Author’s note: Wrangler confided a few tips with me on making a story work.  She told me a well written story starts with an outline and time, listing the characters and thinking ahead with a plot.  I was skeptical at first, but then I thought about what she had said and the stories she has put out just over the past year.  Thirty plus -- wow! She knows her stuff, so I gave it a whirl.  The results, I never would have accomplished if it hadn't been for her guidelines.  Still laughing at the lessons on where the starboard to port belong.

   With Leesa by my side, who proofed my material, she found three mind boggling words that gave me a "Making Leesa crazy award."   Thank you Deb, Leesa and Terri for sharing my story with me and giving me that extra push when needed.  This is so fun and what writing is all about. You all are the best and I love ya for it!

~Voyage Home~

by Honeybear

The steam rose from the ground, as the sun warmed the Nevada territory, creeping from behind the Tahoe Mountains, shining warm streams of golden rays into the Ponderosa.

“Hop Sing sure does seem to be in a chipper mood this morning, Pa. Don’t recall him ever singing in his native tongue before!?”

“That’s because you’re always too busy piling food onto your plate, HOSS!”

“Well, I can’t help it none, Adam. It’s Hop Sing, not me! Whipped up all those dad gum delicious dishes. Just look at the fix’ns this morning!” Hoss stated, as he shoveled another forkful of flapjacks, on top of his fried eggs, potatoes and sausage. Pouring on the thick syrup, Hoss said, “Just what was in that telegram Hop Sing got last night, anyhow, Pa?”

“Well, Hoss, the last time we saw that look, Hop Sing was going away, after replying to a mail order bride.”

Hoss stopped chewing as he looked up at his older brother, unable to tell if Adam was serious or just yanking his chain, “Ha? .............. Awe, Adam, you’re always josh'n me.”

“Optimistic as it may seem, Hoss, this just may well be the case now!”

Pa peeked over his newspaper, shaking his head at the conversation, and the unpleasant sight. “Hoss, please use your manners and chew your food before you speak!”

Drowning his food with his coffee, Hoss swallowed hard and said, “Excuse me, Pa.” Hoss’ face dropped like the sticky syrup dripping off of his chin. “Pa, say it ain’t so!? Please tell me that Hop Sing ain’t leaving us for a gal!?”

Pa deeply cleared his throat and commented, “Rest assured, boys, Hop Sing is very happy here. Seems our little cook is going to finally listen to me and take some time off. His cousin Hop Ling, off the coast of San Francisco, wants him to come out there for a visit. It’s been quite some time since they’ve seen each other, this will be good for him to be with his own kin. Since we’re on the subject, why hasn’t that young scallywag gotten out of bed yet? It’s past ten in the morning!” Pa thought to himself as he finished his second cup of coffee, his youngest was so full of energy, life, but get him in a sleeping position and forget it! “Hoss? Please go wake your younger brother up for me. I’ve an announcement to make and would like you all to hear it.”

“No need to fret, Pa, Little Joe’s all right.” Hoss thought back to last night in the barn, he kind of did push his limits, helping me stack those bales of hay last night! “Shoot, Pa, you should have seen the little squirt trying to lift those heavy bales. After nearly a dozen, his arms were having a mind of their own. Just makes me chuckle in all, as to how he tries to keep up with old Hoss.”

“Well, if it’s any reassurance to you, Hoss, three of Pete Stockton’s biggest plow horses still couldn’t keep up with the likes of you!”

“Well, ain’t we in a grand mood this morning, Adam!”

“Thank you.”

“Hey, save me some more potatoes and sausages, Adam! Walking up those stairs again is gonna cause me to work up quite an appetite.”

“All the same to you, Hoss, I’ve not had my share yet, so you will just have to keep! Pa, do you want any more?”

Shaking his head, Ben spoke, “Have I to remind the both of you, your manners now? Or have we all forgotten there’s another young fellow among us, who has not eaten yet?” Pa dug his deep brown eyes into his middle son.

Grabbing a fistful of flapjacks, Hoss took the hint, as he stood up from the dining room table, waving the flapjacks in his hand, he said, “On my way, Pa, on my way!”

Hoss made no attempt to be quiet as he threw open the door to his little brother’s room making it bang up against the wall. Flabbergasted that plan A didn’t work, Hoss heavily walked over to the bed placing his large hands on Little Joe’s shoulder, trying to shake him awake shouting, “Get up, Little Brother! Pa’s in an awful good mood and you ain’t gonna spoil it by worrying him into a fit!” Hoss was looming over his little brother now, frazzled in a poor attempt to wake him up. Sighing, Hoss yelled, “Get up, Little Joe! It’s past ten o’clock in the morning. Hop Sing nearly done himself in with breakfast. Adam’s down there now filling his face. Don’t seem fair an all, so come on Little Joe, get up, I’m plum hungry!”

Little Joe tried to push away the weight from off of his shoulders as he flailed his arm out at the loud voice over his head, thinking to himself, “Go away, Hoss!” Frustration taking over, anger entered Little Joe’s thoughts. He balled up his fist, swinging his arm out blindly, hitting his mark with a dreadful thud from overhead. Defeating the intruder, Little Joe sunk back down into his soft pillow, falling back asleep, while Hoss buckled over in pain, clutching his stomach.

“What do you suppose is taking those two so long, Pa?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Pa was about to comment, when above their heads was a tremendous noise. Planting a worried look on his face, Ben yelled, “Hoss?! Joseph?! What’s going on up there!?”

Within a few seconds, Hoss descended the staircase, holding his belly.

“He’ll be down in a minute, Pa. Just needed a little coaxing is all.”

“Yeah, but just who won?” Adam said with a smirk.

“Ha ha, very funny, Adam,” Hoss said, still with a painful look planted on his face.

Next came Little Joe, rubbing the backside of his nightshirt, at the top of the stairs, as he ever so gently walked down them, sitting in his chair at the dining room table.

“Well, Joseph, it’s nice of you to join us, before lunch, too!”

“Sorry, Pa.” Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, Little Joe let out a small moan.

“Is there something the matter with your backside, Young Man? You didn’t over do things last night while helping your older brother lift those bales of hay into the loft last night, did you?”

Adam could read between the tell tale signs, as Hoss looked on with pleading eyes toward Little Joe.

“Oh no, no Pa! Nothing like that, must have slept on it the wrong way, that’s all.”

Adam’s mind drifted off again as he rolled his eyes, “Those two always sticking up for each other! Bunch of yellow cowards! Pa and I both know, Hoss dumped your scrawny hide onto the floor, Little Joe!”

Pa continued with a smile, “So I see this! Well then, you won’t mind if I go on? I’ve an important announcement to make, while you, young man eat some breakfast. Hoss? Can you pull yourself from eating and pass me that platter of flapjacks for your younger brother here? Hop Sing, would you come in here, please?”

Wiping his hands on his apron, Hop Sing pitter patted into the room. “What is it, Mr. Ben? Hop Sing have many things to do, must pack! Have no time to spare, must catch the noon stage!”

“Well now, I’ve been giving the matter much thought; it just doesn’t seem fair that our family cook has to ride the stage all alone with a bunch of strangers.” Placing his finger on his chin, Ben seemed to be in heavy thought as he chimed, “Nope, Hop Sing, I won’t have it, you’ll just have to cancel your plans and be reimbursed for your ticket!”

Hop Sing’s mind was puzzled, thinking to himself, “What’s he talking about?” Coming back into the conversation, Ben finished by saying, “You’ll not be catching the noon stage today, Hop Sing, sorry!”

That set off Hop Sing’s trigger as he started flailing his arms about, screaming, “What you do that for?! Hop Sing already made plans! Humph! You say take vacation, I take vacation! I make plans, you say break plans! No can figure family out! Hop Sing go on strike! No respect for personal life! I no cook!”

“PA!!” Hoss screamed, which seemed to have set the dining ware and the table shaking.

Shaking his head, Adam commented, “Relax, Hoss! Eat some more eggs, you’ll feel better.”

Exasperated, Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. Letting out a heavy sigh, he began again. “Let me put it to you in a different light, Hop Sing, now just simmer down, the both of you! I’ve a logical explanation for everything.”

“But Mr. Ben, why change mind? You no like Hop Sing’s cousin?”

“No, that’s not it, Hop Sing. I thought of a faster way of getting you there, US! We’re all going to accompany you to San Francisco!” Ben folded his arms around his chest and laid back in his chair with a smile on his face, as he watched Hop Sing finally calming down and the boys trying to grasp what had just happened.

Spraying his black coffee back into his cup, Adam shouted, “WE WHAT!? You can’t be serious, Pa? I’m with Hop Sing on this one, you’ve no respect for other’s personal life. I’ve previous engagements with Sue Ellen! Among that, what’s to come of the ranch? We’ve several head of cattle to account for, Pa! Spring round-up is in a few weeks!”

“Your Pa has taken everything well into consideration, Adam! We’ll be back in due time. And if I remember correctly, I survived quite fine in my pioneer days without the likes of you!”

“Well, it don’t bother me none! Hot-dig-it-tee! The first thing I am gonna do, Pa, is look me up the best dang restaurant and order the biggest, darn thickest and juiciest steak ever and wash it down with a barrel of beer. Ummmmmmmmm! I can just taste it now! Whatcha you gonna do, Short Shanks?”

Getting caught up in the heat of the moment, Little Joe said, “Ohhh boy, Hoss, I can’t wait to set my eyes on those dancing girls, you know the ones with them boots and fancy fishnet stockings! The ones older brother Adam always talks about, in those books of his!”

This was Hoss’ chance to get back at Adam for being so cranky all morning. Chuckling into his fist, Hoss commented, “Why older brother, how come you never shared them fancy books with me!?”

“If I could just crawl, crawl under this table,” is all Adam kept saying to himself!

“Is that so, Adam!? And whom doesn’t have respect for others in this house!? Maybe you should be showing your pa these books of yours, too, while we’re at it!? As for your previous engagements, you’ll just have to break them, family is more important than traipsing off to God knows where with Sue Ellen and her picnic basket. You’re going!”

This was Little Joe’s cue to slide down in his chair right about now, as Pa’s attention turned toward him. Jumping at the baritone in his pa’s voice, Little Joe almost fell out of his chair.

“And you, young man! Sit up when I’m speaking! Now, how many times must I tell you about respecting your brother’s privacy in this house, too? The next time I hear of this, you and I will be taking a walk behind the woodshed! I have a pocket knife that could use some sharpening upon a freshly cut stick! Have I made myself clear?”

“Loud and clear, Pa!”

“What was that, young man?”

“I mean, yes Sir!”

“Good, because there will be no dancing girls where you’re going and that’s right by my side, the whole time! You have to be of age to get into those establishments and if my arithmetic is still sharp, you’re two years short of that, young man!”

Stretching his collar, Little Joe gulped down his words in regret, “Sorry, Pa.”

Clearing his throat, wanting to change the subject, Adam piped up, “Pa, with all due respect, who’s going to run the ranch while we’re away?”

“I’ve already arranged for old Sam to move in from the bunk house. He’s well earned my respect with running the ranch from many past experiences as you’ll know. Roy Coffee will check in from time to time to make sure things are running smoothly. Old Sam has bailed us out more times then I can account for. You’ll recall when our flume was blown up by a bunch of hired thugs? We were ready to throw in the gloves and give up on the timber contract. If it hadn’t been for old Sam and his crew, ready to roll up their sleeves with us, digging into the hard, back breaking labor of rebuilding the flume, that contract would’ve never been met and Mr. Comstock would’ve surely gotten that bid.”

“And we met the deadline, too, Pa! I would have loved to see the looks on their faces! That Sam, I really got to hand it to him, he sure fooled me with his age, looks, and all.”

“Don’t let age fool you, boy! Sam could still run circles around the likes of you, and your pa for that matter.”

“And around Henry Comstock for that matter, too! He sure was steaming a bit under his collar when we came through with the timber,” Adam said.

“Yeah, well, I’d still like to get my hands on those dirty, rotten varmints who dynamited our flume!”

Ben’s face grew dim at the memory. “They’ll get what’s coming to them, Hoss! Maybe not in this lifetime. Leave it in God’s hand, they shall be punished one day.” Ben came back to the present as Hop Sing interrupted. Placing his hands together, Hop Sing bowed as he spoke, “Excuse me, Mr. Ben, if I may? Velly, velly sorry for misunderstanding. Will be a joy to ride with number two family. Honorable Hop Ling will be please to see your faces. You will not regret. Now, if I may be excused? Hop Sing must go into town to rearrange plans, then I prepare plenty of food, if Mr. Hoss is journeying with us.”

“Who 0o0o0o0o0oo0o0owhowhwowowho!” Little Joe threw off a round of laughter as he tipped back into his chair.

“Dad gum you, Little Joe! I have had just about enough of you, too, this morning.” With that Hoss swooped the chair right from under his little brother with his out stretched boot. Little Joe fell backwards with his nightshirt up in the air, onto the floor, but the laughter didn’t stop there.

“JOSEPH!!!!!!”

Later that afternoon, Hop Sing sat down by a gurgling river bank, figuring he would catch some fresh fish for their supper, while they rested and watered their horses, setting up camp for the night. Dumping his heavy load of fishing gear down, he pulled off his shoes and socks. Rolling up his pant legs, Hop Sing waded into the cool spring water, shivering at the touch. “Oh! Water velly cold, he he he! Will enjoy seeing looks on family’s faces, when they take bath!” Hop Sing chuckled to himself as he set up his pole, baiting the hook with raw dough left over from breakfast. Thinking to himself, How many fish Hop Sing will have to catch to satisfy their hunger, as he cast out the line.

Half an hour later, he walked back from the riverbank, carrying his wicker basket, full of trout, “He he he!” Hop Sing chuckled at the sight before him as he sang his familiar Chinese tune. Hoss and Little Joe waved past him, with a towel at hand and a bar of soap as Hop Sing thought, “Boys in for a velly big surprise!”

“Hey Joe? What’s cracking Hop Sing up?”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s that funny Chinese song he’s been singing all day! Better yet, maybe it’s your funny looking face!??!”

“Dad gum it, Little Brother! Can’t you answer a straight question for once? You’re going head first into that there stream, instead of feet first, you keep it up!”

“Oh, sure I am! And you can run like a jack rabbit, too, I suppose, Older Brother!?“

“Well, I’ll catch you as soon as I catch my breath here, you go on ahead, I’ll be there in a minute.”

By the time Hoss made it to the riverbank, Little Joe had already discarded his clothes, hanging them on a nearby willow branch and gone into the cool water.

“Brrrr! This water is too dang cold for me, you better not take too long, Little Brother, ain’t gonna be the one looking after you if’n you come down with a cold on this vacation.”

“You know, I just may do that, Older Brother. Yup it sure would be nice to be waited on hand and foot all vacation long.”

Toweling his feet off, Hoss said, “Keep such nonsense out of your head and hurry up, Little Joe! Them trout must be jumping out of Hop Sing’s fry’n pan right about now, I can smell them! No, I can taste them, ummmmm! You gonna take all day or what!?”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Little Joe said, as he waded out of the cold water pulling his clothes off the branch. “Let me put my pants on, will ya?! Suppose you smell biscuits, too?”

“Now that you mention it, yeah I do! Come on, Little Joe!”

Little Joe hopped on one foot, pulling his boot on. Once the task was done, he took off running and shouted, “Hope Hop Sing hooked a whale of a trout for a big ox like you, otherwise we are all gonna starve tonight!”

“Oh, is that so!? Well, you just wait till I get my hands on you! I am gonna skin you alive and have me a puny, little smelt for dessert, too!”

It didn‘t matter where they were to Hop Sing. He could adapt and bring out the best in any environment, cooking a meal fit for a king. Trout and biscuits, that is!

The Cartwrights all sat by the campfire that evening, cleaning their plates of the feast that was before them. “Hey, Pa! Older brother Hoss here has a talent. He says he can smell, no taste food, miles away.”

“Is that so, Little Joe? Well, the way you two came running into the camp, I don’t doubt it.”

Holding up the last of the biscuits, Hoss waved it in front of his little brother, as if to say I told you so.

“Oh, come on, Little Joe, you really don’t believe that, do you?” Adam said.

“Heck yes, I do! Hoss is like a bloodhound, picking up the scent of a jackrabbit. See for yourself!” They all shook their heads, watching as Hoss got up, sniffing towards the chuck wagon. Hop Sing had just set down a plate full of hot donuts. Slapping his hand, Hop Sing yelled out, “You no touch, Mr. Hoss! Hop Sing not finished, donuts need powder on them, must cool down first! Go away!”

“I’ll hate to admit it, Little Joe, but you’re right. And what an unappetizing sight it is. Gesh, have some respect for yourself, Hoss!”

“Okay, boys, let’s help with the cleaning up. Remember? Hop Sing is on vacation, too!”

After the camp was picked up and the bedrolls were laid out, the family settled down and took in the peaceful night’s air and the twinkling stars overhead. Pa laid back onto his saddle, taking out his pipe from his shirt pocket, tapping it on his hand. He began stuffing it with his fine tobacco, lighting it. The smoky fragrance filled the air with sweet peppermint. Exhaling, Pa blew smoke rings into the air as he stretched and sighed, “Ah! Can you feel it, boys?”

They all spoke in threes, “Feel what, Pa?” They looked puzzled at the question.

Waving his oak pipe, Ben stated, “Feel this bonding we’ve between us all. Each and every one of us has a different link, you boys each share a different mother, as if you didn’t know. Even Hop Sing for that matter, too, but yet you all are very close to one another. It just makes me proud to know the blood runs so deep and rich of family values, so strong that each and anyone of you would fight for it if one were to be pulled away or hurt in any shape or form. Those that would dare, I pity the fool!”

Looking into the blazing campfire, Little Joe’s eyes seemed to come alive with bits of sparkling gold and green as he chimed, “Yeah, Pa! Wonder where we got such notions? Must have been Hop Sing’s good mothering over the years! Don’t remember much more!”

Pa gave his youngest a loving swat to the head, as the locks of springy, brown curls fell into his face. “Oh, I bet you remember who took you to the barber shop all those years, which I might add, we’ll be paying a visit to once we arrive in San Francisco!”

Rolling over with a moan, Little Joe protested, “Awe, Pa, do we have too!?”

Changing the subject, Hoss was always thinking in a different view point, “I don’t know about that, Little Brother, but his cooking sure did help a lot!” Hoss’ mind began to drift to the memories of past gone feasts, as he sniffed the air in delight.

Hop Sing’s brown, Chinese eyes grew bigger in alarm, “Oh no, you don’t, Mr. Hoss! Have everything put away. You stay out of Hop Sing’s kitchen! Donuts are for the morning!”

“Dad burn it!”

“Well, before anyone raids ‘portal’ the kitchen, let’s turn in, ha? I’m beat!” Adam spouted out. The wind’s picking up and it’s getting colder!”

“Speaking of cold, that water sure was this afternoon, brrrrr! I am chilled to the bone! Little Brother, lend me your blanket?”

“You got to be joking me, Hoss! What’s the matter? Your big fat toe got a cramp, when you stuck it in the cold, little puddle? GESH! At least I went into the water all the way!”

“Yeah, but looks like you didn’t clean out that dirty mouth of yours, Little Brother! I’d be very careful if’n I were you, you just might end up back in that streambed, blowing bubbles out your nose!”

‘If you two don’t be quiet so I can get some shut eye here, the both of you are going to be drowning in that so called cold streambed!” Adam grumbled.

“Oh, me first, Older Brother?!” Hoss piped up.

“Ha ha! Very funny! Now go to sleep, will you!”

Ben always enjoyed the way his boys jabbed playfully at each other; it was such a great source of entertainment, way out in the middle of nowhere. Shaking his head, Ben spoke, “Okay, boys, let’s all say our prayers and get some shuteye, we’ve a long trail ahead of us in the morning. I’d like to make it to San Francisco before the stage tomorrow.”

