In the episode “Between Heaven and Earth,” Joe begins to have nightmares that he is climbing up a mountain (which we later learn is Eagle's Nest) and falls. When he wakes from the nightmare he doesn't remember what it was about. Joe's best friend, Mitch Devlin, is the arm wrestling champion of the regular competition held at the Silver Dollar saloon. Some men try to goad Joe into taking Mitch on but Joe won't do it. Joe feels that he and Mitch have nothing to prove to one another. When Joe and Mitch are riding past Eagle's Nest they spot a puma and go after it. Joe starts to climb up Eagle's Nest. Part way up he needs to use both hands so he throws the rifle above him, intending to climb up after it. When Joe looks down, he suddenly becomes afraid and can't climb any further. He makes his way down, leaving his rifle behind. After climbing down, Joe becomes angry and snaps at Mitch when he suggests they go back up for the rifle. The next day while Joe is driving the wagon past Eagle's Nest, he speeds the team up, not seeming to care that he could turn it over. Hoss stops the team and takes the reins off Joe, accusing him of trying to prove what a big daredevil he is. The following day, Joe goes back to Eagle's Nest alone but he can't bring himself to climb up. Hoss finds him there and Joe gets angry with him. Hoss tells Joe that Pa wants to see him. They ride back. Ben has bought a stallion off Harry Dixon and wants to show Joe. When Joe feels that Hoss is saying he's scared to ride the horse, he snaps at Hoss and attempts to break the horse. Joe is so angry that he deliberately stirs up the horse. The horse falls and Ben makes Joe stop. Joe walks away angrily. Mitch arrives and Joe then argues with him. When Joe rides away he sees his father and Mitch talking and thinks they are talking about him. Going back to Eagle's Nest, Joe tries to shoot his gun down but doesn't succeed. That night, Joe arrives home late and Ben tries to talk to him, knowing something is troubling Joe but Joe won't tell him what's wrong. He tells his father that, “There are some things a man has to settle by himself if he's ever going to call himself a man." At the next arm wrestling contest, Joe challenges Mitch. Mitch is surprised and can't understand why Joe is doing it. Joe wins. Mitch walks out, Joe goes after him and tries to apologise but Mitch walks away. The next morning, Joe gets up early, intending to leave the house before his father gets up. He is planning to go away for a few days. Ben sees him and once again, tries to find out what's wrong. Joe has been out of sorts with everyone. Joe leaves and Ben goes after him. By the time Ben arrives at Eagles Nest, Joe is already part way up. Almost at his rifle, Joe cannot make himself climb higher. He becomes too afraid to climb up further or to go down. Ben tries to talk him down but Joe is too upset. Ben pretends to slip and knowing his father needs his help, Joe gets the rifle so he can use it to reach his father. Once Ben has been pulled up, Joe realizes he has the rifle in his hands and that he has been able to conquer his fear. And now the story continues.

Between Life and Death

By:

Helen B

&

Jenny D

Father and son rode slowly home together. Ben Cartwright kept an eye on his son as they rode. Joe still seemed very quiet. Ben was worried that Joe hadn’t yet been able to put Eagle’s Nest behind him.

Trying to draw Joe into a conversation, Ben said, “So, what do you think of that horse I got from Harry Dixon?”

“He’s great,” Joe replied.

“I guess you were right when you said I was a good judge of horse flesh,” Ben joked.

Joe nodded and looked away. “I guess.”

Ben reached out and pulled Joe’s horse to a stop. “What’s wrong? And don’t try to tell me it’s nothing. I want the truth this time, Joe.”

"It’s stupid. I…” Joe started, but seeing his father raise an eyebrow, Joe knew there was no escape from telling the truth, “It’s just that when we were talking about that stallion of Harry's at breakfast that morning, you said that you couldn’t tell what a horse was really like by his looks or his manners, that they were like people that way.” Ben nodded his head, encouraging Joe to continue. Joe spoke quietly. "I felt like you were talking about me. That even though I'd tried to hide it, you'd seen through me and you knew I was a coward."

Ben jerked as though struck. “I would never think that. Never!” he said vehemently, "I had no idea you were thinking something like that," he was worried about what other misconceptions Joe had built up in his mind, “Being afraid of something doesn’t make you a coward. I know it took great courage for you to face it. And that’s the important thing. You did face it."

Ben reached out and put his hand of his sons arm. "Joe I could read through that cheery façade you had on at the breakfast table that morning. I knew there was something bothering you. I wanted to help you. It worried me that you would not open up to me, son. Every time I tried to talk to you about it, you pushed me further away." 

"I know. It seems so silly now. I don’t even know why I was thinking the things I was. I just felt like I had to work it out on my own."

"There are times in every young mans life when he wrestles with something he feels he has to do on his own.  I was so concerned though, about how it was eating you up inside. As a father I felt helpless,” Ben replied.

"I know and I'm sorry that I didn't come to you. That I couldn't tell you. I just couldn't admit to you that I was afraid," Joe said, honestly.

"There's no shame in being afraid. I’m proud of you, Joe. I’ve never been anything else but proud of you. I’d trust you with my life, Joseph. I know you’d never let me down. And you just proved up at Eagles Nest that my faith in you is justified, didn’t you.” When Joe didn’t look up or answer, Ben prompted by asking again, “Didn’t you.”

Joe finally looked up and Ben was happy to see the slight smile on Joe’s face when he nodded. They eased the horses into a walk and trying to keep Joe in a happy mood, Ben said, “Well, now that we have that sorted out, what about the horse?” Ben smiled and continued, “He’s yours, if you want him. He still needs to be broken but I know you’ll do a fine job with that.”

When Joe remained silent, once again looking away, Ben realized that he’d unintentionally said the wrong thing but he didn’t know what he’d said wrong. Trying to cheer Joe up with a joke, he said, “Don’t you want him?”

Joe looked up into his father’s eyes. “It’s not that I don’t want him. I don’t deserve him. Not after the way I treated you. I should never have spoken to you like that and I didn’t mean to push you. I….”

“I know that,” Ben broke in, “As far as I’m concerned, Joe, it’s in the past. Forgotten. Now,” Ben patted Joe’s arm, “Do you want the horse or will I give him to someone else?”

Joe grinned. “I want him.”

Ben nodded and laughed as he said, “I thought so.” And Joe’s laughter joined his fathers.

They had almost reached the house when Ben decided to broach the subject of Joe’s nightmares. He’d been wondering about something.

“Joe, you know these nightmares you’ve been having,” when Joe nodded, Ben continued, “You told me that you couldn’t remember what they were about,” Ben paused and then asked, “Do you remember?”

Joe looked away for a moment before answering, turning back to his father, he said, “The first few bad dreams I had, when I woke up, I couldn’t remember what they had been about. But the ones I had later,” Joe nodded slowly, “Yes, I remembered.”

Ben waited silently for Joe to continue and when he didn’t, he prodded gently, “And?”

“It was always the same dream. I was climbing up Eagles Nest and I fell.”

“When did the dreams start?” Ben asked.

“A couple of weeks ago.”

Ben frowned in thought. “Do you know what brought them on? You’ve been past Eagles Nest a lot of times. It’s never worried you before, has it?” Ben asked.

Joe shook his head. “No, I haven’t dreamt about it since I was a kid,” Ben nodded, remembering the terrifying dreams that Joe had experienced of that place, when he was a child. Joe had become lost one day and had climbed up there, where Ben had found him, hours later. For weeks after that, Joe had awoken screaming from a nightmare.

“I’ve never climbed up there again since the night you carried me down when I was little. Not until now. You know that puma, the one Mitch and I saw when I lost my rifle at Eagles Nest?” When Ben nodded, Joe continued, “I’d been up there the week before. When I was with a couple of the hands. We were looking for that puma, we went to Eagles Nest to see if it was somewhere around there. I only climbed a little way up that day. I didn’t think anything about it. But I had my first bad dream that night.”

“It must have been climbing up there that triggered it. Something deep in your memories that you thought you’d forgotten.”

“I guess,” Joe said, quietly.

Ben reached over and patted Joe on the arm. “You’ve dealt with it now. Put it all in the past where it belongs.”

“What about Hoss and Adam?”

“What about them?” Ben asked.

“What will I tell them?”

“Your brothers would understand, Joe,” seeing his son’s reluctance though, Ben added, “There’s no need for you to tell them anything that you don’t want to.” When Joe smiled and nodded, Ben added, “let’s go home.” As they rode Ben looked across at Joe and smiled as he saw that the young man was sitting comfortably relaxed in the saddle, the tenseness in his body of the last few days gone.

**********

Hoss came outside when he heard the horses entering the yard. “I was wondering when you two would make it home. Where’d you get to?”

“Nothing to worry about,” Ben replied, “We just had a couple of things to sort out,” With his back to Hoss, Ben winked at Joe. “Hoss,” Ben continued, “Will you see to my horse, please.”

“Sure, Pa,” Hoss replied, as his father headed for the house.

