Disclaimer: Though I love these characters, they do not belong to me. Thank you to Mr. Dortort for creating such an endearing family. This was not written for profit, but for enjoyment. AU
“Hey, Pa! Is that Clem? He’s ridin’ awful fast.” Hoss leaned on his shovel with one hand while the other shaded his eyes.
Adam stood
up from where he was cutting wire.
“Yes. It’s Clem. I recognize
“He knows
better than to run
Adam and Hoss waited for the horse to get near, but Clem didn’t rein her in until the last minute. He was shouting, but it was hard to make out his words, he said them so quickly.
Hoss
reached out to take
Clem caught his breath, ignoring the lecturing ten-year-old. “Mr. Cartwright! The missus needs ya. Little Joe is missing! We’ve searched the house, the barn, the yard…I’ve got men lookin’ in the fields nearby…”
Ben didn’t pay attention to the rest. He was already checking the harness on the buckboard. Right behind him, Adam ran behind the wagon and began throwing out the fence posts. He knew that Pa would want to get home as quick as possible.
After a
moment, Hoss came around to help.
“Adam…we’re gonna find him, right? He’s just hidin’
probably…” Adam spared a moment to pat
him on the shoulder. His little brother
was as big at ten as he was at sixteen, but he was still a little boy, and he
needed reassurance. Sometimes it was
easy to forget that during the summer when Hoss worked a full day right
alongside him and
“Hurry, boys!”
Adam gave Hoss a nudge, and they both jumped into the wagon. Adam held on to Hoss’s arm and to the side of the wagon, trying to brace them both as Pa whipped the horses into a run. He gritted his teeth as the wheel nearest him hit a rock. Joe’s only three. He was just across Pa’s knee last night for disobeying Ma. His first real spanking…he cried for almost two hours, couldn’t seem to stop, he just kept wailing something over and over, tugging at Pa’s hands. Marie finally figured out that he was saying ‘love Joe?’. But to all of us, Pa included, it sounded like ‘let go’. Pa kept saying “No!” Holding on to him, trying to calm him down. And Joe just got more and more hysterical. When Ma finally figured out what little brother was saying, Pa’s face fell a mile. We all felt awful, even after Pa explained to Joe that ‘Yes, he loved him, would never stop loving him, no matter what.’ After that, Joe wouldn’t leave Pa’s arms. He even fell asleep on Pa’s lap.
Adam turned to look at his Pa, noticed his tense posture and intent expression. Please be all right, little boy…Pa’s heart couldn’t take it if something happened to you… Neither could mine…and Hoss and Ma, they would be lost…He closed his eyes. ‘God. Help us find him, let him be all right.’
Marie
was at the corral, listening to Jake give an update. “…an we looked down by the creek, ma’am..” She whirled when she heard the wagon’s fast
approach. As soon as it entered the
yard, she ran to Ben.
“We’ve
looked everywhere, Benjamin! Where could
he be? We…Oh, God…” She began to sway, and Ben jumped from the
seat to steady her. “Oh, Ben…” She turned back to Jake, who was standing
nearby, twisting his hat in his hands.
“…Did…did someone check the…the well?”
She
choked out the last words, and then buried her head in Ben’s shirt. His face was grim as Jake shook his
head. “Do it…he knows not to climb near
there, but…”
Adam was already running toward the well, Hoss on his heels. Please, God…please..No sign of him, but he might have…might be at the bottom…
“
“Adam! Take the bucket off the hook, lower it to the
bottom and see if it …snags anything.”
His face was pale, and he clutched Marie tightly to him as she sobbed.
Jake
stepped forward. “I’ll do that,
Boss. The boy should be with you,
thinking where to search next..”
Ben nodded. He was grateful for the thoughtfulness of the long time hand. Adam was too young to do such a job…what was I thinking to tell him to do that? Adam…I’m sorry, son. I always expect too much from you, and you never fail me...