The roar of the big city lightened Little Joe’s bored mood, as they finally made their way down the busy streets of San Francisco later on that day.

Pulling up next to the livery stable, they all turned and watched as the stagecoach rode by, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake. One by one, the passengers stepped out of the stagecoach, onto the boardwalk.

“Whooo-we! Will you get a load of the little Chinese gal that was riding in the stage?” Little Joe busted out. “Isn’t she a cutie?”

“Ha?” Hoss said with a puzzled look upon his face. “Adam, you think that’s Hop Sing’s mail order bride?”

“Naw, Hoss, Hop Sing was just fooling with us, remember, or was he?................... Hop Sing?”

All stood and watched, as never before in their lives, had they seen Hop Sing’s face turn redder then the stagecoach............ “HOP SING!?”

“Yes, Hop Sing, tell us all about Cousin Hop Ling, will you!?” Ben smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

“No can do, Mr. Ben! Velly bad luck, to repeat of what good fortune tells! Now if you shall excuse Hop Sing!?” With that, Hop Sing held up his hand to the passing carriage as he scooted to the opposite side of the street. Catching up with the little Chinese girl, Hop Sing drank in her beauty as he said to himself, “Awe! Face like fine china, skin like porcelain, eyes so full of beauty, one has forgotten to see!”

Dawning on Little Joe, he piped up, “Hey wait, I have heard that verse some where before!” Snapping his fingers, he said, “I got it! It’s those words, that’s the song Hop Sing has been chanting these past two days!”

Laughter filtered the air as the Cartwrights realized that Hop Sing had a life, too. “Come on, boys, we’ve arrangements to make.” Clapping his sons’ backs, Ben guided them into the stable.

Just off the shoreline, the cold, salty waves crashed onto the corroding deck of The Vikings Voyage. Willy and Blake, the captain’s first mates, were his evil cohorts and with their stupid, crooked smiles, would do just about anything for a silver dollar or a jug of rum.

They all scrambled about taking in the commands from Captain Bates, as he stood at the helm, spinning the mighty ship’s wheel around, crashing into the salty waves, yelling, “Knock the wind out of those sails you land lovers, let’s bring this piece of barnacle board starboard to port!”

The crew pulled the sails down from off of their hefty perches. It took several men to secure and bind them to the masts with heavy rope as the wind whipped past their faces, making the sails snap at them angrily, like ghosts in the wind.

Climbing down from the crow’s nest, onto the ladder rope, appeared Mac, sporting a machete in his mouth. “Guess that’s where he got his nickname, “Mac the knife!” He was the scariest of the bunch, never speaking a word, mostly sending cold stares at the crew, which spelt it all. He wore the same look as the captain, nasty and evil. His blood was as cold and thick as tar. Life on the open sea had turned his skin a leathery, tan color and the wrinkles etching his face, marked the sorry souls he did in. Step out of line with the Captain and this was the man most likely you would face.

Reaching their destination, the rest of the crew tied and pulled the ship close to the dock. Landon, just eighteen, the youngest of the group, fell into routine, fighting and dragging the heavy anchor with its clanging iron, chained to the edge of the ship. It weighed as much as he did soaking wet. As he struggled to haul it overboard, his thoughts wandered, “This loneliness within me takes a heavy toll, cause it burns as slow as whiskey through my empty, aching, soul! And the night is like a dagger, long and cold and sharp! If I stay here much longer, I know I will fall apart!” A cold splash of sea water sprayed upon his face, which soon brought Landon's thoughts back to the present, that, along with a sharp kick to the side, as Captain Bates spoke, “Ye got coal for brains, Laddy? I said, get back in line with the rest! Maybe I should’ve gutted you out for fish bait? They would have better use for you than I!”

Landon scanned the sight before him as he had done so many times as his thoughts drifted once more, "Captain Bates was a barrel chested man standing six feet tall, with shoulders on him as big as the masts, so it seemed. His smirk was as rotten as his smile, his beard was long and dirty, split in two, tied at the ends with twine. All that was missing was the wooden peg leg and patch over his eye! He didn't take kindly to weakness about his crew, no one ever dared to stand up to him. Those who did wound up at the bottom of the sea with a knife in their back. He wore his nickname well "Stone Cold Bates!" He was a mean old salt, living life on the open seas had turned his heart as cold as just that, a rock of salt!" Landon forced himself to focus on the captain as he spoke.

“Listen up, Mates! You all have a job to do and you better see to it that it gets done! Me ship is pushing off at dawn, sharp, we be hauling coal to Boston and I’m short of some men, as if ye didn’t know! Take your pick, lads, just bring me healthy ones. Willy, Blake? You two dig in at The Mariner’s Reef Restaurant. The rest of you spread out. Keep an eye out for any poor souls who find themselves ill from food poisoning, if ye know what I mean.” Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, his scurvy laugh showed of stinking, rotten teeth due to lack of fresh fruit on their ship.

The ship filtered with laughter of memories at past events. Stone Cold Bates used The Mariner’s Reef Restaurant for his wrong deeds of shanghaiing. His plan was simple, yet very effective. Those who walked into the restaurant came on their own two feet, but left in a whole different manner. Willy and Blake made a few dollars working as line cooks there, till their ship pushed off, putting the captain’s shifty plan into action by serving meals that looked fit for a king to the naked eye, having a whole different effect later on. By the time anyone would complain, they would be long gone, out to sea.

Landon was not laughing, instead he was exasperated with the bunch of them, thinking “This could be my chance to get away while the crew is off guard! It was do or die!“ Everything happened so fast, even though he felt like he was in a fog, as he plowed through the crowd, grabbing onto a rope overhead. Landon pushed off the clipper with all his might, rolled onto the docks below. Dazed but able to stand, Landon looked up to see the crew running after him, pointing and screaming, “Kill him!” Knives landed on the dock as Landon took quick action, running into the darkness of the streets of San Francisco, away from the thieves in the night.

“You yellow livered sea slugs! The Landon boy got away! Find him or else there will be hell to pay once you lads get back adrift! Grrrr!” Captain Bates turned on his heels and stormed off in a huff.

Clattering around his creations in the kitchen, Hop Ling was a mirror of his cousin, as he stopped to answer the knock on the door. Peeping through the hole, he opened it with a smile. “Honorable cousin number six, where you been? You didn’t get off the stage with May Ying! I begin to worry.”

“Velly sorry! Velly, velly sorry! Mr. Ben and sons bring Hop Sing to San Francisco. He he he! Would have much rather had the company of pretty May Ying!” Hop Sing winked as he took her hand and bowed.

“Awe, now how can you say that, Hop Sing?” Hoss piped up as he pushed Little Joe in front of his bulky, frame. “Just look at this cute face and tell me he don’t look as purtty as May Ying!”

“Cut it out, you big dummy! I don’t look like no girl and let go of my face!”

“Simmer down, Joseph and mind yourself! Hoss is just funning with you, of course you don’t!” Taking the young lady’s hand, Ben said, “Nice to meet you, Miss May Ying! Seems Hop Sing has been hiding some good fortunes from us.” Turning to Hop Ling, Ben addressed himself and the boys, “Thank you for your hospitality, Hop Ling, you’ve a mighty fine home here! Please let me introduce to you my sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe!”

Bowing in front of Ben, Hop Ling spoke. “Have heard plenty about the Ponderosa and your boys. Let’s see if my memory still serves me well? Adam is the knowledgeable one, full of drafts and blue prints. Hoss is the strong one, who can plow the fields with the brawn of his back. Maybe you give sumo wrestling a try, young man? Could make you velly wealthy in your stay here!”

Snickering into his hand, Little Joe was cut to the chase by Pa’s stern look.

Hop Ling didn’t miss the gesture as he turned to Little Joe. “This must be little bean sprout, Hop Sing always flaying about?” Looking deep into his green eyes, Hop Ling said, “You’ve quite the talent of winning over people’s hearts. Your eyes are like open doors, boy! I see you as a fortune cookie, so full of life and unanswered mysteries, questions. Which could lead you into trouble some day!”

Little Joe was about to protest again, as Pa swatted him on the seat of his pants, making him swallow his words hard.

Turning to Ben, Hop Ling kept speaking, “Watch out for little one! City’s very busy with thieves and wrong deeds, especially shanghaiing down by the water front. Have seen many men disappear. They no come back or fool Hop Ling. Now that I’ve said my welcome, you come in, sit down, before dinner is spoiled and I have to throw roast pork away!

Taking what Hop Ling said too lightly, Little Joe said, “Heheh! Hoss, sound like anybody we know?”

“I ain’t aiming on finding out, Little Brother! Let’s eat, I’m starved!”

The Cartwrights walked single file into the dining room and sat down, while May Ying and the two cousins pattered into the kitchen to prepare the main dishes of fried rice, pork roast and Chinese vegetables in sweet sauce. One by one, May Ying set them on the table. As always, Hoss leaned over the steaming dishes, inhaling the savory smells, commenting on each and every dish with an oh and an awe, licking his chops in the process. Getting the best of him, Hoss said, “Woo wee! What that little gal can do with pork and rice! You dang nearly put Hop Sing out of business, Miss!” Regretting the words once they left his mouth, Hoss’ face puckered up as he gulped heavily.

“Is that so, Mr. Hoss? Well, you not appreciate Hop Sing! You velly, velly spoiled big boy! Shall eat brother’s cooking, for Hop Sing’s on strike, once again!” Winking at Little Joe, Hop Sing sat down at the dining room table, after May Ying and Hop Ling.

The evening went on after dinner, unfolding many tales between the families, growing late into the night. Looking toward the settee, May Ying pointed to the sleeping young man. “Had long journey, maybe we should wake? Have plenty of sleeping quarters in the back room.” She began to shake Little Joe awake, when Hoss gently grabbed her hand.

“No, no, Miss, you have to go into these things carefully! Trust me, waking this little varmint up is like biting a porcupine. Here, let me!” Slipping his arms underneath his little brother’s body, Hoss lifted him up into his bulking arms, as he turned to May Ying. “Now if you would kindly show me where to put him down?”

“Follow me, Mr. Hoss!” May Ying entered the back room, pushing the beaded doorway from Hoss’ face.

Seeing the perfect moment, Ben said, “Thank you, May Ying! I think that goes for all of us. What do you say, boys; it’s been along day and we’ve a city to see, come morning?”

“Sounds good to me, Pa. Think I’ll show Hoss what our younger brother has been talking about in those fancy books of mine! I know where we can see the prettiest ‘fancy’ girls in town, a real nice place run by a pretty redheaded gal named Miss Deb. Boy can those girls dance!”

Hoss’ face turned beet red as he realized what Adam was getting at. Laying Little Joe down on the soft bed, he turned to answer his older brother. Gulping down the thought, Hoss piped up, “Sure, Adam! On one condition? We find a place to eat along the way, after. I just know I will be plum starving by then.”

“Okay, Hoss, okay! I know just the place. It’s called Mariner’s Reef Restaurant. They’ve the best food and entertainment on this side of the coast. You’ll have to wait till after the show though, to order your big juicy steak along with that barrel of beer you been dreaming of !”

“Yes -um I can taste it now! That is, if’n it’s all right with you, Pa?” Hoss commented.

“Well, don’t see no harm in it, boys, you both are of age. The salt air just might do you both some good! Just mind your manners now, you hear!? And stay away from the Barbary Coast! Little Joe and I are going to see the city. I’ll find this so called restaurant and meet you two after the show, let’s say around five.”

Streams of light flooded into the room the next morning, waking the sole sleeper, as he yawned and stretched his sleek body. Looking around the room, Little Joe wondered how he got there. Embarrassed that his pants were no longer on him, he scooted across the floor and shimmied them on, followed by his boots. Little Joe peered through the beaded doorway, spying his pa and brothers eating breakfast, while Hop Ling filled them in on the many places to stay away from and explore in the big city. Shaking his head as he thought to himself, “Geesh! Chinese people sure do worry a lot, what possibly could go wrong in such an exciting city as this?” Pushing the beads away from the door frame, Little Joe entered the dining room, as he ran his fingers through his muffed up head of hair, combing it back.

“Well, I’ll be dang! Look, Pa, Adam, Little Brother here can get out of bed on his own! Don’t tell me you’re hungry, Short Shanks, cause that will be the first!”

Little Joe spit out, “Ha! Are you joking? After you get done eating there will be nothing left! Maybe you should check into this sumo wrestling, Hoss? By the looks of things, you have gained a few, eight pounds!”

“Well, true, Little Brother, but I sure would like to pack a few eight pounds or so on your scrawny hide too. Here, sit down and I’ll pass you the steak and rice!”

Shaking his head, Pa commented, “Let your old man wake up before you two start going at it!” Folding his arms behind his head, Ben leaned back into his chair as he chuckled, “Last I recall, I’m on vacation too, pass the steak and rice over, Little Joe!”

“From the likes of those two, Pa, you’ll never be on vacation!” Adam stood up, shaking his leg that had fallen asleep. “Now if you’ll excuse Hoss and I, Pa?! We’ve a date with Miss Deb at Deb’s Palace." Adam began to walk off his sleeping leg with no luck.

Little Joe couldn’t contain himself as he busted out laughing into his hand once again.

“We’re among company here, young man! What, may I ask, is so funny? Because I can never figure you out, Joseph!”

“Oh, Pa, it’s just that I keep thinking, maybe we should start calling Adam ‘Sir-limp-o-lot’!”

“Okay, Junior, I guess I had that one coming! Pa, I’ll make reservations for us tonight at the Mariner’s Reef. I’ll try and get some tables close to the bay window. The sea is mighty pretty this time of night.”

“As I know, son, don’t forget, your pa sailed many a ship or two in his day. I still have my sea legs, something that I’ll always keep, I suppose. Now, off with the both of you, as soon as Little Joe finishes his breakfast, we too have sights to see.”

“Yeah, have at it, Little Brother, and keep your eyes in your head! Don’t want you getting into any trouble with those city gals.”

“Not to worry, Hoss, I won’t be fighting those city gals off. I’m a lover, not a fighter, remember?!”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of, Little Brother. Just remember, those gals may have a beau or two that will be fighting you off!”

“There will be no need to fret, Hoss. Joseph will be in good hands, rest assured. There’ll be no loving gals, or fighting beaus off for that matter either!!”

“Awe, Pa, I am almost seventeen! Geesh! Give me a break, will ya?!”

“Do the words woodshed and switch mean anything to you, Joseph?”

“Sorry, Sir!”

Seeing the sad disposition his son wore, Ben cleared his throat as he spoke, “Come on now, Joseph! Your pa is just fooling! I still know how to have fun. Let’s finish up here and we can go see the city, maybe take in a show, buy you some new boots you’ve been asking for and if you ease up on your old man, you just might persuade me into buying you a beer. By that time you should be plenty hungry to meet up with your brothers for supper. What do you say?”

Shoveling his breakfast into his mouth, Little Joe piped up, “Well, what are we waiting for, let’s go!?”

“Easy with them pails of shellfish, you nit-wit!” Blake stated, after sliding into the back of the restaurant with Willy early that cold, foggy morning.

“Don’t matter none! They been sitting all day and night on the deck, ain’t no good eat’ns anyways!” Willy said, as he dumped the spoiled shellfish into the kitchen sink. “Peee yu! They sure do smell something fierce!”

“Willy, them be our ticket for our new shipmates! Do I have to tell you everything!? Just get to work shucking those oysters and skinning those eels and squid, will ya? The specialty tonight will be seafood delight, that is after I doctor them up a bit, nothing a squeeze of lemon and a peck of salt and pepper can’t hide. Any fool who likes seafood deserves whatever we dish out.”

“Ha ha ha! It’s gonna be a pure delight to watch the looks on their faces, once the poison sets in. Ew! What a gut wrenching way to go! Sure glad it ain’t me!”

“Well, just make sure no old folks order none of that stuff! Don’t want them dying on us or nothing. That’s all we need, is attention. Just tell them we ran out!”

“Oh, Blake, I think I am gonna be sick to my stomach! Can’t we do something else?”

“Oh, I suppose you’ve a better plan?....... Well? ........Captain Bates is right, we have to cover our tracks, Willy. The bloody police commissioner has already been poking around down at the Barbary Saloon. Done put that thorn in our back, Sea Captain Slate, out of business. He was too blood thirsty if’n you ask me! Riled up Stone Cold by taken all the customers!”
“Yeah, that Slate was stupid! He done near wiped out the whole town of drunks.” Willy said. “Police commissioner lost all his customers, too!”

“It won’t be a pretty sight if ‘n we fall into trouble with the law. No telling what Stone Cold Bates will do, he’s plum crazy and I ain’t aiming on stick’n around to see the ending. You neither, ifen you knew what was good for ya. Now come on, let’s get busy! The ship is pushing off at dawn!”

Waiting outside of the restaurant after seeing the showgirls, Adam and Hoss took in the sights of the busy city, when Adam commented, “Hey, Hoss? Check that out! Look who’s walking toward us with a new pair of boots! Looks like Little Joe won all the marbles again!”

“Awe, lucky little cuss! Still can’t believe Pa bought him a beer, too. My throat is so dusty, I could match his right about now, plus three whole pitchers!”

“Well, you didn’t seem to mind passing up a beer, once we sat down to watch the show. Miss Deb sure knows how to get those dancing girls’ knickers kicked up. Told you they were good!”

“Yeah, but those fancy feathers tickled my nose something awful, Adam! I nearly had to hold in a sneeze.”

“Lucky for Miss Deb you did, those lungs of yours would’ve blown the poor girls into Texas!”

Elbowing Adam in the side, Hoss piped up, “Shhhh! Here comes Pa and Little Joe!”

“Well, there you are, boys! Little Joe and I’ve been looking all over for this so called restaurant of yours Adam. Just our luck, it had to be on the other end of the city. You boys ready to eat?”

“Our table is waiting, Pa! Anytime you’re ready,” Adam spouted off.

“Well, I know I am! Only had two breakfasts and a handful of pretzels the whole day, I’m so hungry I could eat a boot!”

“Yeah, me, too, Pa! Walking around this big city twice has worked me up an appetite. Think I could eat just about anything!“ Little Joe commented.

“Oh, this I got to see, come on!” Adam said with a chuckle.

“Well, what are we waiting for, boys? Let’s get in there and order some food!” Pa stretched out his arms length wise, shooing the boys into The Mariner’s Reef Restaurant ahead of him.

The Cartwright family was a sight for sore eyes to Willy and Blake as they walked into the restaurant, taking their seats by the bay window. It had been a slow day and the two shifty looking shipmates were beginning to worry if they would ever be able to bring some fit men back with them aboard the ship.

“Looks like lady luck is on our side, Willy! The older one looks like he could be of good use, he’s fit as a fiddle for his age and check out the puny one!"

"Hey, Blake, he looks just like Landon. Stone Cold won’t know the difference. Oh, what a night this is gonna be!"

"Yeah, just stay clear of that big ape though! We don’t need anyone overpowering us on the clipper, once we sail. Now get going and make sure that kid orders the shellfish!”

“Right, Blake! I’ll go fetch Lilly!

Minutes later Lilly appeared, full of knowledge of their shifty plan. Taking the Cartwrights’ orders, she spoke, “Well, boys, what can I get for you this evening? We’ve a mighty fine special tonight, it’s hearty oyster stew.” Winking at Little Joe, she smiled and said, “It will make men out of you all, let alone warming you fellers up from the cool sea air.” Placing the menus down, Lilly told them to take their time to order, for she had several other tables to wait on and she walked off.

“Well, now, Little Brother,” Adam chimed up, “you going to take your acquisitions like a man?”

“I just might do that, Adam! Tell you what! Whatever you order, I’ll do the same! Figuring now’s as good a time as any to show you what a man is!” Little Joe connected his fingers together, placing them behind his head as he sat back in his seat.