Leading the horse into the barn, Hoss turned to Joe and asked, “So, where you been, Joe? What’s going on?”

When his brother didn’t say anything, Hoss snapped, “Keep your secrets then. I don’t know what’s got into you lately. Used to be, you’d talk to me about things.” Hoss turned away, unable to hide the hurt he was feeling.

“It’s not like that, Hoss,” Joe said quickly, “It’s not that I’ve wanted to keep secrets from you.” Suddenly, the words spilled out and Joe told his brother what had just happened at Eagles Nest and the events that had led up to it. When Joe finished, he sat down on a barrel and blew out his breath. “So, now you know.”

“Ain’t no shame in been a feared of somethin’, Little Joe. It’s been afraid of things that keeps us alive. If we had no fear, we’d just go around doing dangerous things all the time. Everyone’s afraid of something, little brother. Look at me. I was scared of water when I was a littlin’. I learned to swim though and I’ve had some great times with you and Adam, but even now, sometimes that old fear comes back on me.”

Joe nodded slowly. “I guess. Adam’s not, though.”

“Adam’s not what?” Hoss said, “Not afraid of something? Course he is. There’s not a person in this world who’s not afraid of something. Some people are just better at hiding it than others. Talk to Adam, Joe, he’d understand”

Joe nodded but he couldn’t help wondering if his eldest brother would be disappointed with him if he knew.

“I’m really sorry about the way I’ve treated you lately, Hoss. I had no call to say the things I’ve said to you. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Far as I’m concerned, little brother, there’s nothin’ to forgive. ‘Sides,” Hoss joked, “I’m used to you and your moods.”

Joe grinned back at his brother but the smile faltered and he said, “I wish Mitch felt the same way.”

“Give him some time to cool down and then talk to him again,” Hoss suggested.

**********

Lying in bed that night, Ben stared up at the ceiling. He hoped that after what had happened earlier that day, Joe would no longer be plagued by nightmares of that place. Finding sleep eluding him, Ben got up and went to look out the window. As he looked up at the night sky, his mind drifted back to a time seventeen years ago when Joe was five.

It was Saturday morning and Ben was eating breakfast, he got up to answer the knock that sounded on the front door. “Mrs Devlin, come in,” he said, stepping aside to allow the woman to enter.

“Thank you,” Sarah Devlin replied as she came in leading her only child Mitch by the hand. The boy was a year older than Joe.

“Hello Mitch, how are you?” Ben asked. The child just nodded.

After Sarah was seated, Mitch climbed onto his mothers lap. Ben called for Hop Sing. When he appeared, Ben asked, “Hop Sing, bring some Coffee for Mrs Devin, please.”

Hop Sing bobbed his head. “Coffee for missy now.”

The front door was flung open and Little Joe charged in, running straight across to Sarah Devlin. Resting his small hands on her legs, he leant on her and said, “I was in the barn helping Adam when I heard you come.”

“Were you? And I’m sure you’re a big help too,” she said, smiling.

Adam came in the open door, closing it behind him. He grinned and said, “Oh, yes, I’m sure you can imagine.” The adults laughed, all of them knowing that Joe’s help could make twice the work.

“Little Joe,” Ben said, noting how dirty the boy’s hands were, “Go in the kitchen and wash your hands. You’re getting Mrs Devlin all dirty.”

“Oh don’t worry about that,” she replied, putting Mitch down on the floor beside her and lifting Joe up onto her lap. “I’m used to little boys with dirty hands,” she laughed as she looked at Mitch who was sitting silently on the floor.

As Ben watched Joe talk to Mrs Devlin, he felt a tug on his heart that it wasn’t his mother’s knee Joe was sitting on. Marie had died six months ago. The Devlins had moved onto the neighboring ranch four months later. Mrs Devlin had brought Mitch over a few times to play with Joe, feeling it would be good for both of the boys. Joe was such an outgoing child. She hoped it might help her son overcome his shyness. Joe had taken an instant liking to Mrs Devlin and she to him.

After a while the two boys went outside to play while the adults stayed inside to talk.

About noon, Sarah stood up and said, “Well, I better be getting home.”

“Thank you for bringing Mitch over. It’s good for Joe to play with someone his own age and he loves to see you.”

Mrs Devlin smiled. “The feelings mutual.”

Hoss was just riding into the yard when they came out of the house, he’d gone down to the lake to watch a deer and fawn he’d first seen there a few days ago. When he’d ridden out that morning, Joe had wanted to go but Hoss hadn’t wanted to take him because he was worried Joe would make too much noise and frighten the animals away. Mitch was sitting on the ground drawing pictures in the dirt with his finger.

“Where’s Little Joe?” Ben asked as he looked around.

“I don’t know,” Mitch replied.

“Mitchell,” Mrs Devlin said, knowing the boy was hiding something, “Where’s Joe? And I want the truth. Did you two have a fight?”

Mitch shook his head and looked at his mother definitely. “I told him to get his own mother. You’re mine. Not his.”

“Mitch, how could you? How dare you say such things,” she was shocked at the jealousy the boy was obviously feeling. Turning to Ben she said, “I’m truly sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Ben said, “We’ll find Little Joe and explain.”

Keeping a firm hold on her son’s hand, Mrs Devlin helped the Cartwrights and Hop Sing to search. They looked everywhere around the house and the yard but could find no trace of the child.

Ben’s concern was growing. He knew they would have to widen the search, it was apparent that Joe must have left the yard. Ben was terrified at the thought of what could happen to a small boy wandering out there alone.

The horses were saddled and the Cartwrights were almost ready to leave. Ben and his two sons were getting ready to start looking immediately. A hand had returned to the ranch and had been sent to get all the other men to start looking for Joe. Hop Sing was going to wait at the house in case Little Joe came home.

Mrs Devlin was going home, promising that her husband Max, would start searching as soon as he found out. While she’d been helping to look for Joe, she’d talked to Mitch about what he’d said and why he felt that way. Mitch was upset about what he’d done. He liked Joe and he loved to come over and play. He was very sorry that he’d made his friend cry.

Ben walked over to Mrs Devlin and her son and squatted down in front of the boy. “Mitch, which direction did Little Joe go? Do you know?”

Mitch pointed the direction and Ben stood up, signalling his boys to mount up. As Ben was about to mount, Mitch found the courage to speak to him. “Mr Cartwright, when you find Little Joe, please tell him I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.”

“I’ll tell him,” Ben said kindly. He was angry but knew the child truly was sorry.

**********

As the Cartwrights rode they kept their eyes on the ground, looking for tracks. Finally, Ben saw the prints that had been made by a tiny pair of boots. “Here!” he shouted.

Adam and Hoss looked at the prints and Adam pointed. “He’s heading in that direction.”

“Adam,” Ben said, “Go back and tell the others to come here. I want this whole area searched. Little Joe has got to be around here somewhere.”

Adam raced off and Ben turned to Hoss. “You come with me, Hoss. We’ll keep looking.” Seeing the tears in his son’s eyes, he reached out and patted the boy’s arm. “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”

Hoss sniffed. “It’s my fault. He wanted to come with me this morning to see the deer. I should a let him. Oh Pa,” Hoss cried, as the tears fell, “Why didn’t I let him?”

“It’s not your fault, Hoss,” Ben said firmly, “Don’t even think that. We’ll find Joe and you can take him next time,” he patted Hoss’ arm again, “Come on, let’s keep looking.”

The men searched for hours, they’d taken lanterns with them when they’d left the house. Ben had hoped they wouldn’t need to use them but as darkness fell, the lanterns were lit.

Ben pulled his horse to a stop and looked around him. He could see men searching in all directions. They’d lost Joe’s tracks on the hard ground but knew the child couldn’t have gotten much further. Ben stared up at Eagles Nest. Joe didn’t like heights and Ben doubted that he would have climbed up there but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he should check.

As Ben climbed up, he called out, “Joseph! Joseph, can you hear me? Joseph!” Ben stopped. He thought he’d heard a cry but couldn’t be sure. His heart beating faster, he called again, “Little Joe, please answer me, son.”

“Pa,” the call was quiet but Ben heard it and relief flooded through him.

“Don’t move, Little Joe. Do you hear me, son. Don’t try to climb down to me. I’ll come up and get you. Do you understand, Joe? Stay there and I’ll come for you.”

“Yes, Pa. I’ll wait,” Joe called, his voice was shaking, he was very afraid. He didn’t like the dark. He’d been very upset when he’d run off and hadn’t taken any notice of where he was going. He’d become lost. Joe had climbed up the mountain but when he’d looked down and seen how high he’d climbed he had been too afraid to try and climb down.

“I’m going to fire my gun to signal your brothers, so don’t be frightened when you hear it. All right, son?”

“Yes, Pa,” Joe called.

Ben took his gun out and fired it three times to signal the men that Joe had been found. Putting the gun back in his holster, he called, “Keep talking to me, Little Joe. I need to know where you are,” Ben called out, “How high can you count, Little Joe? Start counting out loud for me.”