Marie
pulled away. “I will search the house
again. Have the boys look in the barn,
Ben. The hands are searching the area
around the house, the woods, and toward the lake.” Her agonized expression distorted her
face. “I…I don’t know what to do…I
should have known he was gone…I c..can’t
stay here, watching…watching Jake..” She
ran toward the house, ignoring Ben’s words of comfort.
At Ben’s go-ahead gesture,
Adam led Hoss into the barn. They knew
all Joe’s normal hiding spots. When the
horses were turned out into the corral, this made an excellent hide-and-seek
playground. Where did you go,
Joe? I’d give anything to hear your
giggle right about now…He jumped when Hoss
grabbed his sleeve.
“A..Adam? What’ll we do if’n
we can’t find him? He’s so little
an’…an’..” Hoss
began to cry in earnest, his shoulders shaking.
“We’ll
find him, brother. I promise you. We’ll find him, and he’ll be all right.” Adam pointed to the loft. “Let’s start up there. Maybe he fell asleep.”
“Yeah. He does sleep hard, don’t
he?” Adam followed Hoss up the ladder.
Three
hours earlier, that’s just what Joe was doing, sleeping hard. He lay on his big bed, his stuffed horse
tucked under his arm, his thumb in his mouth.
His mama had just checked on him, and she went downstairs to help Hop
Sing prepare supper.
His
eyes began moving under the fringed eyelids, and a smile formed around his
thumb. Joe rode out to the fence
line on the big gelding. He was bringing
a snack to his brothers and
Joe chuckled as he approached the fence, and Sport’s ears flipped back. Adam would be so happy to see him, to see that he could ride a horse, not just a pony. Maybe then Pa would give him a new horse. He reined Sport in, pulling as hard as he could, and slid down…down…down.
As
circumstance would have it, Marie dropped a large bowl just as her baby boy
fell from his bed. The soft sound he
made was lost in the clatter of broken crockery. Hop Sing glared at her.
Why do I feel like an interloper in my
own kitchen at times? Marie smiled sweetly up at the Chinaman as she began
picking up the larger pieces.
He
threw his hands into the air. “I get the
broom!”
Joe
sat on the rag rug and debated on whether to cry. If he wailed, he knew that his Mama would
come and get him, but there was a good chance she’d put him right back in
bed. His bottom was sore, but that
probably had more to do with Pa’s hard hand than his tumble out of bed.
He
walked over to the bedroom door and listened.
He could hear Hop Sing muttering and his Mama’s soft laughter, but his
mind was still full of horses, riding out on a big horse, especially
Sport. Course Adam and Pa both said he
wasn’t big enough to yet, and Hoss just laughed at the thought of his wee
brother on such a ‘big critter’.
They didn’t say that I couldn’t
look at him. I’ll see if’n he wants some company.
I’ll pet his nose…maybe get an apple out of the big bowl and feed
him. I know he likes me… he blew a big
breath in my hair, so he likes my smell—least away that’s what Hoss says when a
horse does that ta him. Joe stopped
short, rubbing his bottom again. Papa
mayn’t see it my way…but I’ll be there and back before anyone knows I’m visitin’. Joe pushed the voice of his conscience further down
until he could ignore it completely. He
started down the stairs in stocking feet, not bothering to put on his boots.
He
could hear Mama and Hop Sing still arguing over what side dish went best with
liver. I hate liver…Joe shuddered, and reached high to unfasten the latch
on the big front door. He left it open
in his wake and wandered over to the barn, liking the feel of the dirt in his
stocking feet. It didn’t burn like going
barefoot, just nice and warm and squishy under his small weight. He giggled again, and covered his mouth,
looking back at the house. No one came
to the door, so he moved to the barn, nearly running in his haste to see Sport.
Blackie
was drowsing in the first stall, and Joe stopped to pet his pony’s flank,
fiddling with the tangled mane.
