The Seeds Of
Hate
This is a sequel to “The High Cost Of Pride.”
By: Helen B
Joe Cartwright rode slowly into the ranch house yard of the Twisted K. He was delivering a string of horses that he’d broken for the owner of the ranch, Sam Kirkson. There were six horses and with Joe was Cody Swayne. Joe and Cody had met when Cody had turned up at the Ponderosa looking for work and had been hired by Joe’s father. It hadn’t taken long for the two to become firm friends. The friendship had endured an accident when Cody, unable to read had mistakenly overdosed Joe, almost killing him. Joe felt sorry for Cody when he learned that Cody’s brother had been given the family ranch when their father died and knowing he was unwanted there, Cody had left. It was at Joe’s suggestion that Ben bought Cody his own ranch, the Double Bar. That had been six months ago. The young man now worked part time for the Cartwrights to earn a bit of extra money, often coming on trips like this with Joe.
Sam Kirkson came out of his house when he heard the horses in the yard. Joe and Cody dismounted as Sam walked around the horses, checking them over.
Two hours later, after the horses had been ridden, Sam smiled as he reached to shake Joe’s hand. “You’ve done a fine job, son. I’d heard you were good and knew horse flesh, you came highly recommended and I can see why.”
Joe was pleased at the praise. He’d only recently taken charge of the horses on the Ponderosa. “Thank you, sir,” he replied as he shook the man’s hand.
As they were talking a ranch hand started to come out of the barn, seeing the young men standing there talking with his boss, he ducked unseen back into the shadows of the barn.
When another ranch hand rode into the yard, Sam called out to him as he nodded to the horses that he’d just purchased, “Put these horses up.” Turning back to Joe, Sam said, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay here for the night? You’re more than welcome to.”
“No, thank you, Mr Kirkson,” Joe replied, “I think we’d both like to push on for home.” Cody nodded his agreement.
Sam held his hand out again and as Joe shook it, Sam said, “I look forward to buying from you again. Have a safe trip.”
“Thank you, sir,” Joe replied. He and Cody mounted and set off for home.
As darkness started to approach, Joe and Cody made camp. Cody got a fire going and was getting their meal ready when Joe came over and sat down after seeing to the horses. As Joe took the plate of food that Cody held out, he grinned and said, “Maybe we made a mistake. If we’d taken Mr Kirkson up on his offer we could have been sleeping in a warm bed tonight instead of on the cold ground.”
“I don’t mind,” Cody said, “It’ll be good to get home. I know your father always keeps an eye on my place for me but I don’t like being away for long.” Cody looked at Joe and incase his friend thought he didn’t want the work, added, “I’m grateful for the work though, the extra money from trips like this comes in real handy.”
“It’s okay, I understand. No matter how long I’m away, I always look forward to getting home, too.”
Cody grinned at the young man sitting next to him. Joe always seemed to understand how he felt. Cody knew he would be forever grateful to Joe, not only for the ranch but for his friendship, it had changed Cody’s life.
**********
A week later, on Saturday night, Cody walked into the Silver Dollar saloon. Looking around the room he saw the Cartwright brothers sitting at a table, Joe was talking and then all three started to laugh, obviously sharing a joke. As he stood there, Cody felt a twinge of jealousy at the relationship Joe had with his brothers when his own had been just the opposite but it evaporated in a moment, as Cody knew how lucky he was to have met Joe and he would never begrudge Joe the happy life he had even though Cody’s had been far different.
Joe looked up and seeing Cody he smiled and waved him over. Cody walked over and sat down with the brothers. The four young men enjoyed a night in town and left to ride home late that night.
**********
The next morning as the Cartwright’s rode past Sheriff Coffee’s office on their way to church, Roy Coffee called out to them. Stopping their horses, they went over to see what he wanted.
“What is it,
“Cody Swayne came
in to see me earlier. You know that bull he got recently?” when the
Cartwright’s nodded,
“What!” Adam exclaimed, “Who would do something like that? How did they kill it?”
“Shot it in the head and left it lying in
the yard. Cody says he has no idea who might have done it.”
Joe shook his head. “No, Cody gets on with everyone. There’s no one who would do something like this to him.”
“Well there’s obviously one person who
would,”
“Where’s Cody now?” Joe asked.
“Went back to his place,”
Joe looked over at his father and Ben nodded. “Go on.” Ben knew Joe wouldn’t be able to concentrate in church so he might as well let him go and see his friend.
“Thanks, Pa,” Joe said, before riding off.
**********
As Joe got closer to the Double Bar, he saw smoke and he spurred Cochise into a run. He saw that Cody was fighting to put the flames out that had taken hold of the barn. Jumping down from Cochise, Joe immediately set to work.
When the fire was finally out both young men dropped to the ground, breathing heavily. When he finally had his breath back, Cody sat up and said, “Thanks, Joe. The way the winds blowing, without your help I think I would have lost the house too.”
“What started it?”
Cody shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
After resting for a while, Joe knew he had to report the fire to Roy Coffee. He and Cody had discussed it and fearing what might happen if someone didn’t remain on the ranch, it was decided that Joe would go into town to tell the sheriff. Joe though, was reluctant to leave Cody on his own.
“Be careful,” Joe said as he mounted his horse. Cody nodded and watched as Joe left.
After riding into town and telling
**********
“And Cody has no idea who could be behind it?” Adam asked, after hearing the news.
Joe shook his head. “No. And I’m really
worried about what they might do next.” He looked over his father. “I thought
I’d go back and spend the night there,
Ben felt uneasy about Joe spending the night at Cody’s but he knew his son was set on it and there would be no changing his mind. Ben nodded his assent but added, “Be careful.”
Joe nodded. “I will be.”
**********
That night, after they had eaten, Joe and Cody sat and talked. Every now and then, Joe would see a grin on Cody’s face and he wondered what he could possibly be so happy about after the day he’d had.
“I’ve got some good news, Joe,” Cody said when Joe was just about to ask again, why he was so happy, “I’ve wanted to tell you all day but it just didn’t seem like the right time but I just have to tell you now.” Joe began to smile as he guessed what the news might be. “I asked Sarah to marry me yesterday.”
Cody and Sarah Miller had broken up after a misunderstanding and had recently started seeing each other again after she broke up with the man she had started dating after Cody. Joe knew Cody had been trying to work up the courage to ask for her hand in marriage.
“I take it she said yes,” Joe laughed as he reached to shake his friends hand. Cody’s only answer was a grin of happiness.
**********
A few days later, Joe was still staying at the Double Bar. Roy Coffee had come up with nothing that would tell them who was behind the trouble.
“It doesn’t look like anything else is going to happen, Joe,” Cody said as they finished their meal one night. Maybe whoever it was has left the area.”
“Mmm, maybe,” Joe said.
“You’ll have to be going home soon. Not that I’m trying to get rid of you but you can’t stay here forever.”
“I’ll stay a few more days,” Joe said, worried still about leaving Cody on his own. Getting up from the table he said, “I’ll just check the horses.”
“You just want to get out of washing the dishes,” Cody joked, and Joe laughed as he walked out the door, knowing that was partly true.
When Joe still hadn’t came back inside by the time he’d finished the dishes, Cody wasn’t at first worried because Joe often spent time alone, grooming Cochise but an hour later he started to feel that something was wrong and he decided that he’d better go and see what was keeping Joe in the barn so long.
As he approached the barn, Cody looked around, nothing appeared out of place but he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that was settling over him.
“Joe,” Cody called, as he walked into the barn. Receiving no answer, he looked around. “Joe, are you…….” His words trailed off as he saw his friend lying unconscious on the floor at the back of the barn. Running towards the unmoving figure, he turned Joe over and was shocked at the blood that covered one side of Joe’s face.
Cody tried to rouse Joe but the young man was totally unresponsive. He was about to lift Joe into his arms to carry him inside the house when he heard a sound that froze him for a moment. Rushing to the barn door, he saw the house was on fire.
Glancing back at Joe, Cody was undecided about what he should do. He wanted to get Joe to a doctor and as far as he was concerned the house could burn to the ground but he didn’t want the fire to spread and affect someone else, so he ran towards the flames.
Working alone, there was little Cody could do. He just worked on containing the fire, it didn’t take long before the house was gone and the fire burnt itself out.
Cody was exhausted but he knew he couldn’t
stop to rest. Running back to the barn he checked Joe, hitched up the buckboard
and lifted Joe into it. Tying Cochise and his own
horse to the back of it, he headed the team into
**********
Roy Coffee was making the rounds of the
town when he saw a soot covered man pull a buckboard up outside Doctor Paul
Martin’s office, realizing it was Cody Swayne,
“What happened?”
Cody jumped down and pointed into the back of the wagon. “Joe’s hurt.”
“Bring him in,” Paul said, opening the door wider to allow the other men to enter. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” Cody replied, “I found him lying in the barn, unconscious.”
Paul started to check Joe over, “And what about you?” he asked Cody as he worked, “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Cody answered. “I went out to see what was taking Joe so long in the barn and while I was there someone set fire to my house.”
“Did you manage to save it?”
“I don’t care about the house. It doesn’t matter. I’ll have to go out to the Ponderosa and tell the Cartwright’s what’s happened to Joe.”
“I’ll go,”
“You better tell Ben to come straight in.” Although Paul knew there would be no need to tell Ben that. Once he knew his youngest son was hurt, Paul knew, nothing would keep Ben away.
**********
The Ponderosa ranch house was in darkness
when
Ben looked at
“How bad’s Joe hurt?” Ben asked.
“Paul said you should come straight in.”
It didn’t take much time for the Cartwright’s to get dressed and ride into town. Now, they sat in Paul Martin’s office, waiting to hear what he would say. Roy Coffee and Cody were with them.
“The only injury to Joe is a head wound,” Paul said but Ben’s relief was short lived as Paul continued, “but it’s serious.”
“How serious?” Hoss asked, “He’s not going to die is he?”
“I’ll do my best not to let that happen, Hoss, but we won’t know the extent of the injury until Joe wakes up.”
“If he does,” Adam said angrily. Adam knew in his heart that if his brother died, he’d find the man responsible and kill him.
“Don’t say that,” Hoss snapped.
“Can we see him?” Ben asked and Paul nodded, showing them into the room where Joe lay with his head swathed in bandages.