Ben heard the numbers being called out and kept climbing. Finally he was beside the boy and Joe threw himself into his father’s arms. Ben felt him tremble and pulled him close.

“It’s all right now, Little Joe. You’re safe. There’s no need to be afraid now.” Ben was thankful that he’d taken his canteen up with him and he gave Joe a drink. He knew the child was very thirsty and they’d have to continue to give him small drinks all the way home. Wanting to get Joe home as quickly as he could, Ben took off his coat and wrapped it around the little boy. Standing up with Joe in his arms, he started the long climb down.

Ben was met on the way by Adam and Hoss. Ben saw in the lantern light, the relief and happiness on their faces when they saw their little brother.

When they had climbed down, Ben checked Joe over for injuries. He was relieved to only find some scapes and bruises. The other searchers were thanked and when they had all ridden off, the Cartwright’s mounted up, with Joe in front of his father and rode home together.

Once home, even though it was late and everyone was tired, they’d all sat in the great room for hours. With the thoughts of what might have happened still strong in their minds, no one wanted to let Little Joe out of their sight. He slept with Ben that night when the family did finally make it to their beds and the following day, they family all went to the lake to watch the deer.

Ben turned from the window and shook the memories away. It had been so long ago. Going over to his bed, Ben lay down. Drifting off to sleep with a prayer that Joe was also sleeping peacefully.

**********

The next morning, Ben looked up from the table as he heard Joe coming down the stairs. “Good morning, son,” he called.

“Morning, Pa. Morning, Hoss,” Joe replied, as he sat down.

“How did you sleep?” Ben asked carefully.

Joe flashed a genuine smile at his father, “Great, Pa,” he nodded as he helped himself to some eggs, “best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages.”

Ben smiled with relief, hoping that now things could get back to normal.

**********

A few days later, Joe rode over to the Devlin ranch. The Devlins had never had any more children and Mitch now ran the ranch with his father. Joe was always welcome there but he was a bit worried about how he would be received on this day. He didn’t know if his argument with Mitch might change their feelings for him.

“Joe,” Sarah Devlin said, when she opened the door and saw him standing there, “Well don’t just stand there, come on in.”

“Afternoon, Mrs Devlin. How have you been?”

“Fine, fine,” Sarah replied, as she set about making Joe a cup of coffee. “What about you?”

“Everything’s good,” Joe replied, as he sat down. “I came over to see Mitch. Do you know where on the ranch he’s working today?”

“He went into town, said he needed to get a few things.” Sarah sat down and smiled gently at Joe. “Mitch says you two have had a falling out.”

Joe nodded. “It’s my fault.”

“I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding. You two have had a few of those over the years. You wait and see. By this time next week, you’ll both have forgotten all about it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Joe,” Mrs Devlin said, wanting to talk to Joe about something that had been worrying her, “Mitch has started spending time with Sam and James Deagan and you know they’re bad news.”

Joe nodded. The Deagan brothers had gone to school with Joe and Mitch. The Deagans had run wild, in one scrape after another. Nothing much had changed since they’d grown up, the only difference now, was that the scrapes were more serious. Just over two years ago, Joe had come across Sam beating a man in an alley in Virginia City. The man had owed Sam some money. If Joe hadn’t stepped in to stop it, Sam would have killed the man, as it was, the man had been blinded. On Joe’s testimony, Sam Deagan had been sentenced to two years in prison. He had been released and arrived back in Virginia City a month ago.

Joe shook his head. “Why would he want to hang around with them?”

“I don’t know but since that argument with you he’s been going into town every night and meeting up with them. He doesn’t come home until late. Max and I have tried to talk to him but he just says it’s none of our business who his friends are. It’s not like him at all.”

“I’ll head into town and see if I can catch up with him there. I’ll try to talk to him about the Deagans but I don’t know if he’ll listen to anything I’ve got to say right now.”

Mrs Devlin smiled gratefully. “I’d appreciate anything you can do, Joe.”

**********

Joe rode into Virginia City, hitching his horse outside the general store, he went inside to find out if Mitch had been there. Mr Marshall, who owned the store told him that Mitch had been there a couple of hours ago but he didn’t know if Mitch was still in town.

Joe went outside and looked around. Looking over at the Silver Dollar saloon where they usually drank, he didn’t see Mitch’s horse so he decided to check out the Bucket of Blood saloon.

As Joe rode up the street, he saw Mitch’s horse tied up outside the Bucket of Blood. Joe hitched his horse and went inside.

Mitch Devlin and the Deagan brothers were seated at a table in a corner of the saloon. Slowly Joe walked towards them. Mitch looked up and glared as he saw Joe approaching.

“Mitch, can I talk to you for a minute,” Joe looked at the Deagan brothers and then back at Mitch, “in private.”

“The way I see it, we haven’t got anything to talk about. I was already having a private conversation,” Mitch’s eyes flashed as he spoke the next words, “with my friends, of which you’re not one. There’s nothing left to talk about. It’s all been said and done so let’s just leave it at that.”

“You heard the man, Cartwright,” Sam Deagan said, “Find your own table.”

Joe could see there was no point in trying to talk to Mitch there, especially with the Deagans sitting at the table so with one final look at Mitch, he turned and walked away.

Joe walked out of the saloon, not even feeling like staying there for a beer. The conversation he’d just had, had left a sour taste in his mouth. As he walked out of the saloon through the swinging doors, Joe bumped into Sheriff Roy Coffee.

“Sorry Roy,” Joe said, as he turned and started to walk away. Glancing in the doors, Roy saw Mitch sitting at a table staring towards the doors. When Roy caught Mitch’s eyes, the young man looked away.

Roy frowned and turned towards Joe, who was about to mount his horse. Roy called, “Joe,” and walked over to where Joe stood, “I heard that there was trouble between you and Mitch.”

“It’s nothing,” Joe replied.

Roy nodded, “Maybe so but that’s some bad company he’s picked to start hanging around with.”

“That’s his business, not mine.”

“I think you should have a word with him about it.”

“I’ve tried,” Joe answered, as he mounted.

“He’s always respected you, Joe. He listens to your advice.”

“Not anymore,” Joe replied simply, as he rode away.

**********

Over the next weeks every time Joe turned around he seemed to have friction with the Deagan brothers. The thing that hurt Joe the most was that Mitch was always with them.

On one such occasion, it was a lovely warm morning and Joe was in Virginia City loading the supply wagon. He was attempting to quickly get his work done and head on back to the Ponderosa with the hope that there would not be any problems.

“Thanks Mr Marshall, this is my last bag so I’ll see ya next time we need supplies I guess,” said Joe cheerfully.

“All right, Little Joe and please give my regards to your Pa,” Mr Marshall, replied.

“Will do, sir,” said Joe. Just as he approached the last step down from the shop he suddenly felt his feet go from under him and he landed heavily, sack and all on the street.

“Now is not the time to take a nap, Cartwright,” were the words that greeted Joe when he finally realised what had happened.

“Deagan, you did that on purpose. You tripped me!” accused Joe.

Sam Deagan gave an innocent look and walked off saying “Don’t blame me for your clumsiness, Cartwright.”

By this time Joe was aware that he had an audience with some children standing and giggling at the sight of him sprawled on the ground. Not wanting to bring any more attention to himself he quickly stood, brushed himself off and grabbed the sack and tied it on the wagon then set off for the ranch. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Mitch and James Deagan sharing a great joke over the whole encounter.

Little Joe’s thoughts during the trip home dwelled on the encounter. ‘Your time will come Deagan,’ thought Joe.

Three days later Joe was back in town collecting some paperwork for his father and he decided to stop off at the saloon for a quick beer before he headed home. Quite innocently Joe was standing by the bar chatting to a couple of saloon girls when from the other end of the bar came a snide comment from James Deagan.

“Hey pretty boy, Cartwright! Did ya daddy let ya come to town today?”

Drawing a long, slow breath Joe decided to let this comment go unanswered. He knew it was only done to try and cause a fight and he didn’t think it was worth the trouble to him at the moment to retaliate.

Joe bid his farewells to the girls and slowly made his way out onto the street where he had left Cochise tethered. Without looking Joe walked up to the hitching rail outside the Barbers shop only to find no sign of his horse. Panic struck when all of a sudden he heard some gunshots and saw Sam Deagan and Mitch recklessly firing into the air with Cochise about twenty feet away rearing in fright. Joe could see by the look of fear in his eyes that Cochise was being tormented by these two.

Joe could take this treatment himself but when Cochise was on the receiving end he saw red. He ran down the street and was just about to swing at Mitch when a comment made him freeze where he stood, “Go ahead Joe, do you think this is going to hurt me anymore than you already have?”

Mitch had tried to talk Sam out of this latest prank, knowing how much the horse meant to Joe. Sam sensing the ties of friendship were still there between Mitch and Joe was determined that those ties would be broken. Sam’s vicious tongue was able to reignite the anger in Mitch and he had gone along with it, although he had been careful not to hurt the horse.

