By: Helen B
Adam and Joe Cartwright were on their way
home by stage after a business trip to
After successfully completing their
business the brothers had stayed on in
Lem Simpkins, a travelling salesman who was
sitting across from the Cartwrights fanned himself with his newspaper, trying
to cool himself down. Peter Mason sat next to him, he was a young man who was
on his way to visit his brother who had recently bought a ranch near
“This heat is just terrible,” Mr Simpkins complained, he was a rotund man of a very foppish nature, unused to western life.
“Not much longer to go. We’ll be in
“I don’t think I can tolerate another minute of this,” Mr Simpkins went on.
Adam avoided looking directly at Joe for fear that they would both burst out laughing if he did, at the last stop Joe had told Adam that he didn’t think he could stand another minute of Mr Simpkins complaints. Out of the corner of his eye Adam saw Joe and Bill elbowing each other. The three young men, Joe, Bill and Peter, had struck up a quick friendship on the stage. Adam was often amazed at Joe’s ability to make friends so quickly and easily, it was something he admired in the boy.
Suddenly the sound of a rifle shot cracked through the air and the stage lurched dangerously before coming to a stop. Adam and Joe had pulled their guns immediately from their holsters at the sound of the shot. Cautiously, Adam slowly started to open the door, only to have to quickly duck back as a bullet just missed him. Automatically he turned to check on Joe. “Stay down!”
“Throw out your guns and come out of there with your hands up,” yelled someone who was hidden from view in the trees by the side of the road. Shots seemed to fire from every direction. “Do what you’re told. Now!” someone shouted from the other side of the stage.
Glancing at Joe, Adam nodded. There was little else they could do. They were obviously surrounded. Adam, Joe and Peter, who all had guns, threw them out. Slowly Adam opened the door and stepped down, glancing up at the driver he saw the man was slumped in the seat, dead. Adam knew it was lucky that the driver had been able to pull the stage to a stop before he’d died. They had avoided one danger but as he looked around, Adam knew the situation they were now in could be just as dire. Five men stepped out of their hiding places, all wore bandana’s over the lower half of their faces.
“What do you want?” Adam asked.
“It’s none of your business what we want,” one of the men said, “Just do as you’re told and no one will get hurt.” He looked around at the passengers. “Now, I want you to tell me your names and don’t lie. We can check your luggage and if we find out you lied, you’ll be very sorry.”
**********
Ten minutes later the passengers were
sitting on the ground. They still didn’t know why the stage had been held up.
Bags and passengers had both been searched and everything of value taken. The
leader of the gang, Adam had heard one of the other men call him Dan, walked
over to the passengers. “We have three extra horses, so three of you will be
coming with us. You,” he pointed at Adam. “you’ll drive the stage to
Adam frowned. “What’s this about?”
“I told you,” Dan said, “It’s none of your business. You’re just the messenger. Now, since we have three horses and one extra person, you get to choose one person to go along with you.”
Peter Mason started to turn, suddenly a shot was fired, hitting him in the chest. Peter fell to the ground. “Stupid move, boy,” Dan said, “I told you to do as I said. You shouldn’t have tried to go for your gun. Now you know what will happen if you don’t listen to me.”
“He wasn’t going for his gun!” Adam shouted, “You had no reason to do that.”
Joe took a step towards Peter and the man pointed his gun straight at Joe. Without hesitation, Adam stepped in front of his brother. “He just wants to check on the man you shot. The least you can do is let him do that,” Adam said angrily.
The man waved his gun. “Go ahead.”
Adam knelt down beside Joe who was trying to stem the flow of blood with his bandana and hands. Adam glared at Dan and asked, “Is it all right if I get my bag? We need some shirts or something to stop the bleeding.”
Dan looked at one of his men and said, “You get something.” The man was back in a few minutes, having pulled some clothes out of one of the bags. After they had done what they could, Adam and Joe used some water from a canteen to wash the blood from their hands.
“We’ve wasted enough time,” Dan said, he nodded at Peter, “he’s not going to be much use to us now,” looking at Adam, he said, “but I did tell you that you got to choose, so hurry up.”
Adam, still kneeling next to his brother, looked at Joe. In Adam’s heart he knew there was no choice, how could he possibly leave his little brother behind but Joe shook his head.
“You need to take Peter with you,” Joe said quietly.
“I can’t leave you. I won’t,” Adam replied firmly.
“I’ll be all right,” Joe said, trying to reassure his brother, “Peter will die if you don’t get him to a doctor.”
Adam looked at Dan. “Let the boy go,” he nodded at Joe, “and he can take the wounded man with him. I’ll stay.”
“No,” Dan replied, “I’ve told you how it’s going to be. You’re not the one giving orders here. You have two minutes,” he held the gun menacingly pointed at the passengers, “or I’ll make the choice for you and I guarantee you won’t like it.”
Adam looked once more at Joe. “Little Joe, I can’t….”
“You have to, Adam. You can’t just let him die. Please, Adam!”
Adam felt as though he were being tortured by the choice he was being forced to make. Swallowing hard, he looked up at Dan, “I’ll take the wounded man with me.”
Dan nodded and handed Adam an envelope. “Open this when you get to town.”
“When will you release the others?” Adam asked.
“There are instructions in the letter. Once they are followed, I’ll let everyone go.”
Sliding his hand down beside him, Adam squeezed his young brothers hand. “Don’t do anything stupid, Joe. Just do what they tell you,” he looked into Joe’s eyes, “I’ll come back for you. I promise.”
Dan waved his gun. “Get going.” With one more squeeze of Joe’s hand, Adam rose. With the help of the other men, they got Peter inside the stage. With one final look at Joe, Adam motioned the team forward.
**********
Ben and Hoss were waiting at the stage station. They’d ridden into town to meet Adam and Joe. They looked down the street at the sound of shouting. The stage was being driven at great speed. As the stage got nearer and started to slow they both stared in shock at the driver.
“Adam!” Ben cried out and rushed forward as the stage was pulled to a stop. “What’s happened?” Ben quickly looked Adam over and then looked in the stage. “Where’s Joseph?”
Adam jumped down. “We were held up,” at Ben’s look of fear, he quickly said, “Joe’s all right. At least, he was all right when I left.”
“Where is he, Adam?” Hoss asked urgently.
“I’ll explain what I can,” Adam said, “but first I need a doctor.”
Other people started to crowd around, all wanting to know what had happened.
“Where is my son!” Aaron Nelson yelled, grabbing Adam’s arm, “Is he all right?”
Adam nodded but before he could answer Robert Mason ran towards them, having just arrived in town. “Ben,” he called as he approached, “What’s happened?” Seeing his brother being pulled from the stage barely conscious, he rushed forward. Robert helped the men carry his brother to Doctor Martin’s office.
“The stage was held up,” Adam told him quickly, “I need to talk to you. Now,” Adam said quietly.
**********
Inside the Sheriffs office, Ben immediately turned to Adam, “Where is Joseph?” Ben asked again, “Is he all right?” It was the only thought in his head.
“Except for the driver, everyone was all
right when I left them,
Adam pulled the letter out of his pocket.
“They told me to open this when I reached town. They said once the instructions
in here are followed they’ll release the other passengers.” He handed the note
over to
Ben’s hands clenched into fists of anger and his knuckles turned white, fear surging through him. “What does it say?” Ben asked urgently.
Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. I didn’t take the time to stop and read it.”
The Cartwrights looked at Roy, who had
opened the envelope and was reading the note.
You will
find the passengers minus one at the same place you left them.
“What does that mean?”
“Not everyone,” Ben said, “it sounds like they’ve kept one.”
“But who?” Aaron Nelson said, “and it doesn’t say everyone else is still alive.”
“Don’t go thinkin’ things like that,” Hoss said quickly, “they gotta be all right. They just gotta be.”
“We have to get out there,” Adam said, “We need to get organized quickly.”