“Oh, Joe,” Ben whispered as his knees suddenly went weak and he quickly sat on the edge of the bed. Taking his youngest son’s hand into his he said, “You’ll be fine, Joe. I know you will.”
**********
Cody and Roy had reluctantly left the
family, knowing they were intruding and Joe’s family stayed with him through
the rest of the night and into the next day. It was just after
Joe groaned softly and moved his head slightly. Ben immediately leant forward from the chair he was now sitting in. Squeezing the hand he’d held on to since first coming into the room, he said, “It’s all right, son.”
“Pa,” Joe mumbled.
“Yes, Joe,” Ben said, reassuringly. “I’m here, so are your brothers. You’ve had an accident but you’re going to be fine.”
Joe’s eyes flickered open and Ben saw a look of panic on his sons face.
“Joe, what is it? What’s wrong?” Ben asked urgently.
“Pa, I…I….. Pa……” Joe struggled to get the words out, clearly extremely upset.
“I’ll get doc,” Hoss said, as he hurried out.
Ben bent closer. “Please son. Tell me what’s wrong. Are you in pain?”
Paul and Hoss had just reached the door and
heard Joe say, “I can’t see,
Joe started to sit up but he suddenly went pale as nausea hit him. Ben grabbed a bowl and held it while Joe was sick and then helped him to lie back down. Ben fought his own fears, trying to remain calm for his son’s sake.
“Shhh, Joe. Paul’s here. Just lie still while he has a look at you.”
**********
Two weeks later, Joe’s family were taking him home. His sight still hadn’t returned and the family were worried about the depression Joe had sunk into. They thought the best place for him was home. Hoss was driving the buckboard with Ben and Joe in the back. Adam rode beside them on his horse.
As they pulled into the yard, Ben looked down at Joe. He had his eyes closed but Ben didn’t know if he was sleeping. “Joe,” he gently stroked his sons arm, “Joe, we’re home.”
Joe slowly sat up and reached out his arm to reassure himself that his father was beside him. Ben helped Joe down from the buckboard and put his arm around his sons waist as they went inside.
Adam and Hoss watched them go and then took the horses into the barn. Inside the barn, Hoss stared at Cochise and then went over to gently stroke the animal. Tears came into his eyes and he leant his head on the horses back.
Adam placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “It’ll be all right, Hoss.”
“No, it won’t. Not if Joe can’t never see
again. You heard what that doctor said that Pa got to come from
“He also said that Joe’s sight might come back on it’s own.” They all knew that was a slim chance though. The doctor had said that the longer it went without returning the bigger the probability that it never would.
“And if it don’t,” Hoss said bitterly, “what does Little Joe do then? What kind of life will he have?”
“He’s alive. Would you rather he had died?”
“No, of course not,” Hoss replied immediately. “You know I’d never wish that. I’m just thinking of Joe.”
“I know,” Adam said, “but, we have to make Joe understand that his life’s still worth living.”
**********
Walking inside after finishing up in the barn, Adam and Hoss saw Hop Sing setting the table. Looking around, Adam asked, “Where are Pa and Joe?”
Hop Sing nodded towards the stairs. “Little Joe want to go to room.”
The brothers were about to go upstairs when there was a knock on the door. Hoss walked across to open it. “Cody, come in,” he said when he saw the young man standing there.
“Hi, Hoss. I was just wondering how Joe was doing?” Cody asked, as he came in. Looking across the room he saw Adam and nodded a greeting to him. “Adam.”
“Joe’s upstairs with
“This is all my fault,” Cody said dejectedly as he sat down. “I’ve been nothing but bad luck since I met Joe.”
“It’s not your fault, Cody,” Adam said.
“Course it is. For some reason someone is after me. Joe was just unlucky, it should be me this happened to, not him.”
“Cody,” Adam said as he sat down beside the
young man, “the only person to blame is whoever it is who’s been doing those
things to you. The person who hit Joe.
“Can I see Joe?” Cody asked.
“Of course you can. Joe’d like that. We was just goin’up to see him ourselves,” Hoss replied.
They went upstairs and stood at Joe’s open door for a moment. Joe was sitting on his bed with his head bowed, Ben sitting beside him with his hand on his sons back. Ben looked up and saw them, motioning them to come in.
“Hey, Joe,” Hoss said, “Got a visitor for you.”
“Joe,” Cody said tentatively as he walked over to sit in a chair near his friend. “How are you doin’?”
“Fine thanks, Cody,” Joe replied without looking up, “How’s the house coming along?”
“Great. With the hands your Pa sent over, it’s nearly finished.” Cody looked at Ben. “It seems I’m always beholding to you, sir.”
“Nonsense,” Ben replied, “You needed help. I had the men. I’m just glad that you haven’t let whoever did this drive you away.”
“Pa, I’m tired,” Joe said quietly.
They all knew that was just an excuse, Joe didn’t like talking about what had happened.
“Of course, Joseph,” Ben said, looking at Adam and Hoss, he continued, “you three go downstairs. Hop Sing must nearly have dinner ready. I’ll stay here with Joe.”
That was the way life continued on the ranch for the next week. Joe spent all of his time in his room, with Ben never far away.
One afternoon, Paul came out to check on Joe. When Paul knocked on the front door it was opened by Adam. “Hello Paul, come in.” he said.