Joe dropped his fist, he knew this was not the way he should handle the situation with Mitch, but someone had to pay so he immediately turned and belted Sam Deagan in the stomach before he raced over and settled Cochise and made his way out of town, leaving Sam Deagan still lying on the ground.

The only place Joe could get any peace from the Deagans and Mitch was on the Ponderosa so he made a conscious decision to stay on the ranch as much as he could. He tried to busy himself with chores that really didn’t need to be done.

Adam returned from the railhead to go over some paper work and plans with his father. He was intending to spend a couple of days at home with his family before returning to complete the work at the railhead. He noticed how quiet and withdrawn his youngest brother was. Whenever Adam tried to start up a conversation with Joe, he was curtly turned away with a grunt as a reply.

“Pa, I’m really concerned about Joe, he just doesn’t seem interested in anything anymore. He stays on his own most of the time and won’t open up to anyone. I know he’s had a falling out with Mitch,” Adam quietly said to his father as they were going over the required paperwork.

“I know, Adam. The problem with Mitch is really eating away at him and I heard from Roy that he’s had some run-ins with the Deagan brothers and Mitch in town on more than one occasion. I don’t know what to say or do to help him at the moment.”

“Hoss told me some of things that have been happening,” Adam shook his head, "Tripping him, loosening his cinch, name calling, it sounds pretty childish. I’m surprised at Mitch going along with it.

“I know,” Ben replied, but it seems that whenever something happens with the Deagans, Mitch is right there. I think Joe's taken it for so long because he feels bad about what happened with Mitch. But it can’t go on like this.”

“You know, Pa, there is a dance coming up this Saturday night in town, why don’t Hoss and I suggest he goes to that. If he gets out and sees other friends it might take his mind off his problems with Mitch and the Deagans. I don’t have to leave again for the railhead until Sunday so Hoss and I can go with him and keep an eye on him, if you know what I mean,” said Adam smiling, as the sound of some relaxation on his part also sounded good.

“That is a wonderful idea, son. I only hope you can get him to go, it might be just what he needs,” Ben said putting a hand on Adams shoulder as a gesture of thanks.

**********

“Come on little brother, you’ll have fun. I’ll bet all those purty gals have really missed seeing you lately,” said Hoss.

“Yeah and especially Lucy. Before I left for the railhead you were seeing quite a lot of her. Don’t you want to take her to the dance?” added Adam to try and peak Little Joe’s enthusiasm for a night out.

“Since when have my two big brothers been so interested in me going to a dance?” queried Joe.

“Oh no reason little brother! It’s just much easier around here for everyone when you are not ornary,” joked Hoss as he tried to lighten the atmosphere.

**********

“What do you mean I’m too late! I thought you were my girl, Lucy?” said Joe in a high-pitched voice. He was not used to getting a knock back from a girl for an invitation to a dance.

“Little Joe Cartwright if you think I am going to sit around and wait for you to feel like you want to see me then you have a few things to learn about me,” replied Lucy in a similar tone to Joe’s. “You have not been around to see me for a few weeks, I haven’t even seen you in town lately so I thought you were not going to ask me to the dance. That is why I accepted Mitch’s invitation to accompany him. How about I save you a dance?” Lucy smiled and walked off.

**********

Little Joe stood staring out the door of the dance hall. He had danced with a couple of young ladies he knew and forced himself to look like he was enjoying himself, but once he got away on his own and there was no-one to have to impress, his true feelings surfaced. He had watched Mitch and Lucy dancing together. Mitch had given Joe the cold shoulder on several occasions as they passed on the dance floor. Mitch had known that Joe and Lucy had been seeing each other regularly and took delight in asking Lucy to the dance, not really because he was overly keen on her but more because he knew he would be cutting in on Joe’s territory.

Joe’s thoughts were interrupted by a light tap on his arm. “Is this our dance sir?” asked a quiet voice. Joe looked around and saw Lucy with a pretty smile looking up at him. He accepted her invitation and they stepped out amongst the other couples on the dance floor. Both Joe and Lucy felt immediately relaxed in each other’s company and were enjoying the music when all of a sudden a hand gripped Joe’s shoulder from behind.

Adam and Hoss had been keeping an eye on their younger brother throughout the evening and were just starting to begin to enjoy themselves when they spotted this encounter.

“Cartwright, I know you don’t have any respect for my feelings but that is my partner you are dancing with, now move away,” Mitch said, in a low menacing voice.

“It is all right Mitch, I promised Little Joe this dance,” Lucy interjected.

“No it’s not all right, I asked you to accompany me and I don’t want you dancing with anyone else.” With that the Deagan brothers appeared behind Mitch as a show of support for him.

Joe saw the look on their faces and decided for Lucy’s sake not to stir up any trouble, so he backed away, thanking Lucy for the dance and saying he would see her another day soon. Joe could not get over the look of contempt that he saw on Mitch’s face for him. How could his lifetime friend have turned so completely against him?

As Joe moved off the dance floor he saw the Deagans patting Mitch’s back and cheering him on at having made Joe back down. Joe then knew that it was their influence that had turned Mitch so totally against him.

Adam and Hoss came over to stand with Joe. “We’re proud of you little brother,” said Hoss as they knew just how hard that encounter would have been for Joe with his usually short wicked temper. They could easily see the hurt on Joe’s face, “How about we head for home, little brother?”

After what seemed like an eternity Joe finally replied “No! I don’t want them to think they have beaten me and I have run off home, I want to stay a bit longer.”

Adam and Hoss exchanged looks and shook their heads but Adam finally gave in and said, “All right, Joe, but we don’t want to be too late getting home tonight. I have to make an early start back to the railhead tomorrow and you have to make that ride to Placerville.” Joe was going to Placerville to purchase a horse the Cartwrights wanted for breeding stock.

With a little chuckle Joe replied, “Don’t worry older brothers, we won’t be too late, I know how much sleep you old men need.” Adam and Hoss laughed as Joe walked away to find another partner to dance with.

It was getting late when Joe’s antagonists made their next move. Joe had mingled pleasantly with several people after the problem with Lucy and had thought he would quietly have some refreshment and then head on home.

He was on his second glass of punch when two people came up either side of him. Joe didn’t need to look to know it was the Deagan brothers. Sam Deagan started by trying to elbow Joe out of his way. James Deagan then pushed Joe’s arm so that he spilt punch down his good clothes.

“Oh, Cartwright, what a shame! Those nice duds are all dirtied” goaded Sam in a menacing tone.

“Gosh, Sam, I always thought Cartwrights took better care of themselves, but this one is downright dirty!” laughed James loud enough to draw the attention of many people in the room.

Joe had been very restrained until now but as his blood boiled he was not going to let these two roughnecks make a fool of him in front of all his friends any longer.

Unfortunately Joe was not fast enough with his first blow as he was savagely struck on his left cheek by a Deagan fist. Although he could feel the blood trickle down as his skin had split he quickly recovered and went to return the punch when James Deagan caught him from behind and held him in an arm brace while Sam then administered several well timed and placed punches to Joe’s midriff area. Another sharp hit to his mouth caused another outbreak of blood and Joe could feel his face swelling already and a light-headed feeling started to set in.

Adam and Hoss who had been happily chatting with some lady friends were drawn by the crowd that had gathered around the young men. Not realising it was their younger brother that was in the centre of the commotion at first they didn’t hurry over but then like a lightning bolt they both came to the same realisation that Little Joe was nowhere to be seen so he had to be in the middle of this furore.

The Deagan brothers were just about to lash out in force again when Hoss pushed his way through the onlookers and grabbed one of the brothers and threw him over at the wall, he then turned and flattened the remaining brother. Adam in the mean time had gone straight to Little Joe’s assistance where he found Joe had fallen and was struggling to raise himself onto his knees. He was unsteady and holding onto the refreshment table.

“Joe, buddy, here let me help you. Just take it easy,” said Adam trying to support his little brother.

“Adam…….,” was all that Little Joe could manage as he fought to stabilise his breathing. His head was swimming and his stomach churned while he tried to feel the cuts on his face that were causing a stinging sensation.

Joe finally got to his feet and stood with Adam’s assistance, “It’s okay, Adam, I’m all right,” Joe insisted feebly.

Adam eyed him warily, clearly seeing he was not all right.

Joe looked around and saw what Hoss had done to the Deagans and as a faint smile crept over his face he whispered “Thanks brother, lets go home,” but before he could take a step he collapsed into Adam’s arms who had luckily never left his side.

As Adam and Hoss lifted their unconscious brother and carried him out of the room, Adam commented sarcastically, “I just love coming to dances with little brother here, we always have such a relaxing, enjoyable time.”

Once they were outside the brothers quickly carried Joe over to Doctor Paul Martin’s office. Although they knew he was not seriously hurt they needed the assurance of the doctor plus they knew that Pa would never forgive them if they returned home without having had Paul check him over.

After Joe’s injuries were seen to and Paul was happy for him to make the trip home, Adam and Hoss hired a wagon and took their brother home. The doctor had given him a mild sedative so he slept the whole trip and was rather surprised to find himself in his own bed with Pa fussing over him when he came to in the early hours of the next morning.

“Well, young man, this is what I get for allowing you to go to the dance! And with both your brothers there watching out for you,” Ben smiled at his youngest son. Secretly he was very worried about Joe’s injuries but he was trying to make light of the situation as he knew how down Joe had been over the recent incidences with Mitch and the Deagan brothers.

“Hi, Pa. It really wasn’t my fault this time, those Deagans just kept at me all night and…” Joe replied weakly.

“Yes I know, son,” Ben cut Joe off, “Your brothers explained to me exactly what happened. The Deagans are not going to get away with this, Joseph. I’ll be going in to town later to see Roy.”

Joe shook his head. “Don’t do that, Pa. They’ll be nothing Roy can do, it was just a fight. I can handle it.”

Ben stroked the hair back from Joe’s forehead and said quietly, “Like you handled it tonight?”

Joe used his standard reply to try and allay his father’s worries, “I’ll be fine Pa, it’s just a few cuts and bruises.”

Ben could see that this was not the case especially when Joe tried to adjust his position in bed. The pained expression that instantly appeared on his face spoke volumes. Despite this, Ben knew Joe was old enough to choose what he wanted to do about the Deagans. He nodded reluctantly, “All right. But,” Ben spoke firmly, “any more trouble between you and the Deagans and I will speak to Roy.”

Joe nodded and tried to get more comfortable as he asked, “What time is it?”

“Just after two,” Ben replied.

“I better get some sleep. I have to go into Virginia City later this morning and then make that trip to Placerville to buy that horse from Pete Mason.”

“You will not be making that trip to Placerville this morning, Joseph.”

“Pa, I’m sure I can still get there, I’ll…..” Joe tried to sit up and his sentence was cut off as the pain shot up from his midsection.

“Not today, Joseph. You will be staying in bed today and taking it very easy. Doctors orders,” was Ben’s reply.

Joe knew his father meant what he said so he didn’t bother to answer. Secretly he was glad to be able to stay in bed and recover. He hurt all over and was sure his face must have been a sight if the pain was any indication. He did not really want to be seen by any young ladies he might run into while in Virginia City or Placerville looking anything less than his best.

“You just go back to sleep and don’t worry about anything,” Ben knew Joe wanted to check the horse out himself before making payment for it so offered a solution, “I’ll have Hoss go into Virginia City later this morning and send a wire to Pete telling him that you have been delayed until later in the week, by then you should be feeling up to the ride.”

“Thanks, Pa,” Joe said softly, as he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep. Ben straightened the covers on Joe’s bed and waited until he was sure Joe was sleeping soundly. Ben turned down the lamp and quietly left the room, leaving the door ajar so he could hear if Joe needed him through the night.

**********

Five days later, Joe rode into town to collect the money before leaving for Placerville.

“Good Morning, Lucy,” Joe tipped his hat and beamed one of his smiles at her through the tellers bars of the bank in Virginia City.

“Joe, it is so good to see you, I have been so worried after the incident at the dance last Saturday night. I saw Hoss in town the other morning and he said you were not feeling well. It’s my fault that you were beaten up at the dance,” Lucy could see the remains of the bruises and cuts on Joe’s face.

“No, Lucy. You had nothing to do with the brawl. It would have happened somewhere else if it hadn’t happened there. Those Deagan brothers have been spoiling for a fight with me for ages. I’m doing fine now. Almost back to my ol handsome self,” Joe replied, with another one of his cheeky grins. “I’ve come to pick up that thousand dollars that I have to take to Placerville. Pa made me wait until today. You know what he can be like.”

Joe had made arrangements with the bank two weeks previously for the money to be ready. “Sure Joe, I’ll see to it right away for you. I guess you need to get an early start as it is quite a long ride,” smiling Lucy stepped into the back room of the bank to organise the money.

“Well I should have known I would find you hanging around Lucy first chance you got, Cartwright. I thought I made it clear at the dance that Lucy was my girl now,” Mitch said, as he made his way inside the bank.

“Mitch, I’m just here on business, and what if I do choose to see Lucy? She is not your property, she can choose who she talks to you know,” replied Joe in a voice bordering on the same antagonism that Mitch had just used towards him.

“Joe, I ought to….” Mitch started to reply when Lucy returned and cut him off as she could hear and see what was going on between them.

“Here you are, Joe, that didn’t take too long,” said Lucy in a happy tone to try and break the atmosphere and handed Joe an envelope with the cash in it.

“Thanks, Lucy. I sure hope you will allow me to show my appreciation for the personal service when I get back from Placerville. Maybe dinner one night?” asked Joe in a smooth voice. He wasn’t going to give Mitch the satisfaction of thinking he had been scared off from showing Lucy his affections.

“That sounds lovely. Thank you, Joe, I will be looking forward to it,” replied Lucy. With a final touch of chivalry Joe took hold of Lucy’s hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back of it, placed the envelope into the inside pocket of his green jacket and walked out of the bank.

Mitch hadn’t had time to react to Joe’s actions so once Joe had left the bank he looked at Lucy in a surly manner. “Grow up Mitch; you know Joe was only doing that as an act in front of you,” Lucy said.

“Yeah I know that, but I still don’t like it,” scowled Mitch.

Finally as a way of getting Mitch to drop the whole issue she told him that Joe really was just in the bank collecting a thousand dollars that he was taking to Placerville to buy a horse.

“Fine, whatever you say,” was Mitch’s only reply. He turned and walked out of the bank only to walk straight into Sam and James Deagan who had seen Joe and then Mitch go into the bank earlier and had bided their time to see if anything more would develop between Joe and Mitch.

“So what was your former friend Cartwright doing in the bank, Mitch? Trying to crack onto your girl again?” said Sam Deagan.

Mitch was preoccupied with his thoughts about the run in he’d just had with Joe in the bank and he answered the Deagans questions without really paying much attention. “Huh, oh no ……um…. he was just picking up the thousand dollars he has to take to Placerville today.”

With this revelation the two Deagan brothers exchanged meaningful glances at each other and then invited Mitch to the saloon for a beer, then they asked him to ride out with them, telling Mitch they wanted to show him something.

**********

Mitch rode out of town with the Deagan brothers. When they reached the turnoff for the road to Placerville, Sam and James turned their horses and started down the road in that direction. Mitch pulled his horse to a stop and asked, “What’s going on? Where are we going?”

“Like I said,” Sam replied, “Just want to show you something.”

“What?” Mitch asked, with a feeling of unease.

“This,” Sam replied as he suddenly pulled his gun, pointing it at Mitch.

Mitch stared at him in shock for a moment and then his hand started to go for his own gun. Mitch heard the click of the trigger being cocked and Sam said, “I wouldn’t, if I was you.”

“What’s this about?” Mitch asked as he carefully moved his hand away from his gun.

James moved his horse up next to Mitch and pulled Mitch’s gun from its holster.

“We’re not far behind Cartwright. We’re going to catch him up and relieve him of the money he’s carrying. If you prove you’re with us, you get to live,” Sam said.

Mitch frowned. “What do you want me to do?”

“We’re going to ride hard and catch him up. Jim and me’ll hide in the trees by the side of the road. You ride straight up to him. He won’t be expectin’ trouble if he sees just you. Keep him talkin’ while we get the drop on him,” Sam looked hard at Mitch before he continued, “try to double cross us and I’ll blow you out of the saddle.”

“Why are you going to all this trouble for a thousand dollars?” Mitch asked warily.

“A thousand dollars is a lot of money when you ain’t got nothin’ but you’re right, I’m not doin’ this for the money. That’ll just be a bonus.”

Mitch’s eyes narrowed. “What are you planning to do to Joe?”

“I spent two years rotting in a stinking prison because of him. Mr high and mighty Joe Cartwright wouldn’t keep his mouth shut about what he saw me do that day. Now I’m out and I’m back and I’m going to teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.”

Mitch slowly shook his head. “You’re crazy. I won’t help you hurt Joe.”

“You have two choices,” Sam said coldly, “You do what we say or you’re dead. You choose.”

Mitch stared at the Deagan brothers. He was silently cursing himself for being so stupid to get mixed up with them.

“Well?” Sam finally asked.

“I’ll do what you want,” Mitch replied.

Sam smirked. “I knew you’d be sensible about this. After all, it’s not like Joe’s a friend of your’s anymore is it.”

Mitch felt as if a knife was being pushed into his stomach and twisted.

**********

Joe wasn’t in a hurry so he was setting an easy pace. He hadn’t ridden far from Virginia City when he heard someone riding up behind him. Pulling Cochise to a stop, he turned in the saddle to see who it was.

“Don’t stop!” Mitch shouted, “It’s a trap, Joe. Get out of here!”

Before Joe had time to react, he felt a bullet slam into his right shoulder, the force of it knocked him from the saddle.