“I’ll get a posse together,”
Ben nodded in agreement, “The boys and I will get some supplies, we don’t know what we are going to find,” Ben tried to keep the negative thoughts from entering his head but he couldn’t help but worry about what might be awaiting them, “We might have to camp out.”
“Adam, what did the men look like? Did you
recognize any of them?”
“No,” Adam shook his head, “They had bandana’s across their lower faces and only one man spoke. I didn’t recognize his voice.” Suddenly Adam pounded his fist on the desk and shouted, “Why did I leave him!” Turning his back on the other men in the room, Adam tried to get his emotions under control.
Ben went to his son and squeezed Adam’s shoulder. “We’ll get him back. We have to believe that, Adam. And don’t feel guilty. There was nothing else you could have done.”
“Oh, Pa,” Adam shook his head sadly and tried to stop the tears from falling, “That’s just it. You don’t know what I did,” he looked into his fathers eyes, “I chose to leave Joe there.”
“What do ya mean?” Hoss asked.
“I was told I had to drive the stage into
Hoss’ eyes narrowed as he looked at his brother and asked, “Why isn’t Little Joe with you then?”
“Oh, God,” Adam whispered, the blood draining from his face, looking at his father and brother he almost begged for their understanding, “Peter Mason got shot and I knew he’d die without help.”
“So you left Little Joe,” Hoss spat the words out bitterly, “How could you have just left him like that?” Hoss’ voice started to rise.
“What would you have done?” Adam asked, “Let someone else die to save Joe?”
“If that was the only choice I had, yes!” Hoss said, without hesitation. “I’d never have left Little Joe like that. He’s just a kid, Adam. You promised you’d look after him.” As the tears came to Hoss’ eyes, he turned away, too angry and upset to continue.
The accusation hit Adam hard. He recalled
the conversation between his family, the day he and Joe had left for
“Now, you make sure you stay out of
trouble, Joseph,” Ben said, sternly.
“Me?” Joe replied with a straight face,
“You know me,
Despite his effort to stay stern,
Ben laughed and tapped Joe on the backside as he said, “Get on that stage
before you miss it.”
Joe’s laughter joined his father’s and
he quickly hugged the man. “Bye,
Ben tried to tell himself not to worry.
This was Joe’s first long journey away from home without his father. Adam shook
his father’s hand. “Bye,
“Have a good trip, son. Adam……”
Adam smiled and cut him off. “Don’t
worry,
The words pounded in Adam’s head, ‘Don’t
worry,
“Are you all right?” Ben asked, his hands still on Adam’s shoulders.
Adam nodded. “Yes, sorry. I’m fine. I was
just thinking about something.” Looking into his fathers eye’s, he said, “I’m
so sorry,
Ben felt sick with worry about what could be happening to his youngest child but he could see the guilt was weighing so heavily on his eldest and he sought to give what comfort he could. “I know you did what you felt you had to, Adam. It was a terrible situation to be placed in. We have to just concentrate on getting Joe back. We have to all work together,” Ben turned to Hoss, “All of us.” Hoss nodded slowly.
Trying to get his mind to concentrate, Ben
said, “We need to get out there,” he turned to
It didn’t take long for them to get everything organized. The men rode out at a fast pace, the stage following behind. Doctor Paul Martin was still operating on Peter so his brother was staying in town.
Before they reached the spot where the stage had been stopped, the men on horseback were met by two men on foot; Lem Simpkins and Bill Nelson. Pulling his horse to a stop. Aaron Nelson threw himself from the saddle and ran to his son, hugging him quickly, he pulled him back and asked, “Are you all right?” Bill nodded.
The other men had also dismounted and with growing apprehension, Ben asked, “Where’s Joe?”
“They took him with them,” Bill said.
“Did they say where they were taking him?” Adam asked.
Bill shook his head. “No, they didn’t say. Just after you left, they tied him belly down across a horse. Before they rode off and left us, they gave me this. Said to give it to you.” Bill handed a folded note to Adam. Adam opened it and stared at the words in shock.
“Adam,” Ben asked anxiously, “What does it say?”
Adam felt like tearing the note into a million pieces, but trying to control his anger, he read aloud the words on the paper.
Adam
Cartwright. You took everything I had from me. I’m going to do the same to you.
One at a time until you have nothing and no one left.
Adam handed the paper to his father. Ben read the note once more and then looked questioningly at his eldest son. “It’s not signed. Do you have any idea who it’s from?”
Adam shook his head. “No. I don’t know who’s behind this.”
“Think, Adam,” Hoss said, “Little Joe’s life could depend on us finding out who has him.”
“Don’t you think I know that,” Adam snapped, “I just don’t know who it could be.”
Ben crumpled the note and put it in his pocket. “This isn’t getting us anywhere, he remounted. “Let’s go. We need to try and track them.” Turning to Aaron, he said, “You four wait here. Charlie should be here soon with the stage.”
Aaron nodded. “Good luck, Ben.”
**********
After the men arrived at the site where the stage had been stopped they quickly searched for tracks. They found plenty but a little way away from the area, the tracks split up.
Kneeling on the ground, examining the tracks, Hoss shook his head and stood up. “They had eight horses and they’ve split up and gone in four different directions. Obviously Joe is with only one man, but which one?” Hoss looked at the tracks in frustration, wishing they could tell him more.
“Then we need to split up, too,” Ben said and Hoss nodded in agreement.
“We need to give the horses a break first,” Adam said. Noticing the angry look that Hoss shot Adam, Ben patted his big son’s arm. “He’s right Hoss. We need the horses. We can’t afford to exhaust them.”
“Hoss…” Adam started.
“Don’t, Adam!” Hoss snapped, “Don’t talk to me. I don’t want to hear a word you have to say.”
“Do you think I wanted to leave him? Adam shouted back, fear for his youngest brother getting the better of him.
“You left him!” Hoss snapped angrily, glaring at Adam, “Anything could be happening to him right now. He’s barely more than a child. You’re supposed to protect him.” Adam flinched at Hoss’ words. The words hurt because Adam had already been telling himself the same thing.
Ben reached out and placed a hand on each son’s arm. “We’re all upset,” Ben said, looking at both of his sons, “But arguing like this isn’t going to help us find your brother.” Looking into Adam’s eyes, Ben said, “I don’t blame you, Adam. And I don’t want you blaming yourself.”
Adam could see the honesty behind the words, in his father’s face but he asked, “Would you have made the same decision?”
There was silence for a moment when Ben
didn’t reply, then
Ben nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right,
Adam thought back to how the shooting of Peter Mason had happened and then he understood. “Peter wasn’t going for his gun when he was shot. They said he was but that wasn’t true. Now I know why they shot him.”
Ben nodded as he also realized. “They wanted you to have to take Peter! They knew you couldn’t leave him there or he’d die.”
“He might still die anyway,” Adam said bitterly, “in which case, I left Little Joe behind for nothing.”
“Adam,” Ben said, quietly, trying to get through to his eldest son, “we know now that they were never going to let Joe leave with you. It was just part of a sick game someone is playing with you.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better,
The other men in the posse had been talking and approached Roy and the Cartwrights. One of them said, “The boys and me have been talking. It looks like there’s rain on the way and the trails are going to be lost. It’s pointless to go on.”
“Pointless!” Ben spat the word out, the anger in his voice apparent, “If that were your son out there somewhere would you be saying it was pointless then?” There were murmurs of apology but the men wouldn’t be swayed into staying. Ben rued that the posse had been hastily formed and didn’t contain friends who would have ridden on with them.
After the other men had left and only
Before they rode out, Ben looked at his two sons. “Be careful.”
“You too, Pa,” Adam replied, as he turned his horse and rode away.
Ben turned to Hoss. “We’ll find him, son. Just hold onto that thought.”
“I will, Pa,” Hoss replied. Ben and Roy turned their horses and rode in different directions. For a moment, Hoss looked in the direction Adam had ridden and then he motioned his horse forward.
Adam heard the hoof beats behind him and turned in the saddle, seeing his middle brother riding up, he pulled his horse to a stop and waited. “What is it?” he asked as Hoss pulled up beside him.
