Hoss and Joe had to collect the stores from town. Adam was making final checks at the herd as the three brothers were heading out on a trail drive the following day.
Hoss watched his brother carry out a small packet of spices for Hop Sing as he hefted the last large sack onto the wagon. He could never work out how his little brother appeared to look busy and yet left virtually all the work to him but Joe was adept at it, years of practice.
Hoss decided to treat himself to some candy to take with him on the drive and headed back into the store arranging to meet Joe in the Bucket O’ Blood in a few minutes. As Joe headed down to the saloon he met Sally and Hoss laid a quiet bet with himself that Joe would still be talking to the pretty young girl and he would get to the bar first and end up buying the beers.
As Hoss made his choice of candy, he noticed a tall skinny youngster outside watching his every move with envy written clearly on his face. The kid, who looked about 15, was dressed in dirty clothes little better than rags and didn’t look as though he had had a square meal in a month. Hoss’ ready sympathy was sparked and as he came out of the store he went over to the kid and offered him some candy.
“I couldn’t do that Mister”
“Sure you can, I got plenty” Hoss held out the bag again and this time the kid chose a large lemon drop and popped it into his mouth.
“You new in town?” Hoss asked “I don’t remember seeing you before.I’m Hoss Cartwright live on a ranch near here”
“Only got here last nght, folks call me Jimmy. Sorta looking for work but I don’t really wanna go down those mines.”
“Can’t blame you there. Where are your folks?”
“Ain’t got none that I can remember. I can work real hard Mister, you need any help on your ranch? I’m good with horses, worked in a stable down Carson way but the guy he sold out and the new owner didn’t need me he had two sons of his own.”
Hoss wasn’t at all sure what his Pa as going to say but looking at the half starved kid he couldn’t turn him down and anyway Adam had been moaning that they were short handed on the drive maybe the kid could look after the remuda. “Guess we can find you something to do. Look I have to meet my brother why don’t you go get your gear and meet us back here at the wagon in half an hour.”
“Sure I’ll wait here for you”
“What about your gear?”
“Only got what I’m wearing Mister, had to sell some stuff to eat.”
Hoss was horrified and taking the kid’s arm led him back into the store “No need for the Mister. My name is Hoss and you’re gonna need some duds if’n you come with us on a drive heading out tomorrow.”
Joe was surprised not to find Hoss in the saloon as he had had a nice chat with Sally but he got two beers and waited for his brother. When he had drunk both of them and Hoss still hadn’t shown up Joe decided he had better go looking for his brother. As he was standing in the street wