumbled among themselves and finally one said, \u201cPerhaps we should have another council.\u201d\u00a0 From man to man the suggestion spread, but no council was held that day, and Numaga continued to lie fasting upon the ground.<\/p>\n

The sun had also risen that morning on a small party of Paiutes in search of two young girls.\u00a0 Though not part of their group, another Paiute, a member of Wahe\u2019s Walker Lake tribe, went out hunting, as well, and stopped that morning at Williams\u2019 Station, as the parents had the day before.\u00a0 The men there liked the look of his pony and offered to trade a gun, five cans of powder, five boxes of caps and five bars of lead for the animal.\u00a0 The Indian accepted, but when it came time to make the exchange, the five bars of lead were omitted.<\/p>\n

When the Paiute objected, the men of Williams\u2019 Station set a dog on him.\u00a0 Yelling in his native tongue as the dog bit and clawed him, the Indian heard muffled cries, also in Paiute, coming from the barn.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard of the missing girls and was sure it was them, crying for help, his own screams having told them one of their own people was nearby.\u00a0 Unable to rescue them alone, the Walker Lake Indian sprinted past the laughing white men, flung himself on his pony and rode swiftly toward the Paiute camp.<\/p>\n

Meeting the search party on the way back, he breathlessly described what he had heard.\u00a0 The girls\u2019 father immediately went to Chief Natchez, who was with Moguannoga, chief of the Humboldt Meadows Paiutes.\u00a0 The two chiefs listened with granite faces to this latest outrage by the whites.\u00a0 \u201cIt gains nothing to take this to the council,\u201d Moguannoga stated bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cNumaga has bled the spirit from them.\u00a0 We must act to save the daughters of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soberly, Natchez nodded.\u00a0 Numaga was his uncle and he respected him, but so long as the war chief maintained this fast, the council would be unable to move against him.\u00a0 The lives and virtue of two Paiute maidens were at stake; there was no time for delay.\u00a0 \u201cI ride with you,\u201d Natchez declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go, too,\u201d the girls\u2019 father announced.\u00a0 The others nodded.\u00a0 They had expected no less.\u00a0 Nine men volunteered and, without informing the other leaders, rode toward Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 It was just past noon.<\/p>\n

The sun hovered low on the western horizon when the raiding party reached the eastern end of the Carson River.\u00a0 Feeling wary, they picketed their ponies among the cottonwoods and walked the half-mile to Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 A wagon stood in the yard, and four white men exited the log house to meet the Indians.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have come for the Paiute maidens,\u201d Natchez announced regally.<\/p>\n

One of the white men evidently recognized the girls\u2019 parents, for he pointed to them.\u00a0 \u201cLike I told these redskins t\u2019other day, we ain\u2019t seen them girls.\u00a0 Check the house if you don\u2019t believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe barn,\u201d the Walker Lake Indian who had heard the girls\u2019 cries growled.\u00a0 \u201cWe will search the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep your filthy red hide out of our barn,\u201d the white man snarled, then, seeing the Indian\u2019s visage darken, added testily, \u201cCan\u2019t trust your kind among the stock.\u00a0 We know your thievin\u2019 ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chief Moguannoga drew himself haughtily erect.\u00a0 \u201cYou dare to speak of \u2018thievin\u2019 ways\u2019 when it is you who steal, no more just Paiute grass and Paiute ponies, but now Paiute maidens.\u201d\u00a0 The Indians began to close a circle around the whites.<\/p>\n

One of the Williams brothers, whose eyes had been flicking from face to red face, panicked, broke around the circle before it fully formed and began to run in the direction of Buckland\u2019s Station, the nearest help.\u00a0 Moguannoga dispatched two warriors after him and their lithe limbs quickly overtook the man and dragged him back to stand, eyes wide with terror, beside the other frightened men.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, it\u2019s all a misunderstanding,\u201d one of them pleaded, while another managed to burst away and run toward a nearby bluff.\u00a0 Though the Indians pursued him, he jumped before they reached him.\u00a0 Falling short of the river, he tumbled the rest of the way down to it and fell in.\u00a0 Unable to swim, he sputtered and coughed, gulping in muddy water while the Paiutes watched his struggle with grim pleasure.\u00a0 When his body began to float, face down, on the surface, the Paiutes pulled it from the river and, rather than drag it up the bluff, left it to bloat and burst in the sun.<\/p>\n

When the Paiutes returned from the river alone, one of the three remaining whites decided he, too, would try to escape.\u00a0 He pulled a long-bladed hunting knife from the scabbard at his side and tried to fight his way into the open.\u00a0 A Paiute warrior grabbed his arm from behind, yanking it so hard that the bone snapped.\u00a0 The man screamed from the wrenching pain and fell to his knees, vomiting his courage into the dust.\u00a0 Sobbing, he begged the Indian to spare his life, but the Paiute placed strong hands about the man\u2019s neck and squeezed until the white face turned blue and the pale eyes began to bulge.\u00a0 Suddenly, the white man\u2019s body went limp and with a satisfied sneer the Paiute let him fall to the ground.<\/p>\n

The last two white men, the Williams brothers, gave each other a final, fearful glance, for they knew they wouldn\u2019t long survive the men who\u2019d gone before.\u00a0 Their deaths came quickly, as if the Paiutes felt they had wasted enough time exterminating vermin.\u00a0 The warriors then rushed to the barn, calling the names of the missing Paiute maidens.\u00a0 From beneath them came cries for help and, locating the door to the cellar, the Indians descended to find the two young girls lying on a narrow cot, their mouths and hands tied with grimy rags.\u00a0 Blood spattered dresses torn to expose their bronze breasts.\u00a0 \u201cWe were too easy on the accursed whites,\u201d their father fumed.\u00a0 \u201cThey died too quickly.\u201d\u00a0 Grunts of agreement met his statement.<\/p>\n

The Paiutes dragged the three bodies from the yard into the cabin and set it ablaze. The men were dead, beyond pain, but their carcasses, at least, could be shown disrespect.\u00a0 Even this was not enough to assuage the Indians\u2019 rage, however.\u00a0 They camped on the bottom land around the station for hours, discussing further revenge.\u00a0 Finally, someone reminded the others how badly the stationmaster at Buckland\u2019s had always treated the Paiutes.\u00a0 The self-appointed Indian vigilance committee decided quickly that Samuel Buckland deserved to die, and dispatching one man to Pyramid Lake to tell the tribe what had occurred, the others rode east about two the next morning in search of other whites upon whom to vent their fury.<\/p>\n

They bypassed the ranch of C. M. Davis, for he had a reputation for never abusing Indians, and as dawn pinked the eastern sky, the Paiutes approached the farm of W. H. Bloomfield.\u00a0 Since the growing daylight made attack more risky, the Indians settled for driving off Bloomfield\u2019s stock and returning to Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 Miles away, Sam Buckland slept peacefully, never realizing that only the rising sun had saved his life.<\/p>\n

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

In the early morning hours of May 8th, even before the sun showed its face, a council, brought on by Numaga\u2019s three-day fast, convened.\u00a0 Numaga stood before a semi-circle of nine chiefs seated around a fire, only Moguannoga and Natchez being absent.\u00a0 \u201cWhile I belonged to the ground, I heard angry voices,\u201d Numaga began, \u201cvoices that called for war.\u00a0 I heard no man speak out for peace.\u00a0 I heard no man say, \u2018Let us try one more time to talk to our white brothers about the wrongs we have felt.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The war chief, who, ironically, was the only man who favored peace, spread his hands in a gesture of appeal.\u00a0 \u201cI have heard all of you, my brothers, and you speak as young boys at play.\u00a0 You say you would make war on the whites, that you would drive them from our meadows, that you would send them running back across the tall, western mountains.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for a moment to give his next words greater impact.\u00a0 \u201cHave you thought of what this war would mean?\u00a0 Do you know how many of our people would die in such a way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga turned his back, walked a few paces away, then turned to face the chiefs once more.\u00a0 \u201cMy brothers, you would make war upon the whites.\u00a0 I ask you to pause and think of what this war would mean to our people.\u00a0 The white men are like the stars over your head.\u201d\u00a0 He swept his hand to the still black sky, then toward the western Sierras.\u00a0 \u201cYou have wrongs, great wrongs that rise up like those mountains before you; but can you, from the mountaintops, reach out and blot out those stars?\u00a0 Your enemies are like the sands in the bed of your rivers; when taken away, they only give place for more to come and settle there.\u00a0 Could you defeat the whites in our own home, from over the mountains in California would come to help them an army of white men that would cover your country like a blanket.\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga\u2019s voice dropped and he stepped closer as he reasoned with his people.\u00a0 \u201cWhat hope is there for the Paiute?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cFrom where is to come your guns, your powder, your lead, your dried meats to live upon, and grass to feed your ponies while you carry on this war?\u00a0 Your enemies have all of these things, more than they can use.\u201d\u00a0 Numaga stooped to gather a handful of dust.\u00a0 \u201cThey will come like the sand in a whirlwind and drive you from your homes,\u201d he said, letting the wind blow the loose dirt from his open palm.\u00a0 \u201cYou will be forced among the barren rocks of the earth, where your ponies will die, where you will see the women and old men starve and listen to the cries of your children for food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga noticed the attention the other chiefs were giving his words and saw several among them begin to nod.\u00a0 He was beginning to win them over.\u00a0 Sensing that, he made his plea more personal, his voice almost breaking with emotion.\u00a0 \u201cI love my people; let them live,\u201d he pleaded poignantly, \u201cand when their spirits shall be called to the Great Camp in the southern sky, let their bones rest where their fathers were buried.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the war chief concluded, the other chiefs began to discuss his arguments.\u00a0 One after another declared the wisdom of Numaga\u2019s words.\u00a0 One by one they spoke of waiting, of giving the white men another chance to redress the wrongs that had been committed.\u00a0 A few remained unconvinced, but the tide was turning.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, into the midst of their deliberations, rode a single warrior. \u00a0Raising his rifle triumphantly over his head, the Indian shouted that the whites had had their first taste of Paiute justice.\u00a0 As the chiefs demanded explanation, the man quickly described the slaughter that had taken place at Williams\u2019 Station.<\/p>\n

Numaga\u2019s heart dropped into his stomach as he heard the news.\u00a0 The other chiefs began to argue what to do, some still for peace, others burning anew with thoughts of revenge.\u00a0 The war chief stepped forward and again commanded their attention.\u00a0 \u201cThere is no longer any use for counsel,\u201d he said, his voice grave with foreboding.\u00a0 \u201cWe must prepare for war, for the soldiers will now come here to fight us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chiefs responded in grim silence, then each rose to return to his respective camp and assemble the warriors of his band.\u00a0 The war they had at first wanted, then were on the verge of rejecting, was now inevitable.\u00a0 Numaga sought the solitude of his tent, for upon the man who had pleaded for peace with such moving words now fell the responsibility of devising the strategy for war.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes Are Coming!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Robert Haslem whipped the end of his reins against his horse\u2019s foam-flecked neck to urge him on.\u00a0 The grain-fed mounts of the Pony Express were built and nourished for speed, and the rider had needed all his horse could provide that day as he\u2019d tried to outrun the pursuing Paiutes.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t caught him, though their arrows had.\u00a0 One protruded from his face, having broken his jaw in two places; another pierced his arm, but Pony Bob hadn\u2019t taken time to remove either.\u00a0 His full attention was focused on getting to the safety of a white settlement.<\/p>\n

The nearest one of any size was Virginia City, so although that wasn\u2019t on his normal express route, Haslem swung off through Gold Canyon and charged down Six-Mile Canyon.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t alone.\u00a0 Behind him rode two other expressmen.\u00a0 The three arrived almost simultaneously at the Wells Fargo office on C Street and flung themselves off their exhausted mounts.\u00a0 Haslem grabbed for the hitching rail to support himself.<\/p>\n

Miners and merchants gathered quickly around the three men.\u00a0 For the Pony rider to come their way at all was unusual, and the arrows jutting out of Haslem\u2019s jaw and arm added urgency to their curiosity.\u00a0 None of the three men, however, could satisfy that curiosity.\u00a0 They could barely breathe, much less talk.\u00a0 Miners began thumping their backs.<\/p>\n

Finally, all three started at once, each man\u2019s words overlapping the others\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cThe Paiutes\u2014\u2014the Paiutes are coming!\u00a0 Yesterday they attacked Williams\u2019 Station . . . killed five men . . . a woman . . . a child . . . burned the station to the ground . . . shot an arrow into the ribs of William\u2019s dog.\u00a0 Five thousand of \u2018em are riding on Six Mile.\u00a0 Arm yourselves\u2014\u2014quick!\u201d<\/p>\n

They were delivering second-hand reports, and several of the details were wrong, but the miners believed every word.\u00a0 Five thousand Paiutes headed their way!\u00a0 How could they withstand a force like that?\u00a0 They had to have help!\u00a0 No one considered sending word to Salt Lake City.\u00a0 Even had the territorial government not been hundreds of miles away, that path led through the heart of Paiute country, and they had only to look at Pony Bob to see the folly of expecting a courier to get through that direction.\u00a0 Instead, they sent one to Carson City, the eastern terminus of the telegraph to California, to request men and arms from Governor Downie of that state.<\/p>\n

The citizens of Carson City were terror-stricken when the courier told them of the massacre at Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 When Nelly Thomas heard the news, she threw her apron over her face and collapsed on the grass of the plaza.\u00a0 \u201cMy boy, my boy,\u201d she wailed, swaying back and forth from the waist.<\/p>\n

Laura Ellis knelt swiftly beside her.\u00a0 \u201cNow, don\u2019t you fret over Billy,\u201d she urged.\u00a0 \u201cHe knows how to look out for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s at Buckland\u2019s,\u201d Nelly moaned.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t enough men there to hold out long, and it\u2019s between here and there they say the Paiutes shot Pony Bob.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura held her tighter, for she couldn\u2019t think of anything else to say.\u00a0 She was grateful when Clyde lifted his wife to her feet and helped her back to the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gotta settle down, Nelly gal,\u201d he said as he seated her in the rocker.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t leave \u2018til you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave?\u00a0 What you mean, \u2018leave\u2019?\u201d Nelly demanded, rising from the chair.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t goin\u2019 no place, Clyde!\u201d<\/p>\n

Inger, blue eyes anxious, stood at Nelly\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t leavin\u2019 us, are you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde laid a gentle hand on the girl\u2019s strawberry blonde curls.\u00a0 \u201cGot to, honey girl.\u00a0 Got to find your brother and bring him safe home.\u00a0 There\u2019s men enough in town to keep you safe \u2018til I get back.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be afraid, girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClyde, no!\u201d Nelly cried, falling against his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t risk losin\u2019 the both of you.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 you can do to help our boy.\u00a0 You\u2019ll just get yourself killed!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019, Nelly,\u201d he said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, slap some bacon on a biscuit, okay?\u00a0 I\u2019ll eat on the run.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll fry you up some fresh bacon, Pa,\u201d Inger offered.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s biscuits left from dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d\u00a0 He settled Nelly back in the rocker again, giving her weathered cheek a soothing stroke.<\/p>\n

While Inger went to the kitchen, Clyde got his rifle and began loading it with fresh ammunition.\u00a0 Before the bacon was fried, however, a horse clattered into the yard and Billy stumbled through the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, son!\u201d Nelly shrieked, flying from her rocker to engulf him in her arms.\u00a0 \u201cAre you all right, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy took his mother\u2019s face in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cAre you?\u201d he asked nervously, then uttered a short laugh.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I can see you are.\u00a0 No Paiutes been here yet, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone here,\u201d his father said.\u00a0 \u201cYou seen any?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFar off,\u201d Billy muttered, lurching toward his father.<\/p>\n

Clyde caught the young man before he collapsed.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure you ain\u2019t hurt?\u201d he asked apprehensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust give out,\u201d Billy panted.\u00a0 \u201cNeed to sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sit right here,\u201d Nelly ordered, pulling him toward the rocker.\u00a0 Then, seating him, she pressed a kiss to his dust-covered forehead.\u00a0 \u201cYou had us worried, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy started to respond, but was interrupted by the sound of fists pounding on the door.\u00a0 Clyde went to answer it and found William Ormsby on the porch with a number of other men flanking him.\u00a0 \u201cSaw your boy ride in,\u201d Ormsby said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in,\u201d Clyde said, opening the door.\u00a0 \u201cBoy\u2019s plumb tuckered, so I\u2019d appreciate it if you didn\u2019t question him too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby motioned for the others to wait outside and walked over to Billy.\u00a0 \u201cYou got any news, son?\u201d he asked, looking worried.<\/p>\n

Billy gave him a lopsided grin.\u00a0 \u201cDisremember who won that prize fight, if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly!\u201d Inger, who\u2019d run in from the kitchen as soon as she heard Billy\u2019s voice, scolded.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that ain\u2019t what he means.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, little sis,\u201d Billy smiled, reaching out to squeeze her hand.\u00a0 He looked up at William Ormsby.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t add to what you already know,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t have any trouble gettin\u2019 to Buckland\u2019s.\u00a0 Heard there about what happened at Williams\u2019 Station and some other places between there and Buckland\u2019s.\u00a0 Would have come on right then, but my pony was wore down.\u00a0 Pony Bob took the fresh one and came on with the mail.\u00a0 He make it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot here,\u201d Ormsby said.\u00a0 \u201cRode up to Virginia City.\u00a0 Took a couple of arrows, I heard, but got through all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shook his head, concerned.\u00a0 \u201cLike I was tellin\u2019 my folks, I saw some Indians at a distance, but they didn\u2019t give chase.\u00a0 Probably realized I had too long a lead on \u2018em.\u00a0 Don\u2019t think they were headed here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re not sure?\u201d Ormsby pressed.<\/p>\n

Billy shrugged, as if to say he couldn\u2019t read Indian minds.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many?\u201d Ormsby demanded then.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour, I think.\u00a0 Not more than half a dozen.\u201d\u00a0 Then Billy flashed that lopsided grin of his again.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t take time to count.\u00a0 Not enough to attack the town, Mr. Ormsby, but that ain\u2019t to say they won\u2019t round up some others and try it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby laid a hand on the young Pony rider\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for the information, son.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be getting some men together, in case of trouble.\u00a0 Can we count on you and your boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know you can,\u201d Clyde assured him.\u00a0 \u201cWe got womenfolk to protect, same as you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby nodded. \u201cSome of us may ride up to Virginia City and meet with the men there later this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me know,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cI might go along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see myself out,\u201d Ormsby said.<\/p>\n

When he left, Inger headed back for the kitchen. \u201cGuess I best finish fryin\u2019 that bacon,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cBilly looks half famished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLands, it\u2019s a wonder the place ain\u2019t afire by now,\u201d her mother fretted.<\/p>\n

Inger turned to give her mother a reproachful look.\u00a0 \u201cI got sense enough to set a pan off the stove before I leave it, Ma,\u201d she chided.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Course you do, gal,\u201d Clyde soothed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a mighty grown up young lady.\u00a0 Bring your brother some of that grub.\u00a0 Bet his stomach\u2019s a rumblin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ate at Buckland\u2019s, while I was waitin\u2019 on my horse to rest a mite,\u201d Billy said, \u201cbut even Inger\u2019s cookin\u2019 beats that stationmaster\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks a lot!\u201d Inger laughed, turned and flounced out of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWish I had me a turkey,\u201d Nelly smiled, pausing on her way to the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so glad to see you here safe, son, that it feels like Thanksgiving to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t stay long,\u201d Billy told his father once his mother and sister were out of earshot.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t goin\u2019 back to Buckland\u2019s,\u201d his father said bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cLet the Pony Express go hang.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not Buckland\u2019s,\u201d Billy explained quickly, \u201cbut someone\u2019s got to get word to Uncle Ben, Pa.\u00a0 He may not have heard anything yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably ain\u2019t,\u201d Clyde agreed with a scowl, \u201cand ain\u2019t likely to believe it when he does.\u00a0 Your Uncle Ben\u2019s powerful fond of them Paiutes, won\u2019t never stand to hear a word said agin \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know all that,\u201d Billy argued, \u201cbut he needs to know, all the same, Pa, for the sake of Marie and them younguns, if nothin\u2019 else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon,\u201d Clyde conceded, \u201cbut you\u2019re tired.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride up to the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Billy insisted.\u00a0 \u201cI ride faster, and I make a smaller target, if there are Paiutes out that way.\u00a0 It\u2019s better if I go.\u00a0 Saddle my roan for me, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde rubbed the back of his son\u2019s neck to express the pride he found hard to put in words.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, get yourself some bacon and biscuits and I\u2019ll saddle your horse.\u00a0 Tell your Ma I said no argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI got better sense than to say that to Ma, but I\u2019ll make her understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cDo you see your father?\u201d Ben yelled.<\/p>\n

Billy stretched tall in his stirrups and craned his neck, trying to see over the mass of men swarming B Street in Virginia City.\u00a0 \u201cNot yet,\u201d he called, cupping his hands around his mouth.\u00a0 The demands for vengeance against the marauding Paiutes and verbalized fear of the five thousand said to be marching on them were so loud he had to shout to be heard.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head in amazement.\u00a0 He knew the new town had been growing at a prodigious rate, but he still hadn\u2019t expected this many men when he and Billy had ridden here directly from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Considering the hour, they had assumed that Clyde would have already left for Virginia City, so there\u2019d been no point in taking extra time to go to Carson City first.\u00a0 Of course, more than just the residents of Virginia City and Carson crowded the streets tonight.\u00a0 Ben recognized men he knew from Genoa, among them Snowshoe Thompson, and figured other nearby settlements like Gold Hill and Silver City were also represented.<\/p>\n

Finally, he spotted William Ormsby and pointed him out to Billy.\u00a0 \u201cIf your father came, we\u2019ll probably find him there, too,\u201d he shouted as he moved his horse in that direction.\u00a0 Billy didn\u2019t try to respond verbally.\u00a0 He just nodded and fell in behind Ben.<\/p>\n

Though the distance to be covered was relatively short, it took them several minutes to make their way to Ormsby.\u00a0 Clyde Thomas saw them coming and gave a shout.\u00a0 Ben waved to let his friend know he\u2019d seen him and kept moving his horse slowly through the crowd.\u00a0 As he dismounted, Clyde took the reins of his bay and wrapped them around the hitching rail.\u00a0 \u201cGlad you made it, Ben.\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t sure you\u2019d come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to know what\u2019s being planned, Clyde,\u201d Ben said soberly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not promising to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that, Cartwright?\u201d William Ormsby demanded, blue eyes narrowing.\u00a0 \u201cAre you saying you\u2019re unwilling to help defend this territory in time of war?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHold on, Ormsby,\u201d John Cradlebaugh, a judge appointed by the territorial government, interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t believe Mr. Cartwright is expressing anything different than what I\u2019ve been saying.\u00a0 I\u2019ll say it again: I believe our first responsibility is to ascertain the reliability of the reports we\u2019ve received.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI absolutely concur, your honor.\u00a0 There\u2019s no clear evidence the Paiutes were involved, and even if they were, I believe the reports are greatly exaggerated.\u00a0 Why, there aren\u2019t five thousand Paiutes within two hundred miles!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby pointed to Billy Thomas.\u00a0 \u201cThis boy was out there.\u00a0 Ask him if it wasn\u2019t Paiutes he saw.\u00a0 And those were Paiute arrows in Pony Bob\u2019s jaw!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were Paiutes, for sure, Uncle Ben,\u201d Billy stated earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t been around \u2018em as much as you, but I know Paiutes when I see \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you do, son,\u201d Ben conceded, \u201cbut what you saw may have been nothing more than a hunting party.\u00a0 You weren\u2019t close enough to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHunting party!\u201d a nearby miner scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, they was out huntin\u2019, all right\u2014\u2014huntin\u2019 for scalps!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ignored the man and faced Ormsby.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are your plans?\u00a0 Surely you agree with Judge Cradlebaugh that we must be certain the Paiutes are guilty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA party of men left for Williams\u2019 Station within an hour of the first report,\u201d Ormsby replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll soon have proof of the Paiutes’ guilt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr innocence,\u201d Ben suggested, his voice soft, but firm.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the Paiutes are guilty or if they\u2019re planning all-out war,\u201d Cradlebaugh inserted, \u201cI\u2019ll gladly march with the other Carson City Rangers, but if the killings were justified or if it is an isolated incident, I feel the matter should be put to a vote before we take action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s heart sank.\u00a0 Guilty or not, the Paiutes would be the losers in an election like that.\u00a0 There had to be at least two thousand angry men in the street, and only a handful among them who even considered the possibility that the Indians might be innocent victims of false reports.\u00a0 Ben tried to argue against an immediate attack, but his voice was in the minority.\u00a0 The men of Virginia City were determined to fight and confident of victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Paiutes won\u2019t fight,\u201d yelled one man, voicing the general consensus.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get plenty of hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAn Indian for breakfast and a pony to ride,\u201d another hollered back and the crowd roared its approval.<\/p>\n

Ben finally quit debating the issue.\u00a0 No one was listening anyway.\u00a0 He watched in silence as three companies of Virginia City volunteers were formed and saw the leaders appointed, most of them mere names to Ben, men new to the territory, men without hope of understanding the delicate diplomacy needed to deal with the Paiutes.<\/p>\n

He did know the man appointed captain of the Silver City Guards, one-legged R. G. Watkins, who at first refused the appointment, citing his handicap.\u00a0 The miners refused to listen.\u00a0 They\u2019d heard he lost that leg while serving with William Walker\u2019s filibustering expedition to Nicaragua and, therefore, considered him an experienced soldier.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t true.\u00a0 Watkins had actually lost his leg in a street brawl in San Diego some nine years earlier and had sent the amputated limb to his opponent as a trophy of war.<\/p>\n

William Ormsby, on the other hand, really had fought with Walker in Nicaragua, although when men called him Major Ormsby, the title was largely honorary.\u00a0 He would serve as leader of the Carson City contingent, while the Genoa Rangers would be led by Captain Thomas F. Condon, Jr.\u00a0 They were by far the smallest group, but Ben knew most of them and knew what stalwart men they were.\u00a0 However, although Ormsby argued for a commander-in-chief to be appointed, none was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Cartwright, are you with us or not?\u201d Ormsby demanded as the meeting broke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go as far as Williams\u2019 Station,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll decide there, based on what I see, whether to continue with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy intentions, too,\u201d Judge Cradlebaugh announced.\u00a0 \u201cUntil the day after tomorrow, gentlemen.\u201d\u00a0 Though the men would have liked to ride out the next morning, they knew that wasn\u2019t practical.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe hour\u2019s late now,\u201d Ormsby had pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll need most of tomorrow to assemble our men, gather supplies and provide for the safety of our wives and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Henry Meredith, a young lawyer who had been appointed a captain of the Virginia City volunteers, had agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t have many women, even less children, but we\u2019ll need to make provision for them.\u00a0 Yes, a day\u2019s delay is for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde clapped Ben on the back as the younger man prepared to return to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 \u201cGlad you\u2019re ridin\u2019 with us\u2014\u2014well, part-way, anyhow.\u00a0 You bring Marie and the boys down to stay with Nelly, you hear?\u00a0 Safer that way.\u00a0 There\u2019ll be some stayin\u2019 behind to guard the womenfolk there, same as here in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess so,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better get back and let Marie know what\u2019s happening.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019s worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNelly, too,\u201d Clyde agreed.\u00a0 \u201cA woman\u2019s right, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave a short laugh.\u00a0 A woman\u2019s right?\u00a0 Then, why did he and Clyde look so concerned?\u00a0 Worry, Ben concluded, knew no gender.<\/p>\n

Hoping Marie had gone to bed, Ben took his time.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t ride fast, anyway.\u00a0 Darkness had fallen, and he wouldn\u2019t risk galloping his horse down the steep trail from Virginia City to the valley floor.\u00a0 Once on the flatlands he could have ridden faster, at least until he started to climb the foothills that led to the Ponderosa, but he chose to trot the horse easily, enjoying the fragrance of sage as it drifted in the cool breeze.<\/p>\n

It was unusually cool for this time of year, but then the weather had been no friend to man this year.\u00a0 Ben remembered the hard winter, the long days huddled near the kitchen fire.\u00a0 The winter had been harder, though, on the miners of Virginia City, shivering in their tents and coyote holes, cut off from fresh supplies.\u00a0 Harder still on the Indians after the white men virtually wiped out their usual sources of winter food.<\/p>\n

Was it possible, Ben wondered, that the strain had proven too much, that the Paiutes had finally decided their only chance for survival was to wipe out the pale-faced intruders?\u00a0 Had they ridden on Williams\u2019 Station to announce the beginning of war?\u00a0 Unanswerable questions, at least for now.\u00a0 Ben pulled the collar of his coat up to shield his neck from the stiffening wind and pushed his mount a little harder.\u00a0 Suddenly, he wanted to be home.<\/p>\n

The house was dark when he walked from the barn after stabling his horse.\u00a0 Ben opened the door and stepped inside, unbuckling his gunbelt to lay it on the cabinet to his left.\u00a0 His hand froze on the buckle, however, as he saw the epee-wielding figure silhouetted against the flickering flames of the fire.\u00a0 Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d feel more welcome if you\u2019d put that down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The fencing blade clattered to the floor and Marie rushed toward him, ruffled muslin nightgown rustling against her legs as she moved.\u00a0 “Oh, Ben!\u201d she cried, casting herself into his arms.<\/p>\n

Ben held her trembling figure close to his breast, then lifted her face to his, stroking back a strand of golden hair that trailed across her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cDefending the ranch, are you?\u201d he asked lightly to disarm her fears.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had to,\u201d Marie whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThey will not take our children, Ben\u2014\u2014not without taking me first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pressed her closer.\u00a0 \u201cMy love,\u201d he whispered and brushed the golden strands with a kiss.<\/p>\n

Marie looked intently into his face.\u00a0 \u201cIs it war?\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cWas it the Paiutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know yet,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna ride out to Williams\u2019 Station with the others on Thursday and see what I can learn.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take you and the boys in to stay with Nelly, maybe tomorrow night, so you won\u2019t have to get them up so early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Katerina,\u201d Marie suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWe will take her, as well, oui<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Ben whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll speak to Enos tomorrow.\u00a0 Come on to bed now, my love, and I\u2019ll tell you what I know so far.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded and, laying her head on his shoulder, ascended the stairs at his side.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR<\/p>\n

Distant Alarm<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Adam leaned his chair back on two legs and perused the ceiling while he conjugated Latin verbs in his head.\u00a0 Bringing the chair down, he checked the open text on his desk and smiled.\u00a0 Perfect.\u00a0 Final exams for the term were scheduled to begin on Monday, and perfection was his goal.\u00a0 His roommate, whom Adam had self-righteously reproved for lack of attention to his own studies, had scoffed at Adam\u2019s diligence.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re at the head of practically every class you\u2019re in,\u201d Harold Lissome had argued.\u00a0 \u201cWhy keep studying?\u00a0 Get out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, boy.\u00a0 It\u2019ll clear your head of those old Romans.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Adam didn\u2019t want his head clear of the Romans or their language.\u00a0 He wanted it packed full of verbs and nouns and every other part of speech that might appear on the exam.\u00a0 The Latin professor was noted for making his tests hard, and Adam didn\u2019t want to lose his standing in that class.\u00a0 He wanted to carry home a report that would make his father proud.<\/p>\n

Harold, on the other hand, hadn\u2019t felt he could better the average marks he already had, no matter how hard he studied, so he\u2019d volunteered to run a few errands for Mrs. Maguire.\u00a0 Just to get out in that sunshine and fresh air, Adam suspected, fighting down the temptation to join his friend.\u00a0 He secretly planned to invite Harold to an evening at the theater his final night in Sacramento, to celebrate the successful completion of their exams.\u00a0 What Adam wanted to celebrate, though, was ranking first in every class, and if he didn\u2019t study, he might not achieve that goal.\u00a0 Let Harold roam the streets of Sacramento, if he really felt he had nothing better to do.\u00a0 Adam knew his duty, if his roommate did not.\u00a0 Feeling decidedly superior, he leaned back to conjugate the next verb.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

The chair hit the floor with a thud and Adam sprang from it, for the cry reverberating up the stairs had been one of alarm.\u00a0 Dashing out, Adam collided with Harold at the head of the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked, grabbing his panting friend by the shoulders.<\/p>\n

Too out of breath to speak plainly, Harold slapped the newspaper he was carrying against Adam\u2019s chest.\u00a0 Adam took the paper.\u00a0 Concerned for his friend, he hooked an elbow under Harold\u2019s arm and helped him into their bedroom.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked again as he pushed the other boy into a chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndians,\u201d Harold croaked.\u00a0 \u201cEast of the Sierras.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snapped the paper open and his eyes raced to the headline.\u00a0 \u201cMASSACRE AT WASHOE\u201d the bold print declared.\u00a0 Face white as the paper he held, Adam scanned the article quickly.\u00a0 \u201cLast night a most horrid massacre was perpetrated by the Indians below the Great Bend of the Carson.\u00a0 J. Williams arrived at Buckland\u2019s near the bend, and gave information of the murder of his two brothers and five other men, at the same hour, and the burning of the house after or during the perpetration of this shocking butchery.\u00a0 On his way up, Williams called at two other houses on the opposite side of the river, and the doors were open, but loud calling at a short distance failed to induce any signs of life about the premises.\u00a0 He supposes all are murdered; they number some twelve or thirteen others.\u00a0 The Indians are about five hundred strong, and all mounted.\u00a0 They pursued him to within six miles of Buckland\u2019s and gave up the chase.\u201d<\/p>\n

The report was highly inaccurate.\u00a0 The reporter had not even interviewed so-called survivor James Williams, but he evidently had a flare for invention, creating a harrowing tale of how the stationmaster had found one brother dead, the other only living long enough to accuse the Pah-Utes.\u00a0 According to the newspaper account, Williams had then ridden down one horse and jumped on another in his mad flight toward Buckland\u2019s Station.\u00a0 The tale was almost pure fiction, but everyone who read it believed it for gospel, none with greater concern than the two boys in Molly Maguire\u2019s boardinghouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s near your folks, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Harold asked anxiously, having caught his breath.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded grimly.\u00a0 \u201cBuckland\u2019s is east of them.\u00a0 Williams\u2019 Station, too, but it\u2019s too close for comfort.\u201d\u00a0 He stood abruptly and, walking to his bureau, pulled a carpetbag from the bottom drawer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d Harold asked as Adam tossed the bag onto the bed and began pulling shirts and socks from the top drawer.<\/p>\n

Adam didn\u2019t bother to look up as he responded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think I\u2019m doing?\u00a0 My family\u2019s in danger.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold lunged across the room to grab his friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you can\u2019t!\u201d he protested.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about your exams?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shook his arm free and fixed a look of scorn on the older boy.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about them?\u201d he asked airily.<\/p>\n

Harold bit his lip.\u00a0 He understood what Adam had left unsaid and knew the boy well enough to realize he couldn\u2019t outargue Adam once his mind was made up.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t go tonight,\u201d he pointed out logically.<\/p>\n