With their guns drawn, the Deagan brothers rode out of the trees, blocking Mitch in between them. Pointing his gun at Mitch, James forced him to dismount.

Sam dismounted quickly and removed Joe’s gun from its holster. Dragging Joe to his feet, Sam shoved Joe’s gun in a saddlebag, grabbed the horse’s reins and said, “Let’s go. We need to get away from the road.” He pushed Joe towards the concealment of the trees. Mitch and James followed.

When they were far enough away from the road that they couldn’t be seen, Sam nodded at Mitch and told his brother to tie him up. Mitch’s hands were pulled behind him and tied.

“What do you want?” Joe asked through clenched teeth as he fought against the pain.

Joe struggled against Sam as the man searched his pockets. Pulling the money out of the inside pocket of Joe’s green jacket, Sam held it up. “This,” he replied, as he put the money in his own pocket, “and this,” he continued, as he slammed his fist into Joe’s stomach.

The blow sent Joe to his knees, Mitch took a step forward but when James pointed his gun at him, Mitch realised there was nothing he could do to help.

As Sam reached for Joe’s arm to pull him up, Joe knocked the arm away and struggled to his feet. Unexpectedly, Joe lowered his head and plowed into Sam, knocking the man off his feet. Joe threw himself on top of Sam and punched him in the face as hard as he could with his left hand. Before Joe could strike another blow, Sam punched Joe in the right shoulder. Joe cried out as the pain radiated through his body.

Barely hanging onto consciousness, Joe was now no match for Sam. As Sam reined blows into Joe, Mitch screamed, “Stop it! Stop it! You’ll kill him!”

Sam stood up breathing heavily, he turned to Mitch and smiled. “Wouldn’t want that, would we.” With one last kick to Joe’s side, he walked away.

Sam walked over to his horse and got his canteen. He had a drink and then walked over to stand next to Joe. Turning the canteen up, he tipped the water down onto Joe’s face. “Wakey, wakey,” he said, as he nudged Joe with the toe of his boot. Joe groaned and struggled to open his eyes. “Get up,” Sam said roughly.

Joe doubted that anything could force him to his feet, he hurt all over. Sam walked away and then Joe heard him say, “Get up or I’ll put a hole right through him.”

Joe turned his head and saw Sam and James standing next to Mitch. Sam had his gun held to Mitch’s head and Joe had no doubt that he meant the words.

Joe bit his lip to keep from groaning as he forced himself to his knees and then shakily stood up.

Sam walked over to his horse and pulled Joe’s gun from his saddle bag, taking a couple of steps towards Joe, he then threw the gun onto the ground, near some bushes about a body length away from where Joe stood.

“Go for it,” Sam said.

Joe knew he had no chance. Sam would kill him before you could reach the gun, he was just playing with him but Joe knew he had to try.

Joe’s body tensed as he readied himself, suddenly they all heard an ominous rattle coming from the bushes near the gun. The horses started to whiney and Sam turned towards them. In that instant, while Sam was distracted, Joe threw himself towards the gun. Trying to ignore the noise and what he knew was there.

Sam spun towards Joe, pulling his gun. Joe grabbed his gun and fired as he rolled away. Sam went down, he was dead before he hit the ground.

James let out a cry of anger but before he could shoot at Joe, Mitch knocked into him as hard as he could, giving Joe a chance to fire at James. Joe’s aim was true and James followed after his brother in death.

Mitch quickly walked over to where Joe was lying on the ground. “Are you all right?” he asked as he knelt down. “Joe, are you all right?” he repeated.

Joe’s eyes opened and he starred at Mitch for a moment and then he said, “It bit me.”

“What!” Mitch prayed he’d misunderstood what Joe meant.

“The rattler. It bit me.”

“Oh, Joe,” Mitch whispered. He quickly looked around, checking if the snake was still nearby but it had slithered away.

Mitch jumped to his feet. He’d seen a knife sticking out of the top of Sam’s boot. Running to retrieve it he awkwardly pulled the knife free and ran back to Joe’s side.

“Here,” Mitch said, as he knelt down and turned his back so Joe could see the knife, “cut the ropes.” When Mitch felt the ropes break away, he turned around. Joe’s lips were compressed tight in pain, his face ashen.

“Where!” Mitch asked urgently.

“My right leg,” Joe could barely get the words out.

Using the knife, Mitch ripped Joe’s pant leg open. The bite was just down from Joe’s knee.

Joe cried out as Mitch cut into the wound, automatically he tried to pull his leg away but Mitch held him firmly as he sucked as much of the poison out as he could. Using some of the torn material, he fashioned a tourniquet above Joe’s knee. He then ran to the horses and grabbed his and Joe’s canteens. Quickly he rinsed his mouth out and then poured the rest of the water over the wound where Joe had been bitten. Opening the other canteen, he poured some water into Joe’s mouth. The water just ran out as Joe was now unconscious.

Mitch brought his horse over to his friend and somehow managed to get him on. Joe slumped forward with his head resting on the horse neck. Mitch tied Cochise’s reins to his own horse’s saddle and then swung up behind Joe, pulling him back so that Joe rested against him. “I’m sorry, Joe. This is all my fault,” Mitch said quietly before motioning his horse to start moving. He knew he didn’t have time to take care of Joe’s other injuries, if he didn’t get Joe to help soon, they wouldn’t matter because the poison would kill him.

As they rode, Joe groaned and Mitch realized his friend was waking.

“It’s all right, Joe. I’m taking you to Virginia City. You’ll be all right. Just hang on.”

“Gonna be sick,” the words were barely out when Joe was violently sick. Mitch kept the horse moving and once the retching stopped, he struggled to hang onto Joe while reaching for his canteen. Joe drank a little, he was thirsty but it was hard for him to swallow because his throat was starting to swell.

Mitch’s arms were aching with the effort of keeping Joe in the saddle. He could feel the heat radiating from Joe’s body. The leg had been swelling before they’d set off and Mitch had removed Joe’s boot. Looking down, he swallowed thickly as he saw how much more it had swollen. He felt like crying with relief when he saw someone riding in the distance.

“Help!” Mitch yelled out, “Help!”

On his way home from the railhead, where the work was finally finished, Adam turned at the shout. When he saw Joe slumped on the horse in front of Mitch, Adam spurred his horse forward.

“What happened?” Adam asked urgently as he dismounted. Touching his brothers face, he was alarmed at the temperature he could feel. Joe was conscious but when Adam looked into his eyes, he could see Joe had no awareness of Adam being there. He took in all the cuts and bruises on Joe’s face, seeing clearly that his brother had been in a fight. More alarming was the blood coating Joe’s sleeve.

“Rattler,” Mitch said, “Got him on the leg,” Mitch nodded, indicating Joe’s right leg. Adam quickly walked to the other side of the horse to have a look. He was shocked by what he saw. Fear coursed through him at just how bad his brother looked, the thought crossed his mind to wonder how the boy was still alive.

Adam knew explanations about how Joe had gotten in the state he was, would have to wait. There was no time. “Help me get him up on my horse.” While they were changing Joe to the other horse, he passed out. When Adam was seated behind Joe, he said, “Ride into town. Quick. Make sure Doc Martins there. Take Cochise, he’s fresher. I’ll bring Joe in as fast as I can.” Mitch left his horse there, knowing it would either make its way home or he could come back for it later, he mounted Cochise and took off.

**********

Joe hadn’t moved or made a sound since they’d gotten him on Adam’s horse and Adam breathed a sigh of relief as he rode up the street, and saw Mitch, Paul Martin and Sheriff Roy Coffee waiting outside the doctor’s office. Carefully, Adam lowered his brother into their arms.

Joe was carried into the surgery room, Paul told them all to leave while he worked on him.

Out in the waiting area, Roy turned to Adam, “I’ll go out and tell your Pa what’s happened.”

“Thank you,” Adam said gratefully. He didn’t want to leave Joe.

**********

As soon as Roy Coffee told Ben and Hoss what had happened, they saddled up and rode straight into town. Roy then rode over to the Devlin ranch. Mitch’s horse had just arrived home when Roy got there, they were relieved to hear Mitch was not hurt but were extremely worried about Joe. Roy told them he’d send word as soon as there was any news. He then rode out to where Mitch had told him the bodies of the Deagan brothers were to collect them and the horses.

**********

Adam looked up as the door was flung open, jumping to his feet as his father rushed in followed by Hoss. “How is he?” Ben asked.

Adam shook his head. “Not good,” he nodded towards the closed door, “Paul’s still working on him.” While they’d been waiting Mitch had told Adam what had happened.

Mitch walked over to Ben. “I’m sorry, sir. I….” He was cut off by the sound of the door opening and all eyes turned to Paul.

“Paul,” Ben said, his voice shaking, “Is he…..” Ben couldn’t go on.