“I didn’t want to leave it with bad feelings between us. I shouldn’t a said the things I did to ya. I’m just so worried about Little Joe.”
“So am I,” Adam replied.
Hoss nodded, “I know ya are. And you did your best to protect Little Joe. I know that. We can’t dwell now on how it happened or why it happened. We can think about that later. Only one thing’s important now. Gettin’ Little Joe back!”
Adam nodded, glad that Hoss had forgiven him, although he hadn’t yet forgiven himself. “You’re right.”
Hoss held out his hand. “Good luck, Adam.”
“You too,” Adam replied as he shook his brothers hand and then both young men separated to begin the search.
**********
Adam followed the trail as long as he could until darkness set in and then he made camp. He found some shelter, quickly saw to his horse, ate and rolled himself in his bedroll. During the night it rained. Adam was glad he’d been able to find some shelter to keep from getting too wet. He cursed the loss of the tracks he’d been following.
Before dawn the next morning, Adam was up and
ready to go on. He thought about what direction he should go now. He knew the
tracks had been heading towards the town of
Later that day with darkness starting to set in, Adam decided he would make camp. The sky was cloudy and he hoped it wouldn’t rain again. Pulling his horse to a stop, he squinted into the distance and spotted what appeared to be smoke and knew that up ahead someone had made camp. Adam carefully rode a little further and then leaving his horse, he walked the rest of the way, being careful to make as little noise as possible.
Getting as close as he could, Adam lay on his stomach and looked through the trees. In the light given off from the fire, he could see someone walking around. He could see no sign of his brother though. Suddenly Adam saw the man draw back his foot and kick at something out of view behind a fallen tree. Adam stood up and started to make his way to the other side of the camp so he could see what was behind the tree. There was a loud crack and Adam realized he’d stepped on a fallen tree branch.
Adam froze, hoping the man hadn’t heard the noise. Keeping his eyes on the man, Adam’s hand started to reach for his gun. In that instant, the man reached down and dragged someone to their feet. Adam drew in a sharp breath as he realized it was his young brother.
Holding the boy in front of him, the man yelled, “Who ever’s there come out. Do it or he’s dead!” The man roughly shook Joe and Adam knowing there was nothing else he could do stepped forward.
Once in the better light, Adam saw who it was. When the stage had been held up, he hadn’t seen anyone’s face but he knew the eyes that now looked back at him. Dan! He stared in shock and anger at his young brother. If not for the arm that had a tight grip around him, Joe would have collapsed, his ankles were tied together as were his wrists which were bound in front of him. Bruises marked Joe’s face and Adam didn’t know what was wrong but the boy was clearly very ill.
“I don’t know how you found me but your lucks run out,” Dan said, “I’m being paid five thousand dollars to deliver this kid and I was to make sure that you weren’t accidentally killed in the hold up but there’s no way I’m risking my life now. If you force me to, I’ll kill you. Drop your gun.”
Joe groaned as Dan pushed the gun barrel into his side.
“Leave him alone!” Adam shouted, “He’s just a boy! Let him go,” Adam tried to control his anger, “Wherever you are planning on taking him, take me instead. But let him go.”
Dan shook his head. “Nope. Can’t do that. I was paid to deliver him. Not you. And I only got half the money. I get the other half when he’s delivered.”
“I’ll pay you more than that to let us go,” Adam said, willing to do or say anything that got the man to release his brother.
Dan seemed to be considering it but then shook his head and tightened his grip on Joe. “You’d never let me just walk away now,” Joe groaned and raised his head, staring at Adam with glazed, pain filled eyes. “Drop your gun and move away,” Dan called.
Adam shook his head. “No,” looking into Joe’s eyes, Adam tried to send him a message that he hoped his young brother would understand. Suddenly Joe made the movement that Adam had been hoping for, twisting away from Dan with all the strength he had left.
In that instant, before Dan could pull Joe back towards him, Adam drew his gun and fired. When Adam saw Dan fall he thanked God his aim had been true. He hadn’t had time to think at the moment he’d pulled the trigger but now his hands started to shake at the thought of how easily he could have accidentally shot Joe. Pushing those thoughts away, he ran towards his brother. Both men had fallen and Dan lay partially on Joe, roughly Adam shoved him off. Seeing the man was still alive, Adam picked up the gun and threw if off to the side.
Gently touching his brother’s face, Adam said, “Joe. Little Joe, come on. Can you open your eyes for me?”
It seemed to take all Joe’s effort to make his eyes open but finally he did and he stared up into the face looming over him. “Adam,” he said softly, “I knew you’d come back.”
Adam blinked, trying to keep from crying. “I told you I would.” Grabbing his knife Adam quickly freed his brother from the ropes that held him, noticing how deeply the rope had cut into his wrists. Joe groaned at the fresh pain in his hands as the blood rushed back into them. Adam gently massaged them. Searching his brother with his eyes, Adam asked, “Little Joe, do you hurt anywhere else?”
“Belly,” Joe said as he coughed weakly.
Adam carefully pulled Joe’s shirt up and stared in alarm at the boy’s stomach that was covered in bruises. Adam knew some of the bruises had been made by blows but other damage was the result of travelling slung over a horse for so long. Adam gently touched Joe’s stomach, wishing there was something he could do for the pain. When Joe coughed again, Adam reached for a canteen and gave his brother a drink. He noted the sweat that beaded Joe’s face and the flush that stained it. When Adam placed his hand on Joe’s forehead, Joe felt hot to the touch, yet the young man was shaking with chills.
Pushing the hair back from Joe’s forehead, Adam asked, “Did you get wet last night, buddy?”
Joe nodded and through chattering teeth said, “Lay in the rain all night.”
Adam turned furious eyes on Dan. Despite seeing the man was near death, Adam felt no sympathy for him. Turning back to his brother, Adam said, “Joe, I’m just going to lift you up and move you closer to the fire, okay.” Joe gave a slight nod and Adam lifted him carefully, placing him near the fire, Adam wrapped a blanket around him, “I’ll be back in a minute, okay. You just rest.” Adam didn’t get an answer as Joe was already asleep.
Going back to Dan, Adam knelt down. “Where were you taking Joe?” he asked. When Dan didn’t answer, Adam said, “You might as well tell me. The information will do you no good.”
“Go to hell,” the man said as he drew his last breath.
Adam stood up and looked down on the man. “If there’s any justice, that’s just where you are now,” he said, before he hurried back to Joe.
Although Adam hadn’t left his horse very far away, he knew he had to go and get it to bring it to the camp but he wanted to wait until Joe woke up so he wouldn’t wake and find Adam gone.
Joe sleepily opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times, when his eyes cleared he saw Adam smiling at him. “How do you feel?” Adam asked.
“Better,” Joe replied, “It’s good to be warm again.”
Adam tucked the blanket a bit tighter. “We’ll head for Bluffs Creek in the morning. Should get there early afternoon. You’ll feel even better sleeping in a bed instead of on the ground.”
Joe nodded and asked, ”Where’s Pa?”
“We didn’t know what direction you’d been taken, Joe, so we all split up. I’ll send some wires out when we reach Bluffs Creek and track down Pa and Hoss for you.”
“Adam,” Joe said hesitatingly, not sure he really wanted the answer to the question he was about to ask, “How’s Peter?”
Adam didn’t want to worry Joe but he’d always been honest with his brothers so as he continued to stroke Joe’s forehead, he said, “I’m not sure, buddy. Doc Martin was operating on him when we came looking for you.” Joe was relieved that at least there was a chance Peter was still alive.
“Joe, I’m sorry about everything that’s happened.” The guilt of leaving Joe like he had, still weighed heavily on Adam.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Adam. Honest,” Joe moved his hand from the blankets and grabbed Adam’s, “There was nothing else you could have done.” Joe started to cough and Adam pulled Joe into a sitting position and held him while he patted his back. When the coughing stopped, Adam said, “We’ll talk about it later. Right now I have to get some food into you. Do you think you can eat something?”