Adam sighed and flopped onto the bed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not tonight,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to rush packing, I guess, but don\u2019t try to talk me out of going.\u00a0 What would you do if it were your family?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame as you, probably,\u201d Harold said, \u201cbut maybe you should wire your father and ask if he needs you to come home.\u00a0 The telegraph\u2019s through to Carson City now, you said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blew out a disdainful blast of air.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the one thing I won\u2019t do!\u201d\u00a0 He leaned on one elbow to stare at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cI already know what Pa\u2019d say: \u2018Stay safe in Sacramento.\u2019\u00a0 He\u2019d treat me just like a little kid, which I\u2019m not!\u00a0 I know how to fire a gun, and I\u2019m man enough to do it when my family\u2019s under attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, you ought to see the headmaster in the morning, though,\u201d Harold reasoned.\u00a0 \u201cOnce this trouble\u2019s settled, you\u2019ll want to come back and finish your work, won\u2019t you?\u00a0 That\u2019ll be easier if you get permission to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam raked a nervous hand through his straight, black hair.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess.\u00a0 Hardly seems important now, but maybe things aren\u2019t as bad as they sound.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get permission to put off my exams, then head for Carson on the earliest stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Mark Wentworth read the article in the Daily Evening Bulletin<\/em>, jaw muscles tightening with each sentence.\u00a0 The description of the massacre at Williams\u2019 Station was gruesome and more personally alarming to Mark than to most readers of the San Francisco newspaper.\u00a0 He not only had a better understanding of the geography of the region than most Californians, including how short the distances were from Williams\u2019 Station to Carson City or the Ponderosa; he also had someone over the Sierras whose life meant more to him than his own.<\/p>\n

Sally!\u00a0 Why on earth had he not gone to claim her as his bride as soon as the passes were open?\u00a0 Mark knew the answer, of course.\u00a0 It had been a point of pride with him to remain away the full year he\u2019d promised Dr. Martin.\u00a0 More than just pride, really.\u00a0 The young man hadn\u2019t wanted to give the doctor the slightest pretext for withholding consent for the wedding.<\/p>\n

Mark had done well the previous nine months.\u00a0 The same period of time it takes a woman to give birth<\/em>, Mark mused, feeling he was participating in a new birth of his own.\u00a0 He\u2019d made peace with his father, found a good job and held it faithfully.\u00a0 Not once had he visited the Barbary Coast, unless he was accompanying the Reverend Wentworth on one of his charitable missions.\u00a0 With the help of his brother Matthew, who had secretly been saving funds for the same purpose, he\u2019d purchased property and lumber and built a solid little cottage away from the wind and dampness of the bay, and the change had made a world of difference in their sister\u2019s health.\u00a0 Though the house had taken most of his money, Mark had started to set aside funds for his own future, and while his nest egg wasn\u2019t large yet, three more months\u2019 salary would augment it.\u00a0 That had seemed a short time to wait, but now he chided himself for the delay.\u00a0 If he\u2019d gone earlier, he\u2019d be in Washoe now, where he could protect the woman he loved.<\/p>\n

Mark folded the paper and, thrusting it under his arm, hastened home.\u00a0 Flinging open the front door of the yellow house, painted to match the one in Carson City Mary had so admired,\u00a0 Mark called out, \u201cFather!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not here,\u201d Mary called from the dining room, where she was setting the table for supper.<\/p>\n

Mark charged through the doorway into the next room.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is he?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cI have to talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVisiting some sick parishioners,\u201d Mary replied, her blue eyes lighting with sudden concern.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it, Mark?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark started to hand her the paper, then drew it back.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s too cruel for your eyes, dear heart, but I must speak with Father at once.\u00a0 Do you know who he\u2019s visiting?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary set the plates and silverware down and moved quickly to her brother.\u00a0 Her slender hand reached up to stroke the curly beard he\u2019d sported since Christmas.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she answered softly.\u00a0 \u201cHe only said he had several stops to make, but would be home by supper.\u00a0 Please, Mark, tell me what troubles you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark took her hand and led her into the small, simply furnished parlor.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Sally,\u201d he said hoarsely as he sat on the worn sofa.<\/p>\n

Seeing the newspaper in his hand, Mary tilted her head in bemusement.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s something about Sally in the newspaper?\u201d she teased, sitting beside her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 No, not about her, but it concerns her,\u201d Mark sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cShe may even be dead, Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark!\u201d Mary cried, grasping his hand and pulling it to her lips to kiss his fingertips.\u00a0 \u201cWhat has happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndians,\u201d Mark explained hurriedly.\u00a0 \u201cThey attacked a station near Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bloom fled from Mary\u2019s cheeks, and she suddenly looked as pale as in the old days of fragile health.\u00a0 \u201cThe Cartwrights!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cAre they in danger, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey could be,\u201d Mark said.\u00a0 \u201cLook, I don\u2019t want you worrying, Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you are,\u201d she murmured, almost sobbing.<\/p>\n

Mark took her in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a brute to worry you so,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt happened at Williams\u2019 Station, Mary.\u00a0 That\u2019s probably a hundred miles from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Most likely, the Cartwrights\u2014\u2014and everyone in Carson City, too\u2014\u2014are just fine.\u00a0 But I have to go there, to make sure.\u00a0 You understand, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mary took his face in her hands.\u00a0 \u201cOh, of course, I do, and Father will, too, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope so,\u201d Mark whispered.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to ruin the relationship he\u2019d rebuilt with his father by leaving without his consent; however, he would if he had to, for he felt his duty to Sally was clear.<\/p>\n

Ebenezer Wentworth walked in moments later to find two of his children taking comfort in each other\u2019s arms.\u00a0 Mark handed his father the Daily Evening Bulletin<\/em>, so he could read for himself the danger threatening their friends.\u00a0 \u201cThis seems very serious,\u201d Ebenezer said.\u00a0 \u201cWe will certainly remember the people of western Utah in our prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPrayers!\u00a0 Oh, Father,\u201d Mark protested bitterly.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t expect me to just pray about this and do nothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ebenezer looked sorrowfully at his son.\u00a0 As much improvement as the boy had made in other ways, he hadn\u2019t reestablished his commitment to God, and that troubled the minister more than the drinking and carousing ever had.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine any action that would do more good,\u201d he said quietly, then added quickly, \u201cbut, no, son, I don\u2019t expect you to do nothing else.\u00a0 You want to go to her, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFather, I must!\u201d Mark pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cI know you don\u2019t approve of violence\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI approve even less of leaving women and children defenseless,\u201d Ebenezer said soberly.\u00a0 \u201cThere are times when violence merits a violent response.\u00a0 Remember, the Scripture says, \u2018The Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark gulped hard.\u00a0 \u201cThen, I have your permission to go, to stand by Sally in this time of need?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ebenezer said.\u00a0 Seeing Mark about to raise an argument, he lifted a silencing hand.\u00a0 \u201cI only ask that you not go alone.\u00a0 Others will respond to the appeal for help.\u00a0 Wait and go with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes,\u201d Mary beseeched.\u00a0 \u201cThere is safety in numbers, dear brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark looked from one to the other.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll wait.\u201d\u00a0 They were the hardest words he\u2019d ever said.\u00a0 His whole heart yearned to hold Sally safe in his arms, and even a moment\u2019s delay seemed unbearable.\u00a0 If there was one thing he\u2019d learned in these long months apart, however, it was to trust his father\u2019s wisdom.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t go against it now, however much his youthful ardor chafed under its yoke.<\/p>\n

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

Headmaster Sydney Thompson listened without comment until Adam had explained his reasons for leaving school prior to the completion of his final exams.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam,\u201d he said when the boy had finished, \u201cbut I cannot accede to your request.\u00a0 I, too, have read the newspaper reports and I understand your concern for your family.\u00a0 I\u2019m certain, however, that your parents would prefer you remain here in California until all danger from the savages is past.\u00a0 If lodging after the term ends is a problem, I will gladly open my home to you, my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI appreciate that, sir, but I will be going home, with or without your permission.\u00a0 I only wanted to be certain I could return and complete my exams later, but if you refuse, I\u2019m willing to take a failing grade rather than leave my family to handle this situation without my help.\u201d<\/p>\n

The headmaster leaned forward, hands folded on the desk before him.\u00a0 \u201cHow much help do you realistically think you can be, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat up straighter.\u00a0 \u201cI may look young to you, sir, but I learned to use a rifle at an early age, and I\u2019m an excellent shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf men?\u201d the educator asked with a rueful smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not skilled with firearms personally, but I would imagine a target that shoots back is considerably harder to face than a squirrel or a deer.\u00a0 Have you ever fired at another man, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam flushed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir, and I don\u2019t look forward to it, but I know I\u2019d rather do that than see that man shoot my father or my stepmother or those two innocent little brothers of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The headmaster nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou are determined, then, to make the attempt to cross the mountains?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat forward.\u00a0 \u201cNot just attempt, sir; I\u2019ll make it.\u00a0 I plan to leave on the stage this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson laughed.\u00a0 \u201cMy boy, you show your youth and inexperience.\u00a0 No stage is likely to travel past Placerville, conditions being what they are, and I certainly can\u2019t countenance your traveling alone into hostile territory.\u00a0 That involves great risk to you and provides no assistance to your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time Adam\u2019s iron resolve showed signs of cracking.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t taken other people\u2019s reaction to the massacre into consideration.\u00a0 The headmaster was right: he was showing a kid\u2019s thoughtlessness about practical matters.\u00a0 Adam quickly thought through the new problem, however.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll buy a horse here then.\u00a0 My father left me sufficient funds to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, no, my boy.\u00a0 You\u2019d still be alone, and therein lies great danger.\u00a0 There\u2019s a better way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people of Washoe have telegraphed Governor Downie, requesting military aid,\u201d the educator began.<\/p>\n

\u201cI read that in the paper,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m certain that request will be honored,\u201d Thompson continued, ignoring Adam\u2019s interruption.\u00a0 \u201cMost of the miners of your territory were Californians, after all.\u00a0 A rescue party will surely be sent, but it may require several days to assemble the men and arms.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s difficult to wait when you feel your family needs your immediate help, Adam, but you can do more as part of an organized relief effort than you can alone.\u00a0 You\u2019re an intelligent young man; surely you see that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded slowly.\u00a0 The headmaster was right, on two counts: it was better if he waited and went with other men, and it did stick in his craw to admit it.\u00a0 But Adam was too sensible not to face such plain facts.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ll do as you suggest,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n

Thompson stood and walked around the desk to lay a supportive hand on the young man\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, I suggest you continue preparing for your exams.\u00a0 In fact, the rescue party may be delayed long enough to permit you to complete them.\u201d<\/p>\n

The resolve returned to Adam\u2019s countenance.\u00a0 \u201cYes, that would be better, to leave with nothing hanging over my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

The headmaster coughed into his fist to cover the smile fluttering at his mouth.\u00a0 The boy had misconstrued his intent, but no matter.\u00a0 Hopefully, continuing his studies would take young Adam\u2019s mind off the threat to his family.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Adam looked up eagerly.\u00a0 \u201cCould I take them early?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, there\u2019s no need of that,\u201d Thompson said, patting the boy\u2019s shoulder before returning to his desk.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t intended for Adam to actually take the exams while so concerned for his family\u2019s welfare.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t be fair to the lad or to the fine record he\u2019d built for himself thus far this term.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019d like to,\u201d Adam pressed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been studying hard, and I\u2019m sure I\u2019m ready.\u00a0 I could take them today.\u201d<\/p>\n

The educator smiled, openly this time.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt your instructors have compiled the questions as yet, my boy, but I\u2019ll speak with them.\u00a0 You may begin by taking the exam for my class tomorrow morning at nine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam said, his countenance bright for the first time since he\u2019d read the fatal news from Washoe.\u00a0 He left, determined to set aside his anxieties for the night and concentrate on his text in ancient history.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE<\/p>\n

Place of Decision<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At eight o\u2019clock on the morning of May 10th, Ben left Eagle Valley with the rest of the Carson City Rangers, including Clyde and Billy Thomas.\u00a0 Ben had suggested leaving the boy at home to protect the women, but Clyde had spit a disdainful stream of tobacco and said, \u201cIt\u2019s his decision; he\u2019s a man now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy\u2019s decision had been predictable.\u00a0 Anxious to prove his manhood, he wasn\u2019t about to hide at home behind a woman\u2019s skirts.\u00a0 Let men like Dr. Martin, who wasn\u2019t handy with a rifle anyway, and Enos Montgomery, still so newly married he didn\u2019t dare cross his wife, stay behind.\u00a0 Billy didn\u2019t figure his mother and the other women and children were in much danger, so they didn\u2019t need real men to protect them.\u00a0 His pa, on the other hand, was heading into Paiute country, and that\u2019s where Billy planned to be, right at his pa\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Like most of the other young fellows riding with the expedition, Billy was light-hearted as a lark, his spirits not even dampened by the depressing weather.\u00a0 The wind had blown violently all night long and was still whipping at upturned coat collars and hat brims tied snug with bandannas under the chin.\u00a0 It was a miserable day to be out riding, and Ben could tell by the ache in his bones that he wasn\u2019t young enough to consider this an adventure, like Billy and his contemporaries.\u00a0 To him, the long ride to Williams\u2019 Station was an unsought necessity and, on this cold, bitter morning, an unpleasant one, as well.<\/p>\n

Although their destination lay northeast, the riders headed south first to get around the mountains that separated Carson City from Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 Skirting the edge of the cottonwood-lined Carson River, they kept a constant eye out for Indian signs, but saw none.\u00a0 The only indication of trouble came from a rider headed west.\u00a0 He claimed to have come from the edge of the Forty-Mile Desert, where Indians were said to be forting up at Ragtown.<\/p>\n

Some of the younger men hollered that they should immediately ride to Ragtown and roust out the murdering Paiutes, but Major Ormsby insisted they continue to Williams\u2019 Station first.\u00a0 \u201cWe know the Indians attacked there,\u201d he declared, \u201cand that\u2019s where the men of Virginia City will meet us.\u00a0 We can\u2019t afford to split up and chase wild reports at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still moving along the river, the Rangers came to Buckland\u2019s Station, where they decided to refresh themselves and rest the animals, letting them feed on the newly sprouted meadow grass.\u00a0 Nelly had packed provisions for her two men and Ben that morning, including a jug of cider, so they didn\u2019t bother visiting the log store and saloon.\u00a0 Billy wanted to, as most of his friends were doing, but Clyde put his foot down.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t a time to get liquored up,\u201d he lectured.\u00a0 \u201cMan needs his wits about him for a business like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Catching the somber mood of both Ben and his father, Billy nodded in acquiescence.\u00a0 They were right.\u00a0 The time to drink was when the job was done. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll buy you both a beer when we get back to Carson City,\u201d he announced, and even Ben smiled at the boy\u2019s enthusiasm, although he saw little to celebrate in the likely conclusion of this journey\u2019s business.<\/p>\n

After an hour\u2019s rest and the fortification of liquid courage, the riders pressed on the final ten miles and were the first contingent of volunteers to reach the Big Bend of the Carson and inspect what remained of Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 The sun hung low on the horizon, but the shrouding shadows only heightened the men\u2019s horror as they viewed the grisly scene.\u00a0 Silhouetted starkly against the purple and auburn sky were the blackened logs of the trading post.\u00a0 In front of it stood a charred wagon, probably that of a visitor to the station.\u00a0 \u201cMight be Sam Sullivan\u2019s,\u201d one man offered.\u00a0 \u201cHe traded here a lot, and he ain\u2019t been seen since this fracas took place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ormsby appointed W. F. Mason as coroner and a few men to set up camp while others set out to scour the area for bodies.\u00a0 They found three bodies in the remains of the trading post: two obviously male, the other burned so badly no identification was possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot many Indian signs,\u201d Ben commented as he walked beside Clyde Thomas to examine the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

Clyde stooped and pointed to hoofprints in the bare, hard dirt.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like they run off the stock,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but that could be anyone\u2019s work,\u201d Ben argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa!\u201d Billy, who had ranged ahead of them, called.\u00a0 He ran back, holding out a sharp knife.\u00a0 \u201cPaiute, ain\u2019t it, Uncle Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks Paiute to me,\u201d Clyde grunted, his eyes daring Ben to say otherwise.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded reluctantly.\u00a0 \u201cCould still be white men masquerading as Indians, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t believe that, do you, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took off his hat and wiped his forehead.\u00a0 Though the weather wasn\u2019t warm, he was sweating as if a midsummer sun were basting his brains.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Clyde,\u201d he admitted, putting the hat back on.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve seen it before, more than once, and it is odd for Indians to leave a full stockroom untouched, especially one stocked with liquor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s blood all over where I found the knife,\u201d Billy offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d better check it out,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Billy guided them to a spot about half a mile from the station, where traces of blood spattered the ground.\u00a0 Not as much as Ben had pictured from Billy\u2019s description, but then Billy was a young, excitable boy.\u00a0 Older heads than his had given exaggerated reports concerning this crisis.\u00a0 Young or not, excitable or not, Billy came closer to the truth than those who reported five thousand Paiutes on the march.<\/p>\n

Shadows were growing long when the volunteers from Virginia City arrived, far fewer in number than had enlisted in the excitement of that first night.\u00a0 Most of the miners had suddenly remembered pressing concerns in California and slipped out in the covering darkness.\u00a0 Captain Archie McDonald, the designated over-all leader of those who remained, met with William Ormsby to discuss what evidence had been found of Indian warfare.\u00a0 While the leaders talked, however, the men in the ranks held discussions of their own, less formal, but perhaps more significant since the leaders could do nothing to oppose the will of more than a hundred men.<\/p>\n

Around the several campfires men retold old horror stories of Indian outrages.\u00a0 Ben heard them repeated again and again as he made his way from campfire to campfire to plead for further investigation before any action was taken against the Paiutes.\u00a0 A few men appeared to be listening, but most simply used Ben\u2019s interruption as an opportunity to clear their throats before launching back into more terrifying tales of the depredations of the savages on white emigrants.<\/p>\n

Ben finally found himself squatting next to Judge Cradlebaugh.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Cradlebaugh shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI see no signs of a general uprising.\u00a0 From what I hear of these Williams brothers, they probably deserved killing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one deserves to die that way,\u201d Ben said with a shudder, \u201calthough I agree they probably brought it on themselves.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d also heard the rumors of the traders\u2019 shady dealings with both white and Indian customers and considered it likely a trade disagreement had sparked reprisals.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt any rate,\u201d the judge concluded, \u201cI see no need to pursue the Indians, but I\u2019ll leave the decision up to each man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re an influential man, your honor,\u201d Ben began.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps if you spoke strongly against this action, the men would listen.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judge gave a short laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve expressed myself as strongly as I dare, Cartwright, and I\u2019ve been about as effective as if I\u2019d been yelling into this accursed wind that\u2019s been lashing us all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben coughed and pulled his collar tighter in involuntary reaction to the reminder of that wind, which had finally died down.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s about how I feel,\u201d he admitted, standing to return to his own place in camp.<\/p>\n

Clyde Thomas poured him a cup of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cYou look half-froze,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThis\u2019ll warm you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took the cup.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 His lips curled.\u00a0 The coffee was stronger than he liked, although Marie would have declared it too weak for her taste.\u00a0 Remembering his wife, Ben stared dreamy-eyed into the flickering firelight.<\/p>\n

\u201cMade your decision yet?\u201d Clyde asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said, taking another sip of the hot brew.\u00a0 \u201cI told Ormsby I\u2019d stay if we went under a flag of truce to talk with Winnemucca, even volunteered to be the man to carry it, but no one\u2019s interested in settling our differences peaceably.\u00a0 All I hear around these campfires is talk of war, so I\u2019m heading home in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 It was what he\u2019d expected, but it still bothered him, as it likely bothered Ben, too, that they didn\u2019t see eye to eye.\u00a0 Billy looked from one to the other.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about us, Pa?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a man; make your own decision,\u201d Clyde said, tossing out the rest of the coffee in his cup.\u00a0 \u201cI think clearin\u2019 the territory of them murderin\u2019 savages is long overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling torn, Billy bit his lip.\u00a0 He knew his pa had a long-held grudge against the Paiutes, blaming them for the poisoned arrow that had left him with a game leg he\u2019d limp on the rest of his life.\u00a0 Billy didn\u2019t share that animosity.\u00a0 What relations he\u2019d had with the Paiutes had been friendly enough.\u00a0 Of course, the only ones he\u2019d had much contact with had been the Winnemucca girls, and, being females, they were no threat.\u00a0 Secretly, Billy sort of sided with his \u201cuncle\u201d Ben on this, but he said nothing to contradict his father.\u00a0 That lame leg could cause problems, Billy feared, so if it came to choices, Billy would stand by his pa, if only to see that the older man came out of the battle alive.<\/p>\n

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

In the meager light of early dawn, Ben fumbled at the cinch on his saddle, then slapped his gloved hands against his leg to bring some feeling back into them.\u00a0 The air, as he breathed in, felt like pieces of ice stabbing at his throat.\u00a0 The middle of May and cold as winter<\/em>, Ben thought, glad that he, at least, was headed toward the warmth of home.<\/p>\n

Clyde came up behind him, brown gunny sack in hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be needin\u2019 some grub for the trip back,\u201d he said, extending the sack.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep it,\u201d Ben said as he pulled the cinch snug.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be needing it more than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde didn\u2019t argue, realizing that the expedition was already running low on supplies.\u00a0 Most of the men hadn\u2019t really come prepared for an extended march, and while the Thomases had, they couldn\u2019t refuse to share with hungry men.\u00a0 What they\u2019d brought, however, wouldn\u2019t go far, especially if they couldn\u2019t track down and deal with the Paiutes swiftly.<\/p>\n

Ben turned and reached out to shake Clyde\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou watch yourself,\u201d he muttered, a lump rising in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you, too,\u201d Clyde said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, Ben, if worse should come to worst\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say it,\u201d Ben pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without you, old friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGot to say it,\u201d Clyde insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll look after my girls?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben blinked back the moisture in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou know I will.\u00a0 I figured to take them back to the Ponderosa with me, until this is all settled, unless you\u2019d feel better having them stay in town, where there are more men to protect them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather they was with you,\u201d Clyde said, \u201cbut I\u2019ll leave it up to Nelly.\u00a0 Whatever she feels most comfortable with.\u00a0 Gotta give the women their way in times like these, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave a perfunctory chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I reckon.\u00a0 I may leave them in town \u2018til I get back tomorrow, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde rubbed his auburn beard, a puzzled expression in his blue eyes.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow?\u00a0 Won\u2019t take you that long to ride back to Carson, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Ben conceded, \u201cbut I promised Ormsby I\u2019d meet you at the Big Bend of the Truckee with fresh supplies.\u00a0 It\u2019ll save time if I go straight to the Ponderosa from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMighty good of you, considerin\u2019 how you feel about what we\u2019re doin\u2019,\u201d Clyde said wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you\u2019re doing doesn\u2019t change how I feel about you\u2014\u2014or other friends,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t stand by and see men I care about go hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben and Clyde looked up to see Billy racing toward them.\u00a0 \u201cWhat lit a fire under you, boy?\u201d Clyde asked, his face wrinkling with concern he tried to belie with the rough tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s some horses gone missin\u2019,\u201d Billy explained hurriedly, \u201cand Mr. Ormsby wants me and Charles Forman to go look for \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich way you headed, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBack down the Carson,\u201d Billy replied, jerking his head southward.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the way the tracks lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben noticed the breath of relief Clyde puffed out.\u00a0 No Paiutes back the way they\u2019d come.\u00a0 Clyde knew that and was clearly pleased to know his boy was riding away from danger, at least for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be camping at the Big Bend of the Truckee,\u201d Clyde said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa, I know,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Ormsby said you\u2019d all wait for us there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you there then,\u201d Clyde muttered gruffly.\u00a0 \u201cSay good-bye to your Uncle Ben and be on your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Billy grinned, thrusting out an energetic hand.\u00a0 \u201cSee you\u2014\u2014well, sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave the boy\u2019s hand a firm shake, praying his words would prove true.<\/p>\n

For a time, Ben\u2019s path would parallel that of the rest of the riders, but he left before they did and traveled more quickly, since he was alone.\u00a0 He needed to.\u00a0 It was a long ride to the Ponderosa and back again with a load of supplies.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to push hard to make it to the Big Bend of the Truckee by the next morning.<\/p>\n

The weather didn\u2019t see fit to cooperate.\u00a0 As Ben rode, snow began to dust the crown of his hat.\u00a0 Snow!\u00a0 In the middle of May!\u00a0 What kind of year was this?\u00a0 If I were as superstitious as my Paiute friends, I\u2019d sure consider this an ill omen<\/em>, Ben thought, then shivered.\u00a0 A man didn\u2019t need to be superstitious to know that snow boded no good for men facing a battle.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cSure hope we find them horses quick.\u201d\u00a0 Billy grinned at his companion, a young man just older than himself, as they trotted their horses back toward the Carson River.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we wouldn\u2019t want to miss the action,\u201d Forman chuckled back,\u00a0 \u201cthough it looks like there may not be any \u2018til tomorrow.\u00a0 Maybe we ought to go downstream a ways first, you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight as well,\u201d Billy agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t take long to check that direction.\u00a0 Grass gives out pretty quick.\u00a0 I\u2019m bettin\u2019 they\u2019re upstream, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Forman conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just hoping for a shorter ride.\u00a0 Cold as it is, I\u2019d like to get back to a warm fire quick as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, \u2018if wishes was horses, beggars would ride,\u2019 Uncle Ben\u2014\u2014Mr. Cartwright\u2014\u2014always says,\u201d Billy laughed.\u00a0 \u201cReckon it holds true for hopes, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forman scowled.\u00a0 \u201cCartwright?\u00a0 That turnback?\u00a0 He your kin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot real kin,\u201d Billy explained, \u201cbut near close as.\u00a0 I won\u2019t hear ill spoke of him.\u00a0 He\u2019s doin\u2019 what he thinks is right, and I ain\u2019t so sure but what he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, maybe,\u201d Forman conceded.\u00a0 \u201cBest get our minds back to the job at hand, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy cackled.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t take no mind, old buddy, just a good set of eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Neither mental nor visual acuity, however, revealed the lost horses downstream, so the two young men turned back to the west and began following the river upstream.\u00a0 Here luck favored them with better success, for they didn\u2019t have to search far in that direction before they spotted the missing animals, feeding in a meadow near the river\u2019s edge.\u00a0 They roped the horses and, dividing the animals between them, started leading them back toward the campsite of the previous night.\u00a0 No one was there except the owner of the horses, who took them without a word of thanks and hightailed down the trail back toward the Carson.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, why did we need to chase down his horses, if he was headed back that way anyhow?\u201d Billy chafed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLazy and a coward to boot.\u00a0 Got no use for a man like that,\u201d Forman grunted.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, men like Cartwright are following their principles, not their own self-interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, we\u2019d best push on to the rendezvous on the Truckee,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 Forman nodded and they rode out after the other volunteers.<\/p>\n

At first the trail was easy to follow, altogether too easy, in fact.\u00a0 Strewn along the path were articles that must have come from the trading post at Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 \u201cAlmost like trail markers,\u201d Forman muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike the Indians wanted us to follow, you mean?\u201d Billy asked, feeling a shiver run up his spine that wasn\u2019t entirely due to the continuing drop in temperature.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I mean,\u201d Forman said, hunching his shoulders as if he felt the same shuddering in his own flesh.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe some of our own men took \u2018em,\u201d Billy suggested hopefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, maybe,\u201d Forman agreed, but he didn\u2019t sound convinced.<\/p>\n

Once the snow began, the trail was harder to follow.\u00a0 No longer able to see the tracks of the riders ahead of them, the two young men were glad to see an occasional household item by the side of the road to point the way.\u00a0 Because they\u2019d been able to find the horses so quickly, however, not even the ever-increasing snow kept them from reaching the camp at the Big Bend of the Truckee by mid-afternoon.<\/p>\n

Clyde greeted his son warmly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll tend to your horse,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cGet over by the fire and help yourself to some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 He took Forman\u2019s elbow and steered him toward the fire.\u00a0 \u201cPa makes his coffee pretty strong,\u201d he advised his companion.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust so it\u2019s hot,\u201d Forman grinned, hugging his arms to his chest.<\/p>\n

By nightfall, scouts who\u2019d been sent out to check neighboring ranches had returned to report that no more settlers had been raided, while several had, like Ben, promised to bring supplies to the volunteer companies by morning.\u00a0 The news was met with a shout of approval, for many of the men had had no supper, and coffee only warmed them and filled their bellies temporarily.<\/p>\n

The men bedded down for the night, pulling their blankets over their heads, as the snow continued to fall.\u00a0 Throughout the night the storm grew worse, wind blowing fiercer by the hour, snow coming down faster, harder.\u00a0 By morning, three inches covered the ground, and each man found himself sleeping under a blanket of snow.<\/p>\n

Clyde was frying up a skillet of bacon for breakfast when Charles Forman walked up.\u00a0 \u201cSure smells good,\u201d the young man hinted.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake my plate,\u201d Clyde offered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make more.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t turn you down,\u201d Forman grinned.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t stay long, though.\u00a0 Wanted to see if Billy here\u2019d like to join the scouting party.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat scouting party?\u201d Billy asked, holding out his tin plate for his father to fill with bacon.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Ormsby wants some of us to go ahead, find out where those Paiutes are lurking.\u00a0 You\u2019d make the fifth man,\u201d Charles explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll go,\u201d Billy said at once, then hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cIf that\u2019s okay with you, Pa,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Slicing more sowbelly into the pan, Clyde shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t been listening, boy.\u00a0 I keep tellin\u2019 you a man has to make his own decisions.\u00a0 Don\u2019t much like you puttin\u2019 yourself at risk, but maybe there ain\u2019t gonna be no safe ground today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy reached over to touch his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be careful, Pa,\u201d he promised, \u201cand you do the same.\u201d\u00a0 He ate the bacon quickly, then sopped up the rest of the grease in his plate with one of the flapjacks Clyde had fried up for bread and stood.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready.\u00a0 Who else is going?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Forman stood and handed Clyde back his empty plate.\u00a0 \u201cOrmsby asked William Marley to be in charge, but I don\u2019t know the other two fellows.\u00a0 Friends of Marley\u2019s, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, five\u2019s a good number,\u201d Billy commented as they went to saddle their horses.\u00a0 \u201cSmall enough to keep out of sight, and large enough for protection if we do get spotted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy was beginning to think of Charles Forman as a friend, although they hadn\u2019t been well acquainted before.\u00a0 Danger faced together had a way of drawing men close, Billy figured, but he didn\u2019t think any amount of shared experience would make him consider the other members of the scouting party friends.\u00a0 The jokes they kept tossing out about finding some good-looking Paiute women bothered him.\u00a0 Mostly due to Ben Cartwright\u2019s influence, Billy saw Indian women as deserving respect, just like white ones, and he was glad that the Winnemucca girls, at least, were safe at school in San Jose, so they wouldn\u2019t be there for the white men to take in the heat of passion.<\/p>\n

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

It was approaching noon on Saturday, May 12th, when Ben Cartwright pulled his wagonload of supplies into the camp by the Truckee River.\u00a0 Major Ormsby greeted him warmly, thanking him for the flour and beans.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry it took so long,\u201d Ben apologized, \u201cbut the roads are pure muck with this melting snow.<\/p>\n

Ormsby lifted his boot to show mud up to his ankle.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re still waiting on other settlers to bring more supplies.\u00a0 Guess the weather\u2019s holding them up, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI put everything in small packages,\u201d Ben said, \u201cso you can carry it on mule or horseback.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood thinking,\u201d Ormsby replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get some men to unload.\u00a0 Thanks again for your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ordinarily, Ben would have offered to help unload the supplies, but he was anxious to have a word with Clyde Thomas.\u00a0 Leaving Ormsby to superintend the job, Ben made his way from campfire to campfire until he found Clyde.\u00a0 \u201cI want to talk to you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Seeing the sober look on his friend\u2019s face, Clyde frowned.\u00a0 \u201cGot a feelin\u2019 I ain\u2019t gonna like what you got to say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may not,\u201d Ben agreed, \u201cbut let me say it, Clyde.\u00a0 Won\u2019t you rethink being a party to this attack?\u00a0 Look around you, man.\u00a0 These are terrible conditions for a forced march.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you mean the mud, I couldn\u2019t agree more,\u201d Clyde muttered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be hard on the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than hard,\u201d Ben said grimly.\u00a0 \u201cHave you taken a good look at some of the horses these men are riding?\u00a0 They\u2019re bone-thin and exhausted, and that\u2019s after a couple of days of relatively easy riding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde scowled.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t in good shape, that\u2019s for sure.\u00a0 Hay was in short supply in Virginia City this winter, and the cold weather we\u2019ve had this spring delayed the start of spring grass.\u00a0 You know that, Ben.\u00a0 My mount\u2019s good, though, fed all winter on good Ponderosa hay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his acknowledgement. \u00a0\u201cAnd Billy\u2019s, too, but most of these other mounts aren\u2019t fit for battle.\u00a0 It comes close to suicide to ride with a group like this, Clyde.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sayin\u2019 I should turn tail and run \u2018cause the goin\u2019 gets rough?\u201d Clyde grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot run, just leave,\u201d Ben pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t make you any less a man.\u00a0 Plenty of men from Carson went back with Judge Cradlebaugh yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I can\u2019t do it, Ben,\u201d Clyde said, his voice edged with concern.\u00a0 \u201cI got a boy out there.\u201d\u00a0 He jerked his head toward the nearby plateau, up which Billy and the scouting party had ridden.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s face grew grave.\u00a0 \u201cBilly\u2019s gone ahead?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde nodded, face taut.\u00a0 \u201cOrmsby sent him and four others out as scouts.\u00a0 I can\u2019t leave without my boy, Ben.\u00a0 What would you do if it was Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben caught his breath.\u00a0 \u201cThank God, that\u2019s one worry I don\u2019t have!\u00a0 At least, Adam\u2019s safe in Sacramento.\u201d\u00a0 His brow furrowed.\u00a0 Why on earth hadn\u2019t he realized before, since they now had telegraph connection to California, that Adam would have heard reports of what was happening here and was probably frantic with worry, perhaps to the point of doing something foolish?\u00a0 Ben decided he\u2019d send a wire as soon as he reached Carson City to let Adam know that they were all right and that he should stay put until he got word that it was safe to come home.<\/p>\n

Ben reached for Clyde\u2019s hand, and there was a new softness in his voice as he said, \u201cYou bring yourself and that young rapscallion of yours home safe, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde clasped his friend\u2019s hand firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou hack us off some good thick beefsteaks and have \u2018em waitin\u2019, Ben.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be by to collect them and the girls soon as we\u201d\u2014\u2014he\u2019d started to say \u201cteach those Paiutes a lesson,\u201d but quickly revised the sentence, not wanting to offend Ben\u2014\u2014\u201csoon as we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

A hard knot tightened in Ben\u2019s throat, making it hard to talk, but he forced a light tone into his voice.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll roast you a whole side of beef, old trailmate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde laughed.\u00a0 \u201cGot a feelin\u2019 we\u2019ll be hungry enough to eat one before this is finished.\u00a0 Thanks for bringin\u2019 the supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cLeast I could do.\u00a0 I\u2019ll, uh, see you back at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep us in your prayers,\u201d Clyde murmured.<\/p>\n

Not trusting himself to respond verbally, Ben gave his friend a clap on the back and walked back to his wagon.\u00a0 Just before he pulled out, he looked at the high plateau up which Billy had ridden.\u00a0 Ben knew that old Paiute trail well.\u00a0 He\u2019d traveled it many times, always as a friend.\u00a0 The men who rode that trail today, though, would come as enemies, and Ben couldn\u2019t help fearing the welcome they\u2019d receive.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX<\/p>\n

Ambush!<\/p>\n

The sun stood directly overhead when the combined forces of the Comstock headed north up the narrow ridge overlooking the Truckee River.\u00a0 The melting snow made the steep trail slippery, and the men had to pay close attention to each footstep of their mounts.\u00a0 Clyde Thomas couldn\u2019t resist a frequent glance up the trail ahead, however.\u00a0 Straining his eyeballs for sight of his son, he was one of the first to sight the five scouts and give a whoop.<\/p>\n