“How’s Joe?” Paul asked.
“No change.”
“Is he coming downstairs at all? Getting out?”
“No, he won’t come downstairs, let alone go outside. He spends all of his time in his room. Not that I blame him. It must be very frightening. I’ve tried to get him out, I wanted to take him riding but he wouldn’t come.”
“And Ben?”
Adam hesitated before answering, wondering if he should voice what he’d been thinking, he decided he had to be honest if he wanted Paul’s help. “I think Pa’s part of the problem,” Adam said finally, “He won’t let Joe attempt to do anything. He helps him get dressed, cuts his food, whatever Joe needs, Pa’s there to do it.” Adam stopped and drew a deep breath before continuing. “Pa thinks he’s doing the right thing. He sees Joe needs help and he can’t help but give it. I think though, that Joe’s losing confidence that he can still do things for himself.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Paul nodded. “Let’s see if we can do something about it. Ask your father to come down for me, Adam.”
Adam nodded and went upstairs He was a bit worried about what Ben would say when they broached this subject with him. A couple of minutes later, he and his father came downstairs.
Adam had just told Ben that there was someone downstairs who wanted to see him. He didn’t want Joe to know it was the doctor or he would want to know what he was doing there. When Ben saw Paul he said, “Paul, what is it? What do you want to see me about?”
“Take a seat, Ben. We need to talk.”
“Joe,” Ben started but Paul cut him off.
“Joe’s fine, he’s just upstairs. He’ll be all right on his own for a while,” Paul said. Ben reluctantly sat down.
“How is Joe coping, Ben?”
“As well as anyone could expect him to.”
“Adam says that Joe never comes downstairs. That’s not coping.”
“What do you expect him to do,” Ben said angrily. “I’ve closed my eyes and tried to find my way around just so I’d know what it’s like for Joe. Do you know how hard it is? You try it but just remember that when it becomes too much for you, you can open your eyes and see again,” Ben drew a deep breath before continuing, “Joseph can’t.”
“He’s becoming too dependent on you, Ben.”
“Too dependant on me,” Ben struggled to keep from shouting. “Of course he’s dependant on me. The boy’s blind, Paul”
“I know that, Ben,” Paul spoke calmly, “but it’s not the end of his life. You have to help Joe to understand that. He must learn to do things for himself. He needs to get some independence back.”
Ben sat quietly, thinking about the doctor’s words. Seeing that he’d started to get through to Ben, Paul continued, “Ben, if something were to happen to you, what would happen to Joe? How would he cope without you when you have been doing everything for him.”
Adam saw the look of pain on his fathers face and knew the doctor’s words had hit him hard. He walked over and sat on the table in front of his father. “Pa, Hoss and I will always look out for Joe, I promise. You don’t have to worry about that but we just want Joe to have the best life he can and being shut up in his room all day is no way to live.”
Ben nodded. “I know, Adam.” He looked at his son and then over at his old friend. “I thank both of you for making me see that but what do we do about it? When I see Joe struggling to do even the simplest of things, I can’t……..” Ben trailed off.
“I know, Ben. But the more he does, the more you will come to realize there are still a great many things he can do. Take it slow, don’t overwhelm him but make him do a little more each day.” When Ben nodded, Paul said, “Now let’s go up and I’ll have a quick look at him.”
After Paul had examined Joe, Ben said, “Joe, Hop Sing’s just about to serve dinner,” he reached for his sons arm, “Let’s go downstairs.”
Joe tried to pull his arm free. “No, I don’t want to. I want to stay here.”
Ben’s heart ached, he wanted to allow Joe to do as he wished but he realized now that it had been wrong to wrap Joe so tightly in his cloak of protection, so as hard as it was to do it, Ben stood firm.
“No, Joe. I want you to come downstairs and eat with us.” He gently pulled his son to his feet.
Paul Martin nodded and smiled approvingly, stepping aside as Ben and Joe made their way across the room and down the hall. When they reached the top of the stairs, Joe stopped and shook his head. “I can’t,” he whispered.
“Yes, you can,” Ben said encouragingly. “I’m right beside you and I won’t let you fall.” Holding on to Joe tightly, Ben stepped forward, pulling Joe with him. Hoss had come inside to join the family and Adam had told him what they’d discussed with the doctor. He and Adam watched from the table.
When father and son reached the bottom of the stairs, Paul said his goodbyes, knowing that Joe would feel more comfortable for now, with just his family there.
**********
A month later, Ben watched from the porch as his three sons rode into the yard. Adam and Hoss had taken Joe out riding. Ben had known his youngest son was in good hands but since the injury that had taken Joe’s sight, Ben couldn’t stop worrying whenever Joe was away from him.
Now, Ben smiled with relief as they rode up to the house. He watched with pride as Joe dismounted. He couldn’t believe how much Joe had accomplished in the last month. At first, they’d had to fight Joe every step of the way but it wasn’t long before Joe, realizing he was gaining back some independence, started to want to do more.
Joe was still sticking close to the ranch. The only other place he’d been was Cody’s. He wasn’t ready to go into town yet but Ben was confident that the time would come when he would be.
Paul had suggested that they might be able
to get someone to teach Joe more if they were to take him to somewhere bigger
like
“How was the ride, boys?” Ben called.