Still resting against Adam, Joe nodded, although he really wasn’t sure if he would be able to keep it down.
“I left Sport not far from here so I’ll just go and get him and then get you something to eat, all right? I’ll only be gone a few minutes.” When Joe nodded again, Adam lay him back down, carefully tucking the blankets back around him.
Adam practically ran to where he’d left Sport, quickly retrieving the animal he returned to camp and set about making something to eat and getting some food and more water into Joe. Joe had obviously had very little of either since he’d been taken.
Adam supported his brother while Joe ate. He wished he could have gotten Joe to eat a bit more but the boy had started to feel sick and would eat no more.
After getting Joe settled again, Adam waited until his brother went back to sleep and then searched Dan’s saddle bags to see if there were any clues as to where Dan had been intending to take Joe. Searching the bags, Adam found the clothes Dan had been wearing when he’d held up the stage, that had been why Adam hadn’t recognized him when he’d watched him through the trees, he hadn’t expected the man to change his clothes but obviously when he’d gotten wet in the storm, he had later changed into dry clothes. Adam’s anger rose again at the fact that Joe had been left to wear soaking wet clothes. He thought about when he’d first realized that Joe had been lying behind the fallen tree, he had been well away from any heat the fire would have given off, if Adam hadn’t arrived it would have been another very cold night for Joe.
Tipping the rest of the things out of the saddlebag in anger, Adam saw a piece of paper, picking it up he read it.
I’ll be
waiting at the turnoff to
Turning, Adam looked across at Joe and quietly said, “Are you the package, buddy?” Putting the note in his pocket, he vowed, “Well, you are one package he’ll never get.”
**********
The next morning, Adam woke early and got the horses saddled, he then tied the body of Dan onto a horse to take it in to the Sheriff at Bluffs Creek. He couldn’t help wishing that the man was alive so that he could know what it felt like to lay belly down over a moving horse for hours. With that done, he washed up and started to cook breakfast, keeping an eye on Joe. Joe had been restless all night, his cough growing worse. Adam feared it was the start of pneumonia. Seeing Joe open his eyes, he quickly scooped some beans into a dish and went over to help him sit up. Once again, Joe didn’t eat much but Adam was pleased he at least had something in his stomach.
It didn’t take long to get everything organized and the two brothers were on their way to Bluffs Creek.
**********
Joe was riding in front of Adam. Adam kept an arm looped gently around his young brother to keep him in the saddle, careful of the boy’s extremely tender stomach. Adam was relieved that Joe was able to sleep at least part of the way.
Arriving at Bluffs Creek, Adam looked up and down the street. Wanting to get a doctor to look at Joe, he searched for a doctor’s shingle. The door to the jail opened and the sheriff stepped out, pointing a gun at the Cartwrights. “Drop your gun and get down real slow,” he called.
“Look,” Adam said, “I need to get my brother to a doctor. As soon as I’ve done that, I’ll explain everything.”
“You’ll explain everything first. Now, drop your gun and get down.”
Adam did as the sheriff had asked and then helped Joe down. “I’m Adam Cartwright and this is my brother, Joe. Ask anyone around here. They’ll know us.” The Cartwrights had been through Bluffs Creek many times and were well known in the area but Sheriff Carl Davison was new to the job and had only been in town a couple of months. Being young and new to the job he wanted to prove he couldn’t be intimidated. He’d heard of the Cartwrights and that made him more determined that he wouldn’t be seen to be lenient on them because of who they were.
“Inside,” Sheriff Davison pointed at the door. Adam practically carried Joe inside and the two brothers sat side by side in chairs with Joe leaning heavily on Adam.
“At least let him lie down,” Adam said angrily to the sheriff, “Surely you can see just by looking at him how sick he is!”
“Take him back there,” the Sheriff nodded towards the cells. Once Joe was lying down, Adam said, “It’ll be all right, Joe. You just rest here while I talk to the Sheriff, okay.”
Adam started to stand up from the bed but Joe grabbed his hand. “Don’t leave me.”
Adam felt his heart twist. If only he
hadn’t left Joe the first time. Squeezing the hand he held within his own, he
said, “I won’t leave you,” he carefully sat back down on the bed. Turning to
the sheriff he said, “Lock us in here if you feel you have to. The man slung
over the horse kidnapped my brother. Send a wire to
Beginning to think that he might have made
an error in judgement, Sheriff Davison quickly locked the cell door and went to
send the telegram. Roy Coffee had returned to
On receiving the reply, Sheriff Davison quickly went to get the doctor, only to find that he’d missed him. While he’d been waiting for a reply to the telegram Doctor Phillips had been called out to a ranch where a ranch hand had fallen from a hayloft. He was expected to be away for a couple of days.
**********
Adam looked up when he heard the footsteps and saw the sheriff. An older woman who appeared to be in her late fifties was with him. Sheriff Davison saw immediately that in the time he’d been away, the young man had deteriorated. He’d vomited and Adam was extremely upset that he hadn’t been able to do anything to ease Joe’s pain. “Doctor Phillips has been called away, he’s not expected back for a couple of days,” at the look of fury and dismay on Adam’s face, he rushed on, “I brought Widow Perkins. Her husband was the doctor here. I thought she might be able to do something to help,” he unlocked the door and Widow Perkins went across to the bed.
Joe tossed restlessly and Adam moved aside to allow the woman closer. “What happened?” she asked, looking at Adam. Adam quickly explained what had led up to them being there. The woman lifted Joe’s shirt and examined the bruising and listened to his chest.
“We’re going to have to work hard to stop this from turning to pneumonia. The state this child is in, he’d never withstand a bout of that,” at Adam’s nod she continued, “the problem is made worse by the injuries to his stomach. He’s very tender. It’s possible there may be some internal injuries. We’ll have to watch him carefully for any signs. When he coughs, the pain in his stomach must be terrible. It would be more comfortable for him to lie flat, it would ease the muscles in his stomach but he’s already having difficulty breathing and that’s going to get worse. We are going to have to sit him up.”
The woman reached out and patted Adam’s arm. “I may not be a doctor, dear, but I was married to one for almost forty years. I learned a thing or two helping my husband in that time. First things first. Let’s get this young man over to my home. You can both stay with me.”
“Thank you,” Adam said, the relief that he had found someone willing to help him evident in his voice. When Adam bundled Joe up and started to lift him, Sheriff Davison stepped forward intending to help him. “I can manage,” Adam said coldly, as he lifted his brother into his arms.
**********
At Widow Perkins’ house, Adam worked quickly to get Joe cleaned up and into a warm bed. With that done, he pulled a chair up close to the bed and watched his brother sleep. Joe was sleeping propped up with a couple of pillows behind him. Reaching for a cloth and soaking it in the bowl of water on the nightstand beside the bed, Adam wiped it across Joe’s glistening skin, hoping to prevent the fever from rising.
Turning as he heard a noise behind him, Adam smiled with gratitude when Widow Perkins handed him a cup of coffee. “Thank you, Mrs Perkins.”
“I thought you could use it,” she said as she smiled back, “and call me Sarah Jane.” Going to Joe she put her hand on his forehead, “About the same,” she said. Adam nodded in agreement. “You sit with your brother. Call me if you need me. I’ll just be in the kitchen. I’ll make us something to eat and something soft and easy to swallow for Joe.”
“Thank you so much. I….” Adam started.
Sarah Jane smiled and shook her head, stopping Adam, “There’s no need to thank me,” before turning away to go to the kitchen.
**********
The next morning found Adam and Sarah Jane still at Joe’s side. Both were tired having gotten little sleep during the night as Joe’s condition worsened. Joe struggled to drag each breath into his starving lungs. Sarah Jane had made a corn meal poultice and tried some other remedies her husband had used but nothing was helping so far.