Billy waved back and galloped to meet his father, leaving William Marley to report to Major Ormsby.\u00a0 \u201cSeen any Paiutes?\u201d Clyde asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

Billy shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot a one, but there\u2019s pony tracks all over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFresh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Pa,\u201d Billy replied quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re up there somewhere, maybe close now.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Ormsby motion them on, the young man wheeled his roan to ride beside his father as the trail threaded up a sagebrush-covered slope slicing through the plateau.<\/p>\n

They were still about ten miles south of Pyramid Lake when Ormsby ordered six men, under command of C.T.Lake, to stay behind, to be a rear guard in case sudden retreat became necessary.\u00a0 Both Billy and his father rode on, moving down toward the wider part of the river gorge.<\/p>\n

Another hour brought them near bottomland, where open meadows stretched on both sides of the river beyond the strip of large cottonwoods and thick underbrush that edged its entire length.\u00a0 In common with most of the men marching along the trail, Clyde had never been as far as Pyramid Lake, but he reasoned from descriptions he\u2019d heard from Ben that they must be within five miles of it.<\/p>\n

Seeing Charles Forman wave to him, Billy rode forward.\u00a0 \u201cOrmsby wants us to scout ahead again,\u201d Forman explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 He and Forman fell in behind William Marley and the other scouts and soon left the main body a good distance behind.<\/p>\n

Marley dismounted abruptly, and the younger men flung themselves to the ground, too, inching up to peer over the ridge.\u00a0 \u201cPaiutes!\u201d Forman hissed as he saw two mounted Indians on the trail ahead.<\/p>\n

Billy swallowed hard as he felt his stomach lurch.\u00a0 This was no time to get queasy.\u00a0 Just two Paiutes.\u00a0 The five scouts could handle them, if it came to a fight.\u00a0 For now, though, their job was to stay out of sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThomas,\u201d Marley hissed.\u00a0 \u201cRide back and report to Ormsby what we\u2019ve seen.\u00a0 Keep low \u2018til you\u2019re sure those Paiutes can\u2019t see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 That was one order he\u2019d be sure to follow\u2014\u2014to the letter!\u00a0 Snaking his way back to his roan, Billy mounted and rode with the speed he usually reserved for carrying the mail.\u00a0 \u201cMajor Ormsby!\u201d he yelled as he reached the main body.<\/p>\n

Ormsby rode ahead to meet him, with only one question on his mind.\u00a0 \u201cDid you spot the Paiutes?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 Just two, though,\u201d Billy reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cRide back up there,\u201d Ormsby ordered.\u00a0 \u201cTell Marley to capture them!\u00a0 They can tell us where the rest are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Billy replied, turned and raced back up the hill.<\/p>\n

The scouts had pulled back slightly, to avoid being seen.\u00a0 As Billy galloped swiftly toward them, they all mounted, to be ready for whatever action Ormsby had ordered.\u00a0 \u201cThe Major says to take \u2018em,\u201d Billy told Marley.\u00a0 \u201cHe wants \u2018em alive\u2014\u2014for questioning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get them, men,\u201d Marley ordered and the riders took off.\u00a0 The Paiutes saw them and turned to flee northward, toward the lake.\u00a0 Although the scouts whipped their mounts with their reins, the spent animals didn\u2019t respond to the urging.\u00a0 The Indian ponies had suffered the same disadvantage of poor winter feed and late spring grass, but they, at least, had not been marching three days through miserable weather.\u00a0 They easily outran the exhausted mounts of the white men.\u00a0 Billy\u2019s roan, while in good condition, had just burned the road to the main force and back, so he couldn\u2019t keep up either.<\/p>\n

The scouts rode on, determined to overtake the two Paiutes.\u00a0 Then, suddenly, Marley yelled for them to stop.\u00a0 From out of nowhere a band of warriors closed around the two being chased.\u00a0 With a high-pitched cry they descended on the five scouts.\u00a0 \u201cRetreat!\u00a0 Retreat!\u201d Marley screamed, for his men were badly outnumbered.<\/p>\n

The men needed no urging.\u00a0 The intimidating yells behind them were incentive enough.\u00a0 Again they pushed their horses down the trail, racing for their lives this time.<\/p>\n

From the main body\u2019s vantage point, five hundred feet above the river, Clyde had a good view of the riders coming in and determined that this time he wouldn\u2019t miss the chance to hear straight from Billy\u2019s mouth what lay ahead.\u00a0 He wove his mare through the ranks, close to Ormsby\u2019s side.\u00a0 From where he waited, he had a beautiful view of both the river and the lake, but Clyde had eyes only for one of the five riders tearing down the road toward safety.<\/p>\n

Billy pulled up beside his father.\u00a0 \u201cPaiutes!\u201d he croaked.\u00a0 \u201cDozens of \u2018em.\u201d\u00a0 William Marley was making a similar report to Major Ormsby, while the other scouts chattered to whatever men were nearby, as if they needed to release their tension in talk.<\/p>\n

Rifles in hand, everyone looked nervously down the trail the scouts had just covered.\u00a0 For long minutes they stood at attention, but no Paiutes rode into sight.\u00a0 Finally, Ormsby ordered the men to mount and move forward as a body.\u00a0 The men obeyed, but there was no more light-hearted talk of \u201cgetting plenty of hair\u201d or \u201can Indian for breakfast and a pony to ride.\u201d\u00a0 Now, feeling the battle could begin at any moment, the men marched in silence.<\/p>\n

As they moved down into the valley, Clyde found himself examining the terrain with a critical eye.\u00a0 To the west high bluffs bordered the wide curve of the Truckee.\u00a0 There could be no escape that direction, nor directly south, for the river was high from the spring thaw and its swift waters impossible to ford.\u00a0 To the east high tableland hemmed the valley in.\u00a0 No exit that way.\u00a0 Ahead, of course, the riding was easy, for the valley widened as the river snaked toward the lake.\u00a0 An open invitation\u2014\u2014too open, perhaps.\u00a0 The trail they\u2019d just ridden from the southeast was steep and narrow.\u00a0 It would be a hard climb for battle-weary horses, but, once the militia reached the flatlands, there would be no other way out.\u00a0 They\u2019d had one last chance to turn back, and Ormsby hadn\u2019t taken it.<\/p>\n

Clyde glanced toward his son, wishing now he\u2019d urged the boy to stay behind and protect the women, for he wasn\u2019t sure either of them would make it out of this corral alive.\u00a0 Clyde frowned as that image took root in his brain.\u00a0 What if this was a corral, and the Paiutes were herding them into it like a band of wild mustangs?\u00a0 He shook the idea from his head.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t any Indians behind them.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t be.\u00a0 They could always retreat.<\/p>\n

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

From the thick underbrush just east of the river came the cry of a sea gull as the Comstock men rode past.\u00a0 It was no bird that made that sound, however.\u00a0 Positioned over the next ridge, Numaga heard the signal and it told him exactly where the white men were.\u00a0 They had just passed the place where Chief Sequinata and his rugged men from the Black Rock Desert lay waiting, watching.<\/p>\n

Numaga pinched the nostrils of his horse, and the one hundred warriors with him on the ridge did the same.\u00a0 The horses of the white men would soon be close enough to smell, and the Paiutes had been instructed to keep their own mounts from neighing in response.\u00a0 A pelican\u2019s cry rang through the air, not an unusual sound around the shores of Pyramid Lake, but this pelican wore war paint and lay crouched in the sagebrush along the trail the white men were riding.\u00a0 Numaga knew his enemy was close now, just at the bottom of the hill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must make the white men climb to us now, before they can rest,\u201d Numaga dictated to the warriors gathered around him.\u00a0 He knew the white men\u2019s horses would be tired already, and climbing that long slope through loose, slippery soil would ensure they entered the battle too weak to move effectively.\u00a0 \u201cWe will show ourselves, but stay too far for their rifles to reach,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 \u201cDo not fire on the whites or remain to be fired on.\u00a0 Ride into the draw behind us and wait until you hear the rest of our warriors in battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just before riding into the open, Numaga looked at the ridge to the south.\u00a0 The white men had seen no Indians there, but Numaga had them in position to close the trail behind the enemy.\u00a0 These warriors had been ordered to remain out of sight until the whites charged the war chief.\u00a0 Now was the time to incite that attack.<\/p>\n

Below, in the valley, Ormsby ordered his men to dismount and tighten the girths of their horses in preparation for the climb to the plateau.<\/p>\n

Numaga rode to the edge of the ridge, where the white men could not fail to see him.\u00a0 The Paiutes on the other ridge saw him even before the whites and began to curve around the southern end of the trap.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook!\u201d a man from Virginia City yelled, pointing at the ridge to their right.\u00a0 All eyes looked up and hearts sank as the white men saw a long line of Paiutes watching them from above.\u00a0 In front of the Indians rode an impressive figure on a jet black horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Numaga, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Billy whispered to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink so,\u201d his father grunted, squinting. It was about four o\u2019clock now, and the fading light made it hard to pick out facial features.\u00a0 \u201cSure looks to be rigged out fancier than when he come to Genoa that time we had trouble with the Washos.\u00a0 Maybe he ain\u2019t expectin\u2019 a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe he wants to parley,\u201d Billy suggested, for the chief really was clothed magnificently for a man about to enter battle, with a red and white sash over his broad shoulders and a white cap with a long, trailing plume.<\/p>\n

Captain McDonald noticed the attire, too, but he was more concerned with what the war chief held in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cIs that a battle-ax or a flag?\u201d he demanded of those nearest him.\u00a0 No one could answer with certainty.\u00a0 Then McDonald spotted an acquaintance from Clear Lake, California, who was riding with Virginia City Company No. 1.\u00a0 \u201cElliott,\u201d he called.\u00a0 \u201cUse that telescopic sight on your rifle and tell me what that chief\u2019s carrying.\u00a0 Battle-ax or flag of truce?\u201d<\/p>\n

A. K. Elliott raised the sight to his eye and peered intently through it.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like a battle-ax to me,\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cFire on him!\u201d McDonald ordered.<\/p>\n

Elliott obeyed the order instantly, but even aimed by telescopic sight, the shot missed.\u00a0 It was the signal the Indians had been waiting for.\u00a0 Numaga turned and galloped back to his men, leading them to the brow of the hill, where they dismounted and began to fire on the men below.<\/p>\n

Ormsby ordered the men to charge.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, wait!\u201d McDonald shouted.\u00a0 Riding over to Ormsby, he argued that they should retreat to a better position.\u00a0 \u201cIn that grove of cottonwoods we\u2019d be protected on one side by the river and by open plain on the other,\u201d he suggested, pointing.<\/p>\n

Ormsby, who\u2019d felt all along that he should have had supreme command, looked scornfully at the Virginia City leader.\u00a0 \u201cCharge!\u201d he yelled, and started up the slope.\u00a0 Thirty to forty men followed, Billy Thomas among them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly!\u201d Clyde yelled, but there was already too much gunfire for his son to hear.\u00a0 \u201cConsarned fool kid,\u201d Clyde growled and began to climb up the same way.\u00a0 His horse struggled for footing in the damp, sandy soil of the slope up to the ridge, but other men found themselves headed against their will in the opposite direction, their mounts terrified by the explosive sounds of battle.\u00a0 The panicking horses ran toward the timber along the river.\u00a0 \u201cShowin\u2019 more sense than us,\u201d Clyde muttered to himself and kicked his heels against his horse\u2019s flanks.\u00a0 She responded with a lurch upwards.<\/p>\n

Billy crossed the crest of the hill right behind Major Ormsby, heart in his throat at the thought of encountering the Paiutes, but the Indians had completely vanished.\u00a0 Billy stretched tall in his saddle, trying to figure out where the Indians had gone.\u00a0 Then, suddenly, they were all around him, firing from all directions, but they weren\u2019t the mounted Indians he\u2019d seen before.\u00a0 These Indians were on foot, and Billy realized they must have been hiding in the sagebrush, just waiting for the white men to come to them.<\/p>\n

Like the rest of the volunteers, Billy kept trying to move forward, but it was hard to make progress through the rain of bullets and arrows.\u00a0 As near as Billy could tell in the smoke and dust of that battlefield, no man had yet been lost, but on every side he heard the strident screams of horses as bullets pierced their flesh.\u00a0 As animals went down, their riders were forced into hand-to-hand combat with the Indians.\u00a0 Animals that were only nicked became more unmanageable than before, bucking so hard that their riders\u2019 revolvers were thrown out of their holsters, while many of those who had guns in hand were forced to drop them to try to bring their mounts under control.\u00a0 Steadying his roan, Billy took tight grip on his gun, then looked back, hoping to see his father.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t spot him, and he couldn\u2019t take more than a moment to look.\u00a0 He had problems of his own.<\/p>\n

Farther down the hill, Clyde kept trying to climb through the slippery soil.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t see his son, but he knew the boy was ahead of him, and he felt a terror he hadn\u2019t known since those days long ago when Billy had cut himself playing Indian, and had lain delirious with fever and in danger of losing his leg.\u00a0 With horses falling all around him, Clyde couldn\u2019t figure how his mount managed to escape, but he sent a swift prayer heavenwards\u2014\u2014two prayers, actually:\u00a0 one of thanks for the fact that he was still mounted and one of petition that Billy was, too.\u00a0 The odds of getting out of this Indian corral alive were sharply reduced for a man on foot, and would have been still worse for a man like Clyde, whose game leg would prevent his outrunning the enemy.<\/p>\n

Major Ormsby came streaking past him.\u00a0 \u201cRetreat!\u00a0 Fall back!\u201d he cried over and over as he rode.\u00a0 Some men responded; others seemed too confused by the general commotion to make an orderly retreat.\u00a0 The ones on foot ran from rock to rock.\u00a0 Clyde knew retreat was the only wise course, but he didn\u2019t want to leave that slope without his son, so he kept moving upward.<\/p>\n

A man who\u2019d lost his horse grabbed Clyde\u2019s bridle. \u201cHelp!\u00a0 Help me!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

In his urgent desire to get to Billy, Clyde tried to jerk free, but the young man held on tenaciously.\u00a0 \u201cHelp me, please!\u201d he screamed.<\/p>\n

Looking into that intent, pleading face, Clyde felt genuine shame.\u00a0 This young fellow wasn\u2019t more than five years older than his own boy, and Clyde had come close to abandoning him to certain death.\u00a0 What kind of man would that make him?\u00a0 Not liking the answer, Clyde thrust out an arm and helped the man swing up behind him, hoping, praying that someone would do as much for his own boy.\u00a0 He turned and urged his horse into a stumbling gallop downhill, riding through a gauntlet of armed Paiutes.<\/p>\n

Like most of the volunteers, Clyde raced toward the grove of cottonwoods where McDonald had wanted to make a stand.\u00a0 About three hundred yards short of that goal, however, he saw Major Ormsby dismount and drop into a deep gulch formed by some previous course of the Truckee.\u00a0 Ormsby yelled for the others to join him.\u00a0 The place he\u2019d taken shelter looked defensible, so Clyde headed for it.<\/p>\n

A cry of pain pierced his ear and the young man seated on his horse\u2019s rump slid off.\u00a0 Clyde dismounted immediately and dragged the wounded boy into the fortunately nearby gulch.\u00a0 \u201cTh\u2014thanks, mister,\u201d the boy murmured.<\/p>\n

Clyde ripped the tail off his shirt and pressed it against the hole in the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 He took the young man\u2019s hand and pushed it down hard on the cloth.\u00a0 \u201cHold it tight \u2018til the bleedin\u2019 stops,\u201d he said.\u00a0 He doubted the instruction would be followed, but there was no time to do more.\u00a0 The Paiutes were coming straight at them, shooting rifles and muskets they\u2019d obtained from white traders.\u00a0 Most of the Virginia City men had nothing but pistols and shotguns, weapons that didn\u2019t have the range of the Indians\u2019 firearms.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t enough they outnumber us and outsmart us.\u00a0 They got to outgun us, too?\u201d Clyde demanded of the heavens, then took careful aim.\u00a0 He was one of the few men with a rifle, so his shot reached the target.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that\u2019s one less,\u201d he grunted.<\/p>\n

But what was one among so many?\u00a0 They just kept coming.\u00a0 The volunteers managed to hold the Indians back for about ten minutes, then a bad situation suddenly became worse.\u00a0 Bullets and arrows now flew, not only from in front of them, but from the rear, as well.\u00a0 The Paiutes had circled around and now were firing from the shelter of the cottonwoods by the river.\u00a0 Others who had moved south on the tableland to the east began shooting down on the survivors, as well.\u00a0 With bullets coming from three directions, the gulch had become a trap, a far narrower one than the corral into which they\u2019d earlier marched so naively.<\/p>\n

Henry Meredith, the young lawyer who was one of the captains of the Virginia City volunteers, had reached the river and tied his horse to one of the cottonwoods.\u00a0 When Ormsby had called everyone back to the gulch, though, he\u2019d left the animal and run for what seemed to promise better shelter.\u00a0 Now, seeing nothing but certain death for those who remained in that gulch, he ran toward the timber and reached his horse.\u00a0 Before he could untie it, however, a Paiute arrow struck him down.<\/p>\n

Despite his lack of success, most of the men trapped in the gulch started to follow Meredith\u2019s example.\u00a0 \u201cStay where you are!\u201d the wounded Ormsby yelled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll make our stand in the gulch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the men obeyed; most ran for the river, just as the Paiutes charged.\u00a0 Clyde stayed where he was, mostly because he didn\u2019t feel right about leaving that wounded young man he\u2019d taken under his wing.\u00a0 Although Clyde couldn\u2019t see him, Billy was in that gulch, too, at that moment clinging with iron fingers to the arm of Charles Forman, who was trying to climb out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me go,\u201d Forman shouted.\u00a0 \u201cMeredith\u2019s still alive; I\u2019m sure he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s suicide,\u201d Billy yelled.\u00a0 \u201cNobody could get through that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean to try,\u201d Forman snapped.\u00a0 \u201cEither help me or get out of the way!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, doggone it!\u201d Billy sputtered, tossing his hat to the ground.\u00a0 \u201cIf we\u2019re gonna do this fool thing, let\u2019s get at it.\u00a0 Better clear it with Major Ormsby first, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Forman said and, keeping low, ran down the gulch to the major.<\/p>\n

Ormsby did more than grant permission for the rescue attempt.\u00a0 He, along with two other men, agreed to help retrieve Meredith\u2019s body, in hopes the young lawyer was still alive.\u00a0 The five men made a quick dash into the open ground between the gulch and the river, and for the first time since the boy had charged up the plateau, Clyde spotted his son.\u00a0 There was no missing that red hair.\u00a0 \u201cConsarned fool kid,\u201d he grunted, as he had earlier, but he was proud of his boy, too.\u00a0 It took a brave man to rush through that hailstorm of bullets and arrows to save another man\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

The rescue attempt was doomed from the start, though.\u00a0 The rescuers never reached Henry Meredith. \u00a0Too many Indians, too much unprotected ground to be covered.\u00a0 Ormsby took an arrow through the cheek.\u00a0 Thinking quickly, he pushed the arrowhead out his open mouth and broke it off, then jerked the shaft out, a fountain of red showering his shoulder and side.\u00a0 Charles Forman and Billy supported the wounded leader back into the gulch, and Clyde sent another prayer heavenward as his boy regained that marginal safety without injury.\u00a0 \u201cEither you\u2019re mighty lucky, boy, or the angels is watchin\u2019 over you,\u201d he scolded beneath his breath, practicing the irate parental lecture he hoped he\u2019d get a chance to deliver in person.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeadly,\u201d Ormsby cried, clutching at one of the Carson City Rangers bending over him.\u00a0 \u201cTake over.\u00a0 See if they can cut their way through and get away.\u201d\u00a0 William Headly nodded and gave the order, and the men in the gulch grabbed the nearest horse or mule for a wild ride to the Truckee River.<\/p>\n

Clyde helped his wounded companion out of the gulch and onto a gray gelding with white socks on three feet.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t his own horse; that one had either wandered out of reach or been taken by some fortunate miner for his own escape.\u00a0 The gray was a poor animal, but better than nothing.\u00a0 Clyde kicked the horse\u2019s flanks to urge him to a run, pitying the men still on foot.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen Billy mounted on his own roan and breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 At least, his son would have a good chance of running the gauntlet.\u00a0 The fact that the sun was sinking would help, too, making it harder for the Paiutes to see their targets.<\/p>\n

As the white men began to retreat, Numaga circled around the southeast side, where the trail was blocked by Chief Sequinata\u2019s Black River band.\u00a0 Other warriors, thinking he intended to finish off the accursed intruders, fell in behind, but Numaga waved them back and galloped straight for Sequinata.\u00a0 \u201cLet them go,\u201d he commanded.\u00a0 \u201cIt is senseless slaughter; it is not good; their deaths will haunt the warriors who kill them now that they run from us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chief Sequinata, however, lifted his nose in arrogance and galloped past the war chief to kill as many whites as he could before darkness or the brush near the river hid them from his sight.<\/p>\n

Under William Headly\u2019s command, the white men fought through to the river and headed upstream along the east bank, but many died as they fought hand-to-hand with the Paiutes blocking their way.\u00a0 Amazingly, William Ormsby, supported by friends who wouldn\u2019t obey his orders to leave him behind, made it to the river and disappeared inside a grove of cottonwoods.\u00a0 So did Clyde and Billy Thomas, although neither knew exactly where the other was.<\/p>\n

Headly himself did not survive the run for the river.\u00a0 When he ran out of ammunition, he turned to face Sequinata\u2019s braves, holding his empty pistol by the barrel, so he could use the butt to club his attackers.\u00a0 It was a brave gesture, one the Indians admired, but a futile one.\u00a0 While Sequinata at first appeared to flee from the white man, he was actually luring Headly through the enemy lines, where another Indian shot him through the head from behind.\u00a0 He died quickly, and the wounded Ormsby once again was in command.<\/p>\n

Feeling their only chance for escape was that trail over the plateau to the southeast through which they\u2019d originally marched, Ormsby called Thomas Condon of the Genoa Rangers and Richard Watkins of his own Carson City Rangers to his side.\u00a0 \u201cThat trail head must be held open,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s our only way of escape.\u00a0 I left Lake and six men to guard it, so it should still be open.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get through,\u201d Condon assured him.\u00a0 Using the cottonwoods for cover, he and Watkins led a small group of volunteers, Billy Thomas among them, to the spot where there was the least open ground to cover between them and the trail head.\u00a0 Mounting, the riders made a mad dash across the meadow, but they hadn\u2019t gone a quarter of a mile before every rifle or bow within range was aiming straight for them.\u00a0 The Indians, too, realized the importance of that pass and were determined no white man should reach it.<\/p>\n

Amazingly, none of those riding with Condon and Watkins were hit, but almost all of them failed to stop at the trail head, choosing instead to continue up the steep grade and over the plateau without regard for the men still trapped below.\u00a0 There was no sign of C.T.Lake and the six men under his command, either.\u00a0 They, too, must have put personal safety above the responsibility delegated to them.\u00a0 Left virtually alone, Condon pointed to the top of the slope.\u00a0 \u201cGet up there and hold the pass,\u201d he ordered Watkins.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go back to tell Ormsby to come ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy scrambled up the steep, fifty-foot grade behind Watkins.\u00a0 On reaching the top, he dismounted and threw himself behind the biggest boulder he could see.\u00a0 He loaded fresh ammunition into his Sharps rifle, noting with dismay how few shells he had left.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to make every shot count.<\/p>\n

The guardian angels of Thomas Condon did their job effectively once more, for he made it back across the meadow without injury.\u00a0 \u201cThe pass is open,\u201d he told Ormsby hurriedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get these men out of here!\u201d Ormsby exclaimed.\u00a0 Condon helped him stand.\u00a0 \u201cTo your horses, men!\u201d Ormsby shouted.\u00a0 \u201cRide for the pass!\u201d<\/p>\n

No more welcome command could have been issued.\u00a0 The volunteers poured out of the grove of cottonwoods, once again grabbing whatever horse or mule was closest.\u00a0 Clyde\u2019s wounded companion was no longer conscious, so the older man hefted the younger across the saddle of a frazzled brown mare.\u00a0 As he started to mount, however, he felt a knife slice into his shoulder and spun around to see the weapon raised for a second blow.\u00a0 Clyde grabbed the Indian\u2019s arm and they wrestled for control of the knife.\u00a0 Clyde was no match for the young buck, and he thought his luck had finally run out, when the Indian uttered a sharp cry and dropped at Clyde\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n

Clyde didn\u2019t take time to determine the identity of the man who\u2019d fired the shot that saved his life.\u00a0 He just threw himself up on the mare and rode as fast as the tired animal could run.\u00a0 Indians were everywhere.\u00a0 Knowing himself to be low on ammunition and having his hands full just keeping himself and the wounded boy on the horse, Clyde didn\u2019t shoot at any of them.\u00a0 He just lowered his head and prayed that God would be with him and help him run the gauntlet one more time.<\/p>\n

William Ormsby was hit twice more, but managed to hang on to his mule as he rode through the burst of bullets and arrows.\u00a0 He reached the plateau safely, but others were not so fortunate.\u00a0 The narrow pass was a bottleneck, which the retreating men had to scale virtually single-file.\u00a0 Men and horses piled up at the trailhead, waiting their chance to climb.\u00a0 But the Indians didn\u2019t wait.\u00a0 They swooped down on the beleaguered men, who fought them off in fierce hand-to-hand combat.\u00a0 One horse, fatally wounded, charged west, carrying the rider to certain death in the timber beside the river.\u00a0 Two other men, hoping to avoid the bottleneck, tried to climb a more gradual ascent to the right of the pass.\u00a0 Their horses shot from under them, they rolled down to the Paiutes\u2019 fierce welcome.<\/p>\n

Amazingly, only eight men had died thus far.\u00a0 From his position behind the boulder, Billy saw his father racing toward the pass and raised his rifle.\u00a0 Determined to spend his last bullet to ensure his father\u2019s safety, he rained fire on every Indian close enough to take a shot at Clyde.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t close enough for the bullets to inflict the damage he\u2019d hoped, but, at least, his fire kept the Paiutes\u2019 attention off his father.<\/p>\n

Billy gave a whoop as he saw his father scramble past him.\u00a0 Clyde had been moving too fast to see his son, but Billy, at least, had the satisfaction of knowing that his father was still alive and had a good chance of escaping.\u00a0 Bullets were flying his direction now, though, so the young man turned his attention back to saving his own skin.<\/p>\n

Almost all the survivors were through the pass now.\u00a0 Major Ormsby was still there, for his mule had been wounded and could not possibly live much longer.\u00a0 One-legged R. G. Watkins of Silver City, who\u2019d had himself strapped onto his horse to prevent his falling off in the mad flight, refused to leave the commander and tried to rally the remaining volunteers for a final stand.\u00a0 The volunteers refused to listen and continued to retreat over the plateau.\u00a0 Feeling relatively safe behind the shelter of that boulder, Billy stayed, though he counted himself a fool for doing it.\u00a0 He was out of ammunition now, so he couldn\u2019t make much contribution to a \u201cfinal stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be fools,\u201d Ormsby said to those still with him.\u00a0 \u201cGet yourselves to safety, and that\u2019s an order!\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right behind you.\u201d\u00a0 The others knew he had no real chance of keeping up on that dying mule, but none of their chances looked good in that moment.\u00a0 Although no one wanted to abandon their leader, they mounted and began to gallop across the plateau.<\/p>\n

Those who, through the weakness of their mounts or the lack of one, fell behind were picked off one by one.\u00a0 They were such easy prey, in fact, that the Paiutes began to make a sport of killing them.\u00a0 Rather than shooting from afar, the Indians drew alongside the white victims, grabbed them by their necks and jerked them out of their saddles before finally finishing the game with a rifle shot to the head or the slash of an obsidian knife across the throat.\u00a0 In order to kill even more white men, the Indians in the lead would hit their horses over the head, leaving the dismounted riders for trailing Paiutes to finish off while they rode ahead in search of still more prey.<\/p>\n

Ormsby followed the retreating volunteers for a short distance, reaching a small valley alongside the river, and started up a short grade.\u00a0 Halfway up the trail, however, the cinch on his mule\u2019s saddle came loose, the saddle slid sideways and Ormsby tumbled to the ground.\u00a0 The leader pulled himself painfully to his feet and began walking up the hill, but each step seemed more futile than the last.\u00a0 Weakened by his wounds, he had no chance of outrunning the Paiutes.\u00a0 His only hope lay in surrender.\u00a0 Abruptly, he turned and started walking back toward the oncoming charge.\u00a0 He waved his hands wildly, trying to communicate that he wanted to talk.<\/p>\n

Seeing him, Numaga rushed forward to intercept him.\u00a0 The white man called Ormsby had not always been wise, but he had treated the Paiutes more fairly than most, and Numaga wanted to spare his life.<\/p>\n

Eyes frantic, Ormsby pleaded with the Paiute not to kill him.\u00a0 \u201cWe will leave your people in peace, I promise.\u00a0 Let there be no more killing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Numaga notched an arrow on his bow string.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, please!\u201d Ormsby cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrop down as if dead when I shoot,\u201d Numaga ordered, \u201cand I will fire over you.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Ormsby, overcome by the shock of his wounds, failed to understand the war chief\u2019s intention.\u00a0 He stared, vacant-eyed, tears streaming down his face, and when Numaga loosed his bow string, the white man stood rigid.\u00a0 Another warrior, dashing past Numaga, shot Ormsby, first in the stomach, then riddled his face with arrows.\u00a0 Jumping off his pony, the Paiute rolled the white man\u2019s body off the ridge and watched it roll to the bottom of the ravine.<\/p>\n

From a distance Billy Thomas saw the leader die.\u00a0 His own horse had finally been shot from under him, and he knew if the Paiutes caught up to him, he\u2019d suffer the same fate.\u00a0 It was growing darker by the minute now, though, and that gave Billy hope.\u00a0 If he could just find a place where the sagebrush grew thick enough to hide him, he might yet get out of this alive.\u00a0 He turned and ran along the plateau.\u00a0 Hearing the clatter of horses behind him, he stopped at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Truckee River and looked back.<\/p>\n

Within moments the Paiutes would be on him, and he had no means to defend himself.\u00a0 Tossing aside his now useless rifle, Billy made a desperate leap off the cliff toward the river below.\u00a0 If he missed the water, he\u2019d die, maybe instantly, but Billy figured that was preferable to what he\u2019d seen happen to Major Ormsby.\u00a0 He\u2019d checked the distance before jumping, feet first, off the cliff, however, and knew he had a chance of striking water, rather than land.<\/p>\n

He landed just offshore from the sandy bank, sank, then surfaced and swam, arms pumping powerfully, for a thicket of willows near the river\u2019s edge.\u00a0 Dark as it was, he knew he could hide there unseen, if he could get there before the Indians spotted him.\u00a0 He swam swiftly, grateful for all the muscle-hardening practice he\u2019d gotten up at Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 He reached cover just in time.<\/p>\n

Four or five Indians stopped at the top of the cliff and peered over, searching for him, but, seeing nothing, they turned their horses and rode away.\u00a0 Perhaps the young white had died in the fall or drowned in the river.\u00a0 It was too dark to tell, and there were other targets easier to chase down and kill.<\/p>\n

Billy didn\u2019t dare stray from that thicket of willows until the sun was completely down.\u00a0 Even then he waited, for the moon was half full, and the Paiutes would be able to see him, if any were around.\u00a0 Billy didn\u2019t intend to budge until he felt certain the Indians had given up the chase, so he crouched beneath the willows until the night grew quiet.\u00a0 It was after midnight when he ventured forth and slowly made his way from willow to cottonwood to sagebrush, step by furtive step, taking two looks behind for every one ahead.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN<\/p>\n

\u201cThey Also Serve\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly Thomas came downstairs to find all the other adults in the Ponderosa dining room.\u00a0 \u201cSorry I\u2019m late,\u201d she apologized.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you didn\u2019t wait breakfast on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

From his seat at the head of the table, Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not late, Nelly.\u00a0 Even the sun hasn\u2019t shown his face yet.\u00a0 Did you sleep well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot very,\u201d Nelly admitted.\u00a0 With both her husband and son marching into Paiute territory, she\u2019d tossed and turned all night.\u00a0 Those terrifying silhouettes jumping up and down in front of distant signal fires last night hadn\u2019t been conducive to restful sleep, either.\u00a0 Along with Ben, Marie and the Montgomerys, she\u2019d stood in the yard, watching in fearful fascination.\u00a0 To her, the shadows looked like men celebrating a victory, but it was the kind of celebration Indians, not white men, were reputed to conduct.\u00a0 The others had tried to discount her fears, but she\u2019d read the same apprehension in their own eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least the children are sleeping soundly,\u201d Marie commented with a smile across the table at Katerina, seated beside her husband.\u00a0 Wrapped up in their own worries, both Nelly and Marie had let the children\u2019s normal bedtime slip by unnoticed, and had berated themselves for this neglect when they finally realized how late it was.\u00a0 It had been childless Katerina who\u2019d pointed out that the late bedtime meant the children would undoubtedly sleep late the next morning, which might prove more convenient for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s one less worry,\u201d Nelly agreed, taking the seat next to Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs bad Mistah Clyde and Billy not back yet,\u201d Hop Sing observed ominously as he poured coffee into Nelly\u2019s cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve expressed your opinions quite sufficiently, Hop Sing!\u201d Ben snapped.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t want to hear them again.\u00a0 Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you alla time gotta yell?\u201d Hop Sing demanded.\u00a0 His grasp of English was still too tenuous to recognize words like \u201csufficiently,\u201d but he knew an attack when he heard one, and, as always, assumed the best defense was a counterattack.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen,\u201d Marie chided softly as the cook stomped back to the kitchen, mumbling beneath his breath.\u00a0 \u201cHe is only trying to show his concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rubbed the back of his stiff neck.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t slept well, either.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I know,\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Nelly.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t help you much for us all to be showing our own anxieties, does it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t help nor hurt, either one,\u201d Nelly said softly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not knowin\u2019 and havin\u2019 nothin\u2019 to do but wait that gets to us, I reckon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, I\u2019ve had my fill of it,\u201d Ben said with quick decisiveness.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna find out what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben, what do you mean?\u201d Marie asked, fingers tightening on the edge of the tablecloth.\u00a0 \u201cSurely, you do not mean to go to the Paiutes.\u00a0 I will not allow it this time!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d be a fool\u2019s mission, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Enos Montgomery added softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I strike everyone as a fool?\u201d Ben asked, perturbed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I intend to do is ride into Virginia City.\u00a0 Since most of the volunteers are from there, that\u2019s undoubtedly where any couriers would be sent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Enos agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThe best place to get what news there is.\u00a0 I\u2019ll stay here to look after the women and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019ll be one less woman to look after,\u201d Nelly declared, scooting her chair back.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 with you, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Nelly, do not be foolish,\u201d Marie scolded.\u00a0 \u201cBen will bring you word, as soon as he hears anything, mais oui<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0 She cocked her head inquiringly at her husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Ben assured both her and Nelly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that,\u201d Nelly pleaded, \u201cbut it\u2019ll settle my mind sooner if I go with you.\u00a0 Please, Ben.\u00a0 I know I ain\u2019t the horsewoman Marie is, but I can sit a saddle, and I promise I won\u2019t hold you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben knew she couldn\u2019t possibly keep that promise, but he couldn\u2019t say no when he thought of how he\u2019d feel if it were his boy out there in danger.\u00a0 \u201cSure, I\u2019ll saddle Marie\u2019s horse for you,\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want the side saddle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t have the slightest notion how to sit one.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride astraddle, Ben, if you think you can stand the sight of my ugly old legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s saddle would probably be the best fit,\u201d Enos suggested and Ben nodded just before wiping his mouth on a napkin and standing.<\/p>\n