“Great,
**********
Cody’s house had been completed a few weeks
ago. Ben had insisted that two Ponderosa ranch hands continue to stay there, at
least for a while longer. The Cartwright’s had done all they could to find the
person responsible but he had proved elusive. Now, as Cody was in town, picking
up some supplies, he looked across the street and saw a man named Mark Anders
come out of
After Cody and Sarah had broken up after the misunderstanding, Sarah had gone out with Mark Anders for a little while. Once she and Cody had gotten back together, Mark was forgotten by the young couple who were so in love. Cody hadn’t given him another thought, but by the look on Mark’s face, he hadn’t put it behind him.
Roy Coffee came out of his office and saw
Cody and Mark staring across at each other and then Mark Anders walked away.
“Nothing much. After Sarah and I broke up that time, she went out with him for a while. Now that we’re back together he obviously doesn’t like it.”
“I didn’t know about that,”
“I had no idea he was still so angry about it. What was he doing in your office?” Cody asked.
“I’ve had him locked up for the last couple of months. He and another fella got into a fight in the Bucket of Blood. They had a disagreement over a game of poker. Did a lot of damage. Neither of ‘em could afford to pay for the damages so I locked ‘em both up.”
Cody and Roy looked at each other as they
realized the implications of what
“He’s been in jail for two months,” Cody spat the words out, “That’s why nothings been happening on my ranch. It’s him. He’s the one that sent Joe blind.”
Cody started to go after Mark Anders but
Cody paced, waiting for
When
Cody stood up. “I’m going out to see the Cartwright’s and tell them what’s happened.”
**********
Cody rode up to the house and knocked on the front door.
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, when he opened the door and saw Cody.
“I need to speak to you. I know who burnt my house down and hurt Joe.”
“Who?” Adam asked urgently as he opened the door to admit Cody. All the Cartwright’s were there and had heard what Cody said.
“Who was it?” Hoss asked, as he stood to his feet.
“Mark Anders,” Cody replied.
For a moment the family couldn’t put a face to the name and then Hoss remembered. “He was going out with Sarah for a while.”
“Yes,” Cody said, “That’s him. It all fits. He’s been locked up in jail for the last two months because he couldn’t pay the damage for busting up the Bucket of Blood. That was the night after Joe….” He trailed off.
“Over a girl,” Ben said, as he shook his head, “He did this over a girl?”
“I never even thought of the possibility of it being him. I should have,” Cody said.
“None of us thought of him, Cody,” Adam said.
“Where is he now?” Ben asked.
“
Ben looked over at Joe, who hadn’t said a word since Cody had arrived to tell them the news. Ben walked over to the settee and sat down beside his youngest son, gently patting his leg. “Are you all right, Joseph?”
Joe didn’t answer for a moment as he
struggled to get his emotions under control and then he said, “I hate him so
much,
Ben moved his hand to Joe’s back and rubbed it soothingly as he said, “I know, Joe. So do I. Nothing can make up for what he’s done to you but at least now we know who it was and he’s going to pay for it, son.”
Joe blinked back tears as he nodded and everyone else in the room also fought their own battle against tears as they thought about just how much Mark Anders had changed Joe’s life.
At a nod of approval from Ben, Hoss got up and poured Joe a glass of brandy, placing it in his young brothers hand, he said, “Here, Joe. It’s brandy so sip it slow.”
Cody sat watching and then he said, “Mr. Cartwright, Sheriff Coffee said he’d like you to go in and see him.”
Ben was undecided about what to do. He
wanted to go in and see
Looking over at his father, Hoss said, “You
go and talk to
“Is that all right with you, Joe?” Ben asked.
Joe nodded and Ben gave one final pat to Joe’s back as he got up and said, “I won’t be long.”
Ben walked to the door and stood watching
for a moment as his son’s closed ranks. Hoss took a seat beside Joe. Adam sat
on the arm of the settee. Ben knew his two older sons would have liked to go to
town with him but they would stay at the house because they knew, right now,
Joe needed them to be there and Ben was glad. Ben thought it best to keep his
sons away from
**********
That night after Ben returned from town, the Cartwright’s and Cody sat in the great room discussing what had transpired.
Mark Anders was still protesting his
innocence but
“It’s over then,” Cody said.
“Yes, finally,” Ben replied, although he knew in his heart that it would never truly be over for any of them, not with Joe still blind.
**********
The next day, Joe rode with Cody over to the Double Bar, he felt like he needed to get out of the house for a while. Cody promised Ben that he would look after Joe and it was arranged that Joe’s father or one of his brothers would go to Cody’s and ride home with him in the afternoon.
After sending the hands that had been watching the ranch back to the Ponderosa, Joe and Cody went for a ride to check things out. When they returned to the house, the first thing Cody noticed was that the front door was open.
“Joe,” he said, reaching over to pull Cochise to a stop, “There’s something wrong.”
“What?” Joe asked, picking up on Cody’s unease.
“The front door’s open. I think someone’s in the house.”
**********
Ben was just returning to his desk with a cup of coffee when he heard the urgent knocking on the front door.
“I’ll get it, Pa,” called Hoss, getting up from the chair he was sitting in. Going across and opening the door, Hoss saw a very flustered Roy Coffee standing there.