Adam sat beside his brother, trying to keep him calm which was a hard task when Adam’s own heart beat wildly with fear that each breath drawn was going to be Joe’s last. Once again, Joe started to cough, Adam pulled him forward and supported him until he stopped, then leant him back against the pillows so that Joe was sitting upright. Joe’s hand tightly clutched Adam’s arm and his eye’s were wide with fright. “It’s all right,” Adam soothed, as he rubbed Joe’s arm, “You’re all right. That’s it,” Adam smiled gently as Joe started to calm down.
Sarah Jane had been struck by the closeness of the brothers and preyed the youngest would pull through. At the sound of someone knocking on the front door, she looked over at Adam. “I won’t be long,” Adam nodded as Sarah Jane left the room to answer the door. She was back within minutes with Sheriff Davison trailing behind her.
Looking up and seeing the sheriff standing there, Adam glared at the man. “What do you want?”
The young sheriff twisted his hat nervously in his hands. “I’m very sorry about what happened yesterday. I should have listened to you from the start but I had to make sure I was doing the right thing.”
While they’d been looking after Joe during the night, Adam had told Sarah Jane everything that had happened, including Sheriff Davison’s refusal to allow Adam to take Joe to the doctor before talking to the sheriff. Sarah Jane had been as angry as Adam with the sheriff. It was obvious how ill the boy was. And looking at the sheriff now, she was still angry with him.
“What on earth were you thinking making him lie in that drafty jail cell?” Sarah Jane said.
Sheriff Davison nodded, “I know I made a mistake.” He walked over to Adam, “All’s I can say is I’m sorry,” he said as he held out his hand.
Adam nodded. He hadn’t yet forgiven the sheriff but the man did at least appear to be sorry for how he had treated them. Adam reached out and shook the man’s hand.
Pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and handing it to Adam the sheriff said, “It’s the telegram I got from Sheriff Coffee yesterday. He wanted you to know he was going to locate your father and brother and let them know about Joe.” He handed over another piece of paper, “And this one just arrived.”
Adam read the second message, it was from his father, letting him know he and Hoss would be there as soon as possible. Noting where it was sent from, Adam knew it should take them until the following day to arrive but knowing his family Adam guessed they might make quicker time.
“Thanks for letting me know,” Adam said.
“Doesn’t look like they caught up with any of the others involved,” Sheriff Davison said.
“No,” Adam agreed, “They were only the lackeys though. The one that had Joe with him was the one that gave the orders,” Adam paused, taking a deep breath to control his anger, “And I want the man he was working for.”
“How are you going to find out who it is?” Sheriff Davison asked.
“I’ll find him,” Adam said firmly. “I found
a note in the dead man’s gear. It told him to take the package to the turnoff
to
“The
When Joe groaned weakly, Adam turned back to him and wiped a damp cloth over his face, “I can’t think of anything else right now other than Joe. I can’t leave him like this.”
“You don’t have to worry about Joe,” Sarah Jane said, “I can take care of him for you.”
“I know,” Adam replied, “but Joe really needs family with him. Just in case….” Adam broke of but Sarah Jane knew what he was thinking. Adam didn’t want Joe to die with only a stranger with him.
Looking back at the sheriff, Adam said, “Try and keep it quiet that we’re here in town. Hopefully whoever it is who’s behind this won’t find out. My father and other brother will be here by tomorrow. Tonight if I know my family. We can decide what we are going to do then.”
Joe, who had been dozing, woke and started to cough, Adam reached over to help him and Sheriff Davison said, “I better be going. I’ll come back later this afternoon to see how Joe’s doing.” Adam nodded distractedly as the sheriff left.
**********
Late that night, Sarah Jane was getting some sleep and Adam was sitting with Joe when there was a loud knock on the door. Adam checked Joe was still asleep and got up from his chair to answer it. Adam opened the front door just as Sarah Jane started down the stairs.
“How is he?” Ben asked Adam as soon as the door opened.
“He’s very sick, Pa,” Adam replied, “through here,” he said, leading them to the room where Joe lay, tossing restlessly.
“Oh, Joe,” Ben said, shocked by the bruising that marked the young man, the sound of his young sons breathing truly frightened him. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he smoothed the hair back from Joe’s forehead. “It’s all right, son. We’re all with you now,” like a litany, Ben repeated the words, hoping Joe would understand that his father was with him.
Holding Joe’s hand within his own, Ben turned to Adam, “I’m sorry, son,” Ben looked Adam over, “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” Adam answered his father.
“You look tired,” Ben replied.
“So do you,” Adam said, “You made good time.”
“Rode as hard as we could,” Hoss said, staring down at Joe. “Where’s the yahoo who did this?”
“Dead,” Adam said simply, at his father’s questioning look, Adam told them what had happened.
Sarah Jane had left the family alone for a
while, when she joined them later, introductions were made and after Adam had
told them how much she had helped them, he said, “I couldn’t have managed
without Sarah Jane,
“I’m so grateful for all that you’ve done,” Ben told her.
Sarah Jane smiled, “I appreciate your kind words but my thanks will be when I see this young man well again,” she nodded towards Joe.
**********
In the early hours of the morning, Joe’s fever broke and his breathing became much easier. Ben had stayed with his youngest son all night, his elder sons had gotten a little sleep, not much though, both of them also too worried to sleep.
Ben smiled with relief when Joe opened his eyes and he saw they weren’t clouded with the unawareness caused by his fever. “How do you feel?” Ben asked quietly.
Joe stared at his father ignoring the question, Joe asked, “When did you get here?”
“Late last night,” Ben replied as he held a glass to his son’s mouth to allow him to drink and then said, “Now, you haven’t answered my question, young man. How do you feel?”
“Like I got run over by a herd of stampeding cattle,” Joe answered softly.
Hoss laughed at the statement. “It looks like you did, too, short shanks,” he joked.
Adam straightened up from the chair he’d dozed off in for a few minutes, “Well, when did this happen?” he asked, getting up and moving to Joe’s bedside.
“What?” Joe asked.
“You waking up,” Adam smiled.
“Just a few minutes ago,” Ben said, he was relived that Joe seemed a bit better but still concerned about his cough. Noticing the boy’s eyes about to close, Ben gently shook him, “No you don’t. You’re going to eat something before you go back to sleep.”
“I’ll make him something,” Hoss said.
“How about we both do it,” Sarah Jane said as she came into the room, “it’s good to see you awake, Joe,” she laughed at the look of confusion on his face, “Your father will explain who I am,” she said, realising Joe had been so sick for the last couple of days he didn’t know who had been looking after him.
“We can do it, Sarah Jane,” Ben said, “You’ve done so much for us.”
“It’s no trouble,” Sarah Jane smiled, looking at Hoss she said, “How about you and I go and cook something up. You must all be hungry.”
“Sure thing,” Hoss replied as he and Sarah Jane headed for the kitchen.
**********
In the kitchen while Sarah Jane prepared some scrambled eggs she found herself telling Hoss about her husband. “My John’s been gone for a year now, there are still times when I get so lonely” sadness tinged her words, “We were never lucky enough to be blessed with children.”
“I’m sorry,” Hoss said, wishing there was something more he could say to comfort the woman.
Sarah Jane wiped away the tears that had started to form and smiled, “It’s nice to have a family in my home. Even though you’re not my own.”
“Ma’am,” Hoss said sincerely, “after what you’ve done for us, you’ll always be an honorary member of our family.”
Sarah quickly turned away as the tears brightened her eyes again. She wasn’t sure why she’d taken such an instant liking to the family but she was so glad she’d had the chance to meet them.
**********
Sheriff Davison came to the house later that morning and was introduced to the rest of the Cartwright family. With Joe asleep and Sarah Jane sitting with him, the rest of the family and Sheriff Davison discussed what they should do.
“I think Adam and Hoss should ride out to the Junction Falls Turnoff with me today,” Sheriff Davison said, “Tomorrows Thursday and according to the note he’ll be gone by Friday so we don’t want to take a chance on missing him if he gets there early.”
Adam nodded in agreement, looking at his
father, he said, “We’ll handle this,
Ben nodded, knowing he couldn’t leave Joe. As his two sons stood up to start making preparations to leave, he warned, “Be careful.”