By the time Nelly had bundled into the warmest clothes she\u2019d brought with her, the horses were saddled, and she and Ben set out for Virginia City, just as the sun began to tint the sky in shades of lavender and rose.\u00a0 Ben could have made the trip in a couple of hours, but having Nelly along added an extra thirty minutes.\u00a0 Even so, it was still early when they arrived in Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Early as it was, however, the streets were teeming, and everyone was talking about one thing, those awful signal fires.\u00a0 The people of Virginia City had had an even better view than those at the Ponderosa, for they were closer.\u00a0 \u201cDid you see the way them flames flared up, then died down, flared up and died down, over and over?\u201d was a favorite comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike fresh fuel was being put on,\u201d one man suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, body fuel,\u201d another surmised.<\/p>\n

Ben pulled Nelly close to his side and felt her shivering flesh against his.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just talk,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cNo one knows anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d she murmured back, but her shuddering body denied what her tongue declared.<\/p>\n

They hadn\u2019t been in town fifteen minutes before seven men came racing up Six-Mile Canyon on foam-flecked horses.\u00a0 \u201cHey, it\u2019s Lake!\u201d someone shouted.\u00a0 \u201cHe was with the volunteers!\u201d<\/p>\n

The entire populace surged toward the riders, who dismounted on C Street.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Lake!\u201d the miner who had first recognized him called.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the word?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ain\u2019t all that\u2019s alive, are you?\u201d another hollered.<\/p>\n

Ben took firm hold of Nelly\u2019s waist and steered her through the crowd.\u00a0 They were not the only ones straining for a front position, however.\u00a0 A young man just ahead of them was almost brazen in the way he pushed men aside.\u00a0 \u201cMake way!\u201d he shouted at length.\u00a0 \u201cReporter for the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> here.\u201d\u00a0 Surprisingly, the miners parted to let the young reporter through.\u00a0 Not such a bad idea, Ben decided, as he heard the man begin to interview C.T.Lake.\u00a0 A reporter was trained to ask questions, and this young fellow seemed to be asking all the right ones to get the story out of Lake quickly and concisely.\u00a0 Lake, of course, had been left with the rear guard and had seen almost nothing, but that didn\u2019t prevent his answering readily each question put to him.<\/p>\n

Notepad in hand, the reporter asked, \u201cHow many Indians?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lake scratched his head, as if in thought.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say about two thousand strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d the reporter asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor Ormsby gave orders to charge,\u201d Lake said, getting this detail, at least, correct as he related his largely fictitious account of the battle.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cThe Indians filed to the right and the left,\u201d Lake went on, \u201csurrounding the troops and commenced to fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to our troops?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ammunition of the forces soon became exhausted, and the Indians, seeing this, closed in and poured volley after volley upon them,\u201d Lake replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about the others?\u201d a miner yelled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about Henry Meredith or Little Joe Baldwin?\u00a0 They alive?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably dead.\u00a0 Almost all dead,\u201d Lake said, burying his alkali-caked face in his hands.\u00a0 If the gesture was not a result of shame, it should have been, for Lake and his six companions had deserted their post and his analysis of the battle was based more on fear than fact.\u00a0 They\u2019d heard the continuing discharge of firearms, however, and guessed correctly that casualties would be high in such a fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure there are no more survivors?\u201d Ben called.\u00a0 \u201cJust seven men left out of more than a hundred?\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the other survivors spoke up this time.\u00a0 \u201cLook, there might be another one or two out there somewhere,\u201d he said, to cover himself if anyone else did survive, \u201cbut we can\u2019t say.\u00a0 It was every man for himself, and I\u2019ll tell you what: instead of worrying about the dead and dying, you ought to be thinkin\u2019 of your own lives.\u00a0 Them redskins was riding hard and fast after us.\u00a0 They could be here any time!\u201d\u00a0 That statement was enough to make most of the crowd scatter, either to make tracks for California or to assemble their available arms and ammunition.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben,\u201d Nelly wept, hiding her face in his vest.\u00a0 \u201cThey just can\u2019t be gone, not the both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held her close.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe it,\u201d he croaked.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t believe it!\u00a0 Look, I\u2019m gonna ride on to Buckland\u2019s Station.\u00a0 If anyone else got through, I should run into them by the time I get that far.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly looked up, hope sparking in her brown eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben, that\u2019s good thinking.\u00a0 You think there\u2019s still a chance, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben said, with more conviction than he felt.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Nelly, you\u2019re tired, and the risks are higher from here on.\u00a0 They\u2019ve got the women forted up at O\u2019Riley\u2019s unfinished stone hotel.\u00a0 You\u2019d be safe there, if\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going with you,\u201d Nelly said with a stubborn jut of her chin.<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I thought you\u2019d say that.\u00a0 Do you need some time to rest first?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, let\u2019s get goin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Perched on a corral rail at Buckland\u2019s Station, Clyde rubbed his hand across his eyes.\u00a0 They felt like they were full of sand.\u00a0 Not surprising.\u00a0 They probably were.\u00a0 Add to that the fact that Clyde hadn\u2019t slept in better than thirty hours, and the only wonder was that he could keep them open at all.\u00a0 He had to, though\u2014\u2014had to keep peeling his tired eyeballs toward the northwest, in hopes that one more man would make it in and that that man would be his son.<\/p>\n

Hope was waning, however. It had been close to two hours since the last survivor reached Buckland\u2019s.\u00a0 It was noon now, and Clyde knew he\u2019d soon have to admit that Billy was one of the seventy-five or so who hadn\u2019t made it.\u00a0 Fool kid, he\u2019d probably risked his life in some heroic, but hopeless effort like the one to rescue Henry Meredith.\u00a0 Still, Clyde would rather his boy die that way than to survive the way that Sam Brown fellow had, by hoisting himself up on the rump of Little Joe Baldwin\u2019s mule and tossing the wounded man off to save his own hide.<\/p>\n

It was the wrong thought to let past the barrier he\u2019d fought hard to keep up.\u00a0 His eyes began to water, sending dust-laden rivulets down his alkali-coated face.\u00a0 Clyde didn\u2019t bother trying to stop the tears.\u00a0 There wasn\u2019t anyone around to see the unmanly loss of his emotions, and, at least, his weary eyes would get a good washing.\u00a0 \u201cFace could probably use it, too,\u201d he muttered as he climbed down from the rail and walked slowly toward the log cabin.\u00a0 Although he\u2019d had plenty of time, he hadn\u2019t bothered cleaning up before.\u00a0 His time had been taken up, either as a lookout for incoming men or helping the wounded when they did arrive, for most of those who\u2019d shown up had bullet or arrow wounds that needed tending.<\/p>\n

As Clyde splashed water on his cheeks at the single wash basin in the station, he knew he was fast running out of reasons to stay here at Buckland\u2019s, but he dreaded the thought of facing Nelly and telling her their boy was dead.\u00a0 He\u2019d hoped against hope all through the long night after he dragged into the station himself, one of the first survivors to reach it.\u00a0 That worn-out brown mare had been wounded during the retreat, but Clyde had kept pushing her, knowing his life and that of the young man he carried depended on getting as far as they could before they were left on foot.\u00a0 It was an unkind way to treat an animal, but he didn\u2019t have a bullet left to put her out of her misery anyway.\u00a0 The horse had finally collapsed under him, and Clyde had hefted the boy up on his shoulders and carried him in to safety.\u00a0 Too late, though.\u00a0 The young man had died within an hour of their reaching Buckland\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Clyde wandered outside for one last look.\u00a0 No sign of Billy.\u00a0 Time to face the truth.\u00a0 Even if he\u2019d been on foot, he\u2019d had time to walk here by now.\u00a0 The boy wasn\u2019t going to make it.\u00a0 Hearing horses riding in from the opposite direction, Clyde turned and his face fell.\u00a0 Not Nelly, not here!\u00a0 He needed time to find the right words, time to deal with his own grief before he had to deal with hers.\u00a0 He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 Ben was always good with words.\u00a0 He\u2019d know how to comfort Nelly, if Clyde couldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Nelly saw her husband and literally fell out of the saddle.\u00a0 Picking herself up, she stumbled into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Clyde!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re all right!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine, gal,\u201d he soothed, wincing a little from the knife wound in his back as he pulled her close to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doin\u2019 here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFool question,\u201d Nelly sputtered, coughing up her emotion, along with a throat full of dust.\u00a0 \u201cIf you ain\u2019t got sense enough to come home, what\u2019s a woman to do but come fetch you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had dismounted slowly, standing back to let them have a moment alone.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help noticing, however, that Billy was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 That could mean only one of two things, neither of them good: either Billy was badly wounded or he was dead.\u00a0 If he\u2019d been able to stand, he\u2019d have been outside the minute he heard his mother\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

Nelly finally looked into her husband\u2019s face, her eyes searching his, her lips trembling as she asked, \u201cBilly inside?\u201d<\/p>\n

Closing his eyes, Clyde shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe didn\u2019t make it, Nelly gal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly started backing away, shaking her head in disbelief.\u00a0 Ben stepped swiftly behind her, fearful she was going to swoon.\u00a0 Nelly was pioneer stock, however, and had never been given to the fashionable vapors.\u00a0 She kept her feet, tired as she was from the long ride.\u00a0 Backing into Ben, she turned and stared at him, in shock.\u00a0 Ben instinctively reached out to take her in his arms and once she was secure, stretched a hand toward Clyde.\u00a0 His friend walked to him and unashamedly clasped that supportive hand.\u00a0 It was all Clyde could do not to weep himself dry on Ben\u2019s shoulder, like Nelly was doing, but that was a comfort reserved for women.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was a gallant young man,\u201d Ben said softly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll miss him.\u201d\u00a0 Simple words, but they were the right ones.\u00a0 They told Clyde and Nelly that their boy hadn\u2019t lived in vain.\u00a0 He\u2019d made a good name for himself and had earned the love of those who knew him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019d best get back to the Ponderosa,\u201d Nelly said, wiping her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s such a long ride,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we just take you home.\u00a0 I can bring Inger to Carson tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly shook her head vigorously.\u00a0 \u201cI want my girl in my arms,\u201d she cried.\u00a0 Ben looked to Clyde for guidance, and the older man slowly nodded.\u00a0 Like Nelly, he wanted to ease his grief over the death of one child by holding the surviving one close to his heart.<\/p>\n

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

While the sorrowful trio was riding toward the Ponderosa, Adam Cartwright was pacing the street in front of the Orleans Hotel, where his family usually stayed when they were in Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuit fidgeting,\u201d Harold chided.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t they get this meeting started?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we\u2019re early,\u201d Harold stated flatly.\u00a0 \u201cYou couldn\u2019t be persuaded to wait, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was persuaded to wait!\u00a0 That\u2019s the whole problem,\u201d Adam fumed.\u00a0 The contradictory telegram he\u2019d received from his father had alleviated his fears only slightly.\u00a0 On the one hand, the wire assured him his loved ones were all well and safe; on the other, it ordered him to remain in Sacramento until all danger was past.\u00a0 If Carson Valley was dangerous for him, it was dangerous for the others, too, so Adam felt justified in disobeying his father\u2019s order.\u00a0 His family needed him.<\/p>\n

The message had made it easier to do as his headmaster suggested, though, to wait for a rescue party to be organized and to use the intervening time to study for his final exams.\u00a0 He\u2019d even had time to take them all, finishing the final one the evening before, and still no rescue force had formed.\u00a0 Here it was Sunday afternoon, and word had just come over the wire that the Virginia City militia had suffered a devastating defeat.\u00a0 The Paiutes were said to be riding on the town, and Adam\u2019s fears for his family and others he loved had intensified.\u00a0 In fact, it would be just like Pa to ride straight into Winnemucca\u2019s camp for a parley!\u00a0 Adam had had all the waiting he could tolerate.\u00a0 \u201cIf they don\u2019t do something soon, I\u2019ll go by myself, no matter what anyone says!\u201d he\u2019d told Harold shortly before leaving the boardinghouse for this meeting.<\/p>\n

So he paced, unable to release his nervous energy in any other way.\u00a0 Closer to the hour appointed for the meeting, other men began to gather in the street, and finally Senator James Wood Coffroth came out on an upstairs balcony to address the crowd.\u00a0 To Adam\u2019s dismay, the proceedings seemed like a club meeting with nominations and election of officers and the appointment of a committee on finance.\u00a0 \u201cWhen are they gonna get to it?\u201d Adam hissed to Harold.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey passed a resolution to send supplies and ammunition,\u201d Harold pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cMen, they need to send men,\u201d Adam ranted.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh.\u00a0 Maybe they\u2019re getting to that,\u201d Harold replied.<\/p>\n

Senator Coffroth stood to make a final address.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Chairman and fellow citizens: It was once said by a most distinguished citizen that there was no Sunday in the Revolutionary times.\u00a0 So it is now.\u00a0 There is no Sunday in Sacramento today.\u00a0 That tyrant who a short time since was arrayed in traitorous rebellion against our Government, has again united with fifteen hundred Indians to murder our citizens.\u00a0 Today is the time for energetic action.\u00a0 One man has stated what he will give.\u00a0 He is one of our merchant princes.\u00a0 How many are there, like me, who will give their five dollars?\u00a0 We do not want men, but arms and ammunition.\u00a0 Remember, this is not only a war against savages, but against that despot Brigham Young.\u00a0 I ask, then, that every man here give something, no matter how small; but give us the widow\u2019s mite.\u00a0 Contribute something to avenge the blood and murder on the Great Bend of the Truckee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018we do not want men\u2019?\u201d Adam screamed.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s supposed to use those arms you\u2019re sending?\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold grabbed his friend\u2019s arm and dragged him back through the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cYou are losing control, boy,\u201d he said when Adam protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m getting you out of here before you make a complete fool of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard them!\u201d Adam stormed, shaking Harold\u2019s hand off his elbow and, planting both palms on his hips, faced him with irate visage.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, there will be men,\u201d Harold argued, \u201cyou know there will.\u00a0 I heard the Sutter Rifles are going, and the Independent City Guards, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think that\u2019s enough?\u201d Adam railed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith what\u2019s coming from San Francisco, it should be,\u201d Harold declared.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re supposed to be here day after tomorrow, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDay after tomorrow!\u00a0 More waiting,\u201d Adam groaned.\u00a0 Wait, wait, wait\u2014\u2014when his family could be dying!<\/p>\n

Harold laid a calming hand on his friend\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cRemember that line from Milton?\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018They also serve who only stand and wait.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave him a rueful smile and began walking toward the boardinghouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was all that about Brigham Young?\u201d Harold queried.\u00a0 \u201cYou think he has anything to do with this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cReminding folks of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is just a way of stirring them up, but I doubt the Mormons had anything to do with what happened at Williams\u2019 Station.\u00a0 The Paiutes have enough grievances of their own without taking up someone else\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold nodded, satisfied that he\u2019d found something to take Adam\u2019s mind, at least temporarily, off the frustration of waiting.<\/p>\n

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

The ride back to the Ponderosa was agonizingly slow.\u00a0 Clyde was feeling weak from loss of blood, and they were all exhausted, including the horses.\u00a0 Clyde was riding double with Nelly and didn\u2019t want to push Marie\u2019s mare.\u00a0 No sense in being cruel to the animal.\u00a0 Nobody\u2019s life was at stake this time.\u00a0 They\u2019d stopped in Carson City long enough for Dr. Martin to tend Clyde\u2019s wound and, with the doctor\u2019s grudging permission, had ridden on.<\/p>\n

The sun had already set when the sorrowful party finally reached the Ponderosa and tied their horses to the hitching rail out front.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll ask Enos to stable our mounts,\u201d Ben told his friends, knowing they\u2019d want to get inside to Inger as quickly as they could.<\/p>\n

Clyde took a moment to thank Ben, but Nelly rushed for the door and flung it open without knocking.\u00a0 Her face lit up as she saw Inger sitting beside Hoss on the floor at Katerina\u2019s feet.\u00a0 A very sleepy Little Joe was in the German girl\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

\u201cInger, sugar!\u201d Nelly cried, kneeling to take the girl in her arms and cover her face with kisses.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Hoss shouted and scrambled up from the floor.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Uncle Clyde!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s drowsy head jerked and he squirmed out of Katerina\u2019s lap to run to his father, crying \u201cPa!\u201d in imitation of his big brother.<\/p>\n

Ben swooped the little boy up and held him close.\u00a0 \u201cMy baby,\u201d he whispered, choked with emotion, as he reached out to tousle Hoss\u2019s sandy hair with an affectionate hand.\u00a0 His friends\u2019 loss made him all the more appreciative of his own blessings, and how blessed he was to have three sons, alive and well, when the Thomases had lost both of theirs!<\/p>\n

Marie came to kiss him, but after that quick greeting her attention was focussed on their emotional friends.\u00a0 \u201cBen?\u201d she queried softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly\u2019s gone,\u201d he whispered, not wanting the youngsters to hear yet.<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cMais non<\/em>.\u00a0 Billy is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly\u2019s head came up at once.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did you say, girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie glided across the floor toward Nelly.\u00a0 \u201cI said, \u2018Billy is here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere?\u201d Clyde croaked, disbelief in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOur boy\u2019s here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHe has been here for hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelly fell to the floor and, if she hadn\u2019t come from pioneer stock, would surely have swooned this time from the sudden rush of blood to her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat on earth possessed him to come here?\u201d Clyde pondered, still having trouble taking in the good news.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease sit down,\u201d Marie urged.\u00a0 \u201cYou are all so tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is that scamp of mine?\u201d Nelly asked.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ll know for sure he\u2019s all right \u2018til I lay eyes on him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in Adam\u2019s room\u2014\u2014asleep,\u201d Marie replied.\u00a0 \u201cHe has been asleep almost since he arrived.\u00a0 That is why we\u2019ve kept the children downstairs, so their noise would not disturb him.\u00a0 Please sit, rest.\u00a0 You look as tired as Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde lifted Nelly to her feet and helped her to the sofa.\u00a0 Marie sat on the table before it, chafing her friend\u2019s hands, while Ben settled into the blue armchair across from Katerina with both boys in his lap.\u00a0 As Enos went outside to tend to the horses, Hop Sing scurried in from the kitchen and, seeing there were more mouths to feed, hustled back to lay more places at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought of the boy comin\u2019 here,\u201d Clyde muttered, pushing back a lock of auburn hair so dusty it looked drab brown.\u00a0 \u201cOrders was to fall back to Buckland\u2019s.\u00a0 Might be he didn\u2019t hear \u2018em, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly said that he had seen you come through the pass safely,\u201d Marie explained, \u201cso his first thought was for his mother.\u00a0 He wanted you to know that he was safe, Nelly, and that, to the best of his knowledge, Clyde was, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dear!\u201d Nelly cooed.\u00a0 \u201cAlways so thoughtful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stifled a smile.\u00a0 \u201cThoughtful\u201d was not a word he\u2019d ever heard used to describe scapegrace Billy Thomas before, but it was obvious the boy could do no wrong in his mother\u2019s eyes, at least not this night.<\/p>\n

\u201cBilly wanted to ride to Buckland\u2019s when he heard you\u2019d left,\u201d Marie continued, \u201cbut I insisted he go to bed, instead, and with Enos\u2019s help, we saw that he did.\u00a0 The poor boy is exhausted, as you can see by how long he has slept.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy poor lamb,\u201d Nelly murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs the boy hurt?\u201d Clyde asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cHe was all right when I last saw him, but I lost him in the retreat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is not wounded,\u201d Marie assured the concerned parents.\u00a0 \u201cHe did twist his ankle, and it was, of course, difficult for him to walk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s all right, beyond that?\u201d Nelly asked.\u00a0 When Marie nodded, she stood.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2014I think I\u2019ll just look in on him for a minute.\u00a0 I won\u2019t wake him, if he\u2019s still sleepin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 She understood a mother\u2019s need to see her child, especially one she had feared lost.<\/p>\n

Inger edged close to Katerina\u2019s chair.\u00a0 \u201cWill you finish that story now, before that Chinaman makes us come to the table?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t have to make me!\u00a0 Suddenly, I\u2019m famished.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clyde, who\u2019d had no appetite all day, chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, I am, too.\u00a0 How about that side of beef you promised me?\u201d<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT<\/p>\n

Carson Valley Expedition<\/p>\n

Pale glimmers of starlight filtered through the dense fog hanging over the river.\u00a0 On the dock, waiting for the last call to board the steamship Eclipse<\/em>, stood Mark Wentworth, making his final farewells to his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look so handsome in your uniform,\u201d Mary said, standing on tiptoe to give her brother a kiss.\u00a0 She fingered the blue cord and tassels of his coat and her voice quavered as she added, \u201cTry to bring it home looking just as grand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark saw her glistening face and, not sure whether the dampness came from tears or the prevailing mist, he kissed her cheek tenderly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll try, little sister.\u00a0 I assure you, I\u2019ll try.\u201d\u00a0 In order to join the expedition, Mark had enlisted with Company H of the Sixth Infantry from Benecia Barracks under 2nd Lieutenant John McCleary and now wore the short blue frock coat and light blue trousers of that unit.<\/p>\n

Their older brother Matthew had always been a man of few words, and he had little to say now.\u00a0 Mark, however, understood that the firm handclasp meant he had his brother\u2019s approval and support.\u00a0 Even more importantly, he had his father\u2019s.\u00a0 Though it was an unfamiliar gesture for Mark, he put his arms around his father and rested for a moment in the strength of that embrace.\u00a0 Then he set his black Kossuth hat on his head at a jaunty angle and thrust his hand out for his father to shake.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you forgetting something?\u201d Ebenezer smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think so,\u201d Mark said.\u00a0 \u201cI have the Bible you gave me and the sandwiches Mary made.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ebenezer took a small, sealed white envelope from his coat pocket.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll want this, as well, my boy,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my report to your sweetheart\u2019s father on your behavior this last year.\u00a0 You said he would require one.\u201d<\/p>\n

It had been almost a year since Mark had told his father of the doctor\u2019s requirements for marrying Sally, and the boy felt deeply touched that his father had remembered.\u00a0 He himself hadn\u2019t given a thought to the promised letter of evaluation.\u00a0 His mind had been taken up with finding a way to get to Sally.\u00a0 It was her life he was concerned with at that point, not their future together.<\/p>\n

Seeing his son\u2019s trembling lips, Ebenezer put the envelope in Mark\u2019s hand and squeezed the young man\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a fair report, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it is,\u201d Mark stammered.\u00a0 \u201cYou couldn\u2019t be any other way.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a whistle blew, Matthew clapped his younger brother on the back.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better get on board, if you don\u2019t want them to think you\u2019ve deserted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot this soon after enlisting,\u201d Mark laughed.\u00a0 He gave his father one more quick embrace and ran for the gangplank, the fog soon hiding him from sight.<\/p>\n

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

Adam slipped out of bed as soundlessly as he could, to avoid waking Harold in the next bed.\u00a0 He\u2019d laid out his clothes the night before, so he had no trouble finding them, even in the dark of the pre-dawn.\u00a0 He picked up the gear he\u2019d left on his desk and started to tiptoe out, but Harold had left his desk chair jutting out and Adam stumbled into it.<\/p>\n

Beneath a thick, patchwork quilt, Harold stirred and asked groggily, \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Adam whispered.\u00a0 \u201cWell, nothing but me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold sat up.\u00a0 \u201cYou leaving now, without telling me good-bye?\u201d\u00a0 He yawned expansively.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to wake you,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got exams this morning.\u201d\u00a0 He sat on the end of Harold\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n

Harold yawned.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, well if you can pass yours with flying colors with all you\u2019ve had on your mind, I guess I can pass mine, even if I do lose a little sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got my things all packed up for Miss Molly to store,\u201d Adam said, \u201cexcept my guitar.\u00a0 I was hoping you\u2019d keep that for me.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d taught his roommate a few basic chords and, since he couldn\u2019t pack the instrument on a military expedition, he thought the other boy would have more use for it in the near future than he was likely to find himself.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll keep it for you,\u201d Harold promised, \u201cbut you have to remember it\u2019s only a loan.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be expecting you to pick it up before school starts next term.\u201d\u00a0 Beneath the casual meaning of those words was a prayer that Adam would come through the next few months alive.<\/p>\n

Adam understood and responded, \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll do that, and I\u2019ll be expecting you to put on a grand performance for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold laughed under his breath.\u00a0 \u201cOh, sure.\u00a0 You could put on a better performance, even after a summer without touching that guitar.\u201d\u00a0 He swallowed hard and quickly thrust out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cTake care, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam clasped his roommate\u2019s hand firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cIndians aren\u2019t the only dangers in this world.\u201d\u00a0 He stood and shoved Harold back onto his pillow.\u00a0 \u201cNow, back to sleep.\u00a0 You want to do well your final term, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Harold grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBe a lot easier if you\u2019d take my tests for me.\u201d\u00a0 He yawned.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, then I\u2019d have to fight the Paiutes for you.\u00a0 Not a good idea, since I\u2019ve never fired a gun.\u201d\u00a0 He yawned again, turned onto his side and closed his eyes, primarily for Adam\u2019s sake.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t sleep for a while, though.\u00a0 After Adam left, he lay awake, wondering whether he\u2019d ever see his friend again.\u00a0 Compared to that, of what importance were a schoolboy\u2019s exams?<\/p>\n

Adam tiptoed down the stairs and through the hall to the front door.\u00a0 Once he was outside, he ran through the dark streets.\u00a0 The report he\u2019d heard yesterday said the Eclipse<\/em>, carrying rescue forces bound for Washoe, would sail the night before and arrive early this morning.\u00a0 Adam was determined to be there when the ship steamed in.\u00a0 He failed in that resolve, however, for when he arrived at the dock, he saw the steamer anchored just off the levee.<\/p>\n

The question now was how to get to the ship.\u00a0 Adam was a good swimmer and the distance wasn\u2019t far, but he couldn\u2019t swim carrying the rifle he\u2019d purchased the day before.\u00a0 Adam winced slightly as he thought of that gun.\u00a0 His father probably wouldn\u2019t view that as the kind of purchase he\u2019d intended Adam to make with the funds left at his disposal, but Adam\u2019s rifle was at home and the boy feared he might need one before arriving there.\u00a0 Spotting a small rowboat nearby, he decided to borrow it.\u00a0 Another act his father would frown on, but Adam felt desperate.\u00a0 He had to get to the commanding officer and secure permission to travel with the rescue expedition.\u00a0 If he waited until the soldiers disembarked, they\u2019d likely be too busy to talk to him, so Adam made up his mind to board that ship any way he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cPermission to come aboard,\u201d he shouted when a sentry on the Eclipse<\/em> asked his business.\u00a0 \u201cI have a message for the commanding officer.\u201d\u00a0 He tried to make his voice sound official, and the ruse worked.\u00a0 He was permitted to board the steamer and Captain Joseph Stewart of the Third U.S. Artillery, overall commander of the Carson Valley Expedition, was called.<\/p>\n

Captain Stewart came from the opposite side of the ship.\u00a0 \u201cYou bring a message from the rescue forces at Sacramento?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot exactly,\u201d Adam murmured, feeling suddenly cowed when he saw the official-looking uniform.\u00a0 Then he looked up defiantly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m my own message.\u201d\u00a0 He popped a shaky salute at the officer.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright, reporting for duty, sir,\u201d he stated loudly.<\/p>\n

Stewart laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLooking for adventure, are you, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir!\u201d Adam declared, offended at being taken for a boy playing soldier.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to Washoe, one way or another.\u00a0 I was told the best way was to sign up with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u00a0 Adam!\u201d\u00a0 a voice called out, and a figure ran toward the officer and the boy.<\/p>\n

Adam turned and his face lighted as he saw Mark Wentworth rushing forward.<\/p>\n

Mark saluted the captain.\u00a0 \u201cSir, may I be of help?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cI know this boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy!\u201d Adam protested.\u00a0 Mark motioned for him to be still.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe lad\u2019s offering himself as a recruit,\u201d Stewart said, a tinge of mirth in his tone.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, he says he\u2019s going to Washoe, with or without my permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe means it, sir,\u201d Mark said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s family lives there, and, of course, he\u2019s concerned for their safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stewart\u2019s face took on a kinder appearance.\u00a0 \u201cAh, I see.\u00a0 Commendable, my boy, but we\u2019re not looking for new recruits, especially not lads your age.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll go alone,\u201d Adam said and turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Mark said sharply.\u00a0 He turned to Captain Stewart.\u00a0 \u201cSir, please let him travel with us.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be responsible for him, and, to tell the truth, sir, he\u2019s a greater asset to the party than I am.\u00a0 He\u2019s a better marksman, and he knows every inch of the country we\u2019ll be traveling through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stewart stroked his beard in thought.\u00a0 \u201cThat would be an advantage.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou know the territory well?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike the back of my hand,\u201d Adam boasted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve lived there since I was seven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stewart nodded.\u00a0 \u201cVery well, then.\u00a0 You may travel with us, not as an official recruit, but we\u2019ll make you a sort of scout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Adam cried and popped another salute.<\/p>\n

Stewart shook his head, chuckling.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re going to do it that poorly, I\u2019d just as soon you didn\u2019t salute, son.\u00a0 And you are a civilian, after all.\u201d\u00a0 Still chuckling, he walked away.<\/p>\n

Mark grabbed the younger boy\u2019s hand and pumped it.\u00a0 \u201cGood to see you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for putting in a word for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to return a boat I borrowed to row out here,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got plenty of time,\u201d Mark said.\u00a0 \u201cI heard we\u2019re not leaving the boat \u2018til around eight-thirty.\u00a0 That\u2019s when we board the train for Folsom.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you return the boat, get yourself some breakfast and meet us at the station.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, good idea.\u00a0 I\u2019m starving,\u201d Adam admitted.\u00a0 \u201cSee you there, then.\u201d\u00a0 As he left the steamer and began rowing for shore, Mark stood at the boat\u2019s rail to watch him until he was out of sight.<\/p>\n

Adam ate a hurried breakfast, then jogged to the train station.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t intend to be left behind, and the safest way to ensure that was to arrive early.\u00a0 He heard the troops coming before he saw them, marching in double file down the street.\u00a0 The Artillery came first, impressive in their blue frock coats and dark pants.\u00a0 Captain Stewart and the other officers looked even flashier, with a red stripe running down each pants leg.\u00a0 The Infantry, all in blue except for their black Kossuth hats with the left brim turned up, marched behind them.\u00a0 Adam spotted Mark and waved.\u00a0 Mark nodded, but gave no further sign of recognition.\u00a0 As a new soldier, determined to prove himself a good one, he kept marching steadily.\u00a0 Adam fell in behind the Infantry, boarding the train last, but counting himself lucky to be included in the expedition.<\/p>\n

The ride to Folsom, which Adam had made many times, took an hour and ten minutes.\u00a0 Adam and Mark found seats together, and each shared what he\u2019d heard about the situation east of the Sierras.\u00a0 \u201cI appreciate your coming,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for Sally,\u201d Mark said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I figured that,\u201d Adam chuckled, \u201cbut I\u2019m glad you\u2019re with us, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Folsom, stagecoaches and wagons were waiting to transport the forces to Placerville.\u00a0 Again, Mark and Adam finagled seats together.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think we\u2019ll be in Placerville long enough to see the Zuebners?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to eat somewhere in Placerville,\u201d Mark said.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what arrangements have been made for the military, but you\u2019re not under orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let them leave without me,\u201d Adam said and Mark assured him he would not.<\/p>\n

Not certain how much time he had, Adam hustled down to Mama Zuebner\u2019s Caf\u00e9.\u00a0 Marta was serving in the dining hall when Adam entered and immediately enwrapped him in an embrace.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam,\u201d the flaxen-haired girl cried.\u00a0 \u201cHave you heard?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it awful?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust what\u2019s come over the wire,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cYou know anything specific about our people?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marta shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, and Mama is frantic with worry about Katerina.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam assured the girl.\u00a0 \u201cPa telegraphed after the first attack that everyone was fine.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he meant her, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t heard anything since the big battle, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took Marta\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cNo, but Pyramid Lake is a long way from Katerina\u2019s place, and there\u2019s been no word of female casualties.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019d care about Enos, too!\u201d Marta declared fiercely, then with lowered head and softer voice, \u201cand even that ornery Billy, for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam bit his lip, knowing his fiery-headed friend was impetuous enough to get caught up in an Indian battle.\u00a0 \u201cBilly\u2019s too ornery, even for Indians,\u201d he quipped to alleviate Marta\u2019s fears and disguise his own.<\/p>\n

Marta laughed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the truth!\u00a0 Are you hungry, Adam?\u00a0 Can I bring you something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you can fix quickly,\u201d Adam replied, taking the seat she pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m with the Carson Valley Expedition, and I don\u2019t know how long I have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOxtail stew, bubbling hot,\u201d Marta promised and hurried to the kitchen.<\/p>\n

It was her mother, however, who brought the stew to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou go help my girl?\u201d Ludmilla asked, her German accent still thick even after all her years in America.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMy family, and her, too, Mama Zuebner, but you know my Pa wouldn\u2019t let anything happen to your girl.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYah, Ben protect, I know,\u201d Ludmilla sighed, \u201cand Enos good man, too.\u00a0 You eat up now, need warm food for go to Washoe, yah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure do, and yours is the best,\u201d Adam said and turned his attention to the stew.\u00a0 Before he finished it, however, another Zuebner had rushed in to sit at his table.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are going with the rescue party?\u201d Stef\u00e1n asked.\u00a0 \u201cI, too, wish to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t mind asking Captain Stewart,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cbut I don\u2019t have any influence with him.\u00a0 I\u2019m kind of unofficial myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will go unofficial, too,\u201d Stef\u00e1n insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter grab some of this good grub first,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cWho knows when you\u2019ll see its like again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYah, you speak truth,\u201d Stef\u00e1n said.\u00a0 He hurried to the kitchen and dished up his own stew to save time.<\/p>\n

While he was eating, Marta came back in, carrying a bedroll, rifle and canteen.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a change of clothes in the bedroll,\u201d she explained.\u00a0 \u201cI think that\u2019s all you\u2019ll need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, my sister,\u201d Stef\u00e1n said, giving her soft cheek a tender stroke.\u00a0 \u201cIt is for you, now, to look after our mother.\u00a0 Be a comfort to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marta kissed him on the forehead.\u00a0 \u201cI will, of course.\u00a0 Keep yourself safe.\u201d\u00a0 She moved close to Adam and gave him an identical kiss.\u00a0 \u201cYou, too, Adam,\u201d she whispered, \u201cand keep that fool Billy out of trouble, if you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a big job,\u201d Adam jibed, \u201cbut I\u2019ll try.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stef\u00e1n polished off his stew, and both boys ran to find Captain Stewart.\u00a0 Adam started to salute, then remembering the officer\u2019s opinion of his technique, let his hand drop to his side.\u00a0 \u201cCaptain Stewart,\u201d he said, rushing his words, \u201cThis is Stef\u00e1n Zuebner, a long time friend.\u00a0 He wants to go with the rescue forces, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, young Cartwright,\u201d Stewart chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I told you we weren\u2019t looking for new recruits.\u201d\u00a0 He gave a Stef\u00e1n a closer perusal.\u00a0 \u201cWell, at least, this one is a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam felt his teeth clinch at the slur on his own age, but determined to put his pride aside.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a good man,\u201d Adam said, \u201cand he has family in the valley, too\u2014\u2014a sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, a point in his favor, to be sure,\u201d Captain Stewart mused.\u00a0 \u201cLess likely to desert when there\u2019s a personal interest.\u00a0 You\u2019d be willing to obey orders, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Stef\u00e1n promised immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs it happens, we\u2019ve had two men desert already, somewhere between Folsom and here, so I have two mules available.\u00a0 One I\u2019d already designated for young Cartwright.\u00a0 You may use the other, young man, provided you remember that it is the property of the United States Army.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not take what is not mine,\u201d Stef\u00e1n declared with upraised chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I think you\u2019re a man worth having,\u201d the captain said, shaking Stef\u00e1n\u2019s hand.\u00a0 He pointed down the street.\u00a0 \u201cSee that officer and have him assign you an animal.\u00a0 You, too, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help frowning a bit as he walked down the street beside Stef\u00e1n.\u00a0 He\u2019d never ridden a mule in his life, had, in fact, been contemptuous of the lesser steed.\u00a0 Mules were supposed to be sure-footed on mountain passes, though, and that was undoubtedly why they\u2019d been chosen.<\/p>\n