“He’s still with us, Ben. By the grace of God, he’s still with us. I won’t lie to you. We’re going to have a real fight on our hands to keep him with us. Joe’s very ill. He’s been severely beaten. He has a couple of broken ribs among other injuries. I got the bullet out of his shoulder. He’s lost a lot of blood but it didn’t do any major damage.” Paul sat down and motioned for everyone else to sit.

“Obviously that bite is the biggest worry. The other injuries are painful but they’ll all heal. If the poison has spread too far through Joe’s body, they’ll be nothing I can do,” Paul paused and looked at Mitch and then back at Ben, “Mitch did a good job of getting what poison he could out when it first happened so that gives us some hope.”

“Hope,” Hoss repeated, “It’s that bad?”

“What are his chances?” Ben asked.

Paul knew he couldn’t give them false hope. “Slim,” he said, seeing the shattered look on his old friends face, Paul reached out his hand and patted Ben’s arm. “You need to be aware of how bad it is, Ben. But, as I said, there’s still hope. Joe’s a fighter. We all know that. If anyone can beat bad odds, it’s that youngest boy of yours. I’ll do everything I can for him, Ben. Everything.”

Ben nodded. “I want to see him,” he said, getting to his feet. He had no intention of taking no for an answer.

“You can all go in,” Paul said, “He won’t know you’re with him though.”

Ben walked across the room and stared down at his youngest son. If it weren’t for the shallow rise and fall of the young man’s chest, signalling life still dwelt within him, Ben would have thought death had already stolen his child from him.

Ben leant over Joe and gently brushed the hair back from his forehead as he said, “Fight, son. You have to fight hard to stay with us, Joseph, because I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I love you so much, Joe.”

“Here, Pa,” Adam said as he put a chair close to the bed and practically pushed his father into it. Ben reached for Joe’s hand and held it tightly.

Hours passed and despite the pleas of his two oldest sons and Paul for him to go to the hotel to rest, Ben refused. Paul even offered him the use of his own bed while he tended to Joe but Ben didn’t want to be away from Joe and everyone understood that. They all felt the same way.

**********

Joe mumbled incoherently and then cried out as his leg jerked. Ben leant forward and trailed his hand down his sons arm. “It’s all right, Joe. Shh. It’s all right.” Ben knew that Joe was beyond hearing the words but words of comfort were all he had to give and that made Ben feel helpless. He looked across at Paul. “Isn’t there something more we can do?”

Paul Martin shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ben. I’ve tried everything I know to do. The pain with a rattler bite is excruciating, there’s nothing else like it. And on top of all the other symptoms it can cause massive infection where Joe was bitten. Right now, his body is cramping, hopefully the medication I’ve given him will help to relieve that soon.”

Tears came to Ben’s eyes as he stared at his young son. “I feel like he’s caught in a struggle between life and death,” the tears fell from Ben’s eyes as he whispered the next words, “And death is winning.”

Standing beside his father, Adam put a hand on the older man’s shoulder and squeezed. “We won’t let it, Pa. We won’t let it!”

**********

A few hours later, Joe’s eyes opened and Ben leant forward. “Joseph,” he said softly. Joe was clearly distressed but seemed to know that his father was there. Joe said something that Ben wasn’t able to understand so he asked, “I’m sorry, Joe. I didn’t hear you. Can you tell me again?”

Joe’s mouth and lips were numb and it was hard for him to make himself understood. “Can’t see you,” the words were hard to catch but Ben heard and understood them and he looked in shock at Paul.

Paul came forward and had a look into Joe’s eyes. He nodded reassuringly. “It’s all right. Everything’s probably pretty blurry for Joe right now. You can see the poison has made his eyelids swell a bit. Once the swelling goes down, his eyes will be fine.”

**********

Throughout the next two days there were occasions when Joe was aware of where he was and what had happened to him but those times were few. Most of the time, Joe’s body was racked with fever and he was so delirious that he had no idea of what was happening around him.

Ben attempted to get Joe to drink only to have the cup knocked from his hand in Joe’s delirium. As Adam bent to retrieve it, he heard Joe cry out something about Eagle’s Nest and not wanting Pa to climb up there.

Ben tried to comfort Joe and when Adam looked at the faces of his father and middle brother, he could see that they knew what was behind the troubled dreams Joe was having. "What's going on?" Adam asked.

Ben and Hoss told Adam of the events that had happened while he'd been at the railhead, culminating in Ben going up to Eagle's Nest to help Joe to climb down.

Standing at the back of the room, Mitch felt a rush of guilt as he realized why Joe had been acting so strangely around the time they'd fallen out.

"Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Adam snapped, “He's my brother, I have a right to know what's going on with him."

Ben tried to calm Adam down. "Of course you do, son. But I promised Joseph that I wouldn't tell you or Hoss. I told him it was his decision what he wanted to tell you."

"He was worried you'd think less of him if you knew," Hoss said quietly.

"What," Adam turned to Hoss, "He seriously thought that?"

Hoss nodded. "He told me what happened up there at Eagle's Nest because he wanted to try to explain why he'd been acting the way he had. He'd been so angry with everyone. I know he found it hard to tell me, he was worried what I'd think."

"But he did tell you. Why did he think he couldn't tell me?" Adam couldn't keep the hurt out of his voice.

"Little Joe hardly sees a fault or a weakness in you, Adam. Right from the time he was just a little fella he worshipped the ground you walked on, surely you know that," Hoss replied, "I tried to tell him that everyone has fears. Even you. But I know he was still worried that you'd think less of him if you knew."

Adam looked down at his young brother who had stilled his restless movements and now lay sleeping quietly. He reached out his hand and rested it on Joe's arm. "You have to get better, Joe. It seems like you and I have a lot of things to talk about and I need to set you straight about a few things."

**********

The days that followed were filled with equal measures of hope and despair. The fever would lessen its hold and Joe’s temperature would drop and they would begin to think that Joe was recovering but then within a couple of hours, his temperature would again be soaring. Each movement bringing pain and Joe would be too ill to even lift his head.

For five days Joe’s life hung in the balance. Paul Martin used every skill he had and every medicine available to him. Joe’s family did all they could to help, at least one of them, usually all of them at his bedside. For the last two days, Joe had remained unconscious.

Everyone’s nerves were stretched to the limit. Finally as dawn broke on the sixth morning, Ben saw Joe’s eyelids flickering. Moving from the chair to sit on the side of the bed, he encouraged, “Come on, Joseph. You’ve been asleep long enough. It’s time to wake up now. Come on.”

Joe’s eyes slowly opened and he blinked several times as he tried to focus on his father. “Pa,” he whispered.”

“Yes, Joe,” Ben smiled, gently squeezing Joe’s hand. “I’m here.” Ben reached for a glass of water and helped Joe to drink.

Joe was still in a lot of pain and his head ached so much he thought it would burst if he tried to move. “Hurt,” was all he managed to say.

“I know,” Ben said, soothingly he ran his hand up and done his sons left arm, “but you’re going to be all right.”

“Pa,” Hoss said as he came in the door. A smile breaking out on his face when he saw his little brother was awake.

“Welcome back shortshanks,” Hoss said as he gently touched Joe’s arm. Looking at his father, he said, “I’ll get Doc.” Hoss was back in moments. Both Paul and Adam were with him.

Before Paul completed his examination, Joe was asleep again. Paul turned and looked at the three anxious faces staring back at him. “I think he’s going to be fine,” Paul said, “We’ll let him sleep and when he wakes up next time, we’ll try and get some food into him.”

“Thank God,” Ben whispered.

**********

Two days later, knowing Adam was waiting for a chance to talk to Joe privately, Ben left the two brothers alone.

"Joe, I know what happened at Eagle's Nest while I was away." Joe frowned and was about to interrupt but guessing what his brother was thinking, Adam held up his hand. "Let me finish. And no, Pa or Hoss didn't tell me. Well, not until they had to anyway. You did," at Joe's look of confusion, Adam smiled gently, "You were delirious at the time so I doubt that you remember much about it. You were saying things about Eagle's Nest and not wanting Pa to go up there. Pa and Hoss did explain to me then what had happened."

Joe looked away and Adam sat down on the side of the bed. "Joe, look at me, please." Joe's face remained turned away. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. So you're afraid of heights. Big deal. That seems pretty sensible to me."

"You're not," Joe said the words so quietly that Adam barely heard them.

"No, I'm not afraid of heights, true enough. But that doesn't mean there's not a lot of other things that scare me."

Joe finally turned to look at Adam and asked, "Like what?"

"Snakes for one thing," as Joe looked at him skeptically. Adam shook his head at the memory. "I'd always hated them. Then when I was about eighteen, just before I left for college, Pa and I were out doing some fence repairs. Next thing I knew there was a snake right there beside me. I'd hung my gun on the buckboard so when I saw it, I just got out of there so fast, Pa said all's he saw was dust because I moved so fast.”

Joe smiled and shook his head. "I don't believe you."

Adam smiled back. "It's the truth, Joe. You ask Pa. And look what you did in comparison. To go for that gun, regardless of the snake being there. That took real courage. I don't think I could have done it in the same situation."