“
“No, why?” Ben asked, walking across the room to stand next to Hoss.
“Ben, I talked to some people in town. They are sure Mark Anders was in the Bucket of Blood the night of that fire at Cody’s. The night Joe was hurt.”
“Are you sure?” Ben asked, anxiety starting to take hold, “He couldn’t have set the fire and gone back to the saloon?”
“No. They’re sure he was there all night.”
“Then it wasn’t him after all,” Hoss said, dismayed.
“Joe!” Ben exclaimed, as he reached for his hat and gun belt, “We have to get to Joe. He’s with Cody.”
“Where are they?”
“Cody’s place. Adam said he’d go over there when he finished checking some fences this afternoon to ride home with Joe but I don’t know if he’ll be there yet,” Ben said anxiously as he ran out of the door.
**********
“Stay here, Joe,” Cody said as he warily dismounted. Reaching for his gun, he was stopped when a voice called out, “Don’t move.”
Cody froze as someone stepped into the doorway and his face registered his shock.
“What’s going on?” Joe said, it was frightening to have no idea what was happening.
“It’s all right, Joe,” Cody said, and then turned back to the man in the doorway. “What do you want?” When he received no answer, he continued, “Let Joe go. He doesn’t know anything. He’s blind. He can’t even describe you. He doesn’t know who you are. Let him go.”
“No,” Joe said angrily, worried for his friend, “Cody, what’s happening?”
The man nodded, “All right, he can go.”
Cody was worried about sending Joe off alone but he knew he had no other choice. He had to get Joe away.
Reaching for Cochise, Cody held the bridle as he spoke to Joe. “Don’t worry about me, Joe. I’m sorry to do this to you but you have to try to make it back to the Ponderosa alone.”
“Tell me what’s wrong? I know you’re in trouble. Tell me!” Joe said, panic starting to rise within him.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be all right.” Cody pulled Cochise around so he was facing in the direction of the Ponderosa, slapping him on the rump, he sent the horse on it’s way, preying he was doing the right thing.
**********
Joe’s heart was beating wildly. He wasn’t sure he was heading in the right direction. He was relying on Cochise. Joe knew something was very wrong at Cody’s and he wanted to get help as quickly as he could but he kept Cochise to barely above a walk knowing that he couldn’t risk going faster.
Adam squinted into the distance. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Joe was riding towards him, alone. Thinking that Cody had somehow allowed Joe to become separated from him, Adam cursed Cody and mumbled, “I’ll kill him,” as he urged his horse into a run.
Joe heard a horse coming towards him and pulled Cochise to a stop. “Who’s there?” he asked anxiously, as he heard the horse stop.
“It’s all right, Joe. It’s me, Adam,” he said, as he reached for Joe’s bridle. “Are you all right? What are you doing out here by yourself?”
“Something’s wrong at Cody’s house, Adam. There’s someone there. Cody wouldn’t say who it was but he’s in danger. I know it. We have to go back and help him.”
“No,” Adam said quickly, “I’ll take you home and then I’ll go and see what’s wrong.”
Joe jerked the reins free from his brother’s hands. “It could be too late by then. If you won’t come back with me, I’ll go by myself. Adam watched as Joe turned his horse towards neither the Ponderosa or the Double Bar and he shook his head at his brothers determination.
Reaching for Joe’s bridle again, Adam said, “All right. We’ll go back.”
“Thank you,” Joe said, relieved.
Adam did contemplate tricking Joe. He knew he could tell him that they were going back to Cody’s but he could actually take Joe home but he knew his brother would never forgive him if he did that so Adam turned them back towards Cody’s and holding tightly to Joe’s reins they set off.
When they came into view of the house, they dismounted, walking quickly to the barn, Adam checked it out and then said, “Joe, stay here. I’ll check out the house.”
“No. I want to come.”
“Stay here,” Adam said firmly. “I don’t want to risk you getting in the way.” He knew Joe was hurt by his words but there was nothing Adam could do about it at the moment. “Here,” Adam pressed his gun into Joe’s hand, he was doubtful it would be of any protection for his brother but Adam wanted him to have something, “I’ll take my rifle,” he continued as he pulled it from the scabbard.
Adam made his way to the house as best he could without being seen. Luck was not on his side however, as the man who had been waiting in the house for Cody’s return earlier, happened to glace out the window and saw him.
Adam approached the back of the house with caution. He looked in a window and saw that Cody was gagged and tied to a chair but he couldn’t see anyone else. Holding the gun ready to use, Adam kicked the door in, as he stepped inside, a gun was held to his back. A hand reached around and took the rifle from his hands.
Adam was pushed over to a chair next to Cody and made to sit down. He was thrown a rope and told to tie his legs to the chair. Once that was done, the man told him to put his hands behind him, Adam’s hands were tied together and then tied to the back of the chair, making him completely immobile. The man went to a window and looked around, he couldn’t see anyone else.
“What’s going on?” Adam asked, “What do you want?”
“Shut up,” the man replied, then he glared over at Cody. “It makes me sick to think of you having a place like this. It’s not fair. I didn’t want to kill you. I just wanted to drive you off. Why should you have what I can’t but you wouldn’t leave. I have no choice now.”