Adam’s face grew like the Cheshire Cat! Scanning the room, he noticed the chalk board on the wall, with the specials of the day, thinking to himself, “Oh! This I’ve just got to see!”

“All the same, with you two is fine and dandy, just don’t include me! I aim on....”

But Hoss’ words were cut short as the family finished his sentence for him.

“I aim on sinking my teeth into the most biggest, dare, juiciest, no thickest, steak ever! Yeah, we all know, Hoss!”

“Yeah, that’s right!” Hoss chuckled, “And don’t forget the pitcher of beer! Done near got me some tumble weeds in my mouth now, too!”

“Pa, what’re you going to have? Want to join Little Joe and I?”

“No, no, I’m quite content, thank you, Adam! Think this old man is going to have chicken and dumplings.”

“Chicken and dumplings, Pa! You got to be joking! Heck, that’s all we eat back home is chicken!” Little Joe sat there with disbelief!

“That’s right, young man, chicken and dumplings! Your pa doesn’t have to prove a thing to any of you, so you just order what you like. I’ll not be getting wrapped up into your shenanigans! Just remember, Joseph, whatever you order, you will be eating it, and all of it! Have I made myself clear!?”

“Sure, Pa, don’t have to get jumpy, just because you’re chicken!” Little Joe bent his arms and flapped them like a chicken as he sung out loud, “Brawk, brawk, brawk!”

Pa’s seriousness turned into laughter as the table all chuckled in on Little Joe’s comment. “Okay, simmer down, Joseph, here comes the waitress!”

“Okay, Boys, ready to order now?” Lilly licked the tip of her pencil as she started to write on the pad of paper in her hand. Going around the table, she started off with Pa, then Hoss. Flipping the page, next came Little Joe as he pointed to Adam and said, “Whatever he’s having, Miss!”

Adam thought to himself, “Oh, this is going to be good!” Shaking his thoughts he said, “Well, I think we’ll start off with a nice, hot bowl of oyster stew, followed by the large escargots, anguille and calamari pie in French red wine sauce. Throw in a loaf of French bread, too, please!” The kid is going to need it!

Little Joe’s face was full of questions as he leaned over to Hoss. “Hoss? What’s escargot, anguille? Heck, calamari for that matter?”

“Beats me, Little Brother, think it’s another name for those fancy roasted ducks or side of beef? Hey, maybe you should back out, Little Joe? Looks like Adam’s up to something again. I don’t like it, not one bit!”

Gulping, Little Joe said to Hoss, “Naw, don’t be silly!” Looking at Hoss again, with his scared, green eyes, Little Joe said, “You think so, Hoss?”

Pa took in the scene around the table; the worried look of the younger two, the ever so pleased look of the nonchalant, oldest. Leaning over toward Adam, Pa said, “Adam, sure you’re not going just a tad bit too far over the edge with Little Joe?”

“Awe, Pa, relax, he’ll get over it!”

Getting nowhere with Adam, Ben threw off a scowl and took a different approach, “Joseph, you sure you’re all right with your order? You can still change your mind and be chicken like your pa.”

Gulping down the butterflies that seemed to have flown up his throat, Little Joe knew he couldn’t back out now, he had to prove he was a man, whatever the cost! With a sheepish grin, he looked up at his pa and said, “I’m fine, Pa, anything Older Brother can dish out, I can take, don't worry!”

Lilly kicked up her heels as she spoke, “Okay then, it’s settled! I’ll be back in a jiffy with your meals, gentlemen.”

One by one, Lilly placed the orders down on the table. “Now if you need anything else, just holler!”

Hoss had already dug into his dish, happy as a pig wallowing in his mud puddle, he sunk deep into the side of Angus, cutting piece after piece with his steak knife. Enjoying his savory chew, wiping his chin, he let out a heavenly sigh.

Pa cut up his saucy chicken while studying the two headstrong sons before him. He was beginning to have a bad feeling about this.

Little Joe was staring at his bowl of oyster stew in shock. He lifted the lid of his own tray, peeking underneath. His stomach rolled as he said to himself, “Yeah, Miss, a paper bag, too! I think I am gonna be sick!”

Leaning over, Hoss tried to help his little brother, “Little Brother, throw in a handful of chowder crackers, it will confuse your taste buds!”

Wearing a weary smile, Little Joe followed through on Hoss’ request as he crumbled a handful of crackers into his bowl of the creamy mixture.

Clapping Little Joe on the back, Adam said, “Eat hearty, Little Brother, it will make a man out of you! Just wait till you taste the escargot, anguille and calamari pie in French red wine sauce, it’s exquisite!” With that, Adam placed his napkin on his lap and enjoyed his meal with suburb pleasure. Glancing at Little Joe from time to time, Adam was getting a charge out of the night.

Little Joe began to psyche himself up, “I’ll show him! Okay, just open your mouth and swallow. No need to taste them! Think Hoss and just gulp it down!” Picking up the chowder spoon, Little Joe dug deep into the bottom of the bowl, filling his spoon with chunks of crackers and oysters. Swallowing hard, Little Joe felt the urge to gag as the slimy oysters slid down his throat. Looking up at Adam’s smirking face, Little Joe was forced to swallow as he followed it with another spoonful. “Pass the bread please, Adam?” I think I’m gonna be sick! Stabbing his fork into his dish of saucy escargot, anguille and calamari pie, Little Joe took in a deep breath as he swirled it around in his mouth. His thoughts were of raw mushrooms, rubber bands and slugs as he asked Hoss to help him out with his disgusting dish. With lying, pleading eyes Little Joe said, “Ain’t half bad! Want a bite, Hoss, Pa? Please!?"

Buried, deep into his own dish, Hoss failed to pick up on Little Joe’s pleas, “All the same to you, Little Joe, my stomach has turned enough by just watching the expressions on your face eating that otter food. I’m all set, thank you, this side of beef is hitting the spot!”

Little Joe let out a pitiful moan, "Paaaaa!?"

Tapping the side of Little Joe's plate with his fork, Pa said, "Joseph!"

Adam was enjoying this tremendously as he passed the basket of French bread over. “Anything the matter, Little Joe?”

“No, course not, Adam! Ain't botherin’ me none!” Little Joe ripped a piece of French bread in two, dabbing it into his plate of the rubbery substance just to spite his older brother.

Pa corrected his son’s English by stating, “Is not, Joseph. There is no such word as ain’t! Remember your schooling, boy!”

Half an hour passed as Adam watched his family finish off their dinner; all except for one, who was still having a hard time of it. Adam was about to put the icing on the cake, with pure gleam in his face, he said, “Well, Little Brother, so glad you enjoyed your meal. If you haven't figured out yet what escargots, anguille and calamari are, well, let me help you out. They're none other than snails, eels, and octopus!" Mocking his pa, Adam tapped the side of Little Joe’s plate and said, “Bon appetit, Little Brother, it's costing Pa quite a bundle!“

Whether it was from just the thought of what Adam had said, or eating too much, Little Joe took a deep gulp of the room’s hot air. Little Joe began to feel the room spin as he tried to shake the thoughts out of his head. Placing his hands upon his head, it throbbed like a hammer was hitting it. His stomach churned as hot and cold flashed, flushing his tender face. Adjusting his collar, Little Joe reached for a glass of water, his left hand feeling shaky. “Get it under control! Can’t show Adam!” is all Little Joe kept thinking. Swallowing hard, the water entered his stomach, only to make things worse, sending sharp stabs of pain, which left Little Joe in agony. “Oh damn! Remind me to never eat this stuff again!” Little Joe muttered to himself.

Whispering, Hoss said, “Hey, Little Joe, you okay?” Hoss noticed his little brother out of the corner of his eye as he doubled over in his chair, clutching his stomach.

“Don’t know, I feel sort of funny, Hoss! Think I need some fresh air!” Little Joe stood up, shakily taking a few steps toward the door; the room began to move around him. Taking his last steps, Little Joe stumbled and fell into Pa and Hoss, taking the table cloth with him, sending the dishes and the glasses spilling onto the floor with a mighty crash!

“JOSEPH!” Pa stood up and steadied his son by the waist, setting him back down into his chair, taking in the seriousness of his son’s condition. Ben didn’t blink an eye when the crystal goblets and plates crashed upon the floor, breaking into pieces, nor the people around him; his main concern was his son. Leaning over, Ben unbuttoned his youngest’s shirt collar and fanned him with his linen napkin.

Hoss glared at Adam, thinking whether to rattle his teeth for pulling such a nasty trick on their little brother. “This was lower than low!” Hoss sneered at Adam.

Wanting to defuse Hoss’ anger, Ben piped up, “Hoss, please, our focus should be on Little Joe right now, so do as I say and take Joseph outside for some fresh air! I’ll be there in a minute!” Pa wanted to address the situation proper and without a scene.

Hoss stood up but not without casting one last seething look toward Adam as he took Little Joe’s elbow with one hand pulling him up from his chair, while the other hand wrapped around his waist. Hoss lead his little brother outside into the dark, foggy night. “Come on, Little Joe!”

Whispering, Pa leaned into Adam and said, “Of all the lame brain stunts to pull, Adam! You’ve pulled some stunts in the past but this one just tops them all!”

“Sorry, Pa, I didn’t think the kid was going to take it so bad! I thought he knew!”

“You thought he knew!” Ben boomed. “Well, you went to college, Adam! Tell me what happens when we assume!? It makes an ass out of you and me!”

All of a sudden, Adam kind of felt funny as his stomach began to churn. “This stuff never bothered me before!” He could hear Pa still lecturing him as his head began to throb and spin. Hot and cold flashes entered his body, making him shiver and shake. Drifting off, his mind scanned his thoughts, “Maybe the kid has got something there? Maybe we both got something? Was there something wrong with the food we ate? The only logical explanation would be that we both got food poisoning!” Holding his shaky hand up, Adam spoke to Pa, trying to calm him down. “Pa, please wait! Something is not right with our food. What I mean, Pa, is Little Joe and I must have consumed food poisoning! Oh my gosh, Pa, I think I’m going to be sick!”

Hearing the commotion, the accusation of FOOD POISONING, the owner briskly walked over to the Cartwrights’ table and spoke, “What is going on over here!? You’re going to pay for all of this. And how dare you throw around a lot of serious accusations! I have a very respectable business and I will not let you slander me! Please pay your bill and leave at once!”

With anger on Ben’s face, he pulled out his wallet and paid the man. Snarling as he said, “This should cover our dinner plus the damages. Don’t flatter yourself, Mister! I’ve two sons who’re sickened from eating shellfish in your establishment! I’ve no intentions of slandering you as of yet. We don’t take kindly to idiots who seem to think good people are swindling them! You haven’t seen the last of me! I’ll be back!” Ben watched as Adam slumped over onto the table, clutching his stomach in pain. Knowing his oldest was too heavy for him to lift all alone, he had no other choice but to leave his youngest unattended as Pa hollered for Hoss’ assistance. “Hoss! Will you come in here, please? Now!”

The owner walked off in a huff, ordering the bus boys to clean up the mess in a hurry.

Little Joe was leaning over the rail spilling his guts out into the roaring sea below.

“Short Shanks, you’re gonna be okay, Pa’s yell’n to me. Just hold onto the railing now, real tight. I’ll be right back in a blink of an eye.”

Irritated from his older brother's babying, Little Joe spat, “Hoss, I’m fine now, stop fussing over me. Really, go see what Pa wants, geesh!”

With one last glance toward his little brother, Hoss ran back into the restaurant, heavy hearted.

Two shadow like figures approached from the alley, creeping behind the heaving young man. Their shadows climbing up the side of the brick like building, with an object in their hand, engulfing the boy with its weapon in a striking movement, which fell upon his head, leaving Little Joe sprawled out unconscious upon the cobbled stone ground. Grabbing his legs, Willy and Blake looked around as they picked him up, vanishing into the foggy night. Little Joe’s hat was the only indication that he had been there.

Landon looked on in horror, behind a crate in the alley, as he watched Willy and Blake abduct yet another young victim. He shivered and shook, of the past memories of his own abduction, Thinking to himself, he said, “There’s another world inside of me that you may never see, there’s secrets in this life that I can’t hide. Somewhere in this darkness there is a light that I can’t find. Maybe it’s too far away or maybe I’m just blind!? Sailing through this darkness, I‘m alive but I‘m alone, part of me is fighting this but part of me is gone! Maybe I’m just blind!?” For the first time in his life he saw the light, for he was not blind. Landon knew what he must do. “I have to help him!! I must tell someone!”

Minutes later, stepping outside with Adam and Hoss, Ben scanned the area for his youngest as the panic swept his face, realizing Little Joe was no longer there. Ben ran down the docks hoping that maybe the boy walked further down for some fresh air, he yelled, “JOSEPH! Where are you!?” With no luck, Ben ran back toward the place he was last seen, screaming his name over and over again, “JOSEPH!!............. Hoss!! Exactly where did you leave him!?” Fearing the worst, Ben bent over the railing, searching the rocky sea water below.

“Right here, Pa. Honest! We were right in front of the restaurant, when you hollered for me!”

“Something is not right, Hoss! I can feel it in my soul!” Just then something caught Ben’s eye as he bent down, retrieving his youngest son’s black hat. Looking out into the bay, he scanned the tall clipper ships, bobbing on top of the water as the fog rolled in. Squinting his eyes, Ben’s educated x-ray could see right under their skin, expressing one single word that said it all, “SHANGHAI!”

“Pa? You can‘t be serious!?” Gulping at the thought, Hoss started to panic. “Well, if'n you’re sure, we’ve got to get the police!

“No, Hoss, I fear too much time has already elapsed! No telling how hurt Little Joe is, or who’s in on this. To the police, we’re just another number. By the time they learn how to spell my boy’s name, he’ll be at the bottom of their pile of paper work. People disappear around the Barbary Coast all the time, Hop Ling said, this is old news to them, Hoss! Besides, these people we’re dealing with are no Roy Coffee! An even scarier thought, no Doctor Martin! No, this time we shall go against all our good will of abiding by the law. We’re taking the law into our own hands, Hoss! Little Joe’s life depends on it!” Saying a silent prayer, Pa said to himself, “I’ll never let you down Joseph, even if I could, I’ll give up everything if only for your good. I’ll always be there son, hold on!”

Hoss’ thoughts of revenge drifted toward the varmints out at sea, “Little Brother, I’ll find you, I promise ya that!! Then I’m gonna find the ones behind this and make them pay! Ain’t likely they’re gonna see the setting of another day. Hope you can hear me, Little brother, cause I ain’t gonna rest till my promise is kept! Hang on, please, hang on!” Snapping out of it, Hoss saw Hop Sing’s form appear out from the foggy streets.

“Mr. Ben, there you are! Family no come back to Hop Ling’s cottage! May Ying and I begin to worry! What happen to you? To Mr. Adam? Where is Little Joe?”

“Adam and Little Joe been poisoned, Hop Sing! Little Joe came out here for some air to clear his head, and simply vanished! Pa, where do we start?”

“First things first! Hop Sing, can you manage taking Adam back with you to Hop Ling’s place? He’s of no use to us now!”

“Mr. Ben, sure, but where you start? Where you be?”

“Maybe I can help, Mister?” A small voice rang out from behind the Cartwrights as Landon stepped out from his hiding place in the alley, behind a dark crate. “I seen it all, I seen what happened to the young man who was leaning over the railing. If’n it’s your boy? He is around my age, my looks and size, wearing a black cowboy hat, shirt and tan pants?”

“Yes! Yes! His name is Little Joe, he’s my son. Out with it, boy, his life depends on it!”

Landon looked out into the sea and pointed toward The Vikings Voyage. “Out there, Mister! He is in a heap of trouble! You better hurry! They are leaving port at dawn!”

Looking up into the dawning sky, Hoss’ fears came up, “We ain‘t got much time, Pa! How many are aboard the ship, youngen?” Hoss tried to paint a picture of just how many heads he was going to be knocking together.

Counting on his fingers, Landon said, “I think around a dozen, Mister. They’re a mean bunch of sailors, bearly escaped with my life just a day ago. I know what they can do to your soul! I can’t let that happen again! Not to me, not to anyone!”

Wasting no time, Pa reached into his vest pocket, pulling out his wallet, he paid the boy for his good deeds and sent him on his way. Scanning the sky, Ben said, “The night looks calm, Hoss! The winds from the East are quiet, figure we’ve a good chance as any, making a swim for it. You with me, Boy?” Ben began taking off his holster, boots and socks. Hoss answered his pa by his movements as Ben watched him also take off his holster and boots, followed by his socks.

Taking a deep breath, Hoss yelled, “Pa, let’s do it! I am so plum fired up, I could swim ten times around that there ship and back!”

Flailing his arms in the air, once again Hop Sing let out a few words of displeasure, “What you say? What you doing? You all gone choo chooo? Hop Sing go find rowboat! No can catch a ship whose sails have set!”

“No time for that, Hop Sing! It’s only a mile’s swim from here. I’m not letting that ship out of my sight!” Hop Sing’s pleas reached deaf ears as Pa and Hoss ran down the dock, diving into the chilling sea below.

Turning around, Hop Sing began to pick up the articles of clothing belonging to his secondary family as he rumbled, “Oh, what a mess! All the worry!”

Hours later, Willy snickered and sneered like the cat who just caught the mouse, as he scampered up the rope ladder, just off the side of the tall ship.

Tossing Little Joe over his broad back, Blake climbed the rope ladder with his unconscious captive aboard the rocking ship. Angered by Willie’s nonsense, Blake said, “Will you hold the rope steady, you nit wit! Quit fooling around up there, while I am doing all the work down here!”

“All right, all right, geesh! Take it easy, will ya!?” Willy sputtered. “I’m just excited, think how easy our lives are gonna be now that we have another cabin boy. No more peeling potatoes, skinning or cleaning smelly fish for me. Nope, I am all done cooking for the captain! No more cleaning the captain’s disgusting spittoon or swabbing the deck either. Don’t know about you, but I’m sick of taking orders from Stone Cold! Heck, I bet you and me can take him if we put our heads together!”

“Keep quiet, you fool, before you get the captain’s attention! I ain’t aiming on getting my throat cut by you, Mac, or anyone else on this ship, for trying to pull such a stupid stunt as mutiny, so forget it and get over here, help me with this kid, will ya!?” Blake spatted.

Willy bent down over Little Joe, patting his lifeless body over. “Wait! What’s this?” Reaching inside his jacket, Willy retrieved the boy’s wallet. Willy’s eyes grew big and his heart started to pump faster and faster as he untied the strings. Flipping the billfold open, he read the name out loud, “JOSEPH FRANCIS CARTWRIGHT! Awe, what a quaint, rich name at that!” Searching on for the wealth he hoped to find, his mouth watered at the thought, only to be highly disappointed at the lack of funds in the wallet as he sent it sailing through the air overboard, cussing out loudly.

Blake piped up, “Will you pipe down and grab the kid’s feet? You are a fool! You really think his rich daddy would let the kid have any valuables on him?”

Stubbornly still searching, Willy fished through Little Joe’s pockets again, “Wait, Blake, I think I found something else, check this out!” Willy began pulling what looked like a golden chain from the kid’s left shirt pocket. Tugging on it, the article popped out. Dangling on the other end was Little Joe’s most precious possession, he held so close to his heart, a picture of his mama, Marie Cartwright. Both men gasped as they took in the most beautiful locket and lady they had ever laid eyes on. Biting down on the locket, Willy tested how pure the metal was. “It’s pure gold!” He gasped. Clasping the locket to his chest, Willy stated, “It’s mine, you hear? I saw it first! You will get this over my dead body!”

“Willy, if it will make you feel any better, you can keep the blasted thing, just do me a favor and grab the kid’s legs!” Thinking to himself, “Don’t matter which way you give that there gold locket to me, Willy, dead or alive! It will be mine soon!”

The locket sparkled in the night as Willy slid the chain over his head, tucking it underneath his shirt. Willy then obliged Blake as he grabbed Little Joe’s pant legs, lifting him up off the deck, complaining as he went, “For such a puny runt, he sure seems heavy!”