Joe nodded emphatically. "You would have. With you, you didn't have a gun, your best option was to get away from it but I know if you'd been in my place out there, you'd have done the same as me. I took the best option. You would have too. You'd have done whatever you had to."

Adam nodded. "That's right, Joe. We do what we have to and when it came right down to it at Eagle's Nest, you did what you had to. You faced your fear and you beat it. There's no shame in that. I'm proud of you, Joe. I always have been," Adam paused and looked into Joe's eyes, making sure his brother knew he was speaking the truth, "and I always will be."

**********

It was another week before Joe was allowed to go home. Much to his consternation though it was to be on a mattress in the back of a buckboard. He was still too weak to even sit up for more than an hour at a time. His body ached and there were times when he would suddenly shake with chills. Paul had assured the family that time was all Joe needed to make a complete recovery.

Ben and Joe were waiting for Adam and Hoss to arrive with the buckboard so they could take Joe home. Ben had just finished helping Joe with his breakfast.

"Pa."

"Mmm, what?" Ben said, as he adjusted Joe's pillow, preparing to lay him back down.

"If everyone is afraid of something and Hoss is afraid of water, Adam's afraid of snakes and I'm afraid of heights, what are you most afraid of?"

Ben looked into Joe's eyes and replied, "The thing that I'm most afraid of Joseph, is the thought of losing one of my sons. I came so close this time," he sat on the side of the bed and gently pulled Joe into an embrace, "too close," he whispered as he held his son to him and wished he could keep Joe safe in his arms forever.

**********

That first day home, as Joe lay resting on the settee, his family all sat around keeping him company. Joe dozed off while he was playing a game of checkers with Hoss.

An hour later, Hoss glanced over to the settee and saw that Joe had just awoken and was struggling to sit up. Rushing over, he gently helped him. Seeing the checkers board sitting on the low table, Joe looked at Hoss. “Sorry.”

“Ain’t no need to be sorry. I haven’t moved any of the pieces so we can finish it whenever you feel like it.”

“Feeling better?” Ben asked.

Joe nodded. “It’s good to be home.”

Ben smiled. “It’s good to have you home.”

“Pa,” Joe said hesitantly, “Can I talk to you about something?”

“Of course, Joseph,” Ben got up from his chair and moved to the settee to sit next to Joe, alarmed at the seriousness of his sons voice. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“The Deagans. Pa, I had no choice but to kill them, I….”

“Joseph,” Ben broke in, patting Joe’s arm, “Don’t worry about that. You did what you had to, to stay alive.” Joe had talked very little about what had happened and his family hadn’t pressed him. “Mitch told us what happened and how you got bitten. It took great courage to do what you did, son. Knowing that snake was there, you took the risk of getting bitten for the only chance you had of saving both you and Mitch. You did an amazing thing, Little Joe. Don’t feel guilty about the Deagans. They don’t deserve it. They caused their own deaths.”

“Why was Mitch with them?” Joe asked.

“He didn’t know what they were planning. He had no idea. They took his gun and told him they were going after you when they were on the road.” Joe nodded and Ben continued, “He did mention to them about the money you were carrying. It was just an innocent conversation to Mitch, Joseph. He feels terrible that it might have been the catalyst to all that followed.”

“Why hasn’t he been to see me?”

“It must be hard for him,” Ben said, “He’s probably worried about how you must feel towards him now. Paul says he saved your life. Do you remember Mitch helping you?”

“A bit,” Joe said, “It’s all sort of fuzzy.”

“He stayed with us for the first couple of days that we were looking after you. He only went home after we promised to send word as soon….” Ben paused, swallowing the lump in his throat when he remembered how they’d dreaded they would be sending Mitch bad news, “as soon as there was any change.”

Joe’s family wished there was someway to lighten the sombre mood Joe had fallen into.

“That was some surprise welcome home you put on for me, little brother,” Adam joked.

“You know me. I always like to make things exciting,” Joe laughed and everyone joined in the laughter.

**********

Two days later, Hoss rode over to the Devlin ranch.

“Hoss, come in,” Mrs Devlin said, when she opened the door to him, “How’s Joe? We were so relieved when we heard you’d taken him home.”

“He’s on the mend. It’s going to be a long time before he’s well but he’s feeling a lot better.”

“That’s wonderful, Hoss. We were so worried. I’ve wanted to come over and visit but I wasn’t sure Joe would be feeling up to visitors.”

“He’d really like that. I think he gets a bit bored with just us for company. That’s sort of why I came over.”

“Go on,” Mrs Devlin smiled encouragingly.

“Joe don’t know I was coming here today but I was hoping I might be able to convince Mitch to come and see him. Little Joe really wants to see him.”

Mrs Devlin smiled and patted Hoss’ arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll get Mitch to drive me over tomorrow.”

**********

The following day, Ben was sitting at his desk, going over some paper work while Joe rested on the settee. There was a knock on the door, getting up to answer it, Ben looked at Joe and saw that he hadn't been woken by the noise.

Ben opened the door and smiled when he saw who it was. "Sarah, Mitch, it's good to see you. Come in," he said, opening the door wider.

Walking across the room, Sarah looked at Ben when she saw Joe sleeping. "Have we come at a bad time?"

Ben shook his head. "No, sit down. Joe will want to see you."

Joe murmered as Ben gently shook him, sleepily he opened his eyes and looked up at his father.

"We have visitors," Ben said, as he moved slightly so Joe could see the Devlins. Ben helped his son to sit up and then took a seat next to him.

Joe ran his fingers through his hair. "Hello. It's good to see you. I didn't know you were coming."

"We wanted to see how you were. We've been so worried about you. How are you feeling, Joe?" Sarah asked.

"Good," Joe answered, "I..." he broke off when Sarah and Mitch laughed, looking at his father, Joe saw the sceptical look the man was giving him, "Better than I was, anyway," Joe said and smiled. Joe looked at Mitch, who had yet to say anything. "Thanks to you. I don't remember much of what happened but Pa told me that you saved my life."

Mitch shook his head. "I don't deserve your thanks. You wouldn't have been hurt in the first place if it weren't for me. I'm sorry, Joe."

Feeling that Joe and Mitch could use some time alone, Ben said, "Would you like to take a walk ouside, Sarah?"

"That would be lovely, thank you, Ben."

Stopping beside Joe, on the way to the door, she learned down and kissed him on the cheek. "It's such a relief to know you're going to be all right."

"Thank you," Joe smiled at her.

"We won't be long," Ben said to Joe, "and then we can all have lunch together," he looked at Sarah, "if that suits?"

Sarah nodded. "Thank you. We'd like that very much."

After Ben and Sarah went outside, there was an awkard silence and then Mitch cleared his throat before speaking. "I'm sorry for everything, Joe. The things I said. The things I did. I should never have treated you that way."

"We've both been at fault. I shouldn't have broken our agreement and challenged you to arm wrestle. There were just things going on that I...." Joe trailed away into silence.

"Joe, I know about Eagle's Nest."

Joe frowned and looked at Mitch. "Know what?"

"When you were sick, I overheard your father and Hoss tell Adam about you being afraid to climb it." Joe looked away, embarrassed. Mitch spoke earnestly. "I can't believe you didn't tell me, Joe. We've been best friends since we were little kids. There's never been anything either one of us has felt a need to hide before. So you didn't want to climb a stupid mountain. Who cares! The fact is Joe, I'm to blame for that, too."

"No." Joe shook his head.

"Don't let me off that easy. You and I both know it goes back to when you climbed up there when we were kids and you did that because of something I said."

"I don't blame you. And I don't blame you for being angry about the arm wrestling contest. Like you said that day, I did know what it meant to you and I should never have taken it away from you."

"After all that's happened, it's made me realize something. That contest means nothing," Mitch said honestly, "I felt like it made me important. That people respected me when I was the champ. The truth of it is, they didn't respect me. They were just waiting to see me get beaten and if it hadn't been you that day it would have happened some other day with someone else. I couldn't have stayed the champ forever. Real respect comes from people who want to see me succeed at things not from people wanting to see me fail. You've always stood by me, Joe. Even after all the stupid and childish things I did to you while I was mixed up with the Deagans, you're willing to forgive me."

"We've both done childish things," Joe replied.

"Hey, what is this?" Mitch joked, "Are we having a competition to see which one of us has been the most childish?"

Joe grinned at his friend. "Let's call it a draw."

Mitch grinned back and held out his hand. "Deal." Ben and Sarah walked in the door and both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw their sons smiling and shaking hands.

**********

Two months later, Joe and Mitch walked into the Silver Dollar saloon. There was an arm wrestling contest going on and there were calls for Joe and Mitch to join in. The two friends looked at each other, grinned and shook their heads; knowing they had nothing to prove to themselves, each other or anyone else.

The End

Note: The aid Mitch gave to Joe, after Joe was bitten by a snake; cutting into the wound and sucking out the poison was a treatment used in bygone years but it is not one that should be used today.

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