**********
Later that day, Ben was reading in a chair beside Joe’s bed when he heard the young man start to stir. Joe blinked a couple of times and looked around the room. “Where are Adam and Hoss?”
“They’ll be back soon.”
“Where are they?” Joe asked again.
Moving from the chair to the edge of the bed, Ben said, “We think you were supposed to be handed over to someone tomorrow,” Joe looked confused and anxious, and Ben tried to reassure him, “we don’t know who or why but we will find out Joseph, I promise. Everything will be all right. Adam and Hoss have gone with Sheriff Davison out to the place you were going to be taken to.” Seeing the worried look on the boy’s face, Ben patted his hand. “You are not to worry,” he said firmly.
“But, Pa….”
Ben squeezed Joe’s hand. “Shhh, Adam and Hoss will be fine so you just do what you’re told and stop that worrying, all right.” Ben knew that Joe, like himself, was still worried, he ran his hand up and down his son’s arm soothingly. “Go back to sleep.”
**********
Adam and Hoss had thought it best that they go out to the site with only the sheriff, they didn’t know who else they could completely trust in the town. The three men positioned themselves in different places so they could all keep watch in different directions.
With nightfall not far away Hoss made his way over to his older brother. “No sign of anyone yet. When do you think he’ll show?”
Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s probable that he won’t get here until tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Hoss agreed, “Well, we know he intends to be gone by Friday according to that note.”
“Yes…….” Adam frowned and broke off.
“What?” Hoss looked around, wondering what was wrong. “What is it?”
“Friday, that’s what Sheriff Davison said,” When Hoss looked at him uncomprehendingly, Adam explained, “I told Sheriff Davison that the note I found said the package was to be brought here. I didn’t show it to him. I told him. But I didn’t mention anything to him about the person leaving by Friday.”
“So?” Hoss still didn’t understand what was wrong.
“This morning when Davison came to the house, he said we didn’t want to take a chance on missing him because he’d be gone by Friday. How did he know that?”
Hoss nodded understandingly as he realized what it meant. “Are you sure you didn’t tell him or maybe Sarah Jane and she told him?”
Adam shook his head. “No,” he said, simply.
“Adam!” Hoss clutched his brother’s arm. “If he’s helped set us up and no ones coming, we left Pa and Joe in town. What if someone goes after them?”
Adam’s eyes darkened and he reached for his gun. “Let’s go.”
**********
Feeling a gun being pressed into his back, Sheriff Davison turned around and found himself face to face with two very angry men. Hoss took Davison’s guns.
“What’s the plan Davison? Make us stay out here on a wild goose chase? How much did you get paid?” Adam snapped.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the Sheriff answered, the lick of his lips showing his nervousness.
“Don’t ya,” Hoss said, “Well, we know different. You tell us your part in this or I’ll snap you in two.”
When Sheriff Davison didn’t answer, Adam placed his pistols muzzle on the man’s elbow. “Tell us and make it fast. We don’t have time to mess around waiting for answers.”
“You can’t do this,” the man replied, “I’m a lawman. I’ll see you spend the rest of your life in prison for this.”
Adam cocked the gun, the sound magnified to the young Sheriff’s ears and he swallowed hard. “It’ll be your elbow first, your knee next if you don’t open your mouth and start talking.” Adam glanced down at the sound of water and stepped back. Seeing the wet patch on Davison’s pants, he said, “Some lawman you are.”
“Five thousand!” Davison all but shouted, “I’m being paid five thousand. I had to bring you out here and keep you here as long as I could. That’s all. I swear that’s all I had to do.”
**********
As the sun set, Sarah Jane lit the lamp in the kitchen before starting to prepare the evening meal.
“Let me help you,” Ben said, as he came into the room and sat down.
“How’s Joe?”
“Much better. We had a long talk and he’s sleeping soundly now.”
Sarah Jane nodded. “That’s the best thing for him.”
Reaching for a bowl to start shelling the peas, Ben’s hands froze as the door was kicked in and two men entered. Holding their guns on Ben, one of them ordered, “Put your gun on the table. Real slow.”
Ben pulled his gun slowly from its holster and put it down on the table, the man picked it up, put it in his waistband and called, “You can come in now.”
“Who are you? What do you want?” Ben asked when the third man entered. He was dressed in old clothes and by the smell of him, needed a bath. He had an unkempt beard.
Ignoring the question, the man turned to the two who had entered first and said, “Tie them up and gag them.” Ben’s first thought was for Joe, if he was tired up he wouldn’t be able to help his son if Joe needed him. He started to protest and struggle but a blow to his head by the man’s gunbut ended that. Ben was tired to a chair and gagged. Sarah Jane was terrified and submitted weakly as they also tied and gagged her.
“Here,” the third man said, handing the other two men some money. “You’ve done what I paid you for. I can handle it from here. Get out of town.” The two men took the money and left.
**********
Slowly Ben opened his eyes, remembering what had happened, he struggled against the ropes that held him. Glancing sideways, he was relieved to see that Sarah Jane appeared unhurt.
“Well,” the man said, “bout time you decided to join us again. I haven’t reintroduced myself to you yet. Does the name Luke Summers mean anything to you? Think hard, it should.”
Ben stared at the man as a memory from ten years past stirred in his mind. Suddenly he remembered. Seeing the anger flash in Ben’s eyes and his futile struggle to get free, the man smiled. “Took you a while to remember me, didn’t it. I look a bit different now. Ten years in prison does that to a man. Well, I’m glad you remember me, Cartwright. It’s only right a man gets to know why he’s going to die.”
He turned to Sarah Jane. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. You get to live and you can pass on the message to Adam Cartwright that with two gone, they’ll be one to go. Brother Hoss is next on my list. And then Adam will be just like me. Alone!” The man was getting worked up, his face turning red as he shouted out the words.
Opening his eyes, Joe looked around the room. Knowing his father wouldn’t be far away, he started to close his eyes but they snapped open again at the sound of the raised voice. Joe knew there was trouble and he worried that his father needed help. He struggled to get up and out of bed. As he swung his long john clad legs over the side of the bed, his head swam, closing his eyes for a moment, he slowly stood up, grabbing for the side table as his knees nearly buckled. Joe forced himself to think about what he should do.
Carefully making his way to the wall, he then kept one hand on the wall to help keep him upright as he made his way towards the sound of the raised voice.
The man was still shouting, like a rapid dog, he was lost in his anger. “You’re son will know what it’s like to loose everything he loves and he’ll know that it’s his fault. He’ll have to live with that guilt until the day I decide to kill him as well. I have twenty five thousand dollars to spend and I’ve only used half of it so far. All of it’s going to be spent on paying Adam back for what he did,” calming down a little, he continued, “That stupid man I hired went and messed up my plan by getting himself killed. But that doesn’t matter now. My plans back on track.”
Joe had made it to the kitchen and stood just outside the doorway. Standing on the other side of the open doorway, the man pointed his gun at Ben and said to Sarah Jane, “Don’t forget to give Adam my message and tell him Luke Summers sends his regards.” Turning back to Ben, he said, “You first and then I’ll take care of that youngest son of yours.” Ben’s wrists were bleeding as fought with everything in him to free himself.
Stepping through the doorway, Joe really wasn’t sure what he planned on doing next, he only knew he had to stop his father from getting shot. As he came in the doorway, Joe put his hand on a bench top to steady himself and his hand closed around the handle of a sharp knife.
Ben saw his son standing in the doorway and tried to keep the surprise and anxiety from showing on his face so he wouldn’t give Joe away. Sarah Jane wasn’t as good at schooling her emotions and the look on her face betrayed Joe.
Swinging around, Luke Summers found himself inches from the knife. In his shock he pulled the trigger. A vase shattered in the cupboard behind Joe. In that same instant Joe plunged the knife into the chest of the man in front of him. Both men fell to the floor.
Luke Summers lay dead on the floor, the knife still protruding from his chest but Ben’s eyes were only focused on Joe. He watched with horror the blood than flowed down the side of the boy’s face.