Blake looked at him with disbelief, shaking his head, he commented, “You can’t even lift a ten pound bucket of shellfish without crabbing Willy, so quit your griping! Come on, let’s go!”

Climbing the stairs from below, Captain Bates rounded the starboard side of the ship, chawing his tobacco and chugging his jug of rum. His cold eyes settled on the sight in front of him as he swiped his mouth. “What be you got for me, lads? Bring him over here into the light, be quick about it!”

Swinging Little Joe’s arms and legs, Willy and Blake tossed him down upon the deck without a care, bringing their captive wide awake as his body shouted out in pain.

Moaning to his side, Little Joe tried to get his bearings as he sat up gasping for air.

“I give the commands around here, boy!” Kicking Little Joe in the side, the Captain laid him flat out upon the deck, leaving him reeling in pain from yet another blow. “From now on you shall do as I say, what I say and when I say, is that clear, small fry!?” Angered by the lack of response, the captain took his jug of rum, tipping it over, letting the contents spill out onto Little Joe’s face as the boy spit and spouted it out. Still not satisfied, the captain shoved the tip of his shoe into Little Joe’s ribs.

Thinking to himself, Little Joe said, “This is not going to be good!” Leaning over once again, he gave into the sickness that had racked his body throughout the night.

The Captain’s eyes shown redder then red as he slipped upon the fowl mess, trying to get away. “Get me a bucket of sea water now, ye fools!” He commanded as Willy and Blake scrambled to the side of the ship. Reaching the bucket, they lowered it down, filling it up with cold, salty water. Slipping and sliding their way back, they handed the full bucket to the captain, who heaved the salt water and the wooden bucket upon Little Joe’s shaking body! “You choose to defy me, laddy? Well, we shall see who wins! Now get up and clean this mess!” Stone Cold Bates yanked Little Joe up by his collar and threw him into Willy and Blake. “Help him with this foul stench! You two brought him here, he’s your responsibility, now move! Afterwards, get him below deck before he angers me the more!” Turning to address his crew, Captain Bates commanded, “I see ye all brought me back some goods. ‘Twas smart of ye, for I be making some of you yellow skins walk the plank, for not following orders! Now pull up the sail, set a course for Boston, before someone catches wind of our wrong deeds.” Wiping his bearded chin, the captain said, “Blake, get the rest of these men shackled below deck! I will be inspecting them all come dawn.

“Only a short ways to go, Hoss, how are you holding up, son?” Pa said as he swam with his head side to side in brisk like strokes, through the chilling sea.

Plowing through the salt water with his massive arms, Hoss spoke, “Holding up just fine, Pa! No need to fret about me, remember the time I saved that bull moose last year, stuck out in Lake Tahoe on an island? Nearly swam clear out five miles and back without so much as breaking a sweat.”

Chuckling, Pa said, “Yes, but if I remember correctly, it was you who was floating on top of the poor moose on the way back!

“Yeah, guess we both needed each other!” Hoss chuckled. “Sure could use that moose now!”

“Think you can hold on a bit longer, Hoss?“

“Lead the way, Pa, right behind you!”

Little Joe was manhandled and forced to clean up his own mess as the men pushed him down to his knees, handing him a scrub brush and bucket. Several times, Little Joe gagged back the bile in his throat as he scrubbed the deck back and forth, while the hot sun beat down upon him. Willy’s passions had drawn thin as he dragged Little Joe to his feet, directing him below deck, manhandling him into a locked room just underneath the helm of the ship; turning, he locked the door behind him.

Trying to gather his bearings, Little Joe sat, cold and shivering on the swaying rope like hammock, trying to wipe the dry blood and sickness from his mouth. Dizziness taking its toll, Little Joe fell back upon the hammock as he watched the planks overhead spin around and around. Thinking to himself, “Not again! All I have left are my insides! Wonder if Old Adam is taking this like a man, too?” Bending over, Little Joe dragged an old dirty pot underneath him, as he once again threw up what was left of this so called fancy dish of escargot, anguille, and calamari, which left him wracked with dry heaves as his stomach muscles contracted into knots. Weakened from the ordeal and lack of water, he fell back upon the dirty hammock, passing out.

Hours later, Little Joe awoke to voices overhead as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. Billowing over him was the Captain and Willy. Beads of sweat soaked his body as his pupils widened like cat’s eyes at the sight before him, for Willy was wearing his mother’s golden locket around his neck. Lunging out at Willy, Little Joe yelled, “Get my mother’s locket off of your dirty, rotten, stink’n neck, Mister!”

Quickly grasping Little Joe’s face, the Captain commented, “Settle down, Laddy! It be mine now! See ye brought me a spark! Or should I say a pot of gold?! Grrr!” Snapping the gold chain off of Willy's neck, the captain smiled and shoved the golden locket into his pocket. Rubbing his braided beard, Captain Bate’s evil mind was churning of wealth and good fortune. “Where be you from, boy? Speak up!”

Disgusted by the Captain’s rudeness, Little Joe decide to give him a dose of his own medicine, whether it was the wrong choice or not. Little Joe stood half the size of the captain, but that didn’t stop him. Letting his smart mouth get the best of him, he said, “I’ll tell you nothing! You’re not my pa! You’re nothing but a smelly thief and a murderer!” With that, he spit upon the captain’s grimy shoes!

“Ye tongue will get you buried for that remark!”

Flashes of dancing stars and light appeared before Little Joe’s eyes as the captain pounded the young man into a bloody mess with his fists. Bored by the fight, Stone Cold dropped Little Joe to the floor. Turning to Willy, he said, “Where did you find this spark? This little diamond in the rough!?” Pulling out the gold chain, he held up the locket and said, “I smell wealth and fortune behind this!”

“Sir! Captain Bates, that is! The boy’s family made reservations at the restaurant under the name of Cartwrights last night. They looked not from around here, you’re right! They are quite wealthy if you ask me, just look at his clothes, too!”

Little Joe wiped the blood from his nose as his eyes grudgingly drifted toward the Captain and Willy next to the open door, thinking to himself, “I have got to get my mama’s locket back, get out of here!”

Willy continued on by saying. “They ordered the bad-off shellfish; your plan, it worked like a charm, Captain, nearly took in about half a dozen with the food poison.” Regretting the words once they left his mouth, Willy braced himself for what was to come next.

“Shut up, you fool!” Turning to Willy, Captain Bates hauled off with his backhand, sending him tumbling to the floor. “Your bumbling just cost you a shackling! Leave my sight at once before I snuff the air out of you for good!”

Taking the chance to get away, Little Joe pushed off the floor, running for the door behind Willy, only to be caught by the scruff of his neck in a choke hold by the captain’s large hand. Picking him up, Little Joe’s boots dangled inches above the floor. “Where do you think you’re going, Laddy? The pain in your belly is nothing compared to what I can inflict on ye, lad! It will be such a shame to put a scratch on a handsome, young face such as yours! Try that again and you will be wearing many a scar as Mac! Your pa will have to search the high seas if he wants to see the likes of your hide again! Paying me quite a penny or two, too!” The captain said with an evil laugh. “Arrr!” Lowering Little Joe back on shaky feet, the captain continued, “You belong to me now, so you better get use to it! Keep that fresh mouth of yours shut and out of my way or you will be hurt too bad.” Evil laughter spilt out of his soul as the captain turned and left. Seeking out the rest of his new crew, he shut and locked the door behind him with the skeleton key.

Leaning against the cell wall, Little Joe slid down onto the floor, holding his knees together in a poor attempt to stop the sickness from within and his shaky knees. His whole body seemed to ache now as he rubbed the red marks that were left behind on his neck. Little Joe’s mind drifted, thinking of the many times their family cook, Hop Sing, would say, “Always in trouble, always the worry!” These words echoed through his mind as he stood up. Little Joe peered out the port hole from his cell, trying to figure a way out of this mess he got himself into. Taking a deep breath, he sighed, “Oh Pa, if ever in my life I needed you, well, I need you now!”

Loud commands from overhead seemed to echo throughout the ship, “Hoist the anchor, hoist those sails you land lovers, man your stations, the wind be picking up! We have places to go, ships to search for and invade! Grrr!”

“Oh, just great, I’m aboard a moving, pirate ship! Think I am gonna be sick again!” Little Joe thought awhile, as a wide grin swept over his face. His dream of fighting off pirates with his epee skills was finally going to come true, he thought to himself, “I got it! What chance, older brother Adam, do I have using an epee, way out here in the North West? Ha, I’ll show you what my Frenchquarter mother handed down to me! They want a cabin boy? I’ll show them a cabin boy!! Only one small problem, Joe! You have no epee!”

Just then the door knob began to rattle as the key unlocked its captive. The shadow of a bulky man stood in the doorway with a bundle of clothes in his hand. Blake addressed him as he walked into the room, “Name’s Blake, Shrimp! Boy, you just don’t learn, do you!? Looks like you were on the losing end of the Captain’s right hook! Ha ha ha, get it, right hook?” Clearing his voice after the lack of response from his joke, Blake threw the bundle of clothing at Little Joe’s feet and said, “Here, put these on! You’re a sailor now, so you might as well start looking like one and getting use to it! And don’t try any harrowing stunts on me! We are all a bunch of rats here, boy! I’ll cut you down just as quick as the captain, if not worse! Now move it! Off with those fancy pants and boots of yours!”

Little Joe’s body language said it all as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Little Joe would never be as big as his older brother Hoss, or as intimidating as his Pa, but he had a whole lot of courage, grit and gusto. Balling his fists, Little Joe held them up, ready to fight off the big man.

Exasperated, Blake said, “I 've five other men to deal with, too, Shrimp and the Captain wants you front and center soon. You’re going to put those damn sailing britches on if I have to make you! I’ll give you two seconds, Shrimp, now move!”

Little Joe’s stance was set in stone, as well as the determination etched on his face.

“You’re truly wasting my time, Shrimp!” Turning with the lantern, Blake screwed off the top and threw the kerosene at Little Joe, soaking his clothes. “Now! I’ll just say this one more time! You’ve just two seconds to get into those clothes or else I light a match. Your choice!”

Coughing and gagging at the smell, Little Joe had no other choice but to follow through with Blake’s instructions as he discarded his cowboy clothes and replaced them with the sailor duds.

“Ha ha ha! Now, don’t you look pretty? Smart move, Shrimp! I’ll be back later on to fetch ya. Sure hope you know how to cook, for your sake!” Bending down, Blake swooped up Little Joe’s clothes. “You wont be needing these any more!” With that, Blake turned and locked the door behind him.

Little Joe paced the room trying to come up with a plan, anything, something! He thought to himself, “Think, Joe, think! There has got to be a way out of this mess!”

Hours later, Blake was back. His stomach rumbled as he turned the key inside the lock. Underestimating the young man behind it, Blake’s guard and balance were well down as he took another swig of the captain’s jug of rum. Unlocking the door, he yelled, “Get up, Shrimp! Captain wants you up top. It’s time for you to cook us some grub, Cabin Boy!”

Little Joe felt queasy at just the thought of seeing or smelling food again. Thinking fast, Little Joe blew the lantern out, grabbing the rafters from over head, he kicked out with all his might, drop kicking Blake to the dusty ground. The sudden impact laid the big man flat out cold upon the floor as the jug of rum spun around in a circle in its wake. Patting Blake on the shoulders, Little Joe piped up, “Hoss was right! The bigger they are, the harder they fall!” Driving his feet back inside his boots, Little Joe grabbed the keys, locking the door behind him. Running down the corridors, he searched the maze like rooms for the one article he was looking for, dodging all that might walk by. Hands reached out to grab him from the barred door, yelling, “Let us out of here. We don’t want to rot like rats!“

Placing his finger over his mouth, Little Joe said, “Shhhh! Do you want me to get caught, or do you want me to figure a way of getting us out of here? Keep quiet! I’ll return to free you all soon!” Little Joe knew they might be in there for a reason and there was no way he was going to let them out. From the looks of some of them, he figured they could have committed crimes that would have had them hung if back in Virginia City.

Continuing down the narrow corridors, Little Joe thought to himself, “Come on, there has got to be one around here somewhere! Think, Joe, think!” Rounding the corner, something caught his eye as he backed up, walking into what looked like the captain’s room. There, laying upon the table, was his mother’s golden locket. With a rush of adrenaline, Little Joe ran over toward it, scooping it into his hands. He seemed to be mesmerized by her as he looked deep into his mother’s eyes, kissing the locket, he snapped it shut, tucking it safely back into his left shirt pocket. Shaking his senses, Little Joe went back to his mission as he jumped upon the table, spilling the piles of gold coins onto the floor as they rolled around in a circle. Reaching over the bay windows, Little Joe found what he was looking for, snatching it off the wall. With a twinkle in his green eyes, he was ready for anything now.

The ropes were wet and slimy but that didn’t stop Ben and Hoss from pulling themselves up the side of the tall ship. Catching their breath just over the edge, they rested a spell before paying a little visit to the captain and his crew. “Pa, just how old are you anyways? You ever gonna act your age?”

“You’ll never know, son, just remember when this is all over, I’ll be the one who’s still on vacation!”

“You got yourself a deal, Pa!”

Creeping onto the deck, the old weathered wood seemed to creak as Little Joe scurried behind a pickle barrel on the port side of the ship. Catching his breath, he sized up the crew, trying to map out a plan in his head. “Just replay your dream, keep a level head, stay calm! Remember what Pa taught you! Stick and move!”

Peering out toward the sea, Little Joe’s hopes of going home were fading as fast as the shoreline. He wiped the tears that started to well up into his big, green eyes. Focusing them again, he watched as the sun started to dawn a new day, streaking vast colors of orange and red across the choppy waters. Just then, a thunderous noise brought him back to life, as a large machete stabbed a pickle out from the barrel he was hiding behind.

Crunching down on the salty cucumber was Mac, as he peered into Little Joe’s eyes. Little Joe could see every scar on his face as he threw off a growl, spitting the cucumber onto the deck with a thud! Mac knocked over the barrel with a massive blow from his muscled, tattooed arm, sending the rest of the pickles and Little Joe spilling onto the deck. Mac lunged at Little Joe, throwing off a sadistic laugh. “Looks like I found me a little rat! Want some cheese, rat?” Mac pulled out his long, sharp machete with lightning speed, sending it down upon Little Joe with a whoosh.

Little Joe blocked the assault with the Captain’s epee. The impact sent the machete spinning onto the deck. With quick actions, Little Joe jumped to his feet, pointing the sharp point of the epee at Mac’s throat. Taking a deep breath in, Little Joe tried to look intimidating as he puffed his chest out.

Mac laughed at the sight before him, unthreatened by Little Joe’s gesture. Sneering at Little Joe, Mac said, “You got to be kidding me! I be putting another notch in my belly belt, boy!! With or without me machete. You’re just gonna die slower, that’s all. Who ye trying to fool? Little cowboys don’t know how to use a sword! Well, I’ll call your bluff, grrrr! Give me your best shot!”

Little Joe piped up, “All is fair in love and war!” Flicking Mac’s machete up off of the deck with the tip of his boot, Little Joe had been waiting for this day forever. He had practiced so many times, back home on the ranch with his own epee, jumping from table to table, swooshing the air. He could taste it now.

Mac caught his machete with ease, making the first move, he jousted toward Little Joe. Metal upon metal clanged and sparked into the early morning light. The crew backed up as the fight went on, all cheering for their evil crew mate. Sticking and dodging came natural to Mac but surprised was he at the natural way the little cowboy handled himself, too. Mac struggled to keep his balance against the young lad’s advancing gestures. Stumbling backward against a crate, Mac lost his footing and fell, as the crew stepped in to help him out, pushing and grabbing at Little Joe.

“No, let him be!” Said Mac. “He be mine, all mine! I shall not falter to this want-to-be-crusader!”

Little Joe was in his element as he jousted with his right hand out in a stance in the air, swooshing the epee with his left hand, so precise and skillful it was, as if he was cutting the air into shreds. One by one, he took joy in popping the buttons off of Mac’s dirty shirt, angering Mac the more!

“Enough of this child’s game!” Mac said, “You want to play dirty, well so can I!” Eyeing the coiled rope just below Little Joe’s feet, Mac motioned to one of his evil sidekicks with his eyes to snag the rope from under Little Joe, while Mac kept him busy. Moments later the rope was snagged tight just as Little Joe stepped backward, causing him to lose his balance, falling against the side of the ship. Mac pounced upon Little Joe, forcing him overboard with his weight and brute like strength. Eye to eye they struggled, weapon upon weapon.

Little Joe struggled against Mac’s weight as he looked down into the crashing white caps of the sea.

Mac saw his advantage, raising his cold, sharp machete, he slashed it down upon Little Joe’s forearm, splitting his arm wide open down to the bone, as the blood splattered onto both their shirts.

With his adrenaline pumping so fast, Little Joe never felt a thing. Finding his escape, he rolled underneath Mac’s arm and stumbled up the short steps, toward the bow.

Angry hands reached out to grab him as Little Joe fled, swinging off of a rope overhead, from their treacherous grips, only to announce himself furthermore to the rest of the crew by letting out a yahoo! Ignoring the blood that ran down his arm, Little Joe plowed into three men who were standing on the starboard side of the ship, sending them overboard with a tremendous splash, nearly taking Ben and Hoss with them, too!

Hearing the familiar voice of his little brother, Hoss said, “It can’t be!? Can it, Pa!?” Bewilderment spread across his face.

“Oh yes, it can! Come on!” Scrambling over the side of the ship, Ben and Hoss found their footing, just as they witnessed Mac taking a clear aim at Little Joe, throwing his machete, missing Little Joe’s back by merely inches.

Taking action upon himself, Ben yelled, “Hoss, help your brother before he gets himself killed! He looks in a heap of trouble! I’m going after this so called captain!” Ben ran toward the helm, where he spotted the one responsible for his son’s mishap, stoking the anger inside him even more.

Captain sized up his contender and realized he had finally met his match as he decided to split. In his poor attempt to escape, the captain panicked, tripped and fell down the helm stairs, upon the deck below. He squirmed upon his hands and feet, backwards, as he pleaded for his life to Ben. “I never touched the Laddy! It was them, I swear!”

“Don’t waste your breath!” Ben said as he pulled the captain on his feet, hitting him in the face with the force of a sledgehammer, breaking his nose as the blood spilled out onto his face. With every step Ben took toward the shaking captain, Ben said, “Let’s call a spade a spade! Cut to the chase! Get up! Fight me like a man, if you think you can!? Look me in the eye and tell me why you chose to take my boy!”

Crawling backward once again, the captain wanted no part of the big man hovering over him, as he scanned the ground, searching for his escape. Spying his stowed away gun inside a tin can, the Captain reached for it in a poor attempt.

A sharp, shooting pain slammed down on his hand as Ben stepped on it with all his might! Snapping the bones in the captain’s hand, that once held it’s place. Screaming out in pain, Stone Cold Bates cried for his life, “I can’t stand pain! Don’t hurt me, please don’t kill me!”

“You’re nothing but a coward! My boy has more courage then you! Oh, what pleasure I would have to see you at your own fate, to feed you to your own sharks. But that would just bring me down to the same level as you! You’re a disgrace, an impostor in a uniform! Now get up and move before I change my mind!” Ben yanked him up, pushing the captain toward a mast pole. Scanning the deck, he found some rope and tied up what was left of the captain’s pride and dignity, shoving the captain’s gun into the waist of his pants.

“I’ll have you for mutiny! You have not heard the last from me!” The captain cowered as he held his broken hand in place.

“Oh? Good, good! And while we’re at it, I’ll be lining up my witnesses, pleading my case to the authorities in San Francisco, furthermore having you hanged by your scrawny, yellow neck for your evil scams of food poisoning, shanghaiing a minor, pirating and murder! Shall I go on?” Not waiting for a response, Ben tightened the ropes around the captain’s wrists with one last hard tug. Turning away in disgust, Ben threw the excess pieces of rope down and walked away.