“Blackie, I’m gonna go say ‘hi’ ta Sport over thar. You don’t worry ‘bout me, cause I’m big now,
almost four, and I’ll be all right.”
Blackie blinked, nuzzling his shirt.
He fussed over his small mount for a few more minutes, building up his
courage. Alone in the barn, without Adam
or Papa standing by, Sport looked huge and…and kind of scary.
I’ll just climb the side of the
stall and pet him awhile…if he wants petting.
Don’t want ta force him, if’n
he…he don’t want company right now…Joe squared
his shoulders and marched over to the third stall. He hooked his toes on the wood slats, but he
just slipped down, not gaining any altitude.
Sport
tossed his head, snorting.
Joe
frowned down at his feet, and then smiled.
He plopped down on a nearby box and pulled off his socks, dropping them
as he did so. Hop Sing’s not gonna like how dirty
they is…Too late now. He shrugged, and then went back to his
climb. Toes now free to grip, he made it
to the top rail and hung half over. He
nearly fell forward as he found himself nose to nose with a curious horse.
Joe
caught his breath and his balance. He
closed his eyes as Sport’s nose snuffed all over his small head, the short
hairs tickling his face. Joe opened his
eyes cautiously and then slammed them shut when Sport chuffed out an enormous
breath, spraying his face with mucous. Yuck! But I guess that means ya
still like me, huh boy?
Joe
put out his hand and scratched Sport right between the eyes. Sport snorted again, but did not move
away. Joe laughed delightedly. “You’re as curious as me, aint
ya? I just
knew we would be friends.”
Sport
tolerated his pets and pats a few more minutes and then swung his head around, wanting to sample some more hay. Unfortunately, he swung right where Joe was
perched, neatly sweeping the small boy off the rail. Startled, Joe grabbed for any handhold, and
came up with Sport’s mane.
In
one second, Joe found himself sliding down Sport’s neck, and he flung his leg
up and over to keep from hanging from his hands in front of the horse. The next second, an observer would be hard
pressed to say which creature was the most shocked…the small boy, who found
himself astride his brother’s mount, or the tall young gelding holding said
small boy.
Sport
did not move for a long few seconds, and Joe gave serious consideration to
letting go and sliding off—but it was so high.
His grip tightened even further on the long mane; the strands wound
further through his fingers.
Sport
decided that he didn’t want this small weight on him, and he shook his
head. The small pulling pain irritated
him, and he kicked out, knocking loose the latch to his stall. Joe hung on like a limpet, exhilarated and
scared in equal measures. Scared began
to win out, though, as Sport left the stall and the barn at a brisk trot.
“…Whoa…boy.” Joe squeaked out, but Sport ignored him. He was unencumbered by bit or bridle, and he wanted to run. I’ll just hang on tight. He’ll stop somewhere… and then I’ll get off…
Adam
and Hoss spotted the small socks when they came down from the loft. Adam had seen that Sport was missing, but he
assumed that one of the hands had taken him to assist in the search.
“Go
and get Pa and Ma!” He pushed Hoss
toward the house as he gripped the little socks in his fist. He stared at the broken latch and the scarred
wood around it. Looks like Sport
is free, but surely Joe wouldn’t be…on him?
Surely not…He frowned. But that baby brother of mine seems to
have no fear around any horse, and he’s fascinated by Sport…has been since I…He looked up quickly as he
heard the distinctive footfalls of
“Adam? Hoss said you’d found his socks? “
Adam
held them up, holding his tongue as well.
He watched as Ben looked at each sock and then shoved them in his front
shirt pocket. “Where did you find them,
son?”
Adam
pointed at the box near the open stall door.
“Pa…I think Joe is on Sport.”
:”WHAT!?” Ben strode forward to look in the empty
stall. “One of the hands could have…”
“I
thought of that,
“Like
Sport kicked his way free…Yes. As much
as I don’t want to believe it…” Ben’s
face tensed even further. “He…they could
be miles from here; or anywhere along the way.