Joe worried when Adam didn’t return, slowly made his way towards Cody’s house. He was very familiar with the layout of the area so it was fairly easy for him. As Joe got closer, he heard shouting but he couldn’t make out the words. It wasn’t until he reached the back of the house that he could hear what was being said.
“Who are you and why are you doing this?” Joe heard his brother ask.
Joe didn’t recognise the voice that answered Adam, but the words sent a chill through him. “It doesn’t matter who I am and I don’t know who you are, mister, but you shouldn’t go sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s going to cost you your life.”
Joe’s heart was beating rapidly. Was Cody already dead? Joe didn’t know the answer to that question but he knew Adam was still alive and he intended to do all he could to help him.
Adam and Cody watched with horror as the man started to splash lantern oil around and he said, “By the time the fire burns itself out, I’ll be long gone.”
Joe knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He didn’t know what he would be able to do but he had to try. Gripping the gun tightly in his hand, he shoved the door open.
All three men looked towards the door in shock. The stranger had put his gun down on the table as he splashed the oil around. The table was on the other side of the room and Adam knew Joe had a chance. As the stranger ran for his gun, Adam shouted, “Shoot left, Joe, left!”
Joe was terrified of accidentally hitting Adam but he did as his brother had shouted and shot left of where Adam’s shouts had come from.
The first two shots missed and the stranger’s fingers were just groping for the gun. Adam shouted again, “Further left!”
Joe fired again, his third and forth shots missing. The stranger grabbed his gun and swung it towards Joe as Joe’s fifth shot went wide.
Joe’s finger was squeezing the trigger for his sixth and last shot when the strangers gun fired. Two shots rang out simultaneously.
“No!” Adam screamed as he saw Joe fall, blood pooling on the floor where he lay.
As Adam struggled violently to free himself, the man turned slowly to face Adam and Cody. Adam saw the spreading bloodstain, where Joe’s bullet had hit him in the stomach.
The wounded man raised his gun and pointed it at Cody, as he said slowly, “I hate you.” His finger started to squeeze the trigger but before he could, death claimed him and he collapsed to the floor.
Adam continued to struggle but the ropes were too tight and he couldn’t get free. He could only stare at where his brother lay and prey that he was still alive. It was with relief that Adam and Cody heard horses being ridden fast up to the house.
Ben didn’t know what danger might be waiting in the house but he didn’t take time to be cautious. He charged into the house with Hoss and Roy right behind him.
Ben stopped in shock when he saw Adam and Cody tied to chairs, seeing the anguished look on his eldest sons face, Ben looked to where Adam was staring and saw his youngest son.
Ben rushed to Joe. Hoss went to untie Adam
and Cody but his eyes stayed on his little brother while
“Is he all right?” Adam asked his father anxiously.
Ben was kneeling on the floor and had gently turned Joe over. “He’s alive,” Ben answered with relief as he ripped off his bandana to do what he could to stop the bleeding. “He’s got a deep gash on the side of his head, it’s bleeding a lot.”
“What happened?” Hoss asked as he untied Adam.
Adam nodded at the body on the floor and said, “He tried to kill Cody, and me too because I tried to stop him. If it hadn’t been for Joe, he’d have set fire to this place with us in it.”
Hoss had just finished untying Adam when Roy Coffee walked over and took the gag out of Cody’s mouth, he then started to untie him.
“Joe shot him?” Hoss asked, thinking his older brother was making no sense. It wouldn’t have been possible for Joe to know what he was aiming at.
Adam nodded and said, “I’ll tell you about it later,” and they quickly went over to join Ben on the floor. Heedless of the blood, Ben had lifted Joe’s head into his lap.
Released from the ropes, Cody stood up and walked over to the body of the man who had tried to kill him and stared down at him.
“Yes, I do,”
“Do you know him, Cody?” Adam asked, “There must be a reason why he hated you so much.”
Cody dragged his eyes away from the body and looked over at the Cartwright’s and Roy Coffee as he replied, “Oh, there’s a reason all right. His names not Matthews it’s Swayne, same as mine. He’s my brother.”
There were many more questions everyone wanted to ask but Ben put a stop to it. He wanted to get Joe to a doctor.
When the buckboard was hitched, Ben, Adam
and Cody took Joe back to the Ponderosa. Hoss rode into town for the doctor
while Roy Coffee took the body of Steve Swayne to the
undertaker in
**********
Roy Coffee rode out to the Ponderosa after arrangements had been made for the body. Doctor Martin was upstairs with Joe, having chased everyone but Hop Sing out. They were all waiting anxiously downstairs.
The ticking of the clock seemed overly loud as everyone sat in silence, not knowing what to say. Finally, Adam turned to Cody and said, “I’m sorry about your brother, Cody.”
Cody shook his head and replied, “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry he was my brother. I knew he hated me but I guess I just didn’t know how much,” Cody looked at Adam before continuing, “Before you got there he told me he’d lost his ranch. When we were kids, he never could stand me having something he didn’t. I guess some things never change.”
“How did he know about the Double Bar? Or even where you were? I thought you hadn’t had any contact with him since you left home,” Adam said.