Hoss was two feet away from Little Joe when Willy stepped toward him with an oar, knocking Hoss square on the chin, causing no more harm than the oar to split in two as Hoss stood there towering over Willy. Anger took the place instead of stars as Hoss sent back his block like fist, sending a shocked Willy tumbling down the stairs, below deck. His head banged upon the door that Blake was locked behind, knocking him out cold. Turning toward a shadow behind him, Hoss clipped yet another one with a blow from his mighty elbow. Each step Hoss took toward his little brother, another challenger would take its place. Hoss was getting pretty fed up with the likes of this bunch of bandits. He didn’t like the looks of the blood that ran down Little Joe’s arm, for that matter, the looks of Mac either as he watched the two battle it out, sending sparks flying as their weapons clanged together. Hoss couldn’t help but swell with pride as he thought to himself, “That little cuss sure knows how to handle himself with that there epee. And Adam said he looked plain silly and all! Well, not in my eyes, little brother!” Just then, Hoss was brought back to life as two men jumped him from behind. Hoss had had enough. Spinning them both around upon his massive shoulders, Hoss knocked both their heads together. Walking over to the portside, where Pa was, he dumped the two shady fellows overboard. Dusting his hands off, Hoss took in the captain’s pitiful sight, shaking Pa’s hand. “Need any help?“

“Hoss, I thought I told you to help your younger brother!?”

Exasperated, Hoss said, “But Pa!” Only to be cut to the quick by a very stern voice.

“Never mind explaining, Hoss, your brother is in danger, come on!” Ben and Hoss were alarmed at what they saw.

In the heat of the moment, the last of the food poisoning made its way through Little Joe’s stomach as it slowly seeped into every nook and cranny, ripping and tearing at the lining in his stomach. The effects made him double over, shouting out in agony as he lowered his epee to the deck.

Mac had a clean shot now, as he threw his machete. He could not out fence the lad, which angered him all the more, as such thoughts raced through his evil mind on revenge.

“No! Little Joe, look out!” Both Pa and Hoss screamed at the top of their lungs. They ran in what seemed like slow motion toward Little Joe, trying to prevent the scene before them unfolding.

Mac sneered with revenge as he watched the machete slice threw Little Joe’s shirt and side, pinning him up against the clipper ship, unable to move. Mac stepped toward Little Joe and followed it with a counter punch that landed Little Joe out cold! “Stand back!” Mac screamed while adjusting his stance behind Little Joe, wrapping his arms around his limp body. “Or I shall spill his blood right here and now!” Mac screamed at the two large men approaching him, while pulling the knife out of Little Joe’s side, he slipped it upon his throat, applying pressure on the large knife. Sending off a sadistic laugh, he said, “I have nothing to lose! You, however, have everything to gain!”

Ben had to think fast, as his heart began to pound loudly in his chest. Holding up his hands, Ben said, “Listen to me, Mister! You’ve won! You’ve nothing else to gain by hurting my boy! This ship, it’s yours! Take it as you please, all I want is my boy, let him go and no harm will befall you! I will give you my word, whatever you want, just name it!” Slowly walking closer and closer to his son, Ben thought, “If I can just get close enough!” Ben subsided the thoughts as he said, “Here take my solid gold pocket watch, it’s worth at least two hundred dollars! Take my wallet, it’s yours, just please let go of my boy!”

Mac sneered at them both; his eyes were as cold as the night sea air. “All my life I have been nothing, have had nothing, what do I do with them now? Tell me!” Walking toward the edge of the bow, Mac was directly below his cabin, sizing up the rope that was coiled around one of the larger mast beams supporting the clipper. Mac estimated his years of knowledge about the ship, he knew every nook and cranny, the distance between the rope and his window below him, it was just right as he took action. Holding onto Little Joe with one arm around his waist, Mac took the rope in his other hand. As quick as a flash Mac flung himself and Little Joe over the side of the ship, saying, “You lose!”

Hoss and Ben couldn’t believe their eyes as they watched in horror as Mac threw his body upon Little Joe’s, tumbling over the side of the clipper into the dark waters down below.

Hoss yelled out his fear, “Little Joe, no, Joe!” As he ran toward the front of the bow, blinking down tears of fear that fell upon his moon shaped face.

Pa was speechless as he gasped for air, in the shock of it all. Looking over the edge in a panic, he searched the ocean below. All that was left behind was the dangling rope rapping angrily against the side of the ship as the wind and ocean waters sprayed upon Ben’s face.

Just as Hoss was about to dive overboard, Ben stopped him. “No, Hoss! Look! Down there, just below us, there’s a window, the shutters are open look! Your brother didn’t fall into the sea, he’s underneath this bow! He’s alive, Hoss! Alive!”

“Pa, my guts never lead me astray and right now they’re telling me the same thing, too. But, Little Joe’s with that maniac, Pa! We have to find him!”

Little Joe awoke to a squeaking noise as he tried to find his bearings. Blinking and adjusting his eyes, they began to focus in the dark. The eerie figure set him back, for there before him came two floating sets of ruby red, beady looking eyes. Kicking his feet out, Little Joe tried to ward off whatever the heck that thing was. “Awe! Get away from me!” Little Joe screamed as it came closer and closer, reaching out his left hand, swatting at it blindly.

The big, ugly rat snapped down on Little Joe’s fingers with his toothpick like teeth, making him scream out in agony.

Little Joe drew his hand back; he could feel the sticky blood between his fingers as he fought to stay calm.

Striking a match off the side of the ship, Mac lit his candle. “Boy, you can’t do anything right! You’re trying not only me, but Ike, too! Now just settle down so he can eat his supper! Which, I might add, will be you! Ha ha ha!”

“You’re sick, mister, really sick! I hope you know that!" Little Joe's thoughts were of how sad and lonely Mac's life must be if he has to turn to a rat for a friend. Scooting back against a wall, Little Joe tried to put a gap between him, the sick man and his rodent as he sucked the blood that was dripping off of his bitten fingers. Little Joe also clutched his forearm and side, as the pain reminded him of his other injuries. His thoughts drifted, “Just great, I am trapped, cornered like a rat! Come on, Joe, you got to get out of this!” Looking up, Little Joe had little time to think as he watched Mac walk closer and closer, dangling the candle in one hand, with the rat in the other. Laughing louder and louder, Mac lunged the rat at Little Joe’s face, making the rat even the more irate as is screeched, squiggled and squirmed in the tight like grip. “Here you go, Ike! Have a nice piece of steak, it’s fresh and on the house, ha ha ha!”

“Mac was crazy, there was no doubt about it!” Little Joe thought to himself as he tried to get out of this mess. It was now or never! Little Joe gathered every last ounce of energy he had left inside him as he reached up, snatching the candle from Mac’s hand.

Mac scream out in horror as he tried to stop the assault. The wax sloshed upon his face, sending him tumbling to the ground in a ball, screaming in agonizing pain as the hot wax stuck to his eyelids.

The rat’s fur was scorched from the candle’s flame also, making it scream and jump out of reach, running into the dark corner of the clipper ship.

Little Joe pulled himself up as he stumbled toward the doorway. Mac was no longer a threat to Little Joe as he dragged himself out the doorway, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Hoss and Ben were on their way toward the cavity of the ship as Ben shouted, “Hoss, hold the light up high! I can’t see a damn thing!”

Hoss had always tried his best in any given situation, especially this one, as his heart grew heavy from his Pa’s hurtful words. Lifting the candle high about their heads, it cast spooky shadows, making them creep up toward the overhanging beams. Hoss piped up and said, “I’m sorry, Pa!”

Once the harsh words left Ben’s lips, he knew right then that he was snapping his frustration and fears at the one who was always there, lending his support, broad shoulders, his strength, trying to help in any way he could. Ben also had to admit where his youngest got his hot temper and impulsiveness from! And that would be him! “No, Hoss, it’s me who should apologize. I’m sorry, son! Please forgive me.” Patting Hoss on his huge back, Ben said, “Come on, it’s just a few more yards and we should be underneath the bow of the ship soon. Keep a sharp eye out for anything, your little brother’s life is depending on it!”

“Oh, Pa, just you wait till I get my hands on one of them, they are gonna wish the sharks got to them, instead of me!”

Holding his hand up, Pa said, “Shhhh, Hoss! Someone’s coming, douse the light!”

Blowing the candle out, Hoss and Pa both held their breath as a shadow approached them. Slowly but surely, it came into sight. Ben’s heart dropped as he witnessed the most familiar left hand grabbing onto the overhanging mast, the familiar curves of this young man’s face, the locks of tangled curls that fell upon his forehead, down into his eyes; last but not least, that familiar moan as the bloody figure fell into his father’s awaiting arms.

Looking up, Little Joe sensed the bond that held him so tight as he mumbled to his Pa, “What took you two so long!?” His legs then gave out as Pa lowered him gently to the floor, his strong arms never faltering, while Hoss relit the candle. They both took in the sight of Little Joe’s tired, battered face, drifting down toward his arm and side; he was a bloody mess. “Joseph, hold on, you’re going to be all right boy!” Gently passing him over to Hoss, Pa stood up, taking his shirt off. Tearing off both sleeves, he bent down and wrapped one around his youngest’s forearm, using it as a tourniquet. Using the rest of his shirt, Pa placed it on top of Little Joe’s side wound, pressing down hard to stop the bleeding.

Hoss tried to distract his little brother, while Pa pulled off Little Joe’s shirt to inspect the damage further. Cradling him in his large arms, Hoss said, “What was that you said, Short Shanks? What took us so long? Well, let’s see! Between interrupting my good meal with you and older brother Adam’s belly moans and bellyaches, finding you missing, dealing with two angry cooks, diving into the sea, dodging sharks, pirates, epees and knives, I wouldn’t say it was a piece of cake!”

“Is that all!?” Little Joe said with a bit of sarcasm, as he shivered and winced out in pain, smearing his blood upon Pa’s shirt with his bloody two fingers.

“Hoss, I need more light! Help me get your brother into a room! There must be medical supplies around here somewhere on this God forsaken ship!”

“Right, Pa!” Lifting Little Joe up, Pa and Hoss both carried the boy back through the heart of the ship as they cradled his head.

Fading in and out of consciousness, Little Joe’s words began to babble, “Showed them all, Pa, me and my epee showed them pirates! All that time, all that practicing, finally paid off. Just wish older brother Adam would have been here to see it! Ha! New Orleans Monkey pick! Ha ha ha! Who is the monkey now, Adam!?”

“Settle down, Little Brother, you know Adam didn’t mean noth’n by what he said. We are mighty proud of you, Little Brother, you should know that by now!”

“Shh Joseph! You’ve nothing to prove to us!” Ben motioned his head, “Hoss! Over here!” Finding sickbay, Pa settled Little Joe down onto a wooden table, while Hoss lit the lantern overhead. Fishing through the cabinets, they came across a poor excuse for a medical bag, among some folded sheets. “Hoss! Out in the hallway, grab me that bottle of rum we stumbled upon, be quick about it!”

Minutes later Hoss was back inside the room with the jug of rum. Fear froze on his face as he witnessed the many young men held captive behind the iron barred door. Making a mental note, he would address it when the time was right. Hoss passed the rum over to his pa, watching as his pa took out another smaller kit from the doctor’s bag, which held needles and some sterile thread. Instinct told Ben that he would be needing these instruments. Blocking Little Joe’s view, Ben set the instruments inside a metal pan, pouring the rum over the contents, swirling it around. Satisfied that they were cleansed, Ben turned to his youngest with the rum, “Here, Joseph, take a good swallow for your pa! This will take away some of the pain you’re feeling.” Pa laid Little Joe down after he took in his fill, coughing as the warm liquor slowly went down.

“Awe! Get that stuff away from me, Pa! It sure has a bite to it! I don‘t want to be sick anymore!” Little Joe said groggily, as he shook his head back and forth.

Ben’s thoughts drifted, “Was he was making the right choice? Would his youngest son ever forgive him for what he must do? Would there be heavy scarring after the healing process? Should he wait? Take that chance and gamble with his son’s life? NO!” Once again blocking his son’s view, Ben snapped off a long piece of thread from the sterile ball. He could tell by the deep cut on his son’s arm, the sight of the loss of blood, he had to move fast to close the wounds. Taking a deep breath, Ben placed a needle between his fingers, threading it, knotting it at both ends, pouring yet another nip of rum over the needle and thread. The first step was done. Ben turned toward Little Joe again, “Here, Joseph, take another drink! I’ll need you to sit as still as possible for your pa here! You think you can do that for me?”

Little Joe smiled weakly, nodding his head. He was feeling the effects of the loss of blood among the rum as he gulped it down a lot smoother the second time. “Don’t worry about me none, Pa! Hiccup! You do what you have to do! I can take it!” Little Joe began feeling braver and braver as the captain’s rum entered his blood stream.

But he couldn‘t fool Pa. “This is going to sting a bit, son, hold on!” Ben pulled out a small piece of wood from the medical bag and told Little Joe to bite down upon it. Still holding up a tough front, Little Joe started to decline, but Pa was not taking no for an answer as he slid it inside Little Joe’s mouth, telling him to bite down. Seconds later, he very gently began swabbing the wounded area, cleansing the deep cuts, washing away the germs and dirt as he went from his forearm to his wounded side.

Little Joe had never in his life felt the pain he was feeling now as the rum seeped deep into his cut, burning throughout his young soul. Bracing himself up against the cot, Little Joe bit down so hard on the piece of wood, he thought he could taste the sap. Feeling himself going weaker by the second, taking his last breath, Little Joe finally passed out from the pain of it all, as Hoss held onto him tight. “I got him, Pa, you get it done now, ya here?”

This was the moment Ben was dreading, but yet waiting for, as he inspected the puncture wounds, noting the blood slowly oozing out of the deep cuts on his youngest son’s forearm and side. “Hoss, I’ve got to close these wounds! I’ve no other choice but to doctor Joseph myself. We’re too far out at sea and I’ve got to stabilize his bleeding! Quick, set the lantern down here, then rip large strips off of that bed sheet!” Pressing down on Little Joe’s side, Pa began the gut wrenching task of stitching Little Joe up. With each careful stitch, the ship seemed to shift and move roughly over the bulky, white capped waves, causing Ben’s nerves of steel to churn like butter.

Hoss swabbed the sweat off his Pa’s forehead, trying to aid in anyway he could. What seemed like forever only took forty five minutes, as Pa and Hoss finally got things under control. The blood started to clot and the bleeding finally subsided from the numerous stitches that held its place so tightly. Wiping his brow, Pa instructed Hoss to easily sit Little Joe up, while he pulled yet another object from out of the medical bag, dabbing his son’s side with the liniment ointment. Ben then wrapped the makeshift bandages around Little Joe’s thin waist. Splitting the end of the sheet in two with his teeth, Pa tied them tightly into a knot. His hands were shaky as they wandered up toward Little Joe’s forearm. Making a cloth splint, Ben readjusted his son’s arm, nestling it safely inside, tying the sheet around Little Joe’s neck into a comfortable knot to elevate his swollen arm. Ben’s hand moved up toward Little Joe’s forehead once all was settled, frowning at the warmth that had started.

Ben thoughts turned to prayer as he felt the heat coming from his son’s body, Take the heart from my very chest, take my very last breath, make this my last request! Please, anything! Just please, Lord, don’t take my boy.

Hoss broke into his pa’s thoughts as he said, “You done did good, Pa! Reckon Little Joe needed stitching up real bad and I sure as heck couldn’t have swallowed that task down!”

“Hoss, you would be surprised at what you would do in a time of crisis. Oh yes, you could, but, we’re not out of the woods yet! Stabilizing your brother was the first step, the fear of infection and dehydration is all too clear to me, Hoss. See if you can find your little brother here some nourishment and clean water to drink, there has got to be a kitchen around here somewhere.”

“Right, Pa!” Hoss took off into the heart of the ship in search of some nourishment for his little brother.

Looking out into the sea, Hop Sing took notice of the heavy storm cloud swelling as its belly began to fill with molecules and moisture, rumbling and rolling in a fast pace. He worried and fretted about his secondary family, thinking to himself, “The wind blows where it wants to, the rain falls where it will, everything on earth goes somewhere, but I swear I am standing still! No word, no nothing! Where are you Mr. Ben, Mr. Hoss, Little Joe!?” Turning his collar up from the whipping wind, Hop Sing pushed the teardrops from his square face. Pitter patting back home on the cobble stone way, Hop Sing carried a bundle tucked underneath his arm of herbal leaves and roots Ling Chow needed for two very sick men.

Ben could tell by the way the ship was rocking and tossing his sleeping boy about on the makeshift hammock that there was a storm brewing overhead. Ben held tightly to his son’s hand, soaking in the peacefulness of his sleeping face. Sadness fell upon Ben as he recalled the many stitches that were needed to save his boy. Five were needed to close up his forearm, though in time he knew they would heal and fade away. Then there were the three stitches just below his belt line. Although there were less, this still didn’t ease Ben’s mind within. In time, those too would heal and fade but the biggest question was would his son ever forgive him for making such a hasty choice, for scarring him for life? He was not a doctor, true, but over the years his wisdom of life’s deeds showed him the way. Another thought tugged at Ben’s heart, knowing he had to leave Joseph soon, if he was ever going to get a bearing on the ship and turn it around before the storm hit them even harder, throwing them off course. Time to Ben stood still as he waited for Hoss to return. Thinking to himself, “For goodness sake, Hoss, what’s taking you so long ?” Looking up, Pa got his answer as Hoss rounded the corner.

Winded and out of breath, Hoss walked through the doorway, passing over a bucket of clean water and a dipper to Pa as he chatted on, “Pa, I found some chicken stock in a small kitchen back there! I took the liberty of boiling some in a pan.” Passing the cup of broth over, Hoss said, “Here you go, Pa! That dang stove was a tyrant to light! Oh, and you won’t believe this, but back there are more men locked up in a cell, Pa! What do you suppose is going on around here?”

Propping Little Joe up, Ben pressed the warm tin cup of broth to his lips. Slowly, Little Joe reacted as he began to drink in the warm liquid till it was gone. Sinking back into the swinging bed, Little Joe fell back into a deep sleep. Dabbing the corner of a small piece of sheet into the water bucket, Pa wrung it out and began wiping Little Joe’s face in an attempt to bring down his low grade fever. “Hoss, I have a hunch that some of those men have been brought against their will, too, just like your younger brother here. This is all just another part of the captain’s shifty plan of shanghaiing!”

“Well then, Pa, what are we waiting for? I am gonna go let them out!”

“No, Hoss! Not just quite yet. No telling who these men are, if they’re among the crew, murderous, or what. We shall let the police handle this mess once we get back to San Francisco. I don’t want to endanger Joseph any more then he already has been. Once the law clears this matter up, then they can be released.”

“Speaking of such, what do we do with the captain and the others, Pa? I better go find them quick and fast, no telling what they are up to!”

Ben was still boiling, his blood felt like that of pure venom inside, ready to strike out at those who dared hurt his boy, to snatch him from under his eyes. He restrained himself from killing them all with his bare hands, but things were still nagging at him deep inside. Smiling to Hoss' question, Ben smiled and said to himself, “The Lord says an eye for an eye!” Turning to Hoss, Ben said, “Hoss, feed them to the sharks!"

Hoss looked on in puzzlement. "Huh, you want me to what, Pa?"

"Now, just think on it for a minute! What better place, other then the sea, would that be than inside the same cell as the others he has taken against their will or shanghaied?”

Laughing out loud, Hoss patted his Pa on the back and said, “Pa, now why didn’t I think of that?"

"Age and wisdom, Hoss, age and wisdom!"