**********
Adam and Hoss rode into town at a speed that was dangerous at night. Sheriff Davison was with them, his hands were bound to the saddle horn in front of him. As they rode towards Sarah Jane’s house, they heard a shot ring out.
The brothers spurred their horses on and threw themselves from the saddles before either horse had come to a stop. Not knowing what awaited them inside, Adam cautiously pushed the door open. He was greeted by the sight of Ben and Sarah Jane tied to chairs. His relief that his father was all right was short lived. Seeing his father staring at something out of his view, Adam came further into the room and saw Joe lying on the floor, blood covered the left side of his face.
Hoss had made his way quickly to the other doorway and at that moment entered the kitchen. “Little Joe!” he cried in anguish, stepping over the dead body, he knelt beside his young brother. Adam hurried to his father and quickly cut the bonds that held him. Ben rushed to Joe’s side as he pulled the gag off. Adam quickly freed Sarah Jane.
Going over to his family, Adam put his hand on his father’s back. “Are you all right, Pa?”
Ben nodded. “I’m fine. We need to help Joseph,” Ben’s hand rested on his son’s chest and Ben was comforted by the strong beat of his heart. Hoss was holding a bandana to his brother’s head, his fingers turning red as the blood soaked through, the amount of blood was truly alarming.
“Let’s get him into bed,” Ben said. Ben’s hand replaced that of Hoss’ in trying to staunch the blood flow and Hoss reached under Joe to gently lift him up.
Although he wanted to go with them, as his father and Hoss took Joe from the room, Adam knew there were things he had to do first. Looking once more at the dead man, Adam thought there seemed something familiar about him. Going outside, he found the shot had attracted a crowd. They were looking at the sheriff tied onto his horse and wondering what was going on.
Sheriff Davison started to yell that he wanted Adam arrested and Adam knew it would take some sorting out, he went with the mayor and some of the other townsmen to the jail to explain what had been happening.
While the men were talking, with Sheriff Davison protesting his innocence, there was a tentative knock on the door. Emma, one of the saloon girls came nervously into the room. She knew her boss kept it a secret who owed him money and that she would no longer have a job there after today, but her conscience wouldn’t allow her to keep silent abut what she’d overheard.
“What is it, Emma?” One of the men asked.
“I have some information that might be useful for you,” the young girl replied.
The mayor stood up. “What is it? What do you know?”
The girl looked nervously around again before answering. “Sheriff Davison owes my boss, Mr Elliott, almost three thousand dollars. Mr Elliott had told him he wasn’t going to wait for it much longer. Then two nights ago, Sheriff Davison came to the saloon and said he’d have the money in a couple of days. Mr Elliott said he was sick of waiting and he wanted the money immediately. Sheriff Davison said, surely he could wait a couple of days more. He said he was risking his position as sheriff to get the money.”
Sheriff Davison stared at the woman, feeling sick about everything that had happened. He’d had such high hopes when he’d gotten the job as sheriff and had wanted to do a good job but he had a gambling problem and it always seemed to get the better of him.
“You disgust me,” Adam said coldly, looking at Sheriff Davison.
Mayor Josh Timmons, reached over and ripped the badge from the man’s shirt. “You’re not fit to wear that.”
“You don’t understand,” Carl Davison said desperately, “I’m a good sheriff. Please, give me one more chance. Please.”
Turning to a couple of men in the room, the Mayor said, “Get him out of my sight,” he nodded at the ex sheriff, “lock him up.”
As the man was taken away, Adam shook his head. “When he came to see me the day after he locked us up, he was acting so different to the previous day. I thought he was genuinely sorry for how he’d treated us. Truth is, he was probably already feeling guilty for what he was about to do. Or, more likely,” Adam continued cynically, “he wanted me to feel like I could trust him so that I wouldn’t be suspicious of him wanting to help us.”
“At least we have some of the puzzle solved. I’m sorry this happened in my town, son.”
“It’s not your fault, Sir. I’m grateful for your help now. I still don’t know who the dead man is at Sarah Jane’s and I have to get back there to see how my brother is.”
“I’ll come with you,” Mayor Timmons said, “I’ll get someone to take the body away.”
Stepping out of the jail, the mayor suddenly called out as he caught sight of a buggy being driven down the road. “Doc, Doc, wait up,” when the man looked around, the Mayor continued, “Thank goodness you’re back. Hurry. You’re needed at the Widow Perkins’.”
The doctor shook the reins and hurried to the house. Adam ran there and made it at about the same time. Both men entered the house, Adam quickly explaining about Joe.
“Doctor,” Sarah Jane said with relief when the man entered the bedroom with Adam. Her hands were still shaking from the experience she’d just endured but she was determined to help the Cartwright’s to care for Joe.
When the blood had been cleaned away, Ben had been relieved to find that Joe hadn’t been struck or even grazed by the bullet, he’d found a fragment of china embedded in Joe’s skin and correctly guessed that Joe had been struck by it when the bullet had shattered the vase. A piece appeared to have just missed Joe’s eye and Ben was grateful for that but they hadn’t been able to rouse the young man yet.
After a quick examination of Joe’s head, the doctor reached for his bag, “I’ll get the stiches in before I try to wake him, he glanced at Ben, “And then I’ll take care of your wrists.”
“What?” Ben replied, confused about what the doctor meant. Looking down, he saw the blood on his wrists where the rope had cut into them. His thoughts only on getting free to help Joe, he hadn’t noticed the damage he’d done to himself.
The doctor was just about finished the stiches when Joe started to stir. Ben and Hoss both reached out to hold him still, talking soothingly to reassure him that everything was all right.
Joe opened his eyes and raised a shaky hand towards his head. Ben gently pulled his hand away and held it. Joe stared at his father and asked, “Are you all right?”
Ben smiled. “I’m fine. Thanks to you.”
“Everyone else?” Joe asked weakly, it was a struggle to stay awake.
“Everyone’s fine and we’re all here with you.”
The doctor drew back the covers to examine Joe’s chest and stomach. When he was finished he looked up at Ben and smiled reassuringly, “It looks like he’s been through a lot but given time, he’ll be fine.”
Standing in the doorway Mayor Timmons cleared his throat. “I’ve had the body taken away.”
“Did he have any identification on him?” Adam asked.
The Mayor shook his head. “No, nothing.”
Too concerned with Joe, Ben hadn’t yet had a chance to tell Adam what they’d discovered. He reached out and put a hand on his eldest sons arm. “Adam, that man was Luke Summers.”
The shock registered on Adam’s face and he shook his head. “No, it can’t be.” But even as the words left his mouth, he knew his father was right. Adam thought about the face that had looked familiar despite the grime that had covered it. The dirt and the beard had disgusted him but as the familiarity of the dead man swam before him, Adam knew his father was right. It was Luke Summers.
“Who’s Luke Summers?” Mayor Timmons asked.
Ben frowned at the memory and said, “Ten
years ago, two brothers robbed the bank in
“They were locals. I was friends with them. Not good friends but friends all the same. I don’t know why but one day they decided to rob the Virginia City bank. It was a stupid thing to do. They didn’t wear disguises and everyone knew who they were. Sheriff Coffee came out to the ranch and told us, asked me if I knew where they might hide out. Pa and I went with the posse and I took them to a place I knew of.”
“When we caught up with them,” Ben said, “they tried to shoot their way out,” Ben paused and squeezed Adam’s arm, “Patrick Summers was killed.”
“It was my first time out with a posse,” Adam said, the memory still fresh, “It was just before I left for college.”
“What happened to Luke Summers?” Mayor Timmons asked.
“He went to prison,” Ben replied, “He got ten years. They never found the money,” he shook his head, “It’s been so long, I’d forgotten about him.”
“He didn’t forget us though,” Adam said quietly
Ben nodded in agreement. “No, he didn’t. He said something about having twenty five thousand dollars to spend and wanting to use it on paying you back for what had happened. That would be the money from the robbery.”
“He wanted to kill all of you, just to get back at me,” Adam shook his head with dismay, “I’m so sorry.”