If he comes off…”
Adam’s face matched his for anguish. That was a long fall for a three-year-old. Maybe a killing fall—especially if the horse was moving quickly. And Sport loves to run…Oh God…let us be wrong, let him be scared and hiding somewhere, anywhere except on the back of a run-away horse…
“I…I
need to talk to Marie…”
“
“No. No, son.
I have one son missing, and I won’t have you out by yourself as
well. We’ll go back to the house, fire
the signal, and wait for the men to respond.
Then we’ll organize—now that we know what to look for.”
Adam
started to argue, then saw the look on his Pa’s face. I’ll just be adding to his worry. I can’t…won’t do
that to him. He put his head down and sighed.
Ben gently squeezed his shoulder and walked beside him out of the barn.
Marie
argued, finally breaking down and crying, but Ben refused to let her ride out
and search. “Someone needs to stay here,
love. In case he turns up. And you are the best choice. Besides, I don’t want Hoss to come, and you
can help him with his fears better than even Adam or I. Please, Marie…don’t
let me ride out with your anger.”
She
turned and rushed into his arms. “You
are right. I just…just hate the waiting. My mind sees him…” Her eyes filled again. “I will wait here with Eric, and we will keep
busy.” Her eyes locked on his. “Find him, Ben. Find my baby and bring him home to us.”
“I
will.” Ben pulled her to him, stroking
her long hair.
Adam
looked away at their passionate, almost desperate embrace. Let’s go…go...go! The shadows are getting longer and we’re
wasting time.
Ben
strode by him. “Come on, Adam. Daylight’s burning.”
Right. Adam jammed his hat on his head and stomped out after him. I’m so tired and we haven’t yet left the yard. God…Please help us now, guide our eyes. Take care of Joe, wherever he is…
Meanwhile,
Joe had begun to relax. Sport had a
nice, easy gait and Joe had no trouble anticipating each movement so he could
move in time with the horse. This
is easy! I’m really really
high up, and that’s scary, but it’s easy to ride him. Joe lay his head against Sport’s neck. He whispered.
“Faster, boy.
Run your fastest!”
The
horse’s ears flicked up at the small kick and vocal urgings. He stretched his legs. Soon, they were really flying. Joe lay nearly flat against Sport’s neck now,
his eyes tearing slightly at the rush of wind, but his heart soared. He felt each muscle under him move as the
horse thundered along. Sport was…talking
to him, telling him which way to lean, how to grip with his legs. Talking with muscles…Joe laughed, and the
horse’s ears pricked again.
Eventually
Sport tired, and his gait slowed to a walk.
He was hungry, and thirsty, and he knew where there was water and
feed. He turned back toward the ranch.
They were miles from home,
in the upper pasture south of the house, but he had been here many times with
his man, so he set an unerring course for the barn. He walked along as the crow flies, taking the
shortest route, which, as usual, did not coincide with the roads in and around
the Ponderosa. Not one of the many
trackers glimpsed him. They were
following the first trail, away from the house.
Adam
spotted Sport’s track first. “Pa! Here, and here. This horseshoe has a groove right in this
spot. Do you see it?”
“Good,
Adam!” Ben lifted his gun and fired
three times. Soon all the searchers
within earshot would know that they had found something.
Adam,
Ben, and the four hands who had answered the signal spread out over the road
and surrounding fields, looking for more signs of Sport’s passing. Again, it was Adam who first spotted the torn
sod.
“Pa…Over here! Look at the distance in the
stride. Sport’s really moving.” His voice trembled a little at the
implication.
“All right. We need to look for Joe. He couldn’t possibly hold onto Sport for much
longer. Call for him,
and look…look close.”
Adam
saw him swallow heavily before he raised his own voice, calling for his
youngest. “We’ll find him,
“But
in what shape…” Adam was just close
enough to pick up Ben’s heartsick whisper.