It didn’t take Hoss long to round up the captain as he was still tied to the mast yanking at his restraints. “Here, let me help you with those bonds!” Hoss said with a smile as he lead him down the stairs toward the awaiting cell. “Hand over them keys, Captain! You won’t be needing them any more!”

“Wait a minute, what are you going to do with me!?” Panicked, the captain struggled under Hoss’ iron like grip.

“Oh, noth’n that you can’t handle, Cap! Same thing you done did to my little brother is fair punishment enough!” Hoss dragged the screaming captain by the collar of his overcoat, as he rounded the corner to the cell block of the shanghaied victims, yelling, “Stand back, the likes of you! I brought you a visitor!” Reaching out, Hoss turned the key inside the lock and shoved the captain inside, securing the lock once more. Hoss watched as the men devoured the captain into their crowd of punches and fists. “Now all I need to do is rustle me up the rest of those varmints, which shouldn’t be too hard!” Hoss thought to himself as he walked toward the sound of loud banging just ahead of him.

Blake was banging on the cell door that once held Little Joe. He had finally succeeded in getting Willy’s attention as he came to his senses from the nasty blow Hoss had lashed on him earlier that night, plummeting him down the stairs. “Get up, you idiot! Find a way of getting me out of here now!” Blake yelled at Willy.

“You looking for these, fellers?” Hoss held up the metal ring, shaking the keys as he grabbed onto Willy’s shirt, while he unlocked the door Blake was behind. Even the biggest of the men underestimated Hoss’ brute strength as Blake tried to barrel past Hoss with his big shoulders. With Willy in one hand, Hoss put Blake in a vice like grip under his other bulging arm, stopping him in his tracks! Hoss then walked the two toward the cell block, just down the corridor.

Hearing the scrambling of feet, Pa got up to check things out. Noting that Little Joe was still in a deep sleep, he felt it was safe to give Hoss a helping hand as he took in the scene before him. “Need any help son?” Without waiting for an answer, Ben took the keys and unlocked the cell door while Hoss pushed the two men in one by one, locking the door behind him once again as they, too, were devoured by their captors’ fists and punches.

Walking away, Hoss still couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for those men he had thrown to the so called sharks. Then he thought back to why this all started, why they were there. Rage took the place of sorrow. No, they owed his little brother that much! They surely would've gotten a worse beat'n from him.

Ben, too, found it hard to turn a deaf ear from their pleading and begging. Though he was a law abiding man, thoughts still flashed in his mind of his youngest son’s face, his injuries and what those shady men did to his boy. They got off easy, for now at least, Ben was restraining himself from throwing a punch or two and what scared him even more is that he knew he couldn't stop once he got a hold of their hides.

Hoss and Ben entered sickbay taking in the sight before them. Little Joe was sleeping soundly as the hammock seemed to rock him into a peaceful slumber. Just then a crackle of lightning and a round of thunder filled the sky as it seemed to rumble throughout the clipper. Ben knew this was the moment! He had to act fast before they were dragged further out to sea, lost forever! “Hoss, we have to turn this clipper around! Time's wasting!”

“Pa, you’re not serious? You can’t do this on your own, let me help you. It’s murderous up there!”

“No, Hoss, Little Joe needs you down here for the time being, more then I! No telling when he’ll wake up. I don’t need this stubborn young man trying to get up from this hammock, breaking open those stitches of his! Hoss, we can’t take that chance, he’s lost too much blood as it is! Don’t worry, son, I can still sail a vessel or two.”

“If you say so, Pa, but something else is biting at me. I never did come across that fiend with the machete, Pa! I have an awful feeling about this!"

"I know, son! This has been nagging at my mind, too. Just keep an eye out, we can't do anything about it until Little Joe wakes up and sheds more light onto the situation. Maybe, just maybe, one of them did fall into the sea."

"Let’s hope so, Pa! He was a very sick man! The thought of Little Joe being alone with him scared me something awful!"

"Hoss, just stay close to your brother! We shall pull out of this! Trust me!" Just then the clipper seemed to dip and bob like a cork in the big ocean as it bounced over a thunderous wave, sending the two big men tumbling backwards, alarming Ben all the more as he stood up and got his bearings. "Hoss, I've got to steady the wheel, this clipper, stay with your brother!" With that, Pa grabbed one of the lanterns hanging overhead, turned and ran down the corridor toward the staircase.

"Pa, just give me a shout if’n you need me! I will be up quicker then a flash of that there lightning!”

Ben grabbed one of the many rain slickers hanging off to the side of the stairwell. Once on, he walked up the stairs to the helm fighting off the harsh winds and rain that started to blow them off course. As if it was yesterday, all his skills of sailing flooded Ben’s memory from so long ago. Standing upon the helm, he took the spinning wheel and tried to steady it with one hand, pointing the compass into the battling weather with the other, reading his bearings. Fighting against the harsh winds and whipping rain wasn’t easy for Ben, but with his strong hands and will for survival he pushed on, turning the captain’s wheel around and around, steering the bow of the ship toward the Barbary Coast.

It wasn’t easy as the winds still seemed to fight against him, blowing harder as the splashes of salt water seemed to be lashing out at Ben for taking away their fun. Through all this Ben stayed steady and calm. In a way, the salt water refreshed his rugged face as he inhaled the scent, drifting off with memories from so long ago, that is until a thunder bolt of lightning etched across the dark sky, landing too close to home as it hit the tip of one of the tall masts, splitting it in two, sending a blaze of sparks and fire down below the deck.

Sitting upon a wooden stool so close to his little brother, Hoss’ thoughts began to wander as his larger hand drifted upon Little Joe's much smaller version, engulfing him with all his strength and will to survive. Watching Joe resting so peacefully in front of him, Hoss sighed and said, "Shortshanks, I know you can hear me, you don't have to answer, you’re just so plum tuckered out and all. Pa's gonna get us out of here, no need to fret none about that! Just concentrate on gathering up your strength. Hey, you ain't forgett’n about that hoe down you promised to take me to once we get back home now? Betsy Sue and CaryAnne are gonna be itch’n to scuff up that there barn floor once we get back. You just got to get better, Joe, you just got to!” All choked up, Hoss covered his eyes as the tears he tried to manly hold in, streaked down his chiseled face.

Little Joe's heart just about exploded from the affection and concern his older brother was shedding. His eyes he could not open for they felt like lead, his hand felt like an anvil as he tried to send a sign to Hoss. Thoughts flooded his mind, "I'm so tired, my hand feels so heavy, but I have got to try and move it!" Reaching his destination, Little Joe's hand finally brushed across his big brother's face, touching the warm tears, he spoke, "Hoss, I’m okay! Will take more then a stick in the side to get rid of me. Just need to sleep a bit, that's all!” His eyes grew heavy as they began to shut. Little Joe pushed out his last words in fear of not getting them out in time. “You be there for me when I wake up, k?"

"You got it, Shortshanks! Ain't nothing gonna take me away from your side! Sleep, Little Brother, sleep!”

Creeping through the darkness was a shadowy figure. As he felt the walls alongside the ship with his hands, Mac still couldn't see. His eyes were burnt beyond recognition from the hot candle wax! He stewed within as he vowed revenge upon Little Joe. Mac had become accustomed to the ship over the years, he had a clear map inside his head as he headed toward sickbay and the young lad. Thinking to himself, "He he, I can still see you with my eyes closed, but can you see me? Wake up, Laddy, I'm coming for you!”

The crackle of the lightning and the wooden mast splitting in two, shot Hoss to his feet in alarm, as he ran outside the corridor. Flames were licking up the side of the clipper now causing the smoke to roll through the hallway. Hoss coughed and gagged at the smoke as he turned back, torn between staying with his little brother or trying to put the fire out. He had no other choice if they were to survive, than to leave Little Joe and douse the fire with water before it was too late. Shutting the door behind him, Hoss took off in a mad dash.

Little Joe found it hard to breath as he fought for air. He couldn’t for the life of him get this heavy feeling from off of his face. Little did he know of the dangers around him from the fiery smoke, nor the menacing face that hovered over him.

Mac sneered as he pushed the pillow harder down over Little Joe’s face trying to snuff his young life out. He would’ve succeeded if it were not for the large figure looming behind him and the massive blow from his fist, which landed Mac dead as his neck hit the side of the table, snapping in two.

Hoss had no intentions of holding back his strength after he flung the pails of sea water down, sloshing them about. He witnessed this mad man hurting his little brother for the last time. Rushing to his side, Hoss bent down and gathered Little Joe up into his arms with a blanket, rushing out of the smoke filled room, he dashed down the corridor up the helm stairs into the stormy, fresh air. Both brothers gagged and coughed as the cool air filled their lungs.

Ben was torn between his sons and the bearing of the ship. He could see the coast line of San Francisco but they still had several miles to go. Yelling over the harsh wind and rain, Ben spoke, “Hoss! Joseph! You two all right?!“

Waving his hand, Hoss signaled of their well being as they continued to gulp in the fresh air.

“Hurry, bring Joseph over here, you’ve got to get this fire under control before we lose this clipper!” Scanning the area, Ben counted the life boats that were fastened to the sides of the clipper. They needed at least five if they were going to save them all down below deck too, if worst came to worst. This was going to be chaos not knowing who he could trust and who not to but Ben could not let them all perish no matter what they did. He would have to unlock the cell and let them out soon.

Hoss carried Little Joe over to his pa, lying him down into the corner of the helm, blocking him from the wind and rain as best he could. Hoss then turned and ran down the stairs of the helm back into the depths of the clipper, yelling behind him, “Pa, if’n I can’t stop this hell fire, I’ll ring the bell down below. You and Little Joe get out of here and be quick about it! Get into one of those lifeboats, I will catch up with you as soon as I set the rest of these men free.”

Before Ben could protest, Hoss vanished into the smoky air below deck. Ben loved all his sons, but right now it was his youngest that needed him the most as he laid there wounded, weakened from loss of blood. Hoss always seemed to prevail from even the worst of situations. Ben held onto this image strongly as he sent a silent prayer up above. Ben was snapped out of his deep thoughts, filled with regret as Little Joe moaned and tried to get up. “No, Joseph! Sit still!” Ripping off his rain slicker, Ben scooted down and helped a chattering Little Joe into it. “Here, put this on!”

The rain was dripping off his chattering chin as Little Joe looked into his pa’s eyes. “Paaa! W...w...want to go home now! Get..t Hossss! Pllleesseeeeeee!”

Hugging his son tight, Ben rubbed his shoulders, trying to get the circulation back into his body. “Shhh, Joseph, everything is under control, you just rest. Hoss will be back before you know it!” But his words were not to be true as he heard the distant sound of a bell clanging from side to side. His heart sank like a rock, knowing what was to come next. Little Joe was in no shape to be jostled around in a lifeboat, and there were no signs of this storm letting up. “Joe, I have to untie one of the lifeboats, son. It’s our only chance out of here. You just stay put, I’ll do all the work. Once I get the boat into position , I’ll come back for you! Don’t move, son! Do you hear me? Don’t move!”

“Paaaa! Please don’t go! Ssssscared! You need help!?”

“Shhh, Joseph, it’s all right, I’ve done this many times in the past. You just watch, your old man’s a pro!” Patting Little Joe on the back for reassurance, Ben pulled out his pocket knife and turned to the nearest lifeboat, cutting the boat loose from its covering restraints. Ben slowly maneuvered it over to the side of the clipper ship using the pulley it was attached to overhead. Securing its hold for the time being, Ben then ran over to his son, pulling him up very carefully with the bundle of blankets that were wrapped around him. Winking, Ben hid his worries and fears with a smile as he said, “See? It’s a piece of cake! Let’s take the next step further, okay!?“ Grabbing a water filled canteen that was dangling from a hook on one of the masts, Ben then put his plan into action, “Okay, Little Joe, this is very simple. You and I are going to step into this lifeboat and sit down. I’ll do all the work by lowering us down with the rope and pulley. It’s easier then it looks, trust me!”

Little Joe just nodded his head as he stepped into the boat and sat down. He was totally spent by now as the wind and rain beat down upon the slicker and his meek body.

This worried Ben as he eyed him over with concern. Inch by inch Ben began the slow journey down the side of the clipper ship.

The wind rocked the little lifeboat, trying its best to spill the two out, but Ben was stronger and wiser as he held onto the rope steadying the boat, while holding onto the side of the ship, as the storm whipped past them in a fury.

By the time the boat hit the choppy waters, Ben’s hands were bleeding from several rope burns and cuts, but it was of no concern to him. Looking over at Little Joe, his knuckles were pure white, clenched tightly onto the wooden seat, fear etching his face as the salt water splashed into the lifeboat.

Little Joe had never in his sixteen years of life been through or witnessed anything like this before and it haunted his mind in terror.

Ben knew Little Joe would go into shock if he didn’t do something to get his mind off of this nightmare. Thinking fast, Ben clutched his hand and yelled to his son, “Joseph, help me! Your Pa’s bleeding! I need your help, son!”

Little Joe looked up, his eyes that once filmed with a glassy look seemed to snap out of the fog like daze as he heard his pa’s deep voice, his cries for help. “Paaa!? You’re hurt! You’re bleeding!” Sliding over to aid his pa’s bleeding hands, Little Joe was unaware of how cleverly he was set up as he ripped apart a piece off of one of the blankets. Leaning over the side of the lifeboat, Little Joe soaked the piece of cloth into the now calming salt waters and applied it onto his pa’s hand, wrapping it tightly and tying it into a knot.

“Thank you, son! The sea water will indeed enhance in the healing, good thinking! I couldn’t have done this without you!” Bending over his son’s head of wet curly hair, Ben kissed the top of it, thankful that they had made it this far. Grabbing the oars tenderly with his hands, Ben began to row the lifeboat away from the clipper ship with a very protesting Little Joe.

“Pa, what’re you doing? What about Hoss? We can’t just leave him! Turn back! Please turn back!”

“I’ve no intentions of leaving Hoss, Joseph, just try and relax! I’m trying to get us a bit further out, we’ll wait for your brother there, okay? This storm seems to be finally blowing over, but the current is too strong here, son, if this clipper goes down it will surely take us, too!”

Ben felt helpless for he wanted so badly to be on that clipper ship aiding his middle son. He knew his place was here with Little Joe though as he rowed the boat further and further away.

Just then there were several loud explosions as barrels of gun power went off, causing them to sail through the air like cannon balls of fire.

Ben threw his bandaged hands over his son’s head, ducking him down from the debris that scattered throughout the sky, dying in a sizzling effect once hitting the chilling sea.

The clipper ship was now starting to lean onto its side, moaning and groaning in protest of the stress the sea water was causing inside.

Silently Ben said under his breath, “Come on, Hoss! Where are you, boy!?”

“Pa, I’m going back there, got to save Hoss!” Standing up, Little Joe fought to steady himself in the lifeboat. With one arm in a sling, it hampered his balance.

Ben had all he could do with holding his wayward son down, without hurting him the more. Little Joe seemed to have stored up adrenaline along the way. “Joseph, stop this nonsense at once! You’re going to tip us over, worst yet, pull a stitch! Hoss is a big boy, he can take care of himself, now sit!” Ben managed to pull his son into the seat. Glancing down at Little Joe’s bandaged side, it was now splotched in crimson red blood.

“But Pa!?.......... What if?.......... Just what if.....?”

Exasperated, Ben’s angry words slipped out while examining his son’s injured side, “Joseph, sometimes you try my patience! Just what do you think you can do, swim? You’re in no shape, son, with one arm in a sling! You’ll drown for sure! Let’s say you did find your big brother? Then what? He’s too big for you, son! Even if you were in tip top shape you still couldn’t pull this crazy stunt of yours off!” Pulling back the thick bandages that covered his sons midriff, Ben found the causes of the bleeding. Tending to them as best as he could, he continued to lecture his wayward son, “Joseph, your shenanigans just caused you to break open several stitches! What am I going to do with you !?”

With quivering lips, Little Joe couldn’t take it anymore as the tears swooped down his face. Pointing toward the clipper ship, he said, “Pa, Hoss has been in there too long, that smoke is gonna kill him! Pleaseeeeeeeee?!”

Ben’s heart began to melt from his son’s pleas. “Well, if anyone is going to go in there, it should be me!” Ben relished on the idea for just a split second, when all of a sudden saving the moment, came Hoss dashing out of the leaning smoke filled clipper, onto the deck. His arm appeared to be on fire as he waved it through the air trying to douse the flames. They watched in horror as Hoss dove off the clipper into the choppy waters below.

Following him were voices from below as they all came atop deck scrambling for their lives upon the leaning ship, coughing and gagging as they went.

Ben kept saying to himself, “Come on boy, swim! Come on, Hoss! Show yourself!”

Little Joe just held his breath, looking and waiting for his brother to appear. Almost a minute went by as both men began to fear the worst. Little Joe stood up and was about to jump overboard again from the panic of it all.

Pa got up to stop him once more. Struggling back and forth, the two were unaware of the large hand that grabbed onto the side of the lifeboat, pulling himself up out of the salt water.

“You two gonna knock heads all morning, help me, or what?!” Hoss said, with a big tooth grin on his dripping wet face.

“Hoss! You’re alive!” Little Joe grabbed onto his big brother’s thick neck and squeezed it with all his might.

Ben looked up at his youngest son, still exasperated from his crazy stunts. Turning to Hoss, he helped him into the lifeboat. Ben noticed his arm was burnt slightly, “Hoss! You all right, boy!?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Pa! Didn’t need all that hair on my arm anyhow. Just plain lucky I guess!” Noticing his pa’s bandaged hands, Hoss commented, “Here, let me take them oars, you’re hurt too, Pa. Just sit back with little brother there and keep him warm.” Pointing out toward the clipper, Hoss continued, “Looks like that ship is about to go under, don’t want to be around here when it does.” Hoss put his back into the oars as he rowed his family away from the current of the sinking clipper ship.

Ben and his boys watched as the rest of the crew scattered about the clipper ship, some falling to their deaths into the sea below, while others toted down the lifeboats and dove into them in the nick of time.

“Pa, they’re getting away!” Little Joe was filled with grief and emotions from the ordeal the captain and his shifty crew had put him through.

Ben wrapped his arms gently around his son, “Joseph, as God is my witness, those men will pay for what they did to you, as well as the others in the past. You just leave the rest up to me, okay? Now close your eyes, we’ll be on solid ground before you know it.”

Little Joe was totally spent from the whole ordeal, his body had taken its last toll as he trembled under his father’s embrace. From time to time, his stomach would still protest, fighting off the poison deep within, making him nauseous as the little lifeboat soared over the salty waves. Trying to get his mind off the sickness, Little Joe slumped into his pa’s warm body, smelling his crisp scent of bay rum and tobacco, which finally relaxed him into a slumber.

Ben was relieved as he felt the weight of his boy’s body finally giving in to his needs, pressing up against him, for just then the clipper ship took one last look at the world above, before taking a nose dive, breaking in two toward the bottom of the sea forever.

Several men went under with the clipper as they were sucked down by the current of the wreck.

Debris and bubbles popped up to the surface as Hoss rowed faster and faster, somberly in thought. Piping up, he said to his pa, “Some men got out, others didn’t! It’s a dang shame I couldn’t save them all! Reck’n that was the price they paid for having chosen a life of crime at sea, huh, Pa?”

Ben nodded a yes toward Hoss, “Suppose so, son. This was the path they chose. This day was bound to come, no one prevails of their wrong doing of racketeering and pirating, son. Some people choose the right paths, while other ones choose just this! We can’t worry about those in the lifeboat either, son. My main concerns are you two.” Placing a single finger upon his mouth, Ben silenced his older son with a “Shhh!” as he looked down toward his youngest.

Hoss rowed for hours and his biceps were starting to get the better of him, cramping up into knots, but he wouldn’t give in as he flexed them, nor admit to this.