The wisdom of using mules quickly became apparent as the Carson Valley Expedition began to climb the Sierras.\u00a0 The trail was muddy from thawing snow and the footing for the animals treacherously slippery.\u00a0 By the time the party made camp that evening, Adam had developed a new appreciation for the lowly mule.<\/p>\n

The second day was worse.\u00a0 As they moved further into the mountains, where the temperature was colder, the mud mingled with still-melting snow.\u00a0 No one had time to enjoy the scenic view of the sugar pine and ponderosa forest or, far below, the swift waters of the South Fork of the American River.\u00a0 Each man\u2019s attention was on the mud beneath his mule\u2019s feet as they slid and slithered down the canyon to the river.<\/p>\n

After a brief rest, the party crossed the river on the recently built Brockliss\u2019 Bridge, then headed back up.\u00a0 Mark told Adam he\u2019d overheard the officers saying that they would try to reach the Strawberry Valley House before nightfall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish we could,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a good place to stop, but fighting this mud, we\u2019ll never get that far before sundown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink you should tell Captain Stewart?\u201d Mark suggested.<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNo point, really.\u00a0 He\u2019ll see it soon enough for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was right.\u00a0 When the sun started to set, Captain Stewart needed no one to tell him it was time to make camp, even though they were still four miles from Strawberry Valley.\u00a0 The terrain didn\u2019t invite night travel, especially when, to everyone\u2019s dismay, it began to snow.<\/p>\n

The snow continued the next day, the sharp wind blowing it in the faces of the men as they passed the southeast end of Lake Tahoe and turned east to begin their descent of the Kingsbury Grade.\u00a0 The road now turned away from the Ponderosa, so Adam rode forward to request permission for him and Stef\u00e1n to leave the party and go directly to his home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get the mules back to you,\u201d Adam promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Captain Stewart agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be going to Genoa, then on to Carson City.\u201d\u00a0 He extended his hand and, counting himself privileged, Adam shook it.\u00a0 \u201cYour knowledge of the back country has been very helpful, young man.\u00a0 I trust you\u2019ll find your family unharmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Adam said, fighting down the sudden lump in his throat.\u00a0 Now that he was so close to knowing how his family was, the emotions he\u2019d struggled to control threatened to surge past the protective barriers he\u2019d erected.\u00a0 He wanted\u2014\u2014no, needed\u2014\u2014to get home as soon as possible.\u00a0 He and Stef\u00e1n said good-bye to Mark, assuring him they\u2019d see him in Carson City, and headed northeast as the rest of the party rode away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is the Montgomery cabin?\u201d Stef\u00e1n asked once they were alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s toward Genoa,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut the Ponderosa is closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI must go to Katerina,\u201d Stef\u00e1n declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s getting late,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 \u201cPa will know if Enos and Katerina are all right, so you\u2019ll know sooner if we go to our ranch first.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll show you the way tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good plan,\u201d Stef\u00e1n admitted, although he was disappointed to have to put off seeing his sister another day.\u00a0 Although they had left Placerville only three days earlier, the trip had seemed interminable.<\/p>\n

Adam understood.\u00a0 To him, as well, the journey had lasted an eternity.\u00a0 He kicked his heels against the mule\u2019s flanks to urge the animal on.\u00a0 Stef\u00e1n smiled and followed suit.\u00a0 If only they could have changed the plodding mules for swift steeds!<\/p>\n

Even before they reached the house, Adam felt relieved, for he saw smoke wafting above the pines and smelled the aroma of roasting meat. It was almost supper time, and there were obviously people in the house to eat the meal.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t prove everything was all right, that no one was hurt or worse, but it was a good indication.<\/p>\n

Riding into the Ponderosa yard, Adam slid off the mule, wrapped the reins quickly around the hitching rail and ran for the front door.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t knock, for this was his home.\u00a0 Flinging open the door, he rushed inside and all his questions, all his fears evaporated.\u00a0 Sitting before the fireplace, as he\u2019d seen them so many times, were all the people he loved best.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d he cried, rushing forward.<\/p>\n

Ben stood at once.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 Then he moved swiftly to embrace his son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what are you doing here?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cI told you to stay in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd leave you to face a Paiute war?\u201d Adam demanded hotly.\u00a0 \u201cDid you really think I\u2019d obey an order like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou gonna give him \u2018a very necessary little talk,\u2019 Pa?\u201d Hoss queried, looking up from the hearth, where he was playing Noah\u2019s Ark with Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI just might.\u00a0 He\u2019s been a naughty boy, disobeying his pa this way, but I\u2019m so glad to see him, I may just let him get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me.\u00a0 I do not like to interrupt,\u201d Stef\u00e1n said from the doorway, \u201cbut I must know if Katerina and her husband are well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben moved toward him and clasped his hand warmly.\u00a0 \u201cStef\u00e1n, forgive me!\u00a0 Here I stand making jokes while you\u2019re worrying about your family.\u00a0 They\u2019re fine.\u00a0 None of us were involved in the hostilities, and I assure you, your sister is safe and in good health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stef\u00e1n breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 \u201cAh!\u00a0 That is good news.\u00a0 If only Mama could know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll wire her from Carson City tomorrow,\u201d Ben promised, closing the front door.<\/p>\n

Hop Sing bustled in from the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Adam!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cWhy you not come sooner?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean soon enough so you\u2019d know how many to cook for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat what I mean,\u201d Hop Sing grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cHow I s\u2019posed make dinnah for four feed six, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have every confidence in you, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cSurely, you\u2019re glad to see Adam, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVelly glad,\u201d Hop Sing said, \u201cbut must return to kitchen now, make more food.\u00a0 More mouths make more work.\u201d\u00a0 He departed, mumbling to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d Adam told Stef\u00e1n.\u00a0 \u201cHe really thrives on this kind of challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat he does,\u201d Ben laughed, then clapped Stef\u00e1n on the back.\u00a0 \u201cCome sit down by the fire and tell us all the news of your family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe toddled over to his oldest brother and stared up at the tall young man.\u00a0 Adam, chuckling, picked him up.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t remember me, do you?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

Little Joe nodded seriously.\u00a0 \u201cI \u2018member, Adam,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you?\u201d Adam asked, pleased.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the boy!\u201d\u00a0 He looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cAs for you, I may just disown you for putting that \u2018very necessary little talk\u2019 idea into Pa\u2019s head!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Hoss said, looking sheepish.\u00a0 Adam just laughed and came close enough to tousle his chunky brother\u2019s straight, sandy hair.\u00a0 It was good to be home.<\/p>\n

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

Mark took a moment to steady his hand, then raised it to rap sharply on the door to Dr. Martin\u2019s office.\u00a0 \u201cCome in,\u201d a voice called, and Mark entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe with you in a minute,\u201d the doctor said from behind the curtain that separated the waiting area from the examining room.<\/p>\n

Within minutes Dr. Martin pulled the curtain aside and escorted his previous patient out.\u00a0 His eyes widened with surprise as he recognized his next visitor.\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSally\u2019s at home, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought she would be,\u201d Mark replied, reaching to shake the doctor\u2019s hand, \u201cbut I wanted to see you first, to ask your permission to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see her, of course,\u201d the doctor said.\u00a0 \u201cOr did you have something more in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust to see her for now,\u201d Mark said, reaching into his uniform pocket.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the letter from my father you requested.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what it says, but I believe it\u2019s a favorable report.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping that after you read it, you\u2019ll consent to my courting Sally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust courting?\u201d\u00a0 A smile lifted one corner of the doctor\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

Mark nodded soberly.\u00a0 \u201cFor now.\u00a0 I\u2019m not free to marry her yet, sir.\u00a0 I was concerned for her safety\u2014\u2014and yours\u2014\u2014so I joined the army to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI noticed the uniform.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou understand I have a commitment to fulfill, then, before I\u2019m free to marry Sally?\u201d\u00a0 Mark asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t influence your decision?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you\u2019re a man who honors his commitments?\u201d the doctor laughed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes, that will influence my decision, young man.\u00a0 I would scarcely commit my daughter to your care if you weren\u2019t a man who honors commitments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark smiled, relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, off with you,\u201d the doctor ordered, flinging his hand toward the door.\u00a0 \u201cThis office is for sick people, and while lovesick boys may qualify for medical help, the only prescription that seems to give much relief is better filled elsewhere.\u00a0 Sally has the tonic you need, my boy; go to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s smile widened to a grin and he shook the doctor\u2019s hand firmly in farewell.\u00a0 Then he hurried down the street and knocked on the door to the Martin home.<\/p>\n

In the kitchen, Sally laid down the spoon with which she\u2019d been stirring the pot of soup and came to answer the door.\u00a0 At first she was surprised to see an uniformed officer standing outside, but when he removed his black Kossuth hat, she uttered a cry of joy and threw her arms around the young private.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Mark!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve come.\u00a0 I knew you would; I just knew you would!\u201d\u00a0 She pulled him into the house and, once safe from prying eyes, pressed an impassioned kiss to his lips.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE<\/p>\n

Farewell At Fort O\u2019Riley<\/p>\n

Adam threw up his hands and walked away from the rest of the family, gathered around the fire after a filling dinner.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t understand you, Pa!\u201d he flared.<\/p>\n

Ben strode past the sofa and, grabbing Adam\u2019s shoulder, spun him around.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if you\u2019d try listening, young man, you just might have a better chance of understanding!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, please!\u201d Marie pleaded, turning to face them from the mauve armchair.\u00a0 \u201cPlease do not quarrel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben gave her a curt nod.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not trying to quarrel.\u00a0 I\u2019m trying to explain my position to our hard-headed son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Color flamed into Adam\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d have a better chance if you didn\u2019t keep changing it!\u00a0 You said you didn\u2019t think the Paiutes wanted war.\u00a0 You refused to ride against them the first time, but now you\u2019re planning to fight.\u201d\u00a0 Adam, of course, had been prepared to fight, too, when he first came home, but now that he understood the situation more fully and knew his own family was in no immediate danger, he saw no reason to march against the Paiutes.\u00a0 His father, however, in what seemed to Adam a complete turnabout from the principles by which he\u2019d been raised, was planning to join the volunteer forces assembling in Carson City.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have to, Adam,\u201d Ben argued.<\/p>\n

Adam folded his arms across his chest and demanded, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben faced his son, palms planted on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cHave you been listening at all, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam bristled at being called \u201cboy,\u201d a sure sign of his father\u2019s displeasure.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I have,\u201d he said hotly.\u00a0 \u201cYou said you thought the Paiutes had every right to defend themselves when the settlers attacked them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do believe that,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cI think all those killings could have been avoided if our people had simply gone searching for truth instead of vengeance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it was their own fault they died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s tragically true.\u201d\u00a0 Feeling something brush against his leg, Ben looked down and patted Little Joe\u2019s curly head absently, his attention on his oldest son.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now you\u2019re making the same mistake,\u201d Adam fumed, \u201cby going out to avenge them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVengeance?\u00a0 No!\u201d Ben protested, his face fiery.\u00a0 \u201cI fight for the safety of my family, boy!\u00a0 Don\u2019t you understand that we\u2019re at war now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOther people, not us,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve always gotten along with the Paiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh!\u201d Ben sputtered and stormed a few paces away.\u00a0 \u201cWhat difference does that make now?\u00a0 You expect the Paiutes to pick and choose their targets?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe pattered after him, pulling his father\u2019s pants leg demandingly.\u00a0 He was used to being picked up and held whenever he wanted and didn\u2019t understand why tonight should be any different.<\/p>\n

Again Ben touched the soft, brown curls.\u00a0 \u201cLater, baby,\u201d he said, but, determined to get what he wanted, Little Joe didn\u2019t move.\u00a0 Ben turned to his oldest son.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you see, Adam, in a war people lose sight of past friendships, even of right and wrong.\u00a0 It\u2019s a matter of survival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if a thing\u2019s wrong on principle\u2014\u2014\u201d Adam argued.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrinciple!\u201d Ben shouted, then hearing the insistent whimper at his feet, finally picked up his youngest.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t, however, give the boy the cuddles he craved.\u00a0 Instead, he held him out to his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cLook into this innocent little face, and explain to him why he has to die for your principles, you idealistic schoolboy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBen!\u201d Marie shrieked, rushing to snatch her child away.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben, how could you?\u00a0 How could you use our baby as a pawn in your quarrel?\u00a0 How could you speak of death in front of him?\u201d\u00a0 She hurried back to her chair to soothe the unhappy little boy.<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Marie,\u201d he said. \u00a0\u201cI got carried away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is inexcusable!\u201d she declared hotly, cradling the brown curls against her breast.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re fighting, too!\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cI hate war!\u00a0 It makes everyone fight!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stepped back to the fire and pulled Hoss close.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, that\u2019s what I was trying to say, son.\u00a0 You hate war; I hate war; I\u2019m sure Winnemucca hates war, too.\u00a0 No one except a few fools wants this war, but it\u2019s come to us, against our wills, and if we don\u2019t get this issue settled, it\u2019s the innocent, on both sides, who will suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut fighting, Pa?\u00a0 Do you really think that\u2019s the only way?\u201d Adam pressed.<\/p>\n

Ben looked across at the boy, who no longer seemed angry, but genuinely asking.\u00a0 \u201cI do now,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIt became too late to parley when the Indians had their first taste of victory.\u00a0 Now there are fools among them, too, who believe they really can drive the white men from this territory, and they\u2019ll fight until they\u2019re soundly defeated.\u00a0 It really is them or us at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s face paled to the color of freshly laundered linen, and she clutched her youngster even closer.\u00a0 Seeing her distress, Ben moved swiftly toward her and knelt at her feet.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he soothed.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t let anyone harm our baby.\u201d\u00a0 When Marie turned her face away, he reached out to stroke her golden hair.<\/p>\n

Lower lip outthrust, Little Joe looked up at his father.\u00a0 Ben smiled contritely, patting the little back.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s all right, baby,\u201d he soothed, then glanced at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWould you take your little brother to bed, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie roused quickly.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I will take him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to talk,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure.\u201d\u00a0 Adam took Little Joe from his mother and started toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about me?\u201d Hoss demanded.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna talk to me, too, Pa?\u00a0 I listen better than Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I need to talk to Mama alone, son.\u00a0 You go on to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t my bedtime!\u201d Hoss protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen read in your room!\u201d Ben hollered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve had enough argument for one night, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took one look at his father\u2019s irate face and beat Adam to the stairs.<\/p>\n

Adam entered the nursery through the hall door and, carrying Little Joe to the bureau, set him on top.\u00a0 \u201cWhich drawer is your nightshirt in?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat one,\u201d Little Joe said, leaning over to pat the top drawer.<\/p>\n

\u201cSit still,\u201d Adam ordered, pushing him back.\u00a0 He opened the drawer and pulled out a tiny, pale green garment.\u00a0 Laying it aside temporarily, he began to unbutton his little brother\u2019s dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, why you make Mama cry?\u201d Little Joe asked, his face puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Adam replied, drawing a sleeve from the boy\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s head bobbed emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cUnh huh, Adam.\u00a0 Mama did cry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t make her,\u201d Adam insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThat was Pa\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s mad,\u201d Little Joe murmured, lower lip trembling.<\/p>\n

Adam slipped the nightshirt over the small head.\u00a0 \u201cNot really.\u00a0 We were arguing, but that doesn\u2019t mean Pa\u2019s mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy you argue?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tweaked his brother\u2019s nose.\u00a0 \u201cYou ask too many questions.\u201d\u00a0 He started untying Little Joe\u2019s sturdy, brown shoes.\u00a0 Then, pulling off the Lilliputian socks, he tickled the tiny toes.\u00a0 Little Joe squealed and jerked his feet back so abruptly he almost toppled from his high perch.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d better get you down from there,\u201d Adam said, lifting the child into his crib.\u00a0 \u201cI forgot what a little wiggleworm you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d Little Joe protested, clinging to the rail of his bed.\u00a0 \u201cStory first.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed to the rocking chair by the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cUsed to getting your own way, aren\u2019t you?\u201d Adam muttered, but he carried the boy to the rocker, as ordered, and settled him comfortably in his lap.\u00a0 Seeing the book on the small table by the rocker, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAesop\u2019s Fables<\/em>.\u00a0 I used to read this to Hoss when he was small like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss never small,\u201d Little Joe said, green eyes wide and incredulous.\u00a0 \u201cAlways big.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right; he was big from the start.\u201d\u00a0 He began to read, and the very action brought back memories of those early days when he\u2019d been chief caretaker to motherless Hoss.\u00a0 He\u2019d taken that responsibility seriously, although on most days the most critical decision he\u2019d faced was which fable to read.\u00a0 Adam had been ready, though, to stand between his younger brother and any danger that threatened back then, and he found that same protectiveness welling up within him now, toward the child in his arms.<\/p>\n

Looking into Little Joe\u2019s placid face, free from the concerns of his elders, Adam knew he couldn\u2019t ask a baby to pay the price for a man\u2019s principles.\u00a0 Little ones like this were meant to live carefree and lighthearted.\u00a0 It was what Adam had come home to ensure\u2014\u2014for Little Joe and the rest of his family\u2014\u2014but the peacefulness of the two days he\u2019d been here had made him forget the impulse that had driven him across the Sierras.<\/p>\n

The situation hadn\u2019t changed, though; the threat to his family still existed.\u00a0 The Paiutes weren\u2019t to blame, and it was wrong to ride against them, wrong except for one thing: the little innocent, now sleeping in his lap, wouldn\u2019t be safe in his home until the matter was settled.\u00a0 That was what his father had tried to explain, but holding the baby had persuaded Adam in a way no amount of argument could.\u00a0 As he placed his brother in the crib and gently covered him, he knew, when the time came, he\u2019d be riding at his father\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Downstairs, Ben kissed his wife\u2019s slender fingers.\u00a0 \u201cWe need to discuss how best to provide for your safety while I\u2019m gone,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben,\u201d Marie cried, then forced her trembling lips to smile bravely.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, we must talk of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben rose from his knees and sat on the low table, facing her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d probably be safe enough here at the Ponderosa,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI doubt the Paiutes would come this far, unless things go very badly for us, but with only Adam here to protect you, I\u2019d feel better if you forted up with the other women at the Penrod House in Carson City.\u00a0 I\u2019ve spoken to Enos, and that\u2019s where Katerina will be, and, of course, Nelly and Laura.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Marie said firmly.<\/p>\n

Ben reached for her hand.\u00a0 \u201cMarie, I really must insist.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pulled back.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it is I who will insist.\u00a0 I will not stay here or go to Carson City.\u00a0 I will take our children to Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben drew back and stared at her, puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cBut why?\u00a0 There\u2019d be men to protect you in Carson, men you know and trust, and it would be more enjoyable for you to stay with friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoyable!\u201d\u00a0 Marie erupted from her chair.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think I am concerned with my enjoyment, mon mari<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood and tried to take her in his arms, but, thrusting him away, she walked toward the fire and turned to face him.\u00a0 \u201cVirginia City is on a mountain,\u201d she said, \u201charder for the Indians to reach.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, perhaps,\u201d Ben conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t think they\u2019ll come either place, my love.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think the Paiutes have a chance of withstanding the forces we\u2019re mounting against them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie glared at him, arms akimbo.\u00a0 \u201cSo thought the men who rode to Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 And they were wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t deny it.\u00a0 \u201cYes, but these are trained, military personnel,\u201d he insisted, \u201cnot a ragtag bunch of volunteers.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing Marie cock her head dubiously, Ben shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWell, all right, some of us are untrained volunteers, but this really is a more organized campaign, my love.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be perfectly safe in Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be perfectly safe in Virginia City!\u201d Marie declared with a flounce of her head.\u00a0 \u201cYou have made your decision, and I will not argue with it.\u00a0 But I have decided where I feel safest, and that is where I will take our children!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a knock at the door, and Ben went to answer it.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Stef\u00e1n,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI thought that might be you.\u00a0 Come in, my boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie composed herself quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you might have decided to stay the night with Katerina.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I am sorry to be late,\u201d Stef\u00e1n apologized, \u201cbut there was much to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced over his shoulder at his wife.\u00a0 \u201cYes, much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI offered to take Katerina home, until this trouble is past,\u201d Stef\u00e1n said, \u201cbut she will not leave, so I feel I, too, must fight these savages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be glad to have you, Stef\u00e1n.\u00a0 Katerina is still planning to stay in Carson City?\u201d\u00a0 When Stef\u00e1n said she was, Ben looked at Marie.\u00a0 Seeing her still adamant, he turned back to their guest and said, \u201cMy family will be forting up at Virginia City.\u00a0 We have a couple of days to gather supplies and get the ladies situated.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will be busy ones,\u201d Stef\u00e1n commented.\u00a0 \u201cPlease tell me how I can help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben extended his hand in appreciation, and Stef\u00e1n clasped it resolutely.<\/p>\n

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

The next two days were, as Stef\u00e1n had predicted, busy ones at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 While Marie packed for the children and herself and gathered supplies to be taken to Virginia City, the men, Hoss helping, moved the herd down to the better grass of Washoe Valley.\u00a0 There\u2019d be no one left to watch the stock while they were gone, and Ben had already reconciled himself to the loss of a few head.\u00a0 Captain Joe of the Washo tribe had surrendered nine guns to the authorities at Carson City to demonstrate his people\u2019s peaceful intent.\u00a0 Since then the Washos had kept to the hills, perhaps afraid of being mistaken by people new to the territory for the hostile Paiutes, but, scavengers by heritage, they certainly weren\u2019t above appropriating any stray cattle they found.\u00a0 Ben hoped by moving the cattle further away to suffer fewer losses.<\/p>\n

On the twenty-fourth of May, Ben and his sons hitched the buckboard and loaded it with pillows, sheets, blankets and carpetbags, as well as staple foods.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, tie that steer and the milk cow to the back,\u201d he ordered as he headed toward the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Adam called, then laid a hand on Hoss\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cGive me a hand?\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t really need help, but decided to keep Hoss with him in case his father wanted a private word with Marie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 As he walked with his brother toward the corral, his face screwed with worry.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about Hop Sing, Adam?\u00a0 How come he ain\u2019t goin\u2019 with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna stay with some of his own people, over at Chinatown,\u201d Adam explained.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben entered the front room, where Marie sat by the cold hearth with Little Joe in her lap.\u00a0 \u201cYou ready?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I get his shoes on,\u201d Marie sighed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how he fights wearing shoes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben cupped his youngest son\u2019s chin in his broad palm.\u00a0 \u201cSit still, Little Joe, and let Mama put your shoes on.\u00a0 It\u2019s too cold to go barefoot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways too cold,\u201d Little Joe grumbled.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThis spring it is.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 The overcast sky outside certainly didn\u2019t look like spring, more like the gray haze of a winter day.\u00a0 Ben found himself remembering the horrible weather that had attended the first assault on the Paiutes and prayed this expedition would see nothing like it.\u00a0 The task before them was daunting enough without fighting through mud.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere, done,\u201d Marie announced, patting the sole of her son\u2019s small shoe.\u00a0 Standing, she cast sorrowful eyes around the huge front room.\u00a0 \u201cI feel as if I were abandoning a child,\u201d she murmured.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly put his arm around her shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cThe Ponderosa will be here waiting when we return,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d she asked, emerald eyes misty.<\/p>\n

Ben gave her an encouraging squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cNo one\u2019s ever a hundred percent sure of the future,\u201d he admitted, \u201cbut I don\u2019t think the Indians will bother the house.\u00a0 Most of the raids were east of Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Washo?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s food they\u2019d want.\u00a0 They may take a steer or two, and I even set some flour and cornmeal outside the kitchen door.\u00a0 I think they\u2019re awed enough of the army that they won\u2019t loot our home, Marie, but if we have to, we can start from scratch\u2014\u2014as long as we have each other\u2014\u2014and the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie gave him a brave, though not totally relieved, smile.\u00a0 \u201cWe should leave now.\u201d\u00a0 Nodding, Ben took the little boy and carried him outside.<\/p>\n

As they entered the yard, Marie looked up at the sky and frowned.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think it will rain?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMight, but I\u2019m hoping we\u2019ll reach Virginia City before it does,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

Hoss was already in the buckboard, seated among the supplies, the dog Klamath between his legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, I told you you couldn\u2019t take that dog,\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we can\u2019t leave him, Pa,\u201d Hoss pleaded.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll starve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Hoss,\u201d Ben comforted.\u00a0 \u201cKlamath knows how to scavenge for himself.\u00a0 He\u2019ll probably get fat on rabbits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf them Washos don\u2019t eat him,\u201d Hoss grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ll eat anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d Ben scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cNo self-respecting Washo is going to eat dog when he can have beef.\u201d\u00a0 He lifted Little Joe into the back of the buckboard.\u00a0 \u201cHere, I\u2019ll make you a trade,\u201d he chuckled, picking up the dog and setting it on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome trade,\u201d Hoss grumbled, scowling at his little brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHang onto him,\u201d Ben ordered the older boy, \u201cand keep his shoes on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I\u2019ll try,\u201d Hoss said and shook his finger firmly at Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYou be good, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways good,\u201d Little Joe assured him, plopping down between his brother\u2019s legs and favoring the world with his characteristically angelic smile.<\/p>\n

Knowing the mischief that could hide behind that innocent countenance, Ben chuckled as he helped Marie to the buckboard\u2019s seat and climbed up beside her.\u00a0 \u201cAll set?\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll set,\u201d Adam, already mounted on his sorrel with Ben\u2019s bay on a lead rope, replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll follow, so I can keep an eye on the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do that.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked across the yard, where Stef\u00e1n was tying a steer by a lead rope to his saddle horn.\u00a0 \u201cGod speed, boy,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

Stef\u00e1n acknowledged the farewell with a wave and mounted.\u00a0 For a while he rode beside Adam, but when the Cartwrights turned toward Virginia City, he headed for Carson, towing the steer Ben was donating to the women and children there.\u00a0 Better them than the Washos, Ben had said, so Stef\u00e1n willingly pulled the animal behind him, satisfied that, along with the load of supplies Enos was bringing, his sister and the others barricaded in the Penrod Hotel would have plenty to eat.<\/p>\n

It was past noon when Ben pulled up before Peter O\u2019Riley\u2019s unfinished hotel, one of the few stone buildings in town.\u00a0 He noted that the windows had been bricked up since he\u2019d last visited Virginia City.\u00a0 That would make the fortress safer in case of attack, but it would also make the interior very dark.\u00a0 \u201cThe boys won\u2019t like that,\u201d he muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, nothing,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cThis is where the women and children are staying, Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good, solid building,\u201d Marie remarked.\u00a0 \u201cYes, we will be safe here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, you will,\u201d Ben said, mostly to encourage her.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we\u2019d better get these supplies unloaded.\u201d\u00a0 He lifted his wife to the ground, then reached for Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want down, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said, wrestling against his father\u2019s hold.\u00a0 He\u2019d never been to Virginia City and it looked like a fine place to explore.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll take off if I set you down.\u00a0 You go to Mama.\u201d\u00a0 He plunked the youngster into his mother\u2019s outstretched arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Mrs. Cartwright!\u201d a voice called from the open doorway.\u00a0 \u201cI didnae expect to see you here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie turned and smiled to see a familiar face.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Madame<\/em> Bowers.\u00a0 Oui<\/em>, I convinced Ben this was the safest place for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be sure, to be sure,\u201d Mrs. Bowers cooed, \u201cbut it\u2019s just Eilley, dearie.\u201d\u00a0 She reached for Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cMay I hold the baby?\u201d she asked, her voice almost pleading.<\/p>\n

Little Joe went to her willingly, for he was the kind of child who never met a stranger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, what a fine, big boy,\u201d Eilley gushed.<\/p>\n

Little Joe beamed, liking his new friend better by the minute.\u00a0 No one had ever called him big before, and it sounded good.<\/p>\n

Looking at Marie, Eilley giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI know I take on over bairns, but I\u2019ve always loved them and wished I had some of me ain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you will, now that you and Monsieur<\/em> Bowers have married,\u201d Marie said sympathetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod willing,\u201d Eilley said.\u00a0 \u201cWell, come in, dearie, and let me show you around Ft.O\u2019Riley.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing that his wife was in good hands, Ben turned his attention to unloading the wagon.\u00a0 Adam, having already dismounted and tied the horses up, was ready to help him.\u00a0 Hoss, strong enough to lift all but the 100-lb. sack of flour, stayed to help, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s dark in here,\u201d Eilley was explaining to Marie inside the hotel, \u201cbut I, for one, welcome solid walls between me and those murdering savages.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie murmured, shivering.<\/p>\n

A thin woman with sharp, angular features, came forward.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy doo,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Mrs. Tilton, Mrs. J. H. Tilton,\u201d she added with a proud uptilting of her chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMadame<\/em> Tilton?\u00a0 It is a pleasure to meet you,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI am Madame<\/em> Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMadame<\/em>?\u201d Mrs. Tilton repeated, obviously unfamiliar with that term of address.<\/p>\n

Eilley laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have to get used to Marie\u2019s French ways, Mrs. Tilton.\u00a0 She\u2019s from New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even in the dim light, Marie could see Mrs. Tilton stiffen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Mrs. Tilton murmured.\u00a0 \u201cAnother one of them<\/em>.\u201d \u00a0An infant\u2019s cry resounded through the room.\u00a0 \u201cExcuse me,\u201d Mrs. Tilton said pointedly.\u00a0 \u201cI must see to my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you have a\u2014\u2014\u201d Marie began, but the woman was gone, drawing her skirts close to her body.\u00a0 Marie turned puzzled eyes on Eilley Orrum Bowers.\u00a0 \u201cDid I offend in some way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eilley set Little Joe down and took Marie\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t do a thing, dearie.\u00a0 That Tilton woman is a little high on herself, is all.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned close to Marie\u2019s ear.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s another Frenchwoman here.\u00a0 I fear Mrs. High-and-Mighty Tilton takes a dim view of French folk, thanks to her.\u00a0 She\u2019s a\u2014\u2014well, a woman men visit of an evening.\u00a0 Name\u2019s Julia Bulette.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Marie said, her voice gentle, uncondemning.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Little Joe, freed of the restraint of watchful women, had ambled across the room in search of whatever was making that crying sound.\u00a0 He came up to the cradle and peeked inside.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s little,\u201d he murmured in wonderment, having never before seen a child smaller than himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, she\u2019s little, child.\u00a0 She\u2019s a baby, just seven and a half weeks old,\u201d Mrs. Tilton said, lifting her daughter from the small bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u00a0 I\u2019m three,\u201d Little Joe said sociably.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you are.\u00a0 Go back to your mother now, child,\u201d Mrs. Tilton said brusquely.\u00a0 \u201cI have to feed my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought food,\u201d Little Joe offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot the kind she eats.\u00a0 Run along, child.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeing nothing more to explore in this corner, Little Joe decided to comply.\u00a0 He spotted Hoss, carrying a sack of dried beans, and trotted up to him.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a baby here, Hoss\u2014\u2014a real baby,\u201d he informed his brother earnestly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s good,\u201d Hoss said, dumping the beans in the corner with all the other supplies.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have someone to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cToo little.\u00a0 You want me help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss just laughed and tousled Little Joe\u2019s curly hair before heading outside for another load.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes Ben came up to Marie.\u00a0 \u201cThe supplies are unloaded.\u00a0 If you\u2019ll tell me where you plan to bed down, I\u2019ll have the boys bring the bedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can have your pick of rooms,\u201d Eilley Bowers laughed.\u00a0 \u201cNo doors on \u2018em and no beds, either, but there\u2019s plenty of rooms for each family to have their own.\u00a0 You dinnae have to sleep on the bare floor, though.\u00a0 Some of the miners that hightailed it for California left their mattresses behind, and we confiscated them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI hear it\u2019s done in time of war, ladies, and I\u2019m sure those miners wouldn\u2019t begrudge you the use of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eilley giggled back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they looked pretty disreputable when we first got them, but we\u2019ve aired them out good and stuffed them full of fresh straw.\u00a0 You shouldn\u2019t find any lice, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shuddered.\u00a0 Seeing that, Ben leaned close to her ear.\u00a0 \u201cI can still take you to Carson; just say the word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take the first empty room I find, if you wish to follow me with the sheets and blankets.\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly, she spun around.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is Little Joe?\u201d she cried sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cGetting under Hoss\u2019s feet,\u201d Ben responded dryly.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry; Hoss will watch him.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Mrs. Bowers.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t officially volunteered yet.\u00a0 Do you know who I need to see, Eilley?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJack Hays, who used to be with the Texas Rangers, is overall leader,\u201d Eilley replied, \u201cbut the Virginia Rifles report to Captain Storey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s probably who I should see,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you will be back, won\u2019t you?\u201d Marie asked shakily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t leave without saying good-bye,\u201d he promised, placing a light kiss on her cheek.<\/p>\n

As he went to get the bedding, Eilley gave the younger woman a reassuring smile.\u00a0 \u201cDinnae fret, dearie.\u00a0 I dinnae think anyone\u2019s marching out until tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, it would make no sense to leave so late in the day,\u201d Marie conceded.\u00a0 \u201cI am being foolish.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy to do when you\u2019re worried,\u201d Eilley offered generously.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you and these youngsters settled in.\u201d\u00a0 She took a lantern and headed down the dark hallway.\u00a0 \u201cThis room do?\u201d she asked, holding the light so Marie could see inside.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s right next to mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, it will be good to be near a friend,\u201d Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, but there are only two mattresses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo problem,\u201d Eilley laughed.\u00a0 \u201cWe can haul another one or two in.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at Hoss, who was coming up the hall with a pillow under each arm and a small boy at his heels.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe this hefty lad would help me do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cHow many you want, Mama?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one, I suppose,\u201d Marie mused.\u00a0 \u201cOnly\u2014\u2014are there any men here, Madame<\/em> Bowers?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEilley, dearie,\u201d the older woman reminded, handing her the lantern.\u00a0 \u201cSandy\u2019s staying the night with me.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure it\u2019s fine if your menfolk do the same.\u00a0 Just Ben and the oldest boy, right, besides these two?\u201d\u00a0 When Marie nodded, Eilley held her hand toward Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see what we can find, shall we, boy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2019m,\u201d Hoss agreed readily.<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannae quite recall your name,\u201d she said as they went down the hall to another room, \u201cbut I remember it being something unusual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s Hoss,\u201d her companion replied, \u201cand my baby brother is Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a baby,\u201d a petulant voice right behind Hoss declared.<\/p>\n