They
moved at a slower pace now, calling and searching. Their eyes focused for any small shape or
mound in the tall grass. Twilight came, then full dark, but no one wanted to tell the distraught
father the obvious. They could ride
right by him and never see.
Ben
finally stopped his horse, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “We…can’t continue. We need to wait for daylight.”
There
was no talking as the weary men returned to the house.
Sport
stopped occasionally to munch on a mouthful of grass, still heading straight
home. He could see fine in the dark and
didn’t mind the small giggling weight on his back. He ignored the annoying kicks and the small
voice urging him to run. He was tired
now, and ready to settle in his warm stall.
At
long last, even Joe got tired, and began to yawn, rubbing at his eyes. He wished he had his stuffed horse to hold,
and then he giggled. Got a real horsy under me.
Don’t need no stuffed horse to sleep with
here. I’ll just lay back now. He giggled
again, and looked up at the stars. It’s
like one of them hammocks mama puts under the trees. O’l Sport is just a
big hammock, rockin’ away. He yawned, his eyes
closing. His legs were far forward now,
thighs gripping the sides of Sport’s neck.
The movement under him was comforting, and he soon fell into a deep
sleep.
Sport
plodded on, so tired now from his long run that he didn’t even increase his speed
when he reached the familiar path to the yard, didn’t even speed up when he
heard his man’s voice. The small weight
on his back snored softly, and Sport liked the sound. It was a horsy sound, a contented sound.
The
men looked up, shocked to stillness at the sight of the large horse moving
slowly inside, moving straight for his stall.
In the silence, they could hear the snoring breaths of the child. Ben saw the sleeping form of his youngest son
first.
“Joseph! Oh Thank God.
Joseph!” Ben grabbed his
youngest, hugging him close, while at the same time trying to look over every
inch of him.
“He’s
all right, Pa…He’s sleeping.” Adam’s
teary voice reassured Ben, and he cradled Joe in one arm as he pulled his
oldest near.
Adam
touched Joe’s head, and the boy murmured in his sleep. “Faster, Sport…go
faster…”
Adam
looked wide-eyed at his
“Yes. I do.
I think this baby rode that horse full out all over the territory. Just look at Sport, Adam. That horse is exhausted.”
Adam
stared at the small boy in wonder.
“Pa…if he’s that cock sure a rider at three, what’s he going to be like
in…”
Ben
closed his eyes and began to laugh. It
had a slightly hysterical tinge to it, but it was a genuine laugh, all the
same. After a moment, Adam and the men
joined in. “Son, I don’t even want to
think about the what ifs or whens. I have a feeling that the only way I’m going
to survive this boy’s growing up to take Joseph one day at a time.”
He
shifted Joe so his head was lying on his shoulder. “Come on.
I know a mama that hungers to hold this ‘expert horseman’.”
“I’ll
look after Sport for ya, Adam.”
Adam
opened his mouth to thank Jake, but a small voice beat him to it. “…Thanks, Jake. Give ‘em lots of
oats, he earned it.”
Sport
whinnied, tossing his head. The barn
filled with laughter.
Joe
grinned a sleepy grin at his Papa. “Love, Joe?”
“Yes! You scamp.
I love Joe!”
“…Won’t
save my bottom, though.” He turned to
Adam. “I…I’m sorry ‘bout borrowing Sport
‘thout askin’, Adam. He’s a swell horse…runs like the wind.”
“I’m just glad you’re home safe, little man.” He smiled at the tired dirty face. I think your bottom’s safe this time, little buddy. You scared ten years off all of us, and I don’t think Pa will be able to find it in his heart to spank you, nor do I think your Ma would let him if he tried.
Sport
snorted again as if in agreement with his man’s thoughts.
Adam
paused in the yard and looked upward.
The stars were so bright tonight he felt as if he could reach out and
touch one. He glanced toward the house
when he heard Marie’s glad voice. Thank you God. Thank
you for bringing him home safe. He smiled, his eyes
nearly as bright as the stars above.
The
End
By Becky H.