“Adam,” Adam turned at the sound of his young brothers voice and seeing Joe reaching out towards him, he went over and sat on the bed. Taking Joe’s hand in his.
Joe had been listening intently to the story his father and oldest brother were telling, and he now looked up into the face leaning over him, “It’s not your fault, Adam,” Joe said vehemently.
“Oh, Joe,” Adam said, his words laced with guilt, “All of this is my fault. I should never have left you. I…”
Joe cut him off. “I told you too. You did the only thing you could. You didn’t do anything wrong. Not ten years ago and not now. You promised you’d come back for me and you did. You’ve never let me down, Adam. Not ever. They’d have never let you take me with you. They were just trying to make you feel bad about making the choice you did but you have no reason to. Whatever way you look at it, it was the right choice. It all worked out. Peter’s going to be all right. I just know he will be and I’m fine.”
Looking at the bruises that still marked Joe and the stiffness with which he moved, Adam knew the boy was far from fine. Adam carefully pulled Joe in to an embrace. “It was an unbearable choice to make, Little Joe, and if I’d lost you because of it, I could never have forgiven myself.”
The doctor had bandaged Ben’s wrists and everyone else had left the room to leave the family alone. Hoss sat down on the other side of the bed and rested a hand on each brother and Ben relished the sight of seeing his three boys together.
**********
The Cartwright family spent the following
week staying with Sarah Jane. A wire arrived from
Joe had finally been allowed out of bed and was sitting in the parlor playing cards with his brothers when Sarah Jane went to answer a knock at the door, she returned a few minutes later with the Mayor.
“Josh,” Ben said, “How are you today?”
“Fine, thank you, Ben,” Mayor Timmons replied, he’d been a regular visitor to Sarah Jane’s house during the last week. Playing a few chess games with Ben and Joe was constantly finding reasons to get the Mayor and Sarah Jane to spend time together. “You’re looking well today, Joe. Being out of bed has certainly brightened you up.”
“I’m feeling great, thank you, sir. Doc says I can go home in a couple of days.”
“I’ll miss you all so much,” Sarah Jane said, unable to hide her sadness.
“We’ll miss you, too,” Joe replied
emphatically, “But we’ll come and visit,” Joe turned to his father, “Won’t we,
“We certainly will. You can’t get rid of us that easily, Sarah Jane,” Ben joked and was pleased when Sarah Jane laughed despite her tears.
“And you have Emma living here now so you’ll have company,” Joe added.
Sarah Jane nodded. “Yes, you’re right. She will be nice company for me.” Emma had lost her job at the saloon and with nowhere else to go, the Cartwrights had suggested that Sarah Jane take her in. The arrangement was working out well for both women. Emma had just started a job in a dress shop.
“I received another wire today,” Josh said, “I’ve been trying to find out a bit more about Luke Summers.” Everyone waited anxiously to hear what the Mayor had found out. “You know his parents moved away when he went to prison,” the Cartwrights nodded and he continued, “It seems they both died a few years ago. They were the only family he had left so I suppose he felt he was all alone now.”
“He said he’d lost everything,” Ben replied, “I guess that’s what he meant.”
“Well, I don’t feel sorry for him, that’s for dang sure,” Hoss said.
“I can’t find it in my heart to have any sympathy for him either, Hoss,” Ben said, he looked at his eldest son, knowing Adam still felt responsible for the chain of events. “It was his decision to rob the bank, his decision to shoot it out with the posse, his decision to use a boy,” Ben’s hand rested on Joe’s arm and he squeezed it gently, “to set in motion a plan that had been festering and growing in his mind for years.”
“Pa’s right,” Joe said, looking across at his oldest brother, “We can’t hold ourselves responsible for what other people do. We have no control over that. We just have to do the best we can with our own life and make the decisions we think are right at the time.”
Adam smiled at Joe, relieved that the boy felt the way he did.
“How did you get so wise, kid?” Adam joked.
“I had a good teacher,” Joe smiled up at his father and felt the man’s gentle squeeze on his arm again and saw his fathers eyes cloud with emotion.
Feeling emotional herself, Sarah Jane stood up and wiping the tears from her eyes, said, “Well, why don’t I get us some coffee,” she looked at Joe, “and some cake. You still need fattening up.”
Joe smiled as she bustled off, she was spoiling Joe and in truth he was enjoying it, she reminded him of his mother.
As the Mayor was about to sit down, Joe said, “Sarah Jane could probably use some help in the kitchen.” Ben put his hand over his mouth to hide his grin, well aware of what his youngest son was up to. He’d seen the gleam in the boy’s eyes when he’d first discovered that the Mayor was a widower. He was pleased that Joe was starting to feel well enough to start scheming.
The Mayor raised an eyebrow and nodded. “You’re right, young man. I might just go and do that.”
After Mayor Timmons had left the room, Adam looked at Joe and shook his head, but couldn’t help from smiling. “Will you stop your match making. You’ve never been any good at it. You’re to obvious.”
Hearing laughter coming from the kitchen, Ben said, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Adam,” Ben smiled across at Joe. “Sounds like it’s working out to me, son.”
Joe grinned back, “Me, too. Just leave the romance to me older brother. I know what I’m doing.” His family just stared at him for a moment and then burst into laughter, Joe’s laughter joined theirs.
**********
A few days later the Cartwrights stood at the stage depot saying goodbye to their new friends. Mayor Timmons shook Ben’s hand. “It’s been so good getting to know you all,” Josh said, “I hope you come back for a visit soon.”
“We will,” Ben said and seeing Josh’s arm linked with Sarah Jane’s, Ben guessed they would be coming back for a wedding soon, “You make sure you get up to visit us as well.”
“That goes for you, too,” Joe said to Emma, “You’ll be welcome anytime.”
Emma impulsively reached out and hugged Joe. “Thank you for everything. My life has changed so much for the better now because of you and your family.”
With their goodbyes said, they all spent another ten minutes talking until the stage was ready to leave and the driver called for everyone to board.
Adam and Hoss were riding home. Ben and Joe were talking the stage. Joe had wanted to hire a horse but the doctor had been firm. It was a stage ride or he stayed in Bluffs Creek for at least another two weeks.
As Joe was about to board the stage, Sarah Jane hugged him once more. “Good bye, my dear. The circumstances under which I got to know you were certainly not the best but I thank God for bring you into my life. After my husband died, I shut myself off from people, I guess, and I was so lonely. But you showed me there can still be friends and happy times in my life. Thank you.”
Joe returned the hug. “No,” he replied and kissed her cheek, “Thank you.”
Walking over to where their horses were tired, Hoss quietly asked his brother, “Adam, I’ve been thinking ‘bout somethin’,” Adam waited silently for his brother to continue, correctly guessing what it was the big man wanted to ask, “Would you have shot Davison out there at the turnoff?”
Adam turned and watched as their father helped their young brother into the stage and then he replied honestly, “I’d have done anything I had to do to get the information we needed.”
Hoss nodded and both men mounted their horses and followed the stage as it pulled away.
Joe waved until his new friends were out of sight and then leant his head back against the seat and sighed.
“Are you all right?” Ben asked anxiously, worried that the trip was too soon for Joe.
“I’m fine,” Joe smiled, “Just thinking. I’ll miss Sarah Jane but it will be so good to get home. It feels like we’ve been away forever.”
Joe laid his head on Ben’s shoulder and felt his father’s arm encircle him. “It certainly does, son,” Ben agreed, “Home sounds good to me, too.” Ben watched as Joe’s eyes slowly closed and his breathing signalled he was sleeping.
Tightening his arm protectively, Ben felt tears gather in his eyes at the thought that the boy in his arms had almost been taken from him forever. Glancing out the window, Ben watched his two eldest sons for a moment as they rode beside the stage and then looked down at his youngest again. Blinking away the tears, he determined to put thoughts of what might have been behind him and be happy for what was. He was on his way home and most importantly, he had his three sons with him.
The End
May 2004