Hoss spun around.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you doin\u2019 here?\u00a0 You should stay with Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna help,\u201d Little Joe pouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou aren\u2019t big enough to help,\u201d Hoss said emphatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Eilley said.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll not be any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Course, he will,\u201d Hoss grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cHe always is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not to me,\u201d Eilley laughed.\u00a0 \u201cCome here, sweetie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe gave his brother a triumphant grin and sidled up to Mrs. Bowers.<\/p>\n

The trio returned, Hoss and Eilley each dragging a narrow mattress, while Little Joe wove in and out between their legs.\u00a0 \u201cI told you he\u2019d be trouble,\u201d Hoss observed dourly.<\/p>\n

When they reached the Cartwright chamber, Ben and Adam quickly moved to take the bulky load from the smaller bearers.\u00a0 As soon as the mattresses were laid on the floor, Little Joe pounced on one.\u00a0 \u201cMine,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, get up from there,\u201d Ben scolded.<\/p>\n

Eilley laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIn a mining community it pays to stake your claim early.\u00a0 You know that, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not raising miners,\u201d Ben stated bluntly.\u00a0 \u201cMove, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe cocked his head in a beseeching attitude.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sleepy, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, by all means, put him to bed,\u201d Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll get into less mischief that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a point,\u201d Ben admitted.\u00a0 \u201cLet Mama put the sheets on first, son.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe obligingly rolled off into the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d better get our horses down to the livery,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cYou tell Captain Storey I\u2019m joining up, too, okay, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, okay,\u201d Ben mumbled.\u00a0 He still felt disgruntled about Adam\u2019s decision to ride with the volunteer militia.\u00a0 Ben had assumed his son would stay behind to protect Marie and the boys, but Adam had countered that he\u2019d do a better job of that by keeping the Paiutes away from town.\u00a0 It was an argument Ben found hard to dispute, since it was the reason he himself was volunteering.\u00a0 He could, of course, have ordered Adam to remain in town, where he\u2019d be safer, but that would have been treating him like a child when Adam, like his friend Billy, obviously considered himself a man.<\/p>\n

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

Ben yawned and rolled to his side, then after a few moments sat up and began to pull on his boots.\u00a0 In the windowless hotel room, he couldn\u2019t tell whether it was still night or if morning had finally come, but it was pointless to try to sleep.\u00a0 Not only were the straw mattresses lumpy, but that baby down the hall was crying again, as she had, off and on, throughout the night.\u00a0 As a result, his own baby boy had wakened repeatedly and made his dissatisfaction known with pitiable whimpers.\u00a0 Little Joe was sleeping soundly between his parents now, however, so Ben moved cautiously, not wanting to disturb him or anyone else.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u00a0 Ben, is it morning?\u201d a groggy voice whispered.<\/p>\n

Ben leaned across the little boy and kissed his wife\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Can\u2019t tell in here.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna step outside and get my bearings.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Marie murmured and sank sleepily into her pillow.<\/p>\n

Suspecting he could have seen his own breath, had the light been better, Ben shivered as he felt his way down the dark hall.\u00a0 It had been an unseasonably cold spring, and the only heat in the hotel came from the cookstove installed in the lobby.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t envy Marie her stay in these accommodations.\u00a0 Dark, cold, poor bedding and noisy youngsters.\u00a0 Those were the kind of conditions that could grow old fast.<\/p>\n

Ben quickly forgot his wife\u2019s problems as he stepped outside and felt the frosty air bite his cheeks.\u00a0 The sun was just beginning to come up, and against the pale golden glow in the east he could see flutters of white crystal floating earthward.\u00a0 He groaned and cast suppliant eyes heavenward, wondering if God was so opposed to what the white men were planning that He\u2019d once again sent intolerable weather to hinder them.<\/p>\n

Alone on the street, Ben prayed.\u00a0 Dear God, punish me if You must, but not my wife, not my boys.\u00a0 If it was a mistake to settle here, the mistake was mine, not theirs.\u00a0 They only followed where I led.\u00a0 If there\u2019s a price to be paid, let me pay it\u2014\u2014not Adam, even though he marches with me, and, dear God, especially not these innocents who stay behind.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply and felt peace settle in his bosom.\u00a0 Confident his prayer had been heard and would be answered as a loving God saw fit, he turned and walked back to the room where his family slept.<\/p>\n

Adam stirred as he came in.\u00a0 \u201cPa, is it time?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust about,\u201d Ben said softly.\u00a0 \u201cYou might as well get up\u2014\u2014and dress warm, son; it\u2019s snowing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Understanding the problems bad weather could create, Adam moaned.\u00a0 \u201cBad?\u201d he asked, throwing the covers back.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cJust enough to muddy things up.\u201d<\/p>\n

After an early breakfast Adam hurried down to the livery and sloshed back through the mud, leading the two horses.\u00a0 The rest of the family stepped outside just as he arrived to say their good-byes.\u00a0 Ben had scooped Little Joe up at the last minute, hopeful of keeping him, at least, out of the mud.\u00a0 \u201cGood-bye, little son,\u201d Ben whispered, poi-gnantly hugging the child close.\u00a0 \u201cBe a good boy; mind Mama and brother Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna go with you, Pa,\u201d Little Joe lisped.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re too small for a soldier,\u201d Ben said and kissed the boy\u2019s cheek before handing him to his oldest brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, Adam,\u201d Little Joe said, pouting.\u00a0 It seemed to him that Adam always got to ride off with Pa, while he never did.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye, baby.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stroked the little one\u2019s soft curls, wondering if he\u2019d ever see him again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a baby,\u201d Little Joe declared, kicking Adam\u2019s ribs.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen what a real baby looked like\u2014\u2014and sounded like\u2014\u2014and didn\u2019t appreciate being put in the same category with noisy little Miss Tilton.<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cYou behave yourself or I\u2019ll drop you in the mud.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Little Joe said, all smiles again, and Adam had to laugh at himself for threatening a little boy with a mud puddle.\u00a0 Mud puddles, he remembered from his years of tending Hoss, were the natural habitat of youngsters this size.<\/p>\n

Ben had turned next to his second son, giving him a hearty hug.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m counting on you to watch over Mama and your little brother, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss squared his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll look after \u2018em real good.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t no Paiutes gonna touch \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr you, either,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re safe here, son, but it\u2019ll be hard to stay cooped up in that hotel.\u00a0 Not much to do, so you help keep Little Joe amused, all right?\u00a0 That\u2019ll be the biggest help you could be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI brung my Noah\u2019s Ark for him,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I know.\u00a0 That was a good idea.\u00a0 Say good-bye to your brother now, while I have a word with Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie came at once into his outstretched arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, mon mari<\/em>, I wish you did not have to go,\u201d she murmured, leaning against his breast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish that, too, my love, but you know I must.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie blinked back the mist in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>.\u00a0 If it were not for the children, I would ride at your side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would not,\u201d Ben stated firmly.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t allow it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie lowered her eyes in demure submission, but when she looked up again, a spark of mischief glittered in the emerald orbs.\u00a0 \u201cWell, this, at least, you shall take to remember me by.\u201d\u00a0 She circled his chest with her arms, lifted her lips and kissed him with lingering fervor.<\/p>\n

A few feet away, Mrs. Tilton saw the kiss and sniffed haughtily.\u00a0 \u201cOf all the unladylike displays,\u201d she ranted, \u201cexhibiting her lust like that on a public street.\u00a0 She\u2019s no better than that Bulette woman!\u201d<\/p>\n

J. H. Tilton nodded, for he knew better than to argue with his strongly opinioned wife.\u00a0 As he watched the Cartwrights\u2019 farewell, however, he couldn\u2019t help wishing his own wife\u2019s cold kiss on the cheek had held a little more of the passion he saw expressed between Ben and Marie.<\/p>\n

Standing apart from the others was Julia Bulette, oblivious to the snowflakes, laughing and waving as the miners marched past.\u00a0 The civilian soldiers, many of whom had sampled the entertainment she provided for a price, blew back kisses in return and promised to defend her to the last man.\u00a0 When the last one passed, however, Julia walked back toward the hotel, knowing that no man could defend her from the hostility within those walls.\u00a0 Among men, she was in her element, but there were no men at Ft.O\u2019Riley.\u00a0 God preserve me from the righteous indignation of decent women<\/em>, she thought, then laughed bitterly.\u00a0 Since when had God taken note of the likes of her?<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FORTY<\/p>\n

Long Days, Restless Nights<\/p>\n

Little Joe made the final pair of animals climb the ramp into Noah\u2019s Ark, then frowned.\u00a0 It seemed to him that everyone at Ft.O\u2019Riley was paired off like the animals\u2014\u2014everyone except him.\u00a0 Mama and the ladies were in one corner of the lobby talking recipes and dress patterns.\u00a0 Hoss had found a boy nearer his own age to play with, and that left Little Joe with no one but that squalling Tilton baby, who let loose her annoying bellows at any time of the day or night she chose.\u00a0 Little Joe considered playing by himself better than keeping company with her, but he was not a child who liked being alone.<\/p>\n

For a moment he considered plopping himself in Miss Eilley\u2019s lap.\u00a0 Miss Eilley liked children and always seemed ready to pet and pat him, but she was busy talking lady talk now, so he probably couldn\u2019t get a story out of her.\u00a0 Scanning the room for possibilities, the little boy\u2019s sharp eyes fell on the one other person not paired off.\u00a0 Being alone wasn\u2019t good, he concluded.\u00a0 Even Noah\u2019s animals knew that, but there were two people sitting by themselves in this room.\u00a0 Little Joe decided, with his characteristic impulsiveness, to correct the situation.<\/p>\n

The youngster ambled over to the lady seated by herself in one corner of the lobby and, putting on his most charming smile, said, \u201cMy name\u2019s Little Joe.\u00a0 What\u2019s yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

The woman laughed lightly.\u00a0 \u201cI am Julia, petit garc<\/em>on<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s smile broadened.\u00a0 \u201cYou talk like Mama.\u00a0 You know any stories?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Julia said softly, tenderly touching the golden brown curl on the boy\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

Little Joe promptly appropriated her lap.\u00a0 \u201cTell one,\u201d he demanded and flashed his endearing smile once more.\u00a0 With a tinkling laugh, Julia complied.<\/p>\n

From across the room Mrs. Tilton saw the little boy climb into the harlot\u2019s lap, and immediately her spine stiffened.\u00a0 \u201cWell, really!\u201d she declared.\u00a0 The other ladies in the circle raised questioning eyes to her face.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, it\u2019s no concern of mine,\u201d Mrs. Tilton observed haughtily, \u201cbut I certainly wouldn\u2019t allow a child of mine to consort with that hussy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though her back was to the open room, Marie knew instinctively whose child was meant.\u00a0 She turned and saw Little Joe cuddling up to Julia Bulette.\u00a0 \u201cI am sure she means him no harm,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u201cThe long hours in the dark are hard on the little ones.\u00a0 It is kind of her to amuse him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, really,\u201d Mrs. Tilton huffed.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, if you want him to develop a taste for her kind of amusement\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie flushed deeply, and fire sparked in her eyes as she stood.\u00a0 \u201cI do not, of course, wish him to disturb Mademoiselle<\/em> Bulette.\u201d\u00a0 With a flounce of her skirt in Mrs. Tilton\u2019s direction, she headed across the room.<\/p>\n

Little Joe smiled happily when he saw his mother.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Julie\u2019s telling me a story, Mama.\u00a0 Wanna hear it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie touched the top of his head lovingly, but her eyes turned with concern to Julia Bulette.\u00a0 \u201cIs my little boy bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Little Joe protested indignantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe, do not interrupt when your elders are speaking,\u201d his mother admonished.<\/p>\n

Little Joe stuck out his lower lip.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard that instruction before, and it seemed to him a most unfair one.\u00a0 Everybody was his elder, and if he couldn\u2019t ever interrupt one, he might as well give up talking altogether.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he is no bother,\u201d Julia said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI am glad of his company, Madame<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you need not sit here alone.\u00a0 Come join us nearer the fire,\u201d Marie suggested.<\/p>\n

Julia gave her a bittersweet smile.\u00a0 \u201cMerci<\/em>, Madame<\/em>, but I do not think I would find a warm welcome there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMay I join you then?\u201d\u00a0 When Julia did not respond, she sat on the floor beside her.\u00a0 \u201cParlez-vous franc<\/em>ais<\/em>?\u201d Marie asked, tilting her head to examine the other woman\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui.\u00a0 Je suis de New Orleans, Madame<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s silvery laugh rang out.\u00a0 \u201cYou are not French, Mademoiselle<\/em> Bulette\u2014\u2014at least, not by birth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia raised questioning eyes to her companion\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cBut why do you say this, Madame<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I am French, Mademoiselle<\/em> Julie.\u00a0 Vous parlez tr\u00e9s bien, mais l\u2019accent<\/em>\u201d\u2014\u2014lifting fingers to her lips, Marie giggled.\u00a0 \u201cI have heard worse,\u201d she said, thinking of Camilla Larrimore\u2019s appalling accent, \u201cbut it is not that of a true Frenchwoman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia laughed, too, then.\u00a0 \u201cI see there\u2019s no fooling the genuine article.\u00a0 No, I\u2019m English by birth, a Londoner, but I did live a long time in New Orleans, and using the language adds allure to my\u2014\u2014uh, my\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProfession?\u201d Marie suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry, Madame<\/em>,\u201d Julia said with genuine contrition.\u00a0 \u201cI should not speak of that to a woman of your class\u2014\u2014and certainly not before an innocent child.\u201d<\/p>\n

The \u201cinnocent child\u201d had refrained from interrupting as long as he could.\u00a0 Now he pulled urgently at Julia\u2019s sleeve.\u00a0 \u201cFinish the story, please,\u201d he urged, alternating his pleading looks between his mother and his new friend.<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps you should.\u00a0 Then we will be able to speak in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Madame<\/em>,\u201d Julia protested.\u00a0 \u201cYou should give thought to your reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laid a gentle hand on Julia\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI, too, know what it is to feel the scorn of women, and those whose respect I value will not think less of me because I speak with you.\u00a0 Please finish your story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d Little Joe begged.\u00a0 Both women laughed and, giving the little boy a squeeze, Julia launched back into her tale.<\/p>\n

Across the room Mrs. Tilton sniffed.\u00a0 \u201cGone back to her own kind, I see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, she\u2019s a good woman, to my knowledge, and her husband is quite prominent, one of our oldest settlers,\u201d Eilley defended.\u00a0 \u201cBut she\u2019s young and evidently doesn\u2019t understand the value of proper social connections.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed not!\u201d Mrs. Tilton affirmed.<\/p>\n

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

Adam filled two tin cups with coffee and handed one to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, son,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 He took a sip and his lip curled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019ve had better, but it\u2019s hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Squatting beside him, Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou could say the same for the food, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLost your taste for trail food, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sneered eloquently.\u00a0 \u201cLost that back in \u201950, coming across the plains.\u00a0 Too bad we couldn\u2019t bring Hop Sing along, huh?\u00a0 Now, that would be good trail grub!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re camped close to him tonight.\u201d\u00a0 The volunteers had marched all day, cheered by citizens lining the road down Gold Canyon, and finally had set up camp at Miller\u2019s Ranch.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you trot over to Chinatown and suggest he sign on as cook?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a long draught of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNot anxious to end up in the stewpot for meat, that\u2019s why.\u201d\u00a0 Tired of squatting, he finally gave up and sat down in the chilly mud.\u00a0 \u201cYou think this rotten weather will ever end, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 All day, as they\u2019d marched down the steep slope from Virginia City, a light snow had fallen, melting into slick, slippery mud as soon as it touched the ground.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d bet against it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked west.\u00a0 \u201cMake it hard for the others to catch up, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Ben admitted, then smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u00a0 Billy\u2019ll be here in time for the action.\u00a0 That\u2019s a surer bet than the weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I was thinking of him.\u00a0 Stef\u00e1n and Mark, too.\u00a0 They\u2019ll all come together, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d make for safer travel,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut I\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSlower travel, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 Both with the Carson Valley Expedition and with the militia today, he\u2019d seen how much more slowly a body of men moved than a man alone.\u00a0 Why, an Express rider like Billy could cover the ground they\u2019d crossed today in a couple of hours, but with more than five hundred men marching, the twelve miles had taken the entire day.<\/p>\n

Hearing commotion somewhere down the camp, Adam\u2019s head jerked up.\u00a0 \u201cWonder what that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s brow furrowed.\u00a0 \u201cSounds like someone\u2019s angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna check it out,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful,\u201d Ben cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t get caught in the middle of someone else\u2019s quarrel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stood and slapped the mud from his britches.\u00a0 \u201cSort of why we\u2019re here, isn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t been able to resist the jab, but the hard look his father gave him made him wish he\u2019d kept the thought to himself.\u00a0 Though Adam had finally decided to join the militia, he still couldn\u2019t help thinking that he and his father were mixing in with other men\u2019s quarrels with the Paiutes.<\/p>\n

He walked toward the sound of the angry voices and before long saw Colonel Hays standing between a group of settlers on one side and a company of volunteers from Sacramento on the other.\u00a0 \u201cBring it back,\u201d Hays shouted to the volunteers.\u00a0 \u201cEvery last blanket, gun and animal.\u00a0 We\u2019re here to protect these people, not steal from them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Adam whispered to a man maybe three years older than himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Sacramento company\u2019s been gatherin\u2019 up supplies from the settlers all along the road,\u201d the youth replied.\u00a0 \u201cSettlers showed up and raised a huff about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t blame them,\u201d Adam grunted.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t take a man\u2019s goods without leave in these parts.\u00a0 Vigilantes have been called out for less.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other fellow nodded.\u00a0 \u201cTrue enough.\u00a0 We might need more supplies before this is over, but most of us brought our own gear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Piece by piece, the Sacramento company brought rifles, pistols, food and blankets and piled them at Hays\u2019 feet.\u00a0 Horses and mules, too, were led up and ropes and reins handed to the citizens of the territory.\u00a0 \u201cIs that all?\u201d Hays demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the food was et already,\u201d a Sacramento man admitted, \u201cbut what\u2019s left is all there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hays turned to the citizens\u2019 representatives.\u00a0 \u201cMy apologies, gentlemen.\u00a0 If you\u2019ll tell me the value of the missing food, I\u2019ll pay for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need,\u201d one of the leaders replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t begrudge them a little food.\u00a0 Could have had that for the asking, but when you start taking a man\u2019s livestock and the weapons he needs to protect his family, it\u2019s another story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hays said.\u00a0 \u201cAgain, you have my apologies.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to the men from Sacramento.\u00a0 \u201cYou, sirs, have my contempt.\u00a0 We don\u2019t need volunteers of your caliber.\u00a0 Your company is dismissed.\u00a0 I suggest you start back to Sacramento at first light.\u201d\u00a0 The men from Sacramento erupted with loud protests.<\/p>\n

Shaking his head, Adam walked back toward his bedroll.\u00a0 It seemed incongruous to him to be marching against Indians when the white men couldn\u2019t keep peace among themselves for even one day.\u00a0 He agreed with Hays\u2019 decision to dismiss the pillagers, but if the militia kept losing men at this rate, there\u2019d be no one left to fight by the time they reached PyramidLake.<\/p>\n

Ben scoffed at the concern when Adam expressed it.\u00a0 \u201cWe have fifteen separate companies of volunteers,\u201d he said, \u201cnot to mention the regular army.\u00a0 Spy Company, Sierra Guards, Nevada Rifles, Truckee Rangers, Carson Rifles and more, not to mention our own Virginia Rifles.\u00a0 Oh, there\u2019s plenty of men for an outright massacre, but I pray God that\u2019s not what it turns out to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Marie stepped through the front door of the hotel and took a deep breath.\u00a0 After the close confinement all day, the evening air was refreshingly cool on her cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me, ma\u2019am,\u201d a man\u2019s voice called from across the street, \u201cbut you folks are supposed to stay inside.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMonsieur, s\u2019il vous plait<\/em>,\u201d Marie implored.<\/p>\n

A slender hand rested lightly on her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cLet me handle him,\u201d Julia Bulette offered.\u00a0 Sauntering across the street, she spoke cajolingly to the miner, then motioned Marie forward.\u00a0 \u201cI promised him we\u2019d stay in sight,\u201d she told Marie, \u201cbut we\u2019ll stretch our legs a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerci<\/em>,\u201d Marie whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI could not tolerate those four walls a moment longer.\u00a0 I do not think there is danger, do you?\u00a0 The Paiutes would not attack at night, would they?\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t know, but I figure there\u2019s enough men between them and us that we\u2019d get a little warning.\u00a0 Enough to risk a moonlight stroll, I think.\u201d\u00a0 She hooked her arm through the crook of Marie\u2019s elbow.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThere is not much moon to light our path tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia laughed again.\u00a0 \u201cOui<\/em>, that is true.\u00a0 Still, it\u2019s more light than we\u2019ve seen all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking of the dark hotel, Marie shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI should have listened to my husband.\u00a0 He wanted us to go to Carson City, where we would be among friends, but I let my fears rule my head.\u201d\u00a0 She looked quickly up at Julia.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I did not mean to say you are not a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMadame<\/em>, you need not apologize,\u201d Julia replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not the right kind of friend for a woman like you.\u00a0 Surely, you\u2019ve seen the way the others are looking at you since you started talking to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI have seen such looks before.\u00a0 They hurt, of course, but not so much as when I faced them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou said something about knowing the scorn of women before,\u201d Julia said.\u00a0 \u201cIn New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie nodded and began to relate the history of her first marriage to Jean D\u2019Marigny, his mother\u2019s plot to brand her, without justification, an adulteress and Ben\u2019s defense of her honor in a duel beneath the oaks outside New Orleans.\u00a0 She was surprised to find herself speaking so freely of those painful days.\u00a0 Even to her closest friends, she had not disclosed the full story, sensing that it lay too far outside their experience for them to understand.\u00a0 With this woman, however, who had also known the contempt of decent women, she found herself opening at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Julia sighed as Marie described Ben\u2019s proposal and their subsequent marriage, \u201cit is the kind of fairy tale ending all women such as I yearn for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie touched her new friend\u2019s arm gently.\u00a0 \u201cThere are not many like my Ben,\u201d she said, \u201cbut perhaps for you, too, there is somewhere a handsome prince out of a fairy tale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia\u2019s laugh was bitter.\u00a0 \u201cI have met no princes in Virginia City\u2014\u2014or elsewhere.\u00a0 No, Madame<\/em>, I suspect my life will have a far less romantic ending.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I shall pray you do find such a prince,\u201d Marie vowed sincerely.\u00a0 \u201cI do not know what brought you to the kind of life you now live, but I think you deserve better, mon amie<\/em>.\u00a0 You have a kind and loving heart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia flushed with an emotion she had felt certain could no longer touch her hardened defenses.\u00a0 \u201cYou are too generous, Madame<\/em>,\u201d she murmured, then tossed her head as if to shake loose unwelcome thoughts.\u00a0 \u201cWe should return.\u00a0 We are straying a bit far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>,\u201d Marie agreed with a sigh.\u00a0 She and Julia turned and began retracing their steps.\u00a0 Neither was eager to rejoin the polite society of Ft.O\u2019Riley.\u00a0 To those under its judgement, that society felt as much like a battleground as any to which the men were marching.<\/p>\n

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

Friday was spent in camp receiving commissary stores and complaining about their quality.\u00a0 The next morning Ben, Adam and the other volunteers woke at daybreak and before they\u2019d traveled a mile felt their faces pelted with a mixture of rain and sleet that slowed their progress even more than their first day\u2019s march.\u00a0 After going only eight miles, they made camp near Reed\u2019s Station.\u00a0 Hays refused to waste the remaining daylight, however.\u00a0 He sent one man, Michael Bushy, out as scout to see if there were any sign of Paiutes between there and Williams\u2019 Station, then began to drill the other \u201csoldiers\u201d of the Washoe Regiment on the sagebrush flat near the Carson River.<\/p>\n

Though he hated marching in the mud, Ben welcomed the training, both for himself and for Adam.\u00a0 Ben had done some fighting against other men in his years at sea, but none like what they\u2019d face soon; Adam, of course, had no experience whatever; and while some of the other men boasted loudly, Ben suspected they were as untried as he and his son.\u00a0 \u201cFrankly, I\u2019ll rest easier when the regular army joins us,\u201d he whispered to Adam when they broke ranks for the evening meal at the camp the men had affectionately dubbed Fort Hays after their commander-in-chief.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 He\u2019d had a chance to watch the Carson Valley Expedition on their march across the mountains and hadn\u2019t been able to ignore the difference between them and the volunteers struggling to act like soldiers here.\u00a0 The sooner they had trained men among them to lead the way, the better.<\/p>\n

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

Sitting on her straw mattress in their cubicle at the hotel, Marie rocked Little Joe to soothe him back to sleep.\u00a0 The drumming of raindrops and pellets of sleet on the roof had kept everyone on edge throughout the day and made impossible the youngster\u2019s regular nap.\u00a0 As she crooned a soft lullaby, Marie found her thoughts straying to Ben and Adam, who had no shelter from this icy downpour.\u00a0 \u201cGod keep them,\u201d she prayed in her heart, \u201cfrom the Paiutes and from catching their deaths of cold in this dampness.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Adam dragged his hand across his nose.\u00a0 The rain had finally stopped sometime during the night, but the wind was still so cold, so laden with moisture, that it made his eyes water and his nose drip.\u00a0 Looking across at his father, he saw Ben, too, bring his hand to his nose.\u00a0 To pass the time and keep his mind off other worries, Adam began to count men wiping their noses.\u00a0 He and Pa weren\u2019t alone; in fact, most of the men seemed to be suffering the same symptoms.<\/p>\n

A dripping nose was nothing to complain about, however, not when one considered the likely fate of Michael Bushy.\u00a0 The scout hadn\u2019t returned to Camp Hays and the further the volunteers rode, the less likely it seemed that they\u2019d run across anything but a dead body.\u00a0 Hays had sent out Warren Wasson as their new scout, and Adam didn\u2019t envy the man his job.\u00a0 Riding alone into hostile country was a good way to demonstrate your bravery; it was also a good way to get yourself killed, as Michael Bushy evidently had.\u00a0 By the time they made camp that evening, they\u2019d still seen no trace of the scout.<\/p>\n

The Washoe Regiment broke camp before dawn the next morning.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t raining, but the air was cold and damp.\u00a0 Eyes still watered, noses still ran, and misery prevailed as the men marched through Carson Canyon, barren bluffs above them and stands of cottonwood, aspen and willow at their sides.<\/p>\n

The forces kept up a steady march throughout the day, pressing on even after the sun began to set.\u00a0 As they moved past Buckland\u2019s Station, Ben remembered watching Clyde and Nelly sadly embrace each other there, grieving over the son they were sure they\u2019d lost.\u00a0 Fear gripped his heart as he thought that he might be the one straining his eyes for sight of a son this time.\u00a0 He\u2019d have to keep an eye out for Billy, too, since Clyde was still too hampered by his shoulder injury to ride with the Carson Rifles this time.\u00a0 Then there were Stef\u00e1n and Mark, sons of dear friends.\u00a0 All in all, there were just too many people to fear for on this expedition, and in the midst of a battle a man had little control over any of their fates.\u00a0 As they crossed Big Meadows and forded the Carson River, Ben did the only thing he knew that would help: he commended the lives of all his friends and loved ones into the hands of God.<\/p>\n

Thinking of the young men made Ben\u2019s turn in the saddle almost automatic, but he hadn\u2019t expected to see anything.\u00a0 In the distance, however, another group of men was moving toward them.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like we\u2019ll have company by nightfall,\u201d he commented to Adam, riding at his side.<\/p>\n

Adam immediately swiveled in his saddle.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, if they push they can catch us,\u201d he said with satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Within an hour Billy Thomas, riding ahead, loped up to his friend\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy,\u201d he drawled.\u00a0 \u201cBet you thought we\u2019d never get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve never been that lucky,\u201d Adam quipped, then laughed at the look on Billy\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you, you know that.\u00a0 Where\u2019s the rest and who gave you permission to break ranks?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, they\u2019ll be comin\u2019 along\u2014\u2014Carson Rifles, that is,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cRegular military\u2019s movin\u2019 too slow to catch up today.\u00a0 Tomorrow, maybe.\u00a0 Stef\u00e1n stayed with them, and Mark, of course.\u00a0 I\u2019m supposed to talk to your commander, see where you aim to make camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure we\u2019ll be camping at Williams\u2019 Station,\u201d Ben said, \u201cbut you\u2019d better check with Colonel Hays.\u00a0 He\u2019s up ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee you later then,\u201d Billy said and urged his horse forward.<\/p>\n

The Washoe Regiment, with the Carson Rifles constantly gaining ground, climbed a plateau and saw there the remains of Williams\u2019 Station, the blackened buildings and the grave dug by Major Ormsby\u2019s men before that first battle at Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 At the grave\u2019s head someone had carved a rough pine board with these words:\u00a0 \u201cSacred to the remains of the persons murdered on the night of May 7th, 1860, at Williams\u2019 Station, on the Carson River.\u00a0 It being the partial remains of three bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n

As camp was being made, Colonel Hays called the names of two trusted men.\u00a0 He ordered Captain Fleeson of Spy Company to select ten of the best men and ride two or three miles ahead to establish a camp to serve as a warning base.\u00a0 Then he sent a message back to Captain Blackburn of the Carson Rifles to take two men, locate the Paiutes and try to lure them to the main camp in the morning.<\/p>\n

Over hot coffee, Billy boasted to Ben and Adam about being chosen for the mission.\u00a0 \u201cBlackburn knows I got experience scoutin\u2019,\u201d he bragged, \u201cand bein\u2019 a rider for the Pony Express, I can ride fast if them injuns does come after us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben reached over to rumple the boy\u2019s flame-colored hair.\u00a0 \u201cIf he knew you as well as we do, he\u2019d put you at the back, guarding the cattle.\u201d\u00a0 Not knowing how long they\u2019d be gone, the volunteers had brought their four-footed commissary with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw,\u201d Adam drawled.\u00a0 \u201cToo much chance of the whole regiment going hungry that way.\u00a0 It\u2019s safer sending him ahead.\u00a0 That way he only gets his own fool head blown off.\u00a0 Must be what Blackburn was thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just jealous,\u201d Billy taunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not,\u201d Adam said, suddenly sober.\u00a0 \u201cYou be careful.\u00a0 Remember Michael Bushy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, he probably just high-tailed it,\u201d Billy scoffed, but it was obvious to anyone who saw his face that he didn\u2019t believe his own words.<\/p>\n

When Billy rode out the next morning, huge thunderheads loomed over the Sierras and the wind off the mountains sent chills down his back.\u00a0 \u201cDoggone weather ain\u2019t no better than last time,\u201d he muttered as he set off with J. L. Blackburn and one other man.\u00a0 \u201cLeast it ain\u2019t rainin\u2019\u2014\u2014yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Little Joe peeked into the cradle and nodded with satisfaction at the sleeping baby.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bother her, child,\u201d Mrs. Tilton said sharply.<\/p>\n

Unperturbed, Little Joe smiled at the woman.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t wake her up,\u201d he assured Virginia\u2019s mother.\u00a0 \u201cI like her better when she\u2019s sleepin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie, who was taking the noon meal with the main group of ladies, steeled herself for an icy retort from Mrs. Tilton.\u00a0 Instead, a smile twitched at the older woman\u2019s mouth.\u00a0 \u201cSome might say the same of you,\u201d she teased the three-year-old boy.\u00a0 Even she couldn\u2019t resist Little Joe\u2019s disarming charm.\u00a0 Marie relaxed as the other ladies tittered.<\/p>\n

Hoss, polishing off his second plate of stew, threw back his head and guffawed loudly.\u00a0 \u201cThey do say the same about him,\u201d he announced.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Clyde says the only time he\u2019s good is when he\u2019s asleep and not havin\u2019 bad dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ladies laughed louder this time.\u00a0 Across the room Julia Bulette looked up from her solitary plate of stew.\u00a0 She could hear the laughter, but not the remarks that inspired it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe says it about you, too,\u201d Marie teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose we all be at our best when we\u2019re dreaming,\u201d Eilley Bowers giggled.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dreams are all nightmares lately,\u201d one of the other ladies sighed, and almost everyone responded with commiserating murmurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go to sleep praying,\u201d Marie whispered. \u00a0\u201cIt helps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye, I do that, too,\u201d Eilley offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try that,\u201d the other woman said.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed not,\u201d Mrs. Tilton said didactically.\u00a0 \u201cThe Lord is an ever-present help in time of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie smiled at her.\u00a0 Truth was truth, from whatever vessel it poured.<\/p>\n

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

Billy glanced toward the mountains.\u00a0 Dark clouds still hung over the tops, but they weren\u2019t moving eastward.\u00a0 In fact, judging by the gray lines slanting earthward, they were dumping their load somewhere near Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 Good<\/em>, Billy concluded.\u00a0 If it had to rain, the lake was as good a place as any for the water, definitely better than on the heads of men marching into battle.\u00a0 He pulled his attention back to the road ahead.\u00a0 Neither he nor the other two members of Blackburn\u2019s scouting party had seen any sign of Indians so far, but Billy knew from recent experience that Paiutes could pop up when least expected.\u00a0 It was no time for cloud-gazing.<\/p>\n

He and the other two men took turns in the lead, riding single file to make themselves less visible.\u00a0 Billy was riding second when Blackburn suddenly reined up.\u00a0 \u201cDown there,\u201d he hissed, pointing.<\/p>\n

Billy rode up beside the captain, the third man close behind.\u00a0 \u201cYeah,\u201d he whispered back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if we\u2019re gonna lure \u2018em back to the main camp, we might as well let \u2018em see us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Captain Blackburn said.\u00a0 \u201cAs soon as I give the word, you two head back, fast as you can.\u00a0 Warn the advance camp and get word to Colonel Hays.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three men moved along the trail, watching the Paiutes\u2019 actions carefully.\u00a0 The Indians had posted lookouts, so they soon saw the three men and raised the alarm.\u00a0 As the warriors ran for their horses, Blackburn yelled, \u201cRide!\u201d and the two younger men spurred their horses back down the trail.\u00a0 Blackburn held back a few moments to make sure the Paiutes were following, then galloped after the others.<\/p>\n

With a hundred yowling Paiutes close behind, the scouts approached Captain Fleeson\u2019s advance camp.\u00a0 In the lead, Billy hollered, \u201cPaiutes!\u201d and charged past, determined to be the first to reach Colonel Hays.\u00a0 Fleeson\u2019s men threw saddles on their horses.\u00a0 Most barely had time to mount before the Indians were on them.\u00a0 They galloped across Big Meadows for the cover of cottonwoods and aspens along the river, hoping they could hold off the Paiutes until the main body was alerted.\u00a0 Each man had but two rounds of cartridges, so they would only be able to resist attack for ten to fifteen minutes.<\/p>\n

Colonel Hays and Major Hungerford, the Washoe Regiment\u2019s two main commanders, were together when Billy charged into camp to report the Paiutes\u2019 position.\u00a0 Hungerford acted quickly, sending some his Downieville Sierra Guards to relieve the advance party and stop the Indians along the sand ridges beside the river.\u00a0 In a short, indecisive battle, one white man was wounded, as well as a few Paiutes, and both sides retreated.<\/p>\n

Hays and Hungerford ordered their men to regroup back near the Big Bend of the Carson.\u00a0 When the forces seemed in order, Hays sent a small party, which included Ben, forward to lure the Paiutes into the open.\u00a0 The Paiutes evidently had developed the same strategy, for a few of them showed themselves.\u00a0 Each advance party waited on the other to act, but neither did.\u00a0 Sensing their opponents were prepared this time, the Indians retreated into the hills, and the white men galloped back to report to Colonel Hays.<\/p>\n