Pa picked up on the signs all too well and protested that they switch places for awhile, but Hoss noted that Little Joe’s side wound was still bleeding and knew Pa’s place right now should be with his little brother. Stopping for a split minute, Hoss let the lifeboat drift a bit, “I’m fine, Pa! No need to fret! Just need a drink that’s all, to sort of wet my whistle.” Hoss had one thing pending on his mind and that was getting his little brother to shore and to a doctor as he corked the canteen and continued on rowing in a system like motion.

The heavy rowing was finally starting to pay off, their lifeboat was just off the shoreline now as it bobbed and rolled over the incoming surf toward the sandy beach.

The sun was high noon, resting over their heads now, roasting them like ducks, splitting their dry lips.

Ben had wrapped the blankets over Little Joe to not only ward off the cold but to prevent the harmful rays from the beating sun. Tipping the canteen into his youngest son’s mouth, Ben fed small sips of water in regular intervals, letting him drink his fill, wetting his parched lips.

Little Joe was in a feverish state now as he tossed his head back and forth between his pa’s aiding arms. Pa drifted in thought, “Just a little ways further, Joseph! Hang on for your pa!” Ben looked up to meet Hoss’ voice as he passed the canteen over to him next, smiling, mighty proud of him, knowing Hoss must have worked up an appetite by now from all that rowing. No, he must be starving , but not once had he complained of their situation.

“Thanks, Pa! Seem to have that tumbleweed stuck in my mouth again! I reck’n I can touch the bottom. Now’s as good a time as any to jump out of this here canoe and test it out! You hang on real tight to Little Joe! Will get us on dry land before you know it!” Passing the canteen back over to Pa, Hoss jumped out of the lifeboat and swam behind it, noting that his little brother was still drifting off in his father’s arms in a feverish fit. Getting his footing, Hoss pushed the boat into shore, riding the huge waves, he began swimming and kicking with his feet, braving the large sea capped waves testing Hoss of his ability, trying to tip them over. Finally the little lifeboat reached the sandy beaches of San Francisco.

Pulling the lifeboat out of the roaring surf onto the dry land, Hoss grabbed his pa’s hand, helping him out of the lifeboat. “Here, Pa, let me grab Little Joe!”

“No, Hoss, you’ve done enough, I’ll take Joseph from here, it’s just a short ways from the pier. I can see the docks from here!” Ben bent down, retrieving the canteen, uncorking it, shaking his youngest awake, Ben helped him sit up and take a drink of the tepid canteen water. “Here, son, just sip it for now, don’t want you getting your stomach sick again!”

Shaking his thoughts, Little Joe looked up at his pa and said, “Awe, don’t want no more water, Pa! My stomach is still killing me!” Little Joe still felt like his stomach was on fire as he tried to gather himself. Just then his eyes came into view of the sandy beaches around him and the sound of the sieging surf. Excitement filled his hopes as he yelled, “Pa! Hoss! We made it! We’re alive! Yippee!.......... Owe!” This was not a smart move for Little Joe as he moaned from the sharp, pulling pain of the stitches holding his injury in place.

“Joseph, settle down, son, you’re still bleeding from those loose stitches!” Adjusting Little Joe’s bandaged side, Ben sighed with relief that he hadn’t opened up another stitch, readjusted the bandages again, tying it securely into a knot. Once Pa was satisfied things were under control, he then addressed Little Joe to wrap his arms around his neck. Bending down with little effort, Pa lifted his son into his broad arms.

Little Joe knew better than to say a single word. His pa was right, he was in no shape to walk and he could tell his pa was in no mood to listen to his protest at this point in time.

Ben turned to Hoss and motioned for him to head down the beach toward the piers way off in the distance.

Little Joe laid his head upon his pa’s strong shoulder. Between the warm sun gleaming down on him, his weakened state, and the salt air, it didn’t take long before Little Joe was soon fast sleep again.

Many miles had passed as Hoss followed single file behind his pa and little brother, willing to catch their falter if needed. His bigger footsteps engulfed those of his father’s barefoot impressions left behind him in the wet sand. Several times Hoss offered to take over carrying his little brother, but Pa wouldn’t hear of it, he was fit as a fiddle and showed no signs of giving in, even though his bare back was badly sun burned now and his feet wore many cuts and blisters from the sharp stones and shells embedded in the sand.

Hoss knew right then and there where he got his great strength from as he shook his head, holding it high with pride.

Kneeling into the hot sand an hour later, Ben deposited his wounded son gently down. He carefully picked this spot, for it seemed to be shaded by a big barnacled rock laced with fresh kelp. Wiping his forehead, Ben frowned that they still had a ways to go. The walk toward the pier was longer then he had anticipated as the tide was starting to go out. Spreading out the blankets, Pa turned to his middle son. “Hoss, we’ll rest here for a spell. I want to check your brother’s injuries. Do me a favor and wet’n this strip of blanket with salt water for me. The Lord has provided us with many tools along the way. The salt water will fight off any infections Joseph still might have, plus aid in the healing process.”

“Seems right to me, Pa!” Hoss turned and walked away into the distance as his big shadow of a figure, for just a split second, seemed to give them more relief, shading them from the blazing sun over head.

Down by the seashore, Hop Sing and May Ying were gathering kelp the high tide had provided for them. Pausing for a moment, Hop Sing squinted his sharp Chinese eyes, looking off into the distant shore line, hoping to see any signs of the Viking’s Voyage as he had done so many times before. It had been twenty four hours since his secondary family set aloft for Little Joe. His heart ached with worry as he continued on with his job. Just then he spotted something that was not there earlier that day; something was familiar about the form on the sandy beach. Dropping his bundle of kelp, Hop Sing’s mouth popped open, he couldn’t speak or believe his eyes, instead he just flailed his arms, jumping about.

“What is it, Hop Sing? What you see!?” May Ying yanked on his shirt sleeve, pleading for an answer.

“I think it’s Mr. Ben!” Grabbing May Ying’s hand, Hop Sing took off running with her into the deep sand.

Several times May Ying tripped and fell, only to be pulled up by Hop Sing’s strong advantages as they kept running toward the three figures upon the beach. Hop Sing cupped his mouth and yelled, “Mr. Ben, can you hear me? Mr. Ben, it’s Hop Sing, you o’ clay?!”

Little Joe’s head was moving from side to side in a feverish sleep as he heard the oh so familiar calming voice of their family cook, Hop Sing, breaking into his sleepiness. Little Joe found it hard to move as he tried to sit up, he was so tired and filled with emotions. The only thing he could do was mutter in a cracked, hoarse voice, his lips stuck together as he spoke, “Hop Sing! Over here!”

Ben had busied himself making a shelter provided by several large pieces of drift wood. He finagled them up right, digging them deeply into the sand, draping the rest of the blankets over the top making a lean-to, which for the time being, blocked the beating rays of the sun. Ben’s back was against Little Joe’s, facing the roaring surf, which hampered any sounds from a frantic cook yelling off in the distance. Puzzled, looking down at Little Joe, Ben kept hearing the repeated words of his son, “Hop Sing, Hop Sing, over here!” This bothered Ben as he thought, “How my son must be delusional by now, in pain, or maybe sunstroke was setting in?” Kneeling down onto the sandy blanket, Ben tried to hush his son, “Shhh, Joseph! Hop Sing’s not here, son! It’s your pa, remember!? Hoss will be back soon, you just rest!” Ben gently laid his son back down into the warm sand and covered him up. Uncorking the canteen, he poured some water into his hands and wetted his son’s face and lips.

“No, Hop Sing, Hop Sing! He’s here, Pa!” Frantically, Little Joe tried to explain, tried to pull the words that seemed to tangle around his tongue. Thinking to himself, “Why won’t pa listen?”

Walking through the foaming surf, Hoss approached his pa and little brother. “Here, Pa, I right soaked it real good for you.” Hoss’ words stopped in his tracks from the sight that was approaching. Pointing behind his pa, Hoss yelled, “Hop Sing! Over Here!”

Thinking his sons both had a touch of sunstroke, Ben looked up from aiding Little Joe. There, off in the distance, were Hop Sing and May Ying running toward them.

Hoss bent down and threw a handful of sand into the air. “Yahooo! We’re saved, Pa! Good old Hop Sing!”

By the time the Chinese couple had reached his secondary family, they were panting and out of breath. Sitting down upon the barnacled rock, Hop Sing and May Ying gathered themselves. Looking on in worry toward the young man lying underneath the tent, Hop Sing dove to his knees and said, “Little Joe in trouble?” Not waiting for an answer, Hop Sing scooted closer for a look. “Mr. Ben, please allow me!”

Ben hesitated as he stepped aside for Hop Sing, but not because he didn’t trust the Oriental man. He had saved his boy’s life many times in the past. No, Ben had been with his son throughout this ordeal and he just felt it hard to take a back seat now. Knowing this was a matter of life and death, Ben didn’t argue the moment as he watched Hop Sing take over. He had done all he could and was relieved to see Hop Sing.

Speaking in his native tongue, Hop Sing ordered May Ying to pull off the long strips of rubbery kelp that were fastened to the large barnacled rock behind her.

Having a hard time of it, Hoss came over and assisted her with no effort at all as he yanked the strands of kelp off of the ocean aged rock. Hoss wondered what they were doing but knew better then to question Hop Sing and his medicine.

Aiding with Little Joe’s shirt, Ben and Hop Sing both finagled it off and discarded it. Hop Sing then unraveled Little Joe’s crimson dressing, making Little Joe moan in protest, while Hop Sing’s deep brown eyes penetrated the young man’s naked forearm and abdomen, noting the many stitches now laced with infection. He then sent another round of native language out, flailing his arms once more.

Turning, May Ying grabbed her wicker lined basket and dashed off toward the rocky surf.

Ben and Hoss looked on, quizzical of it all.

Moments later, May Ying was back with her basket full of salt water and what looked like a sponge, a sea sponge. She knelt down next to Hop Sing in the warm sand, passing her basket over.

Hop Sing dug down deep into the basket retrieving the fibrous skeleton into his hands, squeezing the salt water throughout its pores. Gently Hop Sing began to cleanse Little Joe’s wounds, absorbing the germs, dirt and the dried blood that he could with the aid of the sponge and the salt water. Nodding to May Ying, she took the next step by passing a large strip of rubbery kelp over to him. Hop Sing then continued by pulling off several of the capsule like fluid which hung from the kelp. Breaking them open, he leaned over Little Joe and smeared the aiding sticky fluid into his wounds. Noting his boss’ worried face, Hop Sing stated, “Velly good medicine, velly good! You wait, you will see!”

Ever so gently, Hop Sing doctored the young man from the knowledge his family and their ancestors had handed down to them in the past. Washing his hands off in the wicker basket, Hop Sing then began wrapping Little Joe’s arm and side with the large rubbery kelp. It stuck to the boy’s feverish body like a suction cup, with little effort. Next, Hop Sing stood up. Taking off his laundered white shirt, ripping it in half, he began folding it into a thick bandage. With the help of Ben, who lifted his son up, Hop Sing wrapped his makeshift bandage around Little Joe’s waist, tying it into a knot. After aiding his forearm in the same manner, Hop Sing sat back on his haunches, placing the cool sponge upon Little Joe’s forehead, he said, “Boy still fighting fever. Think we should no move him tonight, Mr. Ben! He needs to eat and gather strength! Hop Sing go fishing, catch us some fish. Sea plenty full of haddock for Little Joe. Good to eat fish!”

“As much as I would like to get Joseph to a doctor, I have to agree with you, Hop Sing. He seems to be stable and something to eat right now would do this young man some good!”

“Right, I’ll make a fire, Pa! Did you say haddock, Hop Sing? I haven’t eat’n in a whole day’s work! Am mighty powerful hungry!”

“Hop Sing?” Ben commented. “For once, Hoss here is not exaggerating. You think you can pull this off?”

“Yes Sir, Mr. Cartwright! Hop Sing bring May Ying, we catch a basket full, he he he! Have many tricks up my sleeve.” With that, May Ying and Hop Sing took off toward the surging surf.

The crackling scent of the salted drift wood’s smoke rose up from the campfire into the large cavity of the beast like haddock smoking its insides through and through as Hop Sing basted it with its own juices, while it rested on a sizzling, flat, weathered rock.

Later on, May Ying had busied herself selecting large seashells by the sea shore which would stand in as plates for their hearty feast. Washing the sand off them into the salt water surf, she let them air dry as she walked back to the lean-to.

Turning about in a feverish fit, Little Joe’s body still tried its best to fight off the poisons deep within. The warm sand underneath his body, plus his injuries, caused him to fall into a deep slumber. The only thing that Ben could do was make his boy as comfortable as possible as he leaned over Little Joe still feeding him intervenes of water from the now almost empty canteen. After setting the canteen down into the sand drift, Ben tried his best to reposition the blanket gently back over his shivering boy’s body, bathing his forehead with the cool fibrous skeleton. Ben knew trying to get his boy to eat would be a heavy task as he watched Hop Sing prepare the fish into the make shift dishes, thinking to himself fish was probably one of the last things on Little Joe’s list that he wanted to eat right about now, but it provided all the nourishment Joseph would be needing to gather his strength for the long trek ahead.

Leaning over the sand bar, Hoss passed over a plate of haddock to Pa, “Here you go, Pa! Reck’n you better be the first one eat’n seeing as you’ll be tackling Little Brother down here soon.” Hoss knew his pa all too well and that all his sons came before him, but he needed more ammunition then that to persuade his pa and decided to feed Hop Sing into his conversation as he extended out his hand for another plate of haddock, “Ain’t that right, Hop Sing?”

“What? Ha? Oh ya! Wright! You eat, Mista Cartwright! No do Little Joe good if you too weak and stubborn! Chow! Chow!”

Throwing off an exasperated look, Ben wrestled with his thoughts. He knew they were right but his parenting and instincts took over just the same. Ben accepted the fish with a sly grin upon his face, eating a few bites to satisfy both his hunger and those around him, breaking it up into small pieces for Little Joe as he went. Watching the concerned faces around him as they too dug into their dish, Pa piped up, “There, I ate some of it, see? Well, you didn’t think I was really going to sit here and eat the whole thing, now did you?” Pa set the food down and proceeded in waking his youngest son up as he gently coaxed Little Joe with his deep, yet soft voice, “Joseph! Sit up for your pa here. I need you to eat, just a few bites now, come on, son.” Ben whisped his hand across Little Joe’s forehead, pushing his wet curls away from his eyes as he tried again to shake him out of his deep slumber.

Finally Little Joe’s eyes started to flicker and adjust to the setting sky around him as they focused on the crackling fire that threw spits of sparks out into the almost star lit sky. “Oh Pa, why’d you wake me up for? I ache all over. I’m not hungry, please take it away!?”

Hoss shook his head in awe, deep down he knew he could never get the better of his pa, as he chuckled at the way Pa had planned all along to feed his little brother first. He said to himself, Well if’n you can’t beat them, why the heck not join them! Piping up, Hoss said, “Here Pa, let me help you!” Hoss scooted over next to Little Joe’s head and with his massive hands pushed a pile of sand into a shape of a reclined pillow up under the boy’s head and shoulders, patting the sandy pile down firmly with the palm of his hands.

Pa just shook his head, Hoss never cease to amaze him. Turning his attention on his little brother, Hoss very carefully pulled him up into a sitting position while Pa looked on in worry, chiming, “Easy, Hoss, watch those stitches! That’s it, I’ll take over from here!”

Sitting down next to his boy, Ben wasn’t taking no for an answer. “Joseph, we can do this the easy way as you recall, or the hard way! You decide!”

Remembering many lessons from the past, Little Joe was in no mood to take his pa on. These lessons always taught him who the prevailer was and it was not him. All he wanted to do was sleep and the only way around that would be to take what Pa had to offer. He looked into his pa’s stern eyes, “Fine, I’ll eat it!”

Accepting the plate in a rude manner, Little Joe ate the fish with his fingers in displeasure, letting his eyes tell it all as the sparks of green flashed back at his pa in anger.

“Oh, come on now, Joseph! It’s not half bad, Hop Sing did a grand job! You do want to walk out of here in the morning on your own two feet, don’t you? Or would you rather Hoss or myself carry you into the crowed city come morning?”

With that remark, Little Joe changed his facial expression and his whole outlook on the subject. Within seconds, he had finished off all but a few pieces of fish as his eyes grew heavy. He had to admit, it did make him feel a whole lot better. As he was helped back down into a sleeping position, he thought to himself, Well it does help if the fish is cooked, older brother Adam!

“Goodnight, Joseph!”

“Night Pa, Hoss!”

“Sleep well, Shortshanks, we’ll see you in the morning!”

After all was said, Little Joe was fast asleep before Ben tucked him in with the only blanket that was provided. The crackling fire and the heat that it threw off would provide plenty of warmth throughout the night for the rest around the camp.

Hop Sing didn’t seem to mind, this would be a good excuse to snuggle up with May Ying without her getting the wrong idea. A wide grin formed upon Hop Sing’s face, just as May Ying questioned his thoughts, catching him with his tongue tied.

Ben laid next to Little Joe on his left, while Hoss took the first watch, just in case any shady wet pirates made their way onto shore that night.

The incoming tide awakened Ben hours later as he began to unfasten the lean-to. He had other plans for it now as he doused out the amber coals with the sweep of his bare foot.

Rising, Hoss stood and stretched his large frame toward the morning sky. “What’s going on, Pa? What are you doing?”

“Making a stretcher for your brother, son. Here, hand me those two pieces of drift wood, will ya? We can fasten them with strips off that blanket, it’s plenty big enough.”

“Sure Pa, but I thought you said Little Joe could walk if’n he ate that haddock last night?”

“Well ............ you know as well as I do that your younger brother there wouldn’t make it ten feet past those sand banks before he took a nose dive. You saw what a hard time Hop Sing and May Ying had. They are too wide and deep and Joseph is in no condition to walk that alone, plus I’ll not have him pulling any more stitches then he already has! He’s too weakened by the loss of blood already. Now come on, let’s get busy. Before long, either the tide or the sun will catch up with us!”

“Right, Pa!” Hoss and Pa went to work fastening the stretcher together, while Hop Sing and May Ying gathered and cleaned up what they could from last night’s left over meal, feeding the bones and shells to the seagulls off in the distance.

“Okay, on the count of three we’ll pick Joseph up, ready? One, two, three!” Both Ben and Hoss lifted Little Joe up with little effort and onto the make shift stretcher without him batting an eyelid. The poison seemed to have Little Joe in a deep sleep as his eye lids rolled back and forth, still fighting off the pain.

May Ying read Ben’s mind as she handed him her straw hat to put over Little Joe’s face to block off the warding sun.

Chuckling, May Ying said, “Looks velly pretty! You wright, Mista Hoss! Little Brother does look as pretty as a girl.”

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh at her comment as they took in the moment for a split second, while May Ying continued, “Good thing Little Joe no wake! For I would be bitten by porcupine, yes!?”

Smiling, Ben said, “I’m afraid you’re right, May Ying, but before anyone gets bitten by any porcupines let’s get this young man home first, okay?” With that, they trudged their way across the sand banks being careful not to jolt the boy any more then they possibly had to. Ben looked back for a split second as he watched the tide surge in over the big barnacled rock and the very spot they just laid on not too long ago, washing all of their traces away forever.

The city folks seemed to come alive as they crowded around the stretcher at the height of the day. Several times Hoss had to push them away in fear of them hurting his little brother the more. “Back off fellers, I’m warning you, let us through, dad gum it or you’ll be eat’n my fist!” Hoss yelled at the top of his lungs in exasperation, making the crowd of onlookers back off as they made their way down the lantern lit pier.

Hop Sing could see the worried look on Ben’s face and knew things were getting out of control. Keeping their privacy, he yelled out in his native tongue to Kim Lee, cousin number eight, who came running to his aid, dropping his buckets of fish off to the side. “Go get police, need city doctor, too. Tell him to come quickly. Little Joe have deep cuts, lost a lot of blood. We will be waiting at fifth cousin’s house, hurry, hurry!”