“That’s true, I hadn’t. It was just a stroke of bad luck. He had no idea where I was but he said he was working for Sam Kirkson, he saw me there when I delivered those horses with Joe.”
Cody looked at Ben who sat with his head in his hands. “Mr. Cartwright,” when Ben looked up, he said, “I’m sorry, sir.”
Before anymore could be said, Hop Sing came to the top of the stairs and called excitedly, “Mr. Cartwright, doctor say for you to come up.” Ben needed no second telling, he was up the stairs in a moment, everyone else trailing behind him.
It was crowded in the bedroom when Hop Sing shut the door behind them and everyone immediately noticed how dark it was in the room. Night had fallen but Paul Martin had the lantern turned down as low as it would go.
“Pa,” Joe called and Ben immediately went to him, sitting on the edge of the bed. Joe practically threw himself into his father’s arms. Ben could feel Joe trembling and knew he was crying. “What is it, Joseph? What’s wrong?” he asked as he stroked his sons back. Joe’s only response was to cling tighter.
Paul cleared his throat and said, “It’s good news, Ben. Joe woke up while I was examining him. He’s able to see light and can make out shapes. It’s not very clear but I’m hopeful it will improve.”
Ben struggled to keep his own tears from falling as he gently pulled Joe back so he could look at him, putting his hands on either side of Joe’s face, he smiled as he said, “That’s wonderful news.” He stared into his son’s eyes a moment longer and then pulled him back into an embrace.
Adam and Hoss quickly went to the bed to join their father and brother. Adam put his hand on Joe’s back and squatted down on the floor as he said, “Oh, buddy, that’s the best news I could have heard.”
Hoss sniffed back his tears as he bent down to also touch Joe. “That goes for me too, little brother.”
Adam looked up at Doctor Martin. “Is that why it’s so dark in here?”
“Yes,” Paul said, “The light hurts Joe’s eyes and it will for a while. We’ll gradually increase the light as hopefully Joe’s eyes improve.”
Adam looked at the bandage circling his brother’s head and asked Paul, “How is he? What about the wound?”
“He’s got a bad headache but I think, at the moment, the excitement of being able to see, at least a little bit, has over ridden that but he’s going to be feeling pretty sick for the next few days. Just keep him quiet and let him sleep.”
“What made him able see again?” Hoss asked.
“There is so much we don’t know about injuries like Joe’s but I think the force of that bullet hitting him somehow restored his sight,” Paul shook his head, “It was a pretty drastic way of doing it, that bullet almost killed him.”
As Ben held his youngest son in his arms, he shuddered at the thought of how close he had come to losing him.
**********
A week later, Joe was still in bed but his eyesight was almost back to normal and Paul was confident it would soon be perfect. Cody hadn’t been to see Joe since that first night and Joe had started to think that Cody blamed him for the death of his brother. Joe’s family had tried to convince him that wasn’t true but to no avail.
Ben decided to take matters into his own hands. He rode over to the Double Bar to see Cody. They sat at the table talking and Cody said, “How can I face Joe, after what my brother did,” he shook his head. “I don’t know when Steve started to hate me so much.”
“Sometimes, looking back, it’s hard to know when the seeds of hate were first planted, Cody. But your brother allowed that hate to grow until it consumed him. It didn’t matter to him who he hurt as long as he got what he wanted. He let hatred ruin the relationship he could have had with you. Don’t let your guilt ruin your friendship with Joe. Put it behind you, Cody. We have.”
**********
Cody rode back to the Ponderosa with Ben. Going upstairs, they heard the laughter coming from the bedroom. When Ben walked in the room, he noticed the happy smile on Joe’s face and the frown on Hoss’, the checkerboard on the bed between them. “I take it you won, Joseph?”
“Yes,” Joe laughed, “Now I’m going to beat Adam.”
“Don’t be so sure of that, little brother,” Adam laughed. It was then that Joe saw Cody standing in the doorway.
“Cody,” Joe said.
“Hi Joe,” Cody said, nervously coming into the room. “How are you feeling?”
“Great,” Joe replied, “Be even better when Pa lets me get up.”
Ben looked at Joe sternly before replying, “You know what Paul said, another week.” Joe pulled a face and Ben laughed.
Cody slowly sat down in the chair beside the bed and said, “I’m so sorry, Joe. I don’t know what to say.”
“It’s not your fault,” Joe said.
“Yes, it is,” Cody replied.
Joe cut him off. “We don’t get to pick our family. You can’t help who your brother is or what he did anymore than I can help having these two lunkheads for brothers,” he nodded at Adam and Hoss, “You wouldn’t blame me for something they did would ya?”
“Hey,” Hoss said, “Who are you callin’ a lunkhead?” and everyone laughed as the tension was broken.
**********
A month later, Ben sat in church with Adam and Hoss beside him as Cody and Sarah were married. Joe stood beside Cody as his best man. Ben found his eyes continually straying to his youngest son as he thought about how bleak life had seemed for them all just a few months ago, when Joe had first been blinded.
When the ceremony ended, Joe turned and flashed a smile at his father. Ben instantly smiled back, his sad thoughts evaporating as happiness spread through him with the sheer joy of being able to share something with his son that he thought had been lost forever. As father and son looked into each others eyes, words were not needed. A silent look said it all and Ben's heart soared.
The End
October 2003