Hays lined the infantry between and behind the cavalry, which included both Cartwrights, as well as Billy Thomas.\u00a0 Ben lined up in position and anxiously scanned the forces behind him.\u00a0 When he finally spotted Adam and Billy, he smiled.\u00a0 Being in two separate companies, they weren\u2019t together, of course, but so close Ben knew they\u2019d planned their positions.\u00a0 Adam was in the last line of cavalrymen from Company K, and Billy at the head of Company L.\u00a0 Not that any position was safe in a battle, but Ben was glad his untried son would not, at least, be in the forefront of the conflict.<\/p>\n

Hays was now addressing the men on foot.\u00a0 \u201cYou infantrymen hold your position unless we\u2019re attacked,\u201d the ex-Texas Ranger ordered.\u00a0 \u201cThen come out at the last minute.\u201d\u00a0 He rode down the line to Major Hungerford\u2019s position.\u00a0 \u201cHungerford, have your men placed where they can move left or right easily.\u00a0 We\u2019ll count on you to protect our flanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will be protected, sir,\u201d Hungerford replied with authority and dignity.\u00a0 He still chafed at being compelled to yield command to the other man, but, knowing lives depended on instant obedience to the leader\u2019s orders, he would brook no insubordination\u2014\u2014in either himself or the old friends under his command.<\/p>\n

Slowly the assembled troops moved forward.\u00a0 On the first sand hill overlooking Big Meadows, they encountered the Indians, but fought only a brief skirmish before the Paiutes, having lost seven men, again retreated.\u00a0 Three white men had been wounded, but the only casualty was one of Captain Blackburn\u2019s horses.<\/p>\n

Late that afternoon Captain Joseph Stewart arrived with two hundred and twelve army regulars and set up camp two miles from the five hundred and ninety volunteers of the Washoe Regiment, three hundred of whom were mounted as cavalry.\u00a0 After the evening meal Adam and Billy walked over to the army camp to see Mark and Stef\u00e1n and hurried back to tell Ben that the body of the fourth victim at Williams\u2019 Station had finally been found and identified as James S. Herring of Virginia City.\u00a0 The name meant nothing to Ben, but he was glad, for the sake of whatever friends and family the man had, that he wouldn\u2019t have to lie in an unmarked grave.<\/p>\n

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

Little Joe took deliberate aim and struck his brother\u2019s broad forehead with a wooden elephant.<\/p>\n

\u201cOuch!\u201d Hoss yelped.\u00a0 \u201cYou dad-blamed nuisance!\u00a0 What\u2019d you do that for?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re mean!\u201d Little Joe yelled, tossing the elephant\u2019s mate, which hit Hoss in the ear.<\/p>\n

With a large paw Hoss pushed the little boy\u2019s shoulder, and Little Joe toppled over, screaming.\u00a0 He came up kicking and clawing, yelling at the top of his lungs.<\/p>\n

Marie came running over to separate the two boys.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, what are you doing?\u201d she snapped, pulling him off Little Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cMe?\u201d Hoss protested, then pointed an accusing finger at his little brother.\u00a0 \u201cHe hit me in the head with two elephants!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie gave the younger boy a reproachful look.\u00a0 \u201cThat is not a nice way to play, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s lower lip pushed out.\u00a0 \u201cHe won\u2019t play with me at all!\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, I know,\u201d his mother said, brushing his curly hair with a soft touch.\u00a0 \u201cGo and ask Miss Julia if she will tell you another story, mon petit<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the red-faced three-year-old ambled over to Julia Bulette, Marie turned a stern face on Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI am most disappointed in you, mon ch\u00e9ri<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s the one\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Marie interrupted sharply.\u00a0 \u201cHe is not the one who made promises to your father.\u00a0 You said that you would help to amuse your little brother, Hoss, but once you found an older friend to play with, you left Little Joe to play alone, and there is no one his size here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss hung his head, knowing the accusation was true.\u00a0 He had made Pa a promise and he hadn\u2019t kept it.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mama,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll play with him more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie gave him a hug and kiss.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u00a0 I know it is hard for you, being shut up in this dark place, but you must remember that Little Joe is not a big boy like you.\u00a0 You can understand why we are here; he does not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish we could go outside,\u201d Hoss muttered.<\/p>\n

Marie smiled weakly.\u00a0 No one wished more than she and the other mothers that they could let the children play outside.\u00a0 The rain and snow had transformed the streets into mires of mud, however, and they had no good way to bathe the youngsters if they got that dirty.\u00a0 Besides, the air was cold, and the one thing calculated to make the children crankier than they already were was a set of stuffed-up noses.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss,\u201d she said finally.\u00a0 \u201cYou know that is impossible, but please be kinder to your little brother.\u00a0 He, too, longs to leave this place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be better, Mama,\u201d Hoss assured her and earned another kiss.<\/p>\n

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

For both the Washoe Regiment and the Carson Valley Expedition Wednesday, May 30, was a day of preparation.\u00a0 Other than those stationed on guard duty, the enlisted men and volunteers did nothing but make their weapons battle-ready and rest in anticipation of action on the following day.\u00a0 The leaders, on the other hand, had no time for relaxation as they met in counsel to plan the strategy of the campaign.<\/p>\n

Although representing the United States Army, Captain Joseph Stewart agreed that only one man should be in command and stepped aside to allow Hays, the leader in whom the volunteers had greatest confidence, to take the lead.\u00a0 After talking over their options, Hays, Hungerford and Stewart determined to move forward the next day in an orderly manner, intended to impress the savages with their strength in number.<\/p>\n

First, Colonel Hays would lead out with fifteen men of Spy Company No. 2 from Virginia City.\u00a0 The cavalry would form one or two miles behind them, followed by the Washoe Regiment infantry.\u00a0 In the center, in a protected position would be the drovers with fifty head of cattle and thirty supply wagons.\u00a0 Behind the supply wagons the main body of the regular army would march and after them the remaining volunteers.\u00a0 At the end of the line would be a rear guard of fifty men.<\/p>\n

When the news filtered down to the men themselves, Ben found himself impressed by the orderliness of the plan and thanked God again that experienced men were in charge.\u00a0 Billy and Adam, who\u2019d been over to visit their friends at the army encampment again, told Ben that Stef\u00e1n would be among the drovers herding the cattle.\u00a0 \u201cBest place for him,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a good hand with cattle, but I\u2019m not sure he\u2019s had much experience with a rifle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be safe enough\u2014\u2014the rest of us, too,\u201d Billy Thomas commented over a final cup of coffee before retiring.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t gonna be like last time.\u00a0 These fellers know what they\u2019re doin\u2019; they\u2019re not just marchin\u2019 in like they own the place and expectin\u2019 the injuns to say, \u2018Why, come on in and set awhile, folks.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIs that what you did last time, Billy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy shuddered.\u00a0 \u201cRan around like chickens with our heads cut off.\u00a0 No idea which way to go.\u00a0 Thank your lucky stars, boy, that you weren\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cQuit calling me a boy,\u201d Adam said with a scowl.<\/p>\n

Before Billy could respond, Ben spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cBoth of you boys<\/em> better turn in or you\u2019ll be so sleepy you\u2019ll still run around like chickens with your heads cut off, in spite of our fine leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both young men laughed and nodded their agreement.\u00a0 Along with the rest of the troops, they soon rolled up in their blankets and were asleep before the fires died down and stars provided the only light.<\/p>\n

The volunteers woke the next morning to a slate-gray sky with still darker clouds looming to the west.\u00a0 As they broke camp and began marching in a line that stretched three miles or more, the main topic of conversation was the weather, not the possibility of engaging the Paiutes.\u00a0 The most frequently expressed opinion was that the weather would slow their progress so much that they wouldn\u2019t have to face that encounter today.<\/p>\n

The rumors proved true, for by four o\u2019clock that afternoon, the column had only reached the Big Bend of the Truckee.\u00a0 As the sky had grown steadily darker throughout the day, there was no point in going further.\u00a0 Men scurried around, trying to set up camp before the gray billows loosed the inevitable rain, but no one had managed to start a fire before zigzags of lightning streaked earthward and thunder boomed in their ears.<\/p>\n

For a few minutes the rainfall was light, but it steadily grew heavier amid deafening cracks of thunder.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a real blow!\u201d Ben shouted at Adam.<\/p>\n

Beneath a dripping hat, Adam nodded grimly.\u00a0 Raising his face to the sky, he felt the icy drops pelt his face and quickly turned his gaze downward to the deepening mud.\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 The way the camp was filling up with water, they\u2019d be lucky if they didn\u2019t have to stretch their bedrolls in a virtual lake.\u00a0 Obviously, too, they\u2019d be eating a cold supper and sleeping without benefit of a fire.\u00a0 The schoolmates who\u2019d envied his opportunity to taste the glories of combat should get a look at this, Adam thought.\u00a0 It would cure them forever of a romantic outlook on war.<\/p>\n

It rained all night and was still raining Friday morning.\u00a0 Although there was no point in advancing the entire body, Warren Wasson and a few volunteers headed for the southwest pass to Pyramid Lake to make certain the Paiutes didn\u2019t circle back and approach them from the rear.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI wanna go outside!\u201d Little Joe whimpered petulantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, mon petit<\/em>,\u201d his mother sighed wearily, for she\u2019d answered that fretful cry more times than she cared to remember.\u00a0 \u201cIt is still raining.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Little Joe,\u201d Hoss said, reaching for the younger boy\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s play with Noah\u2019s Ark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d Little Joe declared vehemently, pulling away.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t want any games about rain!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll play the rain\u2019s all over and the animals can get off the boat and run around,\u201d Hoss said.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Punkin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was still pouting, but he took his brother\u2019s hand and allowed himself to be led off.\u00a0 Marie smiled and nodded her appreciation at Hoss.<\/p>\n

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

Not until three o\u2019clock that afternoon did the rest of the troops start toward Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 Following the same trail as the earlier expedition against the Paiutes, they moved down from the ridge into the flat land beside the Truckee River.\u00a0 They moved slowly, though.\u00a0 No horse could take more than a few steps before bogging down in the slushy ground, and most of the men gave up trying to ride and dismounted to\u00a0 clomp through the mud, leading their animals.\u00a0 Icy blasts swooped through the river canyon and storm clouds again darkened the sky.\u00a0 After going only seven or eight miles toward Pyramid Lake, the order came to make camp.\u00a0 However, no sooner had the site been chosen, in a boggy meadow beside the river, than the rain began again.<\/p>\n

The foot scouts returned and reported sighting only a few Indians, scouts like themselves, and apparently in retreat.\u00a0 They also told of finding three more bodies from William Ormsby\u2019s volunteers.\u00a0 Captain Edward Farris Storey, leader of the Virginia Rifles, agreed to ride out to identify the dead and retrieve their bodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go with you,\u201d Silas Fletcher, one of the volunteers in Storey\u2019s command, offered.\u00a0 As he unstacked a load of weapons to get his own rifle, however, his hand slipped on the damp stock of his gun.\u00a0 Before Fletcher could catch the weapon, it struck a rock and discharged, sending a ball through his throat.<\/p>\n

Waves of shock rippled through the command.\u00a0 They\u2019d all known death was possible on this mission, but the sudden, unexpected nature of Fletcher\u2019s demise hit hard.\u00a0 Captain Storey seemed to recover quickest, for he still felt a responsibility to those dead men lying outside the camp.\u00a0 Not wanting to see the leader go alone, Ben stepped quietly to his side and offered to accompany him.\u00a0 Storey noted the rifle held steadily in Ben\u2019s hand and nodded.<\/p>\n

Together they rode to the spot described by the scouts and viewed the remains of the three white men, a sight so grisly Ben knew he\u2019d never forget it.\u00a0 Though none of the three had been scalped, each was stripped naked; each man\u2019s throat was savagely cut and his private parts mutilated.\u00a0 One man\u2019s body showed still more ghastly desecration, for he was cut open from neck to hips along the spine.\u00a0 A circular path had been beaten into the earth surrounding the bodies, as if the Paiutes had held a victory dance around them.\u00a0 Ben suddenly remembered the prancing silhouettes around distant signal fires, visible as far away as the Ponderosa, and felt certain it was the jubilation over these men\u2019s deaths he\u2019d seen that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you recognize any of them, sir?\u201d he asked Storey.<\/p>\n

Storey nodded grimly.\u00a0 \u201cAll of them.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed first to the most mutilated corpse, then to the others.\u00a0 \u201cCharles McCloud, James McCarthy, Abe Elliott.\u00a0 Good, brave men; they deserved better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Ben agreed softly.\u00a0 \u201cThey deserve and shall receive a decent burial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA burial with honors,\u201d Storey said, head held high.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re here, Cartwright.\u00a0 Load their remains carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d\u00a0 Ben placed the bodies of McCarthy and Elliott on his bay and led the horse, while Captain Storey, with a touch as tender as a mother\u2019s, held the remains of Charles McCloud in his arms as he rode back to camp.\u00a0 It was dark when they returned, so there was no time to bury the men that night.\u00a0 The bodies were laid side by side and covered reverently.\u00a0 They looked no different from the hundreds lying about them, huddled in their blankets, except that these three blankets didn\u2019t rise and sink with the breath of life.\u00a0 Nor did the bodies beneath them tremble with fear of the coming day, the day on which a battle whose stakes were nothing less than life or death would finally be joined.<\/p>\n

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

Marie held the tears back until Hoss and Little Joe\u2019s even breathing told her they were asleep.\u00a0 Then her cheeks grew damp with descending drops.\u00a0 The earlier conflict at Pyramid Lake had been over in less than a week, but Ben had been gone eight days now, eight days without word of any kind.\u00a0 The other ladies insisted that no news was good news, that no matter how the battle had gone, some survivors would have reached town if it were over.\u00a0 Marie acknowledged the logic of their reasoning, but logic couldn\u2019t still the pounding of her heart.\u00a0 Lips trembling, she made the sign of the cross over her breast, seeking comfort in the only Power that could.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE<\/p>\n

Battle of Pinnacle Mount<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at the bedroll to his right and smiled at the steady rise and fall of the blanketed figure of his son.\u00a0 Adam was sleeping the sleep of youth, seemingly not even disturbed by the steady downpour that had deluged them throughout the night, but Ben was ready to give up the futile attempt at rest.\u00a0 Though the sky was still obsidian, he threw off his soggy blanket and trudged through mud toward the bank of the river, concern for whose continuing rise had troubled his sleep.<\/p>\n

Staring at the churning current, Ben shook his head glumly.\u00a0 If the rain didn\u2019t stop soon, the entire camp would float away, for the Truckee was almost ready to overflow its banks.\u00a0 The sun was just peaking over the mountains to the east when he started back to his campsite to wake Adam and tell him to get his gear together in case the river spilled over.\u00a0 He never delivered the message, however, for before he reached his son, the heavy rain slackened to a light drizzle, and by the time the sun had risen, stopped.<\/p>\n

While the men, volunteers and military alike, wrung streams of muddy water from their blankets and spread them to dry, the officers met in conference to determine the course of the day.\u00a0 First on their agenda was the burial of the dead.\u00a0 Silas Fletcher, they all agreed, should be buried with military honors, for he had died in the line of duty as surely as any who might meet their demise in the attack on the Paiutes planned for later that day.\u00a0 To facilitate that attack, it was decided that a party would be sent out to determine the location of the Paiutes and the number of their forces.<\/p>\n

An eighty-man detail was formed, forty each from the companies of Captains Van Hagan and Storey.\u00a0 Billy Thomas chafed because both Ben and Adam were chosen, while he had to stay behind, away from the action.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody knows the Carson Rifles is the best outfit in this whole blamed militia,\u201d he grumbled, \u201cand we\u2019re left out entire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve done your share,\u201d Ben pointed out.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be so eager to seek out danger, boy.\u00a0 More than enough to go around this day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Billy muttered, kicking at the treacherous mud underfoot.\u00a0 \u201cJust don\u2019t go seekin\u2019 any out yourself.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Adam, who was tightening the cinch on his mare.\u00a0 \u201cKeep an eye on the old man, if you can, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOld man, indeed!\u201d Ben hooted.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, indeed!\u201d Adam added, giving Billy a wink as he said it.\u00a0 The two young friends clasped hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care,\u201d Billy said, just above a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, too,\u201d Adam returned.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be in this before the day\u2019s out\u2014\u2014boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy swatted Adam\u2019s backside with his limp felt hat and watched the two Cartwrights ride out before returning to his own unit.\u00a0 It was just before noon.\u00a0 Like the others left behind, Billy ate a cold meal of hardtack and jerky, then began to clean his gun, as ordered.\u00a0 Some of the greener recruits decided to clean their weapons by firing them and earned themselves an extra turn at guard duty for their careless noise-making.\u00a0 Billy had no sympathy to spare for such foolishness, especially when it might alert the Paiutes and endanger the lives of his friends.<\/p>\n

Ben and Adam rode side by side, but while they had always enjoyed times together under an open sky, there was nothing to enjoy about this grim, body-strewn trail with buzzards circling overhead, swooping to the feast provided by Major Ormsby\u2019s luckless men.\u00a0 The bodies were unrecognizable, for the carrion creatures had plucked out tender eyeballs and torn the flesh from mutilated faces.<\/p>\n

Seeing a buzzard lift a delicate entrail from the stomach cavity of one poor wretch, Adam felt the acidic residue of his breakfast heave into his throat and turned away.\u00a0 There was no turning from the awful stench of rotting flesh, however, and more than one citizen soldier leaned across his horse\u2019s neck to retch in the dirt.<\/p>\n

As the combined forces of Van Hagen and Storey reached the point where the trail led abruptly into bottomland, they halted.\u00a0 After a brief consultation, some men were dispatched into the valley, while the remaining force remained on the higher ground.<\/p>\n

Unlike most of the men riding with the valley contingent, Ben and Adam were familiar with this terrain, for they\u2019d traveled it many times on visits to Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 For Ben, particularly, the journey was painful, for while he did not consider himself the Paiutes\u2019 enemy, he knew he would more than likely kill some of them before the day ended.\u00a0 And each rotting carcass he passed reminded him that men he counted friends, both white and red, might well provide the next feast for the scavengers of the sage.<\/p>\n

Pyramid Lake came into view just past two o\u2019clock, but the Paiute camp there seemed abandoned and quiet\u2014\u2014too quiet, Ben thought, remembering all the times he\u2019d ridden in to the yipping of dogs and the shouts of children at play.\u00a0 The only sound here was the nervous neighing of their own horses, spooked by buzzards swooping too close for equine comfort\u2014\u2014or for that of man.<\/p>\n

As the white men rode closer, they could see about a dozen men squatting in the sand before their karnees.\u00a0 When the Paiutes stood, however, they had rifles in their hands\u2014\u2014and they weren\u2019t alone.\u00a0 Like a mirage coming to life, warriors appeared from the surrounding sand, and from a deep ravine at the rear of the camp three hundred mounted braves charged forward in a pointed wedge as professional looking as that of any well-drilled cavalry.\u00a0 Three hundred more were running up the valley on foot to attack the white men.<\/p>\n

\u201cRetreat at trot march,\u201d Storey ordered briskly.\u00a0 \u201cKeep ranks and do not fire unless ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n

The men wheeled their horses and urged them to a trot, but some, Adam among them, couldn\u2019t resist looking over their shoulders at the oncoming force.\u00a0 \u201cWatch where you\u2019re going,\u201d Ben hissed, and Adam, embarrassed as a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, jerked back to the front.\u00a0 There was no need to look behind anyway; the increasing volume of the Paiutes\u2019 war whoops told him the Indians were gaining ground fast.<\/p>\n

As the civilian soldiers approached the steep, narrow path to the plateau, rifle balls began whistling in their ears.\u00a0 Taken by surprise, Adam again looked to the rear.\u00a0 \u201cThey aren\u2019t that close yet, are they?\u201d he yelled to his father, puzzlement stamped on his young face.\u00a0 From years of hunting, he had a good idea of how far a rifle ball could carry.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong-range rifle,\u201d Ben hollered back.\u00a0 \u201cProbably took it off one of Ormsby\u2019s men.\u00a0 Ride, boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

At the foot of the pass, Captain Storey turned to face the approaching enemy and provide cover for his men\u2019s withdrawal.\u00a0 Motioning Adam on, Ben wheeled and raised his rifle to help Storey.\u00a0 Adam resented being sent ahead like a small child, but years of ready obedience to his father\u2019s orders had formed a habit he didn\u2019t break in that moment of urgency.\u00a0 He charged up the plateau, one of the first men to reach the upper ground, where he stopped to train a rifle on the force streaming toward his father.\u00a0 Since Adam didn\u2019t possess a long-range rifle, the Indians were still too far away to hit, but, orders or no orders, he intended to hold that position until he saw his father head for safety.\u00a0 If worse came to worst, his rifle\u2019s range was likely to be the least of his problems.<\/p>\n

Along with the others who\u2019d remained at Captain Storey\u2019s side, Ben rained rapid rifle fire at the galloping Paiutes, but it soon became obvious that their small force could not hold back the wave of warriors.\u00a0 \u201cCease fire!\u201d Storey commanded.\u00a0 \u201cGet through the pass and back to the regiment.\u00a0 Retreat!\u201d<\/p>\n

The order was instantly obeyed.\u00a0 As quickly as the terrain allowed, the men inched up the narrow path, their progress as bottle-necked as that of Ormsby\u2019s men had been\u2014\u2014and their trail as dangerous.\u00a0 From the ledge above them, known as Pinnacle Rock, Paiute gunmen showered the path of retreat with bullets, concentrating their fire on the horses.\u00a0 Rider after rider spilled to the ground and was picked up to ride double with another man.<\/p>\n

Adam waited until his father had almost reached the top of the pass before mounting himself.\u00a0 Seeing Ben scowl at him in passing, Adam knew he\u2019d catch an earful when they were finally back in camp, but he didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 Pa could be as mad as he liked once they were both safe.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the boy\u2019s horse screamed and reared wildly, her hip pierced by a bullet.\u00a0 Adam tried to hang on, but he felt himself fly through the air, felt his face scrape the sandy gravel at the side of the trail.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he called instinctively, not really expecting Ben to hear him.<\/p>\n

Whether by auditory acuity or parental instinct, Ben turned and saw Adam\u2019s horse bolt past him.\u00a0 Acting from a terror he\u2019d never known before, Ben forced his own mount back against the flow of retreating men to where Adam was struggling to regain his feet.\u00a0 Holding the reins with one hand, Ben reached for Adam with the other.\u00a0 Adam clasped the outstretched palm and swung up on the rump of Ben\u2019s horse.<\/p>\n

Ben gave his horse\u2019s flanks a fierce kick. \u00a0The bay bucked once, then took off, with Adam holding for dear life to his father\u2019s waist.\u00a0 Along with the rest of Storey\u2019s men, they crossed the rough, gullied land beside the Truckee River and had almost reached the previous night\u2019s camp when they saw Colonel Hays and two hundred cavalrymen coming to their rescue.<\/p>\n

\u201cHalt!\u201d Captain Storey shouted.\u00a0 \u201cForm a line and prepare to face the enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam slid off the back of Ben\u2019s horse and Ben dismounted, immediately reaching for his son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you\u2019re hit!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Adam protested.<\/p>\n

Then Ben laughed abruptly, brushing away the tiny red rivulet trickling down Adam\u2019s smooth cheek.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just a cut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned at his red-tipped fingers as he quickly repeated his father\u2019s motions.\u00a0 \u201cI hit that gravel pretty hard,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 But there was no time for further conversation.\u00a0 Father and son ran to join the line forming to face the onrushing Paiutes.<\/p>\n

Colonel Hays, who had ridden ahead with the cavalry units to rescue the advance party, arrived, and, taking heart from the reinforcements, Van Hagen\u2019s men and Captain Storey\u2019s Virginia Rifles riddled the Indians with a barrage of bullets.\u00a0 Seeing themselves outnumbered, the Paiutes disappeared into the scrub cover under the cottonwoods by the river and into a ravine formed by one of its previous courses.<\/p>\n

The commanders took advantage of the brief respite to relay the battle plan they had determined before leaving Ft.Storey that afternoon.\u00a0 Colonel Hays ordered his men to form a walking line of riflemen, while the infantry under Captain Stewart joined them to form one continuous line a mile long.\u00a0 Captain Flint of the Sixth Infantry had the challenge of leading the artillery to the high, rocky ridge above the battlefield and positioning the howitzers to fire down upon the Indians.\u00a0 Major Hungerford was in charge of the rear guard, which would either protect the path of retreat or advance, according to how the battle went.<\/p>\n

The cavalry was ordered to the front and told to dismount and advance on foot, every fifth or sixth man holding the horses.\u00a0 Adam no longer had a horse, but Ben set out with the other mounted troops, firing as he went.\u00a0 The Indians returned fire, but now they were the ones forced to retreat, falling back into the next ravine formed by the river\u2019s ever-changing course.<\/p>\n

Bullets continued to pour from Pinnacle Mount, where three-quarters of the way up the mountain a round, rocky butte rose two hundred feet high, a perfect shelter for the Indians firing from above.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got to secure that position,\u201d Captain Storey told Colonel Hays.\u00a0 \u201cVan Hagen and I will accept that responsibility.\u201d\u00a0 When Colonel Hays nodded crisply, Storey hurried back and began designating men to make the assault on Rocky Butte.\u00a0 He chose mostly young, agile men, especially those who had lost their mounts in the previous engagement.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s name was called, and he fell in beside Andrew Hasey, a young volunteer with whom he had become acquainted in camp.<\/p>\n

As they ran up the steep side of that mountain, however, Hasey, previously noted for his fleetness, uncharacteristically began to fall behind.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Adam called back.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on!\u201d Hasey yelled, waving Adam away.<\/p>\n

Adam rushed back, bending anxiously over his friend of short, but respected, acquaintance.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he asked again.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot shot in the hip back before Hays\u2019 men got here,\u201d Hasey panted.\u00a0 \u201cFigured I could keep goin\u2019, but I reckon I lost too much blood.\u201d\u00a0 As a bullet ricocheted off a nearby rock, he pushed Adam away.\u00a0 \u201cGo on; get the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glancing quickly around, Adam spotted a nearby boulder just large enough to shelter a man.\u00a0 \u201cCome on,\u201d he ordered, throwing Hasey\u2019s arm over his shoulder and lifting him up.\u00a0 Practically dragging the wounded man, Adam pushed him behind the rock, then said, \u201cCover me,\u201d as he ran to rejoin the main assault force.\u00a0 Hasey pulled himself painfully erect and let loose a barrage of bullets over the boulder at the Indians firing down on the gallant forces of Captains Storey and Van Hagen.<\/p>\n

Amidst harassing fire from above and flank fire from the river, the young men gained the rocky butte and held it while the cavalry and infantry advanced in the valley below.\u00a0 From his position at the butte, Adam had a perfect view of the battle, but, try as he might, he couldn\u2019t spot his father.\u00a0 He recognized Ben\u2019s bay at one point, but the man leading it and four other horses was too short to be Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n

The smoke of firing weapons and the dust thrown into the air when cannonballs hit the sandy soil obscured Adam\u2019s sight as the battle grew fiercer, but the signs of panic were easy to recognize: men firing recklessly in all directions, running around, as Billy had said, like chickens with their heads cut off.\u00a0 Others, excited to distraction when one of their bullets felled a Paiute, stopped their advance in the midst of the battle to scalp the Indian.\u00a0 Adam watched, horrified, as one man tied a hank of black, braided hair to his belt and paid for his trophy with his life.<\/p>\n

For Ben, below, the battle was an inch-by-inch struggle, for the Paiutes were no sooner driven from one ravine than they retreated and reformed in the next water-cut gully to the north.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t have time to count, of course, but he estimated that the Paiutes had lost about seventy warriors.\u00a0 White losses were fewer, but another of Storey\u2019s privates marching next to Ben fell with a rifle ball through his head.\u00a0 As Ben bent to help his comrade, he quickly saw that the young man was beyond help, for a clump of his brains the size of a hen\u2019s egg was protruding from the broken fragments of his skull.\u00a0 Ben left the boy where he lay and marched on.<\/p>\n

The late afternoon sun broke through the clouds, its light so glaring, the troops were momentarily blinded.\u00a0 When his eyes adjusted, Adam again peered down at the battle below.\u00a0 He caught a glint of sunshine flashing off a thatch of red hair and grinned.\u00a0 Billy\u2019d lost his hat, but seemed undamaged otherwise and was progressing steadily forward, ignoring the bodies that fell to concentrate on the danger ahead.\u00a0 Then, as another volley of rifle fire sent a shower of gravel onto his head, Adam ducked, raised his rifle and turned his attention back to dangers of his own.<\/p>\n

The battle had been going on for three hours when the Paiutes were forced from the last ravine.\u00a0 The white men gave chase, for the sunlight was fading fast, and darkness would favor the Indians\u2019 retreat as it had that of Ormsby\u2019s men after the previous battle.\u00a0 The final skirmish proved a costly one, however, for Captain Storey, revered by the men of his command, took a bullet through the lungs and fell back into the arms of some of his men, but refused to leave the field of battle until the fighting ended.<\/p>\n

Several members of the Virginia Rifles vied with one another for the opportunity to serve their fallen leader.\u00a0 One man rushed to the river to bring back water in his hat.\u00a0 Another wiped the blood running from Storey\u2019s mouth with a grimy handkerchief, while still another screened the wounded man from the glare of the setting sun.<\/p>\n

Finally, a man rushed forward, triumphantly holding out a bloody scalp.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Captain, look!\u201d the man announced.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s the injun that shot you; three of us killed him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weak from loss of blood, his breathing ragged, Storey looked with revulsion at the dripping hair.\u00a0 \u201cTake it away,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0 \u201cWhy should I want to see it?\u00a0 Tell me about the Rifles.\u00a0 How are my men faring?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Virginia Rifles were at that moment retiring from the field of battle.\u00a0 The Paiutes had retreated north, under cover of growing darkness, and the white men let them go.\u00a0 Colonel Hays and Major Hungerford rode to the place where Storey lay, each removing his hat.\u00a0 Hayes ordered Storey and the other wounded carried back to Ft.Storey.<\/p>\n

One by one the other men returned and began to search the camp for friends or family they\u2019d lost track of in the battle.\u00a0 Ben was one of the men who carried Captain Storey to the area designated for the wounded, and as soon as he had the commander settled comfortably, he began to search the torn bodies around him.\u00a0 There was no sign of Adam, but Mark Wentworth was one of the four Army regulars wounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cMark, boy,\u201d Ben said, kneeling beside the young soldier.\u00a0 \u201cAre you hit bad?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rubbing his bandaged left thigh, Mark grunted.\u00a0 \u201cBurns like fire, but the surgeon says it\u2019s just a flesh wound.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you seen Adam\u2014\u2014or Billy or Stef\u00e1n?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen any of them since morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben clapped the boy on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you rest easy, young fellow.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure your friends are just fine.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t lose many men.\u201d\u00a0 As he turned away, however, Ben couldn\u2019t help thinking that it didn\u2019t require the loss of many men for one of them to be someone whose life meant more to him than his own.<\/p>\n

Adam had stayed to help Andrew Hasey down the side of the mountain.\u00a0 His hip joint shattered, Hasey could barely walk, so they were among the last men to stumble in.\u00a0 Just as they entered the camp, Adam heard his name called.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like you could use a hand, ole buddy,\u201d Billy Thomas drawled, laying Hasey\u2019s free arm across his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure could,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He\u2019d pushed himself to keep going, not wanting Hasey to know how exhausted he was.\u00a0 \u201cYou seen my Pa?\u201d he asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, no,\u201d Billy replied, pulling as much of Hasey\u2019s weight as possible toward himself.\u00a0 \u201cSaw Stef\u00e1n.\u00a0 He was in the rear guard, didn\u2019t see much action at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grimaced, wishing the same could be said of him.\u00a0 That one afternoon had shown him enough fighting to last a lifetime\u2014\u2014and no knowing yet whether the whole bloody business would have to be repeated the next day.<\/p>\n

As he and Billy reached the area established for the wounded, a hand reached to ease Hasey to the ground.\u00a0 His attention on his injured friend, Adam didn\u2019t recognize that hand until it grasped his arm, and he looked up into the glowing eyes of his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d he cried and fell against Ben\u2019s shoulder, more spent by emotion and worry than he\u2019d realized until that moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here, boy,\u201d Ben said softly, arms circling his son.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m here and so are you, thank God.\u00a0 That\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next day was Sunday, and it was spent quietly by most of the men.\u00a0 Adam, along with several others who\u2019d lost their horses in the retreat, walked back to the battlefield to retrieve his saddle and give a farewell stroke to the white mane of his sorrel mare.\u00a0 Ben stayed in camp, meeting that morning with a group of men who wanted to thank Almighty God for the safe deliverance of almost all who\u2019d gone into battle the day before.\u00a0 The day wasn\u2019t given entirely to Sabbath rest, however. A detail was formed to raise the previously dug earthworks higher for the protection of the wounded and the supplies.\u00a0 Neither Ben nor Adam was in that group of laborers, but they both helped move the wounded into the shelter once it was erected to the height Colonel Hays specified.<\/p>\n

Billy had ridden out with two other scouts early that morning, under orders to see if the Paiutes were preparing for another battle.\u00a0 He returned early that afternoon and sought out his friends immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sign of trouble?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot an injun in sight,\u201d Billy reported.\u00a0 \u201cI think they\u2019ve pulled out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cA little soon to assume that, I\u2019m afraid, but I pray you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going down to the river to soak my feet,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to come, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThought you rode a horse, Billy.\u00a0 Ought to be her hooves in need of a soak.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cToo scared to pull my boots off last night.\u00a0 Feet are sweatin\u2019 somethin\u2019 fierce.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy all means, wash them,\u201d Ben muttered dryly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d stay upwind if I were you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood advice,\u201d Adam laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stay long, though,\u201d B.en cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got about half an hour before the funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho they buryin\u2019?\u201d Billy asked as he and Adam headed for the river.\u00a0 \u201cNot Captain Storey?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s still holding on,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cPrivates Cameron and Phelps of the Virginia Rifles, and they found Major Ormsby\u2019s body.\u00a0 They\u2019ll bury him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere?\u201d Billy queried, flopping down on the river bank to pull off the boots that felt permanently attached.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s got folks in Carson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam squatted beside him.\u00a0 \u201cJust temporarily,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cHis folks\u2019ll want what\u2019s left of him buried closer to home, I\u2019m sure, but that body\u2019s been exposed too long as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, must be ripe by now,\u201d Billy said grimly, then plunged his bare feet into the cold waters of the Truckee.\u00a0 \u201cAh, that\u2019s better,\u201d he sighed and lay back on the grass.\u00a0 \u201cHey, did you get your gear back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, the Paiutes didn\u2019t have time to take it, and Stef\u00e1n said he\u2019d see I got a fresh horse from the remuda,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s been helping groom the horses in his spare time, so he\u2019s got some sway with the officer in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cRidin\u2019 beats walkin\u2019 any day of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nearly seven hundred men assembled a short time later to pay their last respects to those who had died in the battle and to Major Ormsby.\u00a0 Captain Joseph Stewart of the United States Army read the burial service of the Protestant Episcopal Church.\u00a0 \u201cBeautiful words, sir,\u201d Ben commented, shaking the captain\u2019s hand afterwards.\u00a0 \u201cA long time since most of us in the valley have had opportunity to hear such a moving reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was my privilege,\u201d Stewart said.\u00a0 \u201cTo honor brave men is always a privilege, although I hope there\u2019ll be no further need of such services during this campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmen to that, sir,\u201d Ben said quietly, shook the captain\u2019s hand once again and took his leave.<\/p>\n