Throughout his ordeal, Little Joe not once awakened. This worried Ben, so as he had several times already, he reassured himself by brushing his hand across his son’s neck to find a steady pulse of life. It was still there.

As they proceeded down the broadway, Ben noticed something out of the ordinary as he elbowed Hoss to look his way. “Hoss, take a gander at that. Tell me what you see.”

Hoss read the boarded crisscross sign out loud, “Closed down, Under Investigation ‘via’ City Police. Pa, I can’t believe my eyes, it’s the “Mariner’s Reef.” It’s all boarded up and all! What do you make of it, Pa?”

“Seems to me your older brother Adam is up and about, with a LARGE conscience as well.”

“Well, I’ll be darn! Older brother Adam did all this? Them smarts in his head sure do polish off that pound’n he was gonna get from me later on, dad gum it!”

Frazzled looking, Ben chimed, “Oh, come on now, Hoss! Mus’n we fight amongst ourselves, too? Isn’t there enough of that already going around, for us to add to it?” Ben didn’t need an answer from Hoss. Deep down he knew. Hoss was as gentle as a lamb but threw himself off as mean as a grizzly bear guarding her baby cub when it came to anyone harming his little brother, kin or not, but blood was thicker than water as Ben witnessed Hoss’ face change with the reality of the actions Adam had taken in their absence.

“You’re right, Pa, I’ll make amends when we get back to Hop Ling’s place. Let’s get moving, Little Brother here is starting to weigh a ton.” Looking up at Pa, they both chuckled at the comment.

“Quickly come in and shut the door!” Hop Ling flailed his arms about in the same general manner that his cousin did when excitement entered his bloodstream. “Put Little Jow down on the settee! I bring tonic.”

“Ha?!” Hoss looked on in a quizzical state once again. Chinese people always seemed to baffle him from their way of tongue and language. He scooped Little Joe out of the stretcher and into his massive arms, walked over to the settee and Hoss laid him down once more.

Ben sat next to Joe, aiding Hop Sing in unraveling his boy’s heavy dressing. Ben’s trust for the Chinese couple was that deep as he tried to clarify the moment to Hoss. “Hoss, what I think Hop Ling was trying to say is that he has some sort of medicine that promotes physical well being.”

Pitter patting from around the beaded doorway, Hop Ling said, “Wright Mista Ben! Hop Ling been working on the most feverish Adam for two days using ginger roots and seaweed juices on him. Within no time, his color came back and he complained no more of sickness within. Will make young boy here feel better soon, you shall see! Sit him up. No taste velly good but in trade will work its wonders. Then we focus on his wounds, no?”

Hop Sing had tended to this young’n many times and knew they had a battle on their hands. Shaking his head, he said to Hop Ling, “Not going to be easy getting boy to swallow tonic, cousin! He is velly, velly stubborn! Seems to run in the family!”

Ben threw off a scowl toward Hop Sing as he spoke up, “Here, Hop Ling, hand me that tonic and spoon. What this young’n don’t know won’t hurt him.” With that, Ben filled the tablespoon with tonic, motioning to Hoss who lifted his little brother up from behind. Ben slipped the spoonful into Little Joe’s mouth. The nasty smelling, green, sticky taste brought Little Joe’s tongue to life as he swallowed it hard, causing him to gag at it all the way down his throat. Tossing his head back and forth, Little Joe pushed the spoon away, wide awake by now. “What is that awful, smelly, taste, ew!?” Looking around the room, Little Joe then realized he was no longer on the beach. Embarrassment and anger filled his soul as he shouted, “Where am I, Pa!? How did I get here? You promised me! You promised me I could come in on my own two feet last night! Why, Pa, why?” Little Joe started to hyperventilate which, in turn, caused a tingling sensation to cover his face. His body erupted in goose bumps and his skin, still showing the pallor of illness, became cold and clammy.

“Relax now, Joseph! Take slow deep breaths and I shall explain, but not until you’ve calmed down! You’re getting way too upset over this!”

Exasperated, Ben yelled to Hop Ling, “Quickly, may I please have a paper bag!?”

Moments later, Pa was instructing his youngest to breathe slowly, deeply into the brown paper bag so he could level out the abnormal loss of carbon dioxide back into his blood stream. In a rhythm like manner, Pa kept coaching Little Joe, “There, keep breathing! Nice and slow! Now you know as well as I that you’re in no shape, nor form, to get up on your own two feet and walk across that beach without faltering. I couldn’t and wouldn’t risk the chance of you injuring yourself the more, or worse yet, losing you, just so you could save face or your pride. Sorry, son, but you’re far more valuable to me than such foolishness!”

Little Joe knew his pa’s wise judgments were always the right path to take and there was no need to further argue the subject as he settled back down into the soft Chinese symbolic pillows propped up on the settee, crossing his good arm over his sling in defeat.

Just then, there was a knock on the door as Kim Lee popped his head around the opening, bowing to enter. “Honorable cousin number five, Doctor Walperts is here to see Little Jow. May we step in?”

Hop Ling nodded his head for them to proceed. “If he wishes, but everything’s under control now. Young man has taken Hop Ling’s tonic, he recover in no time, you shall see.”

Doctor Walperts didn’t believe in such Chinese nonsense. He followed the rule of old school learning and he went right by the books. He didn’t take kindly to portal ‘medicine man’s myths’. He threw himself off as being quite snuff and rude, pushing his way toward the settee with his medical bag to where Little Joe laid resting on his back. Doctor Walperts was a tall thin man wearing a full white beard, black suit and top hat. He looked mighty impressionable to Little Joe, but all the less to his pa. Extending his hand out, the doctor met Ben’s in a rushed handshake. Looking through his spectacles, the doctor said, “Now what seems to be the problem, Mr. Cartwright, is it? I’m a very busy man. Time’s a wasting! Kim Lee informed me that your son has had some sort of food poisoning, among lacerations, correct me if I’m wrong?” Pulling out from his silk lined vest a pocket watch, he checked the time, letting out a heavy sigh while waiting for a reply.

Ben felt outraged by the doctor’s rushed manners and if it were not for Little Joe’s condition, he would have told him to high tail it out of there and not to waste their time. Maybe he was over reacting? Snuffing his thoughts for the time being, Ben was always the better man as he proceeded in filling Dr. Walperts in on Joseph’s condition, explaining the dilemma at the Mariner’s Reef, the food poisoning and abduction, which he well intended to address once his boy was stable and well. Among such led to the dire need of stitches from Little Joe’s ordeal from the loss of blood, with no other choice, Ben explained how he himself had to doctor his boy to save his life. “Well, Mother Nature has given us many aids along the way, Dr. Walperts, such as salt water. It’s a great healer. Which was just among the many tools that I used to aid my boy. It’s up to us to take advantage of it, see beyond our own medical books or terminology some are so use to. Something that the Chinese people have been using for decades. Something very simple, yet not all can see, with prejudice in their eyes. The Chinese people practice such as that by helping me dress my boy with none other than kelp, Doctor Walperts. I guess you could say it’s Mother Nature’s way of providing relief right here down by the ocean side. She tries to pick up the pieces, to make it whole again, to preserve life. She’s always working for survival, not destruction. With the same retrospect as the aloe vera plant Mother Nature planted deep in the desert. That, too, provides aid, as you know, I’m sure? Hop Ling’s Tonic is based on these items, plus herbal ginger roots. You might benefit from this if you opened your mind, not everything you shall find is in a text book!”

Doctor Walperts answered with an ‘Aha’ and an ‘Ahum’, not really paying any attention to Ben’s message between the lines, as he inspected Little Joe’s incisions, seeing with cold eyes and not from his heart where a good doctor like Doctor Paul Martin would. Clearing his throat, he spoke, “After a full examination, I’ve concluded that there will be no need for further assistance in reference to the forearm and side. The stitching was done fairly well and I’m not going to bother myself with redoing this persuader, for the incisions have already started to heal, although I would’ve preferred you leaving that up to those who are more qualified! You may have caused this boy a scar or two, something that I would’ve prevented. Taking into consideration your dilemma, I won’t bring this to the authorities’ attention. Practicing without a license, Mr. Cartwright, is against the law here.”

Pa at that point had to hold back Hoss, as he applied all his mustered up strength with both hands upon his shoulders, preventing Hoss from taking a step forward. Showing his displeasure, Hoss said, “This doctor is as rude as a toad!”

Dr. Walperts was too wrapped up in getting a quick diagnosis to pick up on the tension behind him as he reached into his black bag. “Now here is some liniment! Continue to apply it to the boy’s injuries and dress it well for the next week. That, along with some sugared water to build up this young man’s blood count and a lot of rest, should do him quite fine. The poisoning will just have to run its course. He shouldn’t be in too much pain by now. No cure for the time being.” Closing his bag, the doctor turned once again, scanning his watch for the time, unaware of the steaming attitudes around him.

Ben couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He was outraged and had finally lost his temper. Watching his youngest son’s face turn three shades of white in shock at what he had seen and heard, sent Ben reeling. Spinning the doctor around, Ben walked him out the front door and slammed it behind him. This was not going to be a pretty sight and he had no intention of letting his sons witness this. Ben’s voice threw off an earthquake effect that left San Francisco quaking, “YOU! You call yourself a doctor! DO you really think my boy in there, who has just been poisoned, stabbed, suffering from loss of blood, in fear of his own well being, needs to hear from an incompetent, unprofessional doctor like YOU, who’s too wrapped up in the time, that there is nothing more YOU can do?! That his pa has scarred him for maybe LIFE! HOW dare you! You call yourself a doctor! Well, let me tell you something! These Chinese people have more tact than you! They don’t need a medical book to solve their problems. Believe me when I say this! I’ll be bringing this whole matter to the authorities’ attention for YOU! Count on it! I don’t take kindly to threats, Mr. Walperts! And I’m beginning to think this whole city is in cahoots with each other!”

Doctor Walperts placed his top hat upon his head, taking a hasty retreat, he said, “Good day to you, Mr. Cartwright! If you need further assistance you know where to find me!”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Doctor Walperts! You’ll be hearing from me, but it won’t be for your services!” Turning, Ben walked back into the little cottage, slamming the door once again. Walking over to his boy, who was trying desperately to keep up a big front as he gulped down his tears of fear, throwing off a fake grin.

Ben sat down next to Little Joe on the settee and squeezed his shoulder in affection. “Don’t you worry none, Joseph! You just never mind what that fool of a doctor just said, everything shall be fine, you just give yourself some time to rest and heal, okay? Besides Doctor Martin, I do believe you’ve the two best doctors in the world right here in front of you!”

Throwing off a weak smile, Little Joe said, “I know that, Pa!” Blinking away the tears, Little Joe said, “Thanks, Hop Sing and Hop Ling!”

Little Joe was interrupted by a friendly voice, “No trouble at all, Little Jow! I have always wanted to do that, stand up to that impostor!” Hop Ling piped up, “But, well, being a humble man, I just couldn’t bring myself to. Thank you, Mista Ben! You’re humble and loyal to our family!”

“Well, thank you, Hop Ling! But you’re OUR family too. I think we’ll benefit from one another. Now how about giving me a hand with this young man’s dressing, then maybe we can get some warm broth inside you, Joseph, then you rest.”

Hoss stepped in just then, “Pa. can I speak with you for a minute?“

“Sure, son. Hop Sing, Hop Ling, will you take over, please?“ Walking toward the back of the room, Ben was all ears as Hoss spoke, “Little Joe seems to be okay now. If‘n you don‘t need me here no more, I’m gonna go find Adam. We still don’t have any answers, Pa. I’m getting might antsy. It’s bad enough we didn’t bring that shifty captain and his crew back with us. Who knows, maybe they’re even dead, but I’m in the mood to knock some heads off for my little brother.”

Look, Hoss, I know how you feel, I know what you would like to do, for I feel the same way, too, but we’re not in Virginia City, son, and these people don’t seem to cotton to strangers, but let me tell you this! There may be no simple problem, and no simple answer, but there is an answer! I think it’s time we found one. Let’s get Joseph settled here and then I’ll accompany you! We shall both find Adam!”

“Mista Ben, you glow, Little Joe in velly good hands. We get him all bandaged up, see to it he get plenty of nourishment and then rest. Give Hop Sing no trouble at all, you see!”

“Joseph, this won’t take long, I promise you that. In a few days we shall be heading home to a real doctor. It all depends on you, son. From here on out, young man, you shall get some rest, starting right now. I don’t want to hear that in my absence you tried to get off this settee, is that clear?”

Rolling his eyes in displeasure, Little Joe said, “Where could I possibly go with two Chinese mother hens hovering over me, Pa?!”

“JOSEPH! Remember your manners, boy! Now, Hoss and I’ve some business to attend to and that would be starting with finding your older brother Adam. I’ve a hunch that he might be down to city hall. Hoss, we’ll split up. Check the police station, we’re going to get to the bottom of this so called Mariner’s Reef, if I have to look the police’s records over with a fine tooth comb myself!”

Adam Cartwright was sitting around Commissioner Gordon’s desk, in heavy thought, at the police headquarters. There laid open in front of them, a thick file. The file read ‘reported missing.’ “So, what you’re saying, Commissioner, is that you can’t be held accountable for all these young men that were reported missing in the past year or so. What a funny coincidence it is that all these cases seem to tie into one another, including my little brother! That these young men were seen entering the Mariner’s Reef by themselves or with a family member, only to show up missing later on that night or the following day. Didn’t this ever strike you as kind of odd, Mr. Gordon?”

“Why yes, Adam, and that’s why the Mariner’s Reef is shut down and under a full investigation as we speak. Seems the owner has been involved in this too, he confessed of taking a hefty bribe under the table from a certain Captain Bates, aka Stone Cold Bates, he owns the Viking’s Voyage, who in return, used his facilities for shanghaiing. The owner claimed his business was doing poorly. He’s now behind bars awaiting trial, Adam, and will testify against the captain, lessening his own sentence. Now, see my side of it. I’m up to my neck in files of missing people, being short handed as it is. It takes a while to solve a case.”

“Yes, those were my pa’s exact words, too, and the reason why he set out looking for Little Joe himself!”

“I feel bad that your pa couldn’t approach me, Adam. I’m terribly sorry! Luckily, Miss Michaels and her son did. Just a few days ago, her son Landon, who was one of my hardest cases among the missing, suddenly appeared from out of the blue telling me his story and how another young man had been captured in his place, looking just like himself. Now I have a lead, now I can take action!”

“Yes, unfortunately that’s my little brother, Commissioner!”

“Yes, I know that now. I arrested Captain Slate! His days of sailing the seas are over. Plus, I shut down that Barbary Saloon, too, because this is where Landon was abducted. Captain Bates is now on my most wanted list. Little did I know, there was criminal action going on under my very nose. Seems there was more than one shifty owner in this city. If I had someone like you a year ago, maybe, just maybe I could’ve prevented these young men from being abducted or shanghaied! And Landon Michaels wouldn’t have been slaving on a ship for over a year, leaving his poor widowed mother to worry her heart out.”

Just then the door flew open; in walked Ben and Hoss.

Standing, Adam rushed over to his family, “Pa! Hoss! Where’s the kid? Did you find him!?”

“Don’t you think your pa would still be set to sea if’n I hadn’t found your little brother? Of course I found him. He’s resting well over at Hop Ling’s place.”

“Sorry, Pa, I didn’t know.”

“That’s all right, Adam, I’ve been under a tremendous amount of stress lately and I seem to be taking it out on you. I am sorry, son! How are you, boy?“

“I’m just fine, Pa.”

“Good, good! Hoss and I saw the Mariner’s Reef shut down. I’m mighty proud of you, Son and know somehow you’re behind this!”

“Yeah, me too, Adam! Reck’n that pound’n will just have to wait till next time.” Hoss threw off a toothy grin, laughing as he tussled Adam about.

“Oh, just great, I can’t wait! Pa, Hoss, I would like you to meet Commissioner Gordon.” Shaking hands, they all sat around the desk as the files and the stories unfolded. Ben and Hoss both listened with open ears and after the facts, told their side of the story as the whole picture came to view.

“So,” the Commissioner said, “they went down with the ship?”

“Not quite sure, Sir,” said Hoss. “Seen many a man sucked under from the current of the clipper and many a man tak’n a float on a life boat. Just not sure as to which ones they were. Never did set eyes on them again once we hit land. Kind of was hoping to, I still have some unvented steam to unleash!”

Patting Hoss on the back, Pa said, “What’s important now, son, is that your little brother is safe and sound and the commissioner here can finally put an end to these shanghaiings down by the waterfront. You might as well check out your city doctor, too! Doctor Walperts! Something don’t quite set well with me about him.”

“Believe you me, Mr. Cartwright, I will get to the bottom of all that’s going on around here if it kills me! Captain Bates is still elusive and I will not rest till I find him and his crew, dead or alive! Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve some leads to act on!” Commissioner Gordon walked the Cartwrights to the door and bid them a good night.

Little Joe was healing quite well. Between the Chinese mother hens and his family, he really didn’t have a choice, now did he!? Several days after seeing the commissioner, Hoss had just come back from the livery stable with their buckboard and horses to ready for the journey home.

Hop Sing had gone up to a sleepy Little Joe, whispering into his ear. The results left him wide eyed and silly!

“Well, young man, what was that all about?” Pa asked with a loving smile upon his face.

“Oh, noth’n Pa, Hop Sing was just asking me my advice on what we would all like to eat for lunch.”

“And?” Pa said.

Snickering into his hands, Little Joe said, “Scouts honor, Pa, I promised Hop Sing I wouldn’t tell. It would ruin the surprise.”

“Well, then, I guess we can say no more! We shall just have to wait and see.”

Half an hour later, Hop Sing, May Ying and Hop Ling came out sporting a lid covered tray. Each one had a different dish. Hoss sat down in awe of it all rubbing his hands together; whatever it was, he would surely like it and he did.

“Dinner is served, Mr. Cartwrights!!” The Chinese couple chimed. Bowing, they turned and went into the kitchen as the door flapped behind them.

Little Joe was all smiles as he lifted his lid, revealing the most tender steak tips bathed in gravy, this side of the coast.

Pa, too, was flabbergasted as he lifted his lid, for there underneath laid a plate of succulent lamb chops.

Then came Adam’s. He was apprehensive about the whole thing, but knew he had it coming, as he lifted his lid, revealing none other than a Chinese delicacy dish known as ‘SUSHI’! Adam spun around in his chair and took off on the heels of his boots, retreating to the outhouse. Little Joe and Hop Sing winked at each other, sealing their bond.

Pa knew all too well what had just happened, as he threw blinders on. He chuckled to himself as to just how close the two really were and how they got back at Adam. Dinner went on without a hitch, as Adam came back. Waiting for him upon the table, he had none other then a bowl of chicken noodle soup, to calm his upset stomach down. Adam swallowed his pride and took it like a man, even though deep down he knew his little brother was indeed the man for putting up with him that night at the Mariner’s Reef.

“Ready, Hop Sing? Time to get moving!” Ben spoke as Hop Sing embraced May Ying in a Confucius hug, leaving her blushing like a beet. Hop Sing then took his place in the back of the buckboard next to Ben, who was keeping a vigil over his still mending boy.

Hoss sent the team forward, rounding the corner as the horses clipped clopped along the coastal shores. The Cartwrights watched the clipper ships loading up and readying for parting into the wide open sea. Little Joe was taking in the fresh air when all of a sudden, he heard the most distinctive voice of a captain. Captain Bates, that is.

“KNOCK THE WIND INTO THOSE SAILS, YOU LAND LOVERS, LETS BRING THIS PIECE OF BARNACLE BOARD OUT TO SEA. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! WE’VE SHIPS TO RAID, PLACES TO BE! WHERE BE MY CABIN BOY!? WHERE BE MY SPITTOON!?!”

The End!

May 31, 2003

Honeybear :”O)~

RETURN TO LIBRARY