The next day, the fourth of June, the weather finally displayed the appearance of spring.\u00a0 Fluffy white clouds billowed in a cornflower sky, and the sun shone with bright warmth.\u00a0 Leaving ten men behind to guard the wounded and forty to look after the cattle and supply wagons, the rest of the Washoe Regiment marched north, reaching Pyramid Lake, eight miles away, in three hours.<\/p>\n

The Paiute camp there was truly abandoned this time; indeed, not one Indian had been seen all day.\u00a0 More bodies had been found, however, and most were buried where they\u2019d fallen.\u00a0 Three of the dead, recognized as residents of California, were carefully wrapped for transport back to their home state.\u00a0 Then camp was set up for the night one mile south of the lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like it\u2019s about over,\u201d Billy commented, spreading his bedroll next to Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 Now that the danger seemed past, discipline was becoming lax, so he no longer felt the need to stay with his company, at least not at night.<\/p>\n

\u201cHope so,\u201d Adam, already stretched on his bedroll, commented.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked soberly at the two young men.\u00a0 \u201cI think the worst is over,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThe tribe appears to be in hiding, but that doesn\u2019t mean there won\u2019t be some young bucks out to prove themselves by shooting one last white man. Today was an easy day, but that doesn\u2019t mean tomorrow will be.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you two let down your guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy flopped onto his bedroll.\u00a0 \u201cActs like we\u2019re a couple of blame kids, don\u2019t he?\u201d he mumbled to Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWell, aren\u2019t you?\u201d he laughed and, turning his back, rolled up in his blankets.<\/p>\n

Irked by the teasing, Billy started to pop back a smart answer.\u00a0 When he looked across at Ben, however, he saw Adam, between them, give a gape-mouthed yawn and suddenly felt so exhausted himself that he couldn\u2019t remember what he\u2019d intended to say.\u00a0 It was time to sleep, he decided.\u00a0 Tomorrow was soon enough to pay Uncle Ben back for mocking their manhood.<\/p>\n

The next morning the men of Washoe again headed north in search of the Paiutes.\u00a0 The Indians\u2019 tracks led to the Little Truckee and turned northeast into the mountains along the east bank of Pyramid Lake.\u00a0 The men crossed the narrow mountain chain and continued up its east base, then along the western shore of Mud Lake.<\/p>\n

By noon the regiment had traveled twelve miles, but they halted when the tracks suddenly veered away from the shoreline, heading west into a deep canyon that led up into the rocky mountain range once again.<\/p>\n

When Colonel Hays ordered the scouts to check out the canyon, however, several of them balked.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like a prime spot for an ambush to me,\u201d one said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve risked our lives enough.\u00a0 Let someone else go first for a change.\u201d\u00a0 Rumbles of agreement from the other scouts met his words.<\/p>\n

Billy Thomas started to step forward, but Ben Cartwright clenched his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cNot alone,\u201d he said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s too foolhardy a venture even for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t have the colonel thinkin\u2019 I\u2019m a coward,\u201d Billy hissed, pulling against Ben\u2019s iron grip.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter a living dog than a dead lion,\u201d Ben growled, quoting from the Bible.\u00a0 \u201cKeep still!\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy glowered with offense, but he stood still, waiting to see how Colonel Hayes would handle the scout\u2019s rebellion.<\/p>\n

Instead of forcing the issue, Colonel Hays faced the entire force.\u00a0 \u201cMen, we cannot proceed until we know what\u2019s ahead, but our scouts, who have served faithfully to this point, have requested relief from this mission, and I am inclined to grant that request.\u00a0 I will not order anyone into that canyon, but I am asking for five volunteers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five men stepped forward: Lieutenant Robert Lyon of the Highland Rangers, William S. Allen from Virginia City, S. C. Springer of Silver City, Samuel Buckland and, after pushing the Thomas boy aside, Ben Cartwright of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cScoutin\u2019s my job,\u201d Billy protested, facing his father\u2019s friend with fiery face and arms akimbo after Colonel Hayes had expressed his appreciation to the volunteers.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike the man said, you\u2019ve risked your life enough,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t push your chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why you, Pa?\u201d Adam demanded.\u00a0 \u201cWhy push your chances?\u00a0 It\u2019s dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow who\u2019s being treated like a child?\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a logical choice, Adam; I know this part of the country better than most, certainly better than Billy here, who\u2019s never seen this side of the mountains before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have,\u201d Adam argued, \u201cand I duck faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laid a consoling hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll duck fast enough if the need arises, never you fear.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five volunteer scouts mounted and, with the designated commander Robert Lyon and William Allen in the lead, rode up into the canyon.\u00a0 Each man trained his eyes on the high crags on both sides, searching for a telltale flash of sunlight on metal that would tell them a rifleman waited above.\u00a0 There were no such indications, but at one point Samuel Buckland stopped to point out a set of tracks.\u00a0 \u201cThem\u2019s fresh,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWe oughta go back and get the rest of the men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not reason enough,\u201d William Allen argued.\u00a0 \u201cWe should go on, see more sign before we bring the others up to look at nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll continue on,\u201d Lyon decided and the others fell into line behind him.<\/p>\n

As they neared the summit of the mountain, a massive boulder split the trail into two paths, one leading below, the other above it.\u00a0 There appeared to be tracks on both, but it was impossible to tell which were freshest.\u00a0 \u201cAny choice between the two trails, Cartwright?\u201d Lyon asked.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cLong time since I was up this way, but I think both cross the mountains.\u00a0 It\u2019s a coin toss as to which the Indians took, though the upper trail is the harder climb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAllen and I will explore the lower trail,\u201d Lyon ordered.\u00a0 \u201cThe rest of you take the upper one.\u00a0 Fire one shot if you find signs indicating your trail is the right one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben saluted smartly.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, Lieutenant Lyon.\u201d\u00a0 He led the way around the boulder and climbed the steep, rocky trail toward the summit.\u00a0 Before they\u2019d gone half a mile, however, a single rifle shot was heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s the signal!\u00a0 They\u2019ve found the Paiutes,\u201d Sam Buckland shouted, wheeling his horse at once.\u00a0 Then the single shot was followed by a rash of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a signal!\u201d Ben cried.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re being attacked.\u00a0 Come on!\u201d\u00a0 He charged back down the path and had just rounded the boulder when Lieutenant Lyon bolted past him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAllen\u2019s killed!\u201d Lyon screamed over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cRetreat!\u00a0 Retreat!\u201d<\/p>\n

The other three men, Ben taking the rear position, turned and ran their horses down the canyon with a swarm of Paiutes in close pursuit.\u00a0 Sam Buckland, just ahead of Ben, gave a loud grunt and glanced down at his leg, but he rode on, seemingly unhurt.\u00a0 Ben emptied his revolver and saw one Paiute drop from the saddle; then, not wanting to take time to reload, he holstered the gun, whipped the reins across his horse\u2019s neck and yelled for him to run.\u00a0 The bay responded, careening recklessly down the canyon.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, something slammed into Ben\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 He fell forward, clenching a handful of mane in one hand and the reins in the other, and continued to ride.\u00a0 He could still hear the Indians\u2019 war whoops, but he could tell by their diminishing volume that he was putting distance between himself and the Paiutes.\u00a0 If his horse could just maintain this pace, Ben knew he had a chance of getting out of that canyon with his scalp intact.<\/p>\n

When the canyon opened into flatland, Ben thought he\u2019d never seen a more beautiful sight than the bleak, sage-sprinkled landscape that skirted Mud Lake.\u00a0 Moments later, he revised that opinion when he saw the rest of the Washoe Regiment riding toward them.\u00a0 Now, that was a sight to gladden the eyes!<\/p>\n

Paiute eyes viewed it differently.\u00a0 Seeing themselves vastly outnumbered, the Indians disappeared back into the mountains as the returning scouts were surrounded by other volunteers.\u00a0 When Ben slid from his horse, he stumbled into the arms of his son.\u00a0 \u201cPa, you\u2019re hit!\u201d Adam cried.<\/p>\n

Ben gave him a lop-sided grin.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I didn\u2019t duck fast enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I should have gone,\u201d Billy Thomas chafed as he helped to support Ben.<\/p>\n

Colonel Hays strode swiftly to Lieutenant Lyon.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is your fifth man, Lyon?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

Lyon saluted.\u00a0 \u201cAllen took a bullet through the mouth into his brain, sir. I tried to save him, but I was alone and surrounded, so I was forced to abandon him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile he was still alive?\u201d Hays demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir!\u201d Lyon declared indignantly.\u00a0 \u201cI would not have left a living man behind.\u00a0 No, I saw his hat fly off; then his head spouted blood like a whale blowing water, and brains and bone fragments spewed out the blowhole\u2014\u2014an awful sight.\u00a0 He was dead, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

In frustration, Hayes slammed his right fist into his left palm.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you other men?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m unhurt, sir,\u201d Springer replied, saluting.<\/p>\n

\u201cFelt something hit my leg,\u201d Buckland announced, \u201cbut I reckon I must have been shot from far off, \u2018cause the bullet didn\u2019t even break the skin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright, you obviously need the surgeon\u2019s attention,\u201d Hays said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see he gets it, sir,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n

Appreciating a son\u2019s devotion to his father, Hays gave the young man a slight smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou do that, son,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

As Adam and Billy led Ben away, Lieutenant Lyon asked permission to take his Highland Rangers to recover Allen\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

Furious at losing another man, Hays declared, \u201cWe will all go!\u201d<\/p>\n

Every tenth man was ordered to remain behind to hold and guard the horses, and Adam asked permission to be one of those guards.\u00a0 Knowing the concern that motivated the request, his commanding officer readily agreed.\u00a0 Later, Adam and Ben, shoulder bandaged and arm in a sling, stood side by side to watch the other volunteers ride out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou seem mighty concerned for the safety of our horses,\u201d Ben commented wryly.<\/p>\n

\u201cA wise man I know once said, \u2018Why push your chances?\u2019\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNot such a wise one, after all, considering that he pushed himself one chance too far.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome over here and sit down,\u201d Adam ordered.\u00a0 \u201cThe surgeon said you should rest.\u00a0 You lost a lot of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Ben said, saluting awkwardly with his left hand, and let himself be led meekly away.<\/p>\n

Billy rode out with the rest of the volunteers under Colonel Hays.\u00a0 When the rescue party reached the huge boulder in the path, Lieutenant Lyon led them around it by the lower path, and they soon came upon William Allen\u2019s naked body.\u00a0 His horse and gear were gone, as well, but in their haste the Indians had committed no further depredations on the dead man.<\/p>\n

While his men wrapped the body in a blanket and tied it to one of the horses, Colonel Hays walked further up the trail, his boots slipping on the loose shale that covered the trail.\u00a0 Once he lost his footing and fell against a large, sharp rock, cutting his hand deeply.\u00a0 \u201cIt is pointless to continue,\u201d he announced when he returned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not long \u2018til nightfall, and we dare not climb such a treacherous trail after dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe savages have most likely escaped into the desert by now,\u201d Lieutenant Lyon suggested and Hays nodded.<\/p>\n

No man seemed reluctant to get off that mountain.\u00a0 By the time they made their way back down the narrow canyon, the sun had set.\u00a0 The temperature dropped markedly, and the cool breeze just beginning to rise made the night seem even colder.<\/p>\n

As soon as the regiment rejoined those left behind, Billy hustled over to where Ben dozed on his bedroll under the watchful gaze of his son.\u00a0 \u201cBetter get him up and ready to ride,\u201d Billy informed Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThe colonel says we\u2019re goin\u2019 back to Pyramid Lake tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the dark?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoon ain\u2019t much past full,\u201d Billy said, \u201cand I reckon we\u2019ll all feel safer once we\u2019ve put these mountains between us and them Paiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had to admit that prospect pleased him, too.\u00a0 He was only reluctant because of the added strain night travel would put on his father.\u00a0 He knew he could count on Billy to help, though, if Ben grew weak, so he roused his father and helped him mount the horse Billy saddled for him.\u00a0 Despite Adam\u2019s concern, Ben sat that saddle steadily enough, though he willingly tumbled into his bedroll when the troops finally arrived back at Pyramid Lake at 2 a.m. the next morning.\u00a0 Exhausted, Ben slept late.\u00a0 Not until he woke later that day did he learn that Captain Edward F. Storey had passed away in his absence.<\/p>\n

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO<\/p>\n

Homecoming<\/p>\n

While the commanders met to decide how to proceed, the men of the Washoe Regiment wandered through the abandoned Paiute encampment at Pyramid Lake, collecting souvenirs.\u00a0 Adam had picked up a beaded knife case and a long, clay pipe in one karnee<\/em> and was surprised to see his father when he exited\u2014\u2014surprised and perturbed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

Ben arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cI might ask you the same thing.\u00a0 I\u2019d have thought you were above this plunder.\u201d\u00a0 His scornful eyes took in the white men scavenging through the camp for Indian artifacts.<\/p>\n

Adam flushed.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe I should be.\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d take something to the boys, but I won\u2019t if you think it\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, go ahead.\u00a0 The Paiutes aren\u2019t likely to come back for anything, and I\u2019d like the boys to have some remembrance of that proud people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s brow wrinkled.\u00a0 \u201cYou talk like the Paiutes were gone forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took the pipe, his finger tracing the broken edge that was, no doubt, the reason it had been abandoned.\u00a0 \u201cTheir way of life is, I\u2019m afraid, and it pains me that I helped destroy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did all you could to help them,\u201d Adam said, rubbing his father\u2019s uninjured arm.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot enough.\u00a0 Not enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be out here,\u201d Adam chided gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou should be resting, getting your strength back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cI think you enjoy ordering me around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cJust following the example that\u2019s been set before me, I suppose.\u00a0 Come on; I\u2019ll walk you back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben handed the pipe to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have come out in the first place.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t really the way I want to remember this camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam fell into step beside him.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think we\u2019ll go out after the Paiutes again, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben glanced back over his shoulder, then looked at his son.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say the fight\u2019s gone out of those men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know how they feel,\u201d Adam said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI hope I never see a battlefield again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben affectionately clasped his son\u2019s neck with his good hand.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a hard fight, and one your heart\u2014\u2014and mine\u2014\u2014wasn\u2019t in to begin with, but you\u2019ve acquitted yourself honorably, son.\u00a0 You\u2019ve done what you had to do to defend your home and family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up quickly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019d do it again\u2014\u2014for my home and family\u2014\u2014but not for anything else, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor would I, son,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cNor would I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignoring Adam\u2019s admonitions to rest, Ben stood at attention with the rest of the regiment when they were ordered to assemble later that morning.\u00a0 Colonel Hays stood before them.\u00a0 \u201cMen, in conference this morning the other officers and I have determined that we will not pursue the Indians into the desert.\u00a0 In hopes that they will return to Pyramid Lake, Captain Stewart and his men will remain here at the camp we have named Ft.Haven in honor of General Haven, who, despite his high rank elsewhere, volunteered in our regiment as a private.\u00a0 The volunteers known as the Washoe Regiment will leave this afternoon for Virginia City, there to be disbanded and return to civilian status.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shouts of triumph rang out, hats flew skyward and backs were patted in congratulation.<\/p>\n

Hays raised his arms to regain the men\u2019s attention.\u00a0 \u201cWe will also be escorting the body of Captain Storey back to Virginia City, where fitting tribute can be paid to this great man.\u00a0 The funeral will tentatively be held this Sunday afternoon.\u00a0 As you will all be expected to march in the procession, the troops will not be officially disbanded until after the service.\u00a0 Those of you who have family in the area, however, may consider yourselves on furlough immediately after our return.\u201d\u00a0 Hays lifted his right hand to his brow.\u00a0 \u201cGentlemen, I salute you for your service to the citizens of Washoe.\u00a0 Dismissed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like the others, Ben and Adam milled around awhile, sharing the relief of a task completed and the joy of going home with men they\u2019d come to admire and respect in the last two weeks.\u00a0 Two weeks!\u00a0 Just thinking about how long it had been since he\u2019d seen his wife and little boys made Ben homesick.\u00a0 Anxious to be ready the moment the order came to move out, he started to pack his gear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do that,\u201d Adam said sharply.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re supposed\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be resting,\u201d Ben finished.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve heard it before, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said no more.\u00a0 If his father had taken to calling him \u2018boy\u2019 again, that meant he was thoroughly aggravated, and it was time to back off.\u00a0 He began rolling up his own blankets.7<\/p>\n

Billy Thomas came trotting up.\u00a0 \u201cHey, good news about the troops disbandin\u2019, huh?\u00a0 You as ready to see home as me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReadier,\u201d Ben muttered, wrestling to roll up his blankets one-handed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, Colonel Hays is sendin\u2019 me with a dispatch to the men back at Ft. Storey, so they\u2019ll be ready to march when we get there,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cI thought maybe you\u2019d like to ride out with me, Adam\u2014\u2014see how Mark and Stef\u00e1n are makin\u2019 out\u2014\u2014unless you figure your pa needs tendin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need tendin\u2019,\u201d Ben growled.\u00a0 \u201cYou two are worse than any two old biddies I ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cConsidering how long it\u2019s been since he had chicken,\u201d Adam drawled, \u201cmaybe this old biddy should get out of hatchet range.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned at the characteristic arch of his father\u2019s eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019ll ride with you, Billy.\u00a0 I like my riding companions easy to get along with.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll show you hard to get along with if you don\u2019t give me a hand with this bedroll and get out of here,\u201d Ben quipped.\u00a0 Both young men laughed and had Ben\u2019s gear ready to load in record time.<\/p>\n

Feeling he should get the dispatch delivered as quickly as possible, Billy set a harder pace than Adam would have liked, and the two friends covered the eight miles back to Ft.Storey in under ninety minutes.\u00a0 \u201cHope you appreciate me slackin\u2019 off for your sake,\u201d Billy boasted as they ambled through the camp in search of Mark and Stef\u00e1n.\u00a0 \u201cAs a Pony rider, I\u2019m used to burnin\u2019 up the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hooted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not a Pony rider now, remember?\u00a0 You quit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust for the duration of the hostilities,\u201d Billy insisted.\u00a0 \u201cPony ain\u2019t been runnin\u2019, anyway, with all this trouble, but now that we got it settled, the Express\u2019ll be startin\u2019 up again, and I reckon they\u2019ll welcome me back with open arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can get your mother to let you out of hers,\u201d Adam jibed, poking Billy in the ribs.\u00a0 \u201cHey!\u00a0 There\u2019s Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Mark!\u201d Billy yelled at the young soldier on makeshift crutches.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Billy,\u201d Mark shouted, waving a crutch in greeting.\u00a0 \u201cGood to see you!\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright all right, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe took a bullet in the shoulder,\u201d Adam said, \u201cbut he\u2019s doing all right.\u00a0 How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Mark assured them.\u00a0 \u201cLeg\u2019s still weak, but the fire\u2019s gone out of it.\u00a0 Did you find the Paiutes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, they skedaddled,\u201d Billy said, \u201cand that\u2019s what we\u2019re about to do, too.\u00a0 Just brought a message tellin\u2019 the officers here to break camp.\u00a0 The civilian troops are movin\u2019 out for Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Carson Valley Expedition will be staying at Pyramid Lake awhile,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

Billy thumped Mark\u2019s chest with his knuckles.\u00a0 \u201cThat don\u2019t mean you, though.\u00a0 Wounded is bein\u2019 taken to Carson City, I hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark flushed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cNo place on earth I\u2019d rather be,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 \u201cThese army surgeons are great, but I\u2019d like Dr. Martin to take a look at my leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Billy hooted.\u00a0 \u201cDoc Martin, huh?\u00a0 Sure it ain\u2019t that pretty nurse of his you want lookin\u2019 you over?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gave Billy a playful shove.\u00a0 \u201cDoc Martin\u2019s the best,\u201d he told Mark, but couldn\u2019t resist concluding his remark with a wink.<\/p>\n

Adam and Billy next sought out Stef\u00e1n Zuebner, whom they found guarding the stock.\u00a0 The three young men exchanged greetings and answered the usual questions about how everyone had fared during the campaign.\u00a0 \u201cI am sorry to hear your father is injured,\u201d Stef\u00e1n said.\u00a0 \u201cI came here to protect my sister, but it is men like you and your father who have paid the price for her safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you done your part,\u201d Billy assured him quickly.\u00a0 \u201cWithout this moving commissary, none of us would\u2019ve had strength to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou may not reap the honors some of the others do, Stef\u00e1n, but without men like you the job couldn\u2019t have been done.\u00a0 The same goes for those like your brother-in-law Enos and Billy\u2019s pa, who stayed behind to guard the women and children.\u00a0 They won\u2019t get many pats on the back, either, but you\u2019ve all earned a share in the victory.\u00a0 My pa always says the important thing in any effort is for each man to pull his own weight by doing the work he\u2019s best suited to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stef\u00e1n smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYah.\u00a0 My father used to say something very much like that.\u00a0 My father would have been proud of my place in this army, I think.\u00a0 Thank you, my friend, for reminding me of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Washoe Regiment reached Ft.Storey, and the troops that had remained there fell in with their original companies.\u00a0 The four young friends\u2014\u2014and Ben, as well\u2014\u2014slept together in camp that night, then separated for the next day\u2019s march.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t see Billy again, except at a distance, until they parted at the entrance to Gold Canyon.\u00a0 \u201cMe and Stef\u00e1n volunteered to escort the wounded on in to Carson,\u201d Billy said.\u00a0 \u201cSince we got family there, we was on furlough anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSee you in Virginia City tomorrow, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ll be there,\u201d Billy replied.\u00a0 \u201cCaptain Storey wasn\u2019t my commander, but he was a good man.\u00a0 I aim to pay my respects.\u00a0 See you then.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

The sound of loud shouting brought the women at Ft.O\u2019Riley running to the door.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is it?\u201d Eilley Bowers demanded of the first miner she saw.<\/p>\n

\u201cTroops is back!\u201d the man yelled.\u00a0 \u201cPushed them Paiutes clean into the northeast desert!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re back, ladies!\u201d Eilley screamed.\u00a0 \u201cThe men are back!\u201d\u00a0 She ran into the street, followed by every woman and child in the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Little Joe!\u201d Hoss cried, snatching his younger brother under the arms and swinging him in a circle.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019s back!\u201d\u00a0 He looked with irritation at Little Joe\u2019s bare feet.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s your shoes?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d Little Joe said, struggling to get down.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss tossed the smaller boy on his back.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s find him, Punkin.\u00a0 I\u2019ll carry you, since you\u2019re barefoot; we can find them ornery shoes later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u00a0 Find Pa,\u201d Little Joe chortled with glee.<\/p>\n

Marie had run into the street with the other women, then suddenly remembering her children, had turned back to find them.\u00a0 Seeing Hoss with Little Joe, she called, \u201cOh, you have him.\u00a0 Thank you, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2019m.\u00a0 You see Pa yet?\u201d Hoss replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not yet,\u201d Marie said, standing on tiptoe and craning her neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cFind Pa, Mama,\u201d Little Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, mon petit<\/em>,\u201d his mother said, tenderly smoothing his tousled hair.\u00a0 \u201cAs soon as\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere he is!\u201d Hoss shouted and took off a trot, Little Joe bouncing on his back.\u00a0 \u201cPa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stopped his horse the minute he spotted Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHelp me down,\u201d he ordered Adam urgently.\u00a0 Adam dismounted quickly and helped his father to the ground.<\/p>\n

Hoss rushed up to him, throwing his arms about his father\u2019s waist, and Little Joe stretched his arms for Ben to take him.\u00a0 Ben caught the boy as he started to slide down his brother\u2019s back and lifted him, burrowing his face in a head full of brown curls.\u00a0 Then, looking up, he saw his wife, and his eyes glowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Ben!\u201d Marie cried, her eyes on the arm in a sling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right,\u201d he assured her.<\/p>\n

Little Joe bent over to pluck the white sling, like one he\u2019d once worn himself after a tumble down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cYou got a hurt, Pa?\u201d he asked, small face sympathetic.<\/p>\n

Ben pressed his cheek against Little Joe\u2019s soft one.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, baby, Pa\u2019s got a little hurt, and one of your sweet hugs is just the medicine he needs.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe smiled and put his arms around Ben\u2019s neck to provide the requested treatment.<\/p>\n

Seeing the strain on his father\u2019s face, Adam reached for Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cCome here, monkey, and I\u2019ll show you what I brought you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA present?\u201d Little Joe asked, readily releasing his father\u2019s neck and circling Adam\u2019s, instead.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, a present,\u201d Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cA present from the Paiutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe, too?\u201d Hoss asked eagerly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you, too.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look in my saddlebags.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam led the younger boys aside, Ben opened his arms, and Marie immediately came to press her face against his chest.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Ben,\u201d she murmured.\u00a0 \u201cI have been sick with worry; it\u2019s been so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben lifted her chin and kissed her lips.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s the only medicine I have to offer,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n

She smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cIt is the perfect one.\u201d\u00a0 She touched his injured arm gently.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure you are all right?\u00a0 The wound is not serious?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ve had good care,\u201d he assured her.\u00a0 \u201cThe surgeon assures me it\u2019ll heal well.\u201d<\/p>\n

He tilted his head to examine her worn face, then chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou look like you\u2019ve fought a fiercer battle than I, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt has seemed that way at times.\u00a0 I cannot wait to see the Ponderosa again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid you\u2019ll have to,\u201d Ben said, but before he could explain, the boys were back.<\/p>\n

\u201cLookee, Pa,\u201d Little Joe said, holding out the Paiute pipe.\u00a0 \u201cSee what Adam gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam,\u201d Marie chided.\u00a0 \u201cA pipe?\u00a0 That is not a proper child\u2019s toy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a keepsake,\u201d Ben said, holding her close.\u00a0 \u201cWe can hang it on his wall\u2014\u2014to remember a time gone by.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not a wall hanging I would favor,\u201d Marie murmured, \u201cbut I can see he does.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd see this neat knife case, Mama,\u201d Hoss exulted.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t it somethin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui<\/em>, that is most attractive and useful, Hoss.\u00a0 You must thank your brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready did,\u201d Hoss said, then looked eagerly up at his father. \u00a0\u201cYou want me to hitch up the wagon, Pa, so we can get started for home right away?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight away,\u201d Little Joe echoed happily from Adam\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

Ben groaned.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t, boys.\u00a0 I know you\u2019d like to get home, and I would, too, but we\u2019ll have to stay here one more night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Hoss whined.\u00a0 \u201cWe got time to get home before dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben explained quickly about the funeral the next day.\u00a0 \u201cCaptain Storey was my commanding officer\u2014\u2014and Adam\u2019s.\u00a0 We owe him this respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMais oui<\/em>,\u201d Marie said at once.\u00a0 \u201cWe can survive Ft.O\u2019Riley one more night.\u00a0 I can endure anything, now that you are at my side.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy love,\u201d Ben whispered and kissed her long and passionately.<\/p>\n

As they walked back to the hotel, Marie noticed Julia Bulette surrounded by miners eager to escort her back to her own house in the red-light district.\u00a0 Marie sighed, grieved to see her friend return to such a sordid way of life, and pressed closer to the man who had rescued her from a destiny as cruel as the one that surely awaited Julia.<\/p>\n

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

At 2:00 Sunday afternoon Marie and the two younger boys stood among the throng that lined C Street in Virginia City to watch Captain Storey\u2019s funeral procession pass by.\u00a0 Though the citizens were quietly respectful, the atmosphere was more charged with celebration than sorrow, for everyone wanted to pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Washoe marching in the cortege.\u00a0 Leading the procession was Colonel John Hays, followed by Captain Stewart with most of the army regulars, some having remained on guard at Pyramid Lake.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come Mark ain\u2019t with \u2018em?\u201d Hoss queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a leg wound, your father said,\u201d Marie whispered.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s in Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n

A shout went up when Major Hungerford led the volunteers down C Street.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s Pa\u2014\u2014and Adam!\u201d Hoss yelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa!\u201d Little Joe screamed, waving his arms wildly.<\/p>\n

\u201cShh,\u201d Marie cautioned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Mama, everybody\u2019s yellin\u2019,\u201d Hoss protested.\u00a0 \u201cHey, look!\u00a0 There\u2019s Billy, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Stef\u00e1n,\u201d Marie said.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I am so glad they all came back safely.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd quieted as the volunteers passed and Captain Storey\u2019s horse, covered with a pall of black crepe, came into view.\u00a0 The empty saddle and the boots turned backwards in the stirrups spoke more eloquently than words that the horse\u2019s owner would ride him no more.\u00a0 Captain Storey had been a member of the Masons, so that society, in blue satin aprons, marched next, immediately before the body of the revered leader himself on a beplumed catafalque drawn by six horses.<\/p>\n

The crowd fell in behind and followed the procession to Cemetery Ridge northeast of Virginia City, where amid Masonic farewells and the throwing of evergreens, Captain Edward F. Storey was laid to rest.\u00a0 A final salute was fired, and Ben made his way to his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Adam?\u201d Marie asked at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cReturning the horse he borrowed from the remuda after his was shot,\u201d Ben explained.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, is that offer to hitch our wagon still good?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Hoss shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen, let\u2019s get loaded and head for home, boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss grinned ear to ear and took off at a trot, Little Joe stumbling after, yelling for him to wait.\u00a0 Hoss tossed the little boy on his shoulders and took off.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re goin\u2019 home, Little Joe,\u201d he exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cHurray!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHurray!\u201d Little Joe yelled, expressing the sentiments of the entire family.<\/p>\n

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

The sun was beginning to set as the Cartwrights\u2019 wagon approached the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The foodstuffs they\u2019d carried with them to Virginia City had been eaten, so the wagon was practically empty, and Ben agreed to stretch out on pillows in the back while Hoss drove.\u00a0 He was supposed to be resting, but that was an impossible feat with feisty Little Joe clambering all over him.\u00a0 Ben didn\u2019t once rebuke him, though; those little hands and feet pressing him here and there felt wonderful.<\/p>\n

As the road began to climb up into the foothills near their home, Marie looked anxiously back at her husband.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I do hope the house is all right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had better be!\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI have no desire to spend another night sleeping on hard ground under an open sky.\u00a0 What about you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSecond the opinion,\u201d Adam called from behind the wagon, where he was riding Ben\u2019s bay.\u00a0 Then, seeing gray wisps wafting over the pines on the ridge above him, he stopped abruptly and pointed.\u00a0 \u201cPa, look!\u201d he cried.\u00a0 \u201cSmoke!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no!\u201d Marie shrieked, throwing her hands to her cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cThe Washo!\u00a0 They are burning our house!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt they\u2019d wait \u2018til now, if they intended that kind of behavior,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cStill, I can\u2019t explain the smoke.\u00a0 We\u2019d better\u2014\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoast beef!\u201d Hoss announced, sniffing the air appreciatively.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour nose isn\u2019t that good,\u201d Adam scoffed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs too!\u201d Hoss insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s beef cookin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s a possibility,\u201d Ben muttered.\u00a0 \u201cThose Washo might have helped themselves to one of our steers\u2014\u2014maybe all of them by now.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t\u2019ve thought they\u2019d cook it right in the yard, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ride ahead,\u201d Adam offered, \u201cand see if there\u2019s trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou be careful,\u201d Ben ordered sharply.<\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 He\u2019d just come from battling hundreds of Paiutes, but Pa still treated him like a youngster at the first hint of danger.\u00a0 Feeling he had no time to take offense, however, Adam just said, \u201cYes, Pa,\u201d and rode on.<\/p>\n

When he reached the front yard, he halted, more puzzled than ever.\u00a0 There were no Indians in sight, and the house wasn\u2019t on fire.\u00a0 The smoke was coming from the chimney, and now that he was closer, Adam could definitely recognize the aroma of beef being roasted.\u00a0 He took another sniff.\u00a0 Onions, too.\u00a0 Someone had moved in and made themselves at home in their house!<\/p>\n

Irritated beyond the reach of common sense, Adam burst angrily through the front door.\u00a0 A warm fire burned on the hearth, but the room was empty.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are you?\u201d he yelled at the top of his lungs.<\/p>\n

Soft slippers pattered in from the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cMistah Adam!\u201d Hop Sing cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou home!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart thudded to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing!\u201d he exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoldier men come Chinatown,\u201d Hop Sing explained hurriedly.\u00a0 \u201cSay fighting all done, Indians go away; I come home, make dinnah, hope you come.\u00a0 Where ev\u2019lybody else?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed out his relief.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re coming, and you\u2019re gonna be the happiest sight they could hope for.\u00a0 What have you got to go with that roast beef?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing beamed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, velly fine meal.\u00a0 Potato, carrot, gleen bean, biscuit.\u00a0 Dlied apple pie.\u00a0 You like?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Adam said, remembering all the cold meals he\u2019d eaten in rain-soaked camps.\u00a0 When Hop Sing bustled back into the kitchen, Adam ambled outside to await his family\u2019s arrival.\u00a0 As the wagon drove into the yard, everyone looked at the smoke rising from the chimney, then at the grinning oldest Cartwright son.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam chuckled after making them wait a moment for an explanation.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Hop Sing, cooking up a feast you won\u2019t believe, just in hopes we\u2019d get back tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed heartily.\u00a0 \u201cNow I know I\u2019m home!\u201d<\/p>\n

Moments later, as they all climbed down from the wagon, Hoss heard a yipping sound and turned to see a small brown dog charge around the corner of the house and jump up on his leg.\u00a0 \u201cKlamath!\u201d Hoss cried.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re alive, boy!\u00a0 Now I<\/em> know we\u2019re home!\u00a0 We\u2019re all home.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Adam and Hoss, with Klamath nipping playfully at his heels, stayed outside to unhitch and care for the animals, the others went inside.\u00a0 Marie ran her fingers across the cabinet beside the door.\u00a0 \u201cNot even dusty,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI was just hoping I\u2019d have a house, and it\u2019s just like I left it.\u201d\u00a0 She turned to kiss Ben\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cWe really are home, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed and bounced Little Joe on his good arm.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it\u2019s your turn now.\u00a0 Say \u2018we\u2019re home,\u2019 baby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a baby,\u201d Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n

Ben just laughed again and snuggled him close.<\/p>\n

Later that evening, after they\u2019d all eaten enough to satisfy even Hop Sing and had each had a warm bath, the Cartwrights, dressed in nightclothes and robes, sat around that mammoth fireplace which, to each of them, symbolized home.\u00a0 Little Joe was asleep on his father\u2019s lap and Hoss was yawning prodigiously, but Ben didn\u2019t have the heart to send them to bed.\u00a0 He was enjoying too much the picture of his entire family, together again.\u00a0 To him, it was a beautiful portrait of a dream come to life\u2014\u2014a dream almost lost, imperiled by the conflicts of the community.\u00a0 Like gold refined in a furnace, however, that dream had come forth shining brighter than before\u2014\u2014and more precious than all the silver of the Comstock Lode.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The End<\/p>\n

\u00a9 October 20, 1998<\/p>\n

Next Story in the Heritage of Honor Series<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

A Dream’s Darkest Hour
\n<\/a> A Dream Divided<\/a><\/p>\n

Heritage Companion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Never Alone<\/a>
\nCentennial! A Journey of Discovery<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags: Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hop Sing, Hoss Cartwright, Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright, Marie Cartwright<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0The Cartwrights are caught up in ever-increasing conflict between\u00a0Indians\u00a0and white settlers, culminating in the greatest peril of all, the Pyramid Lake Indian War.<\/p>\n

Word Count: \u00a0222,074 \u00a0\u00a0Rating: T<\/p>\n

Heritage of Honor Series, links to all stories of this series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":8751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-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\/07\/IndianWar.jpg?fit=620%2C441&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8750","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\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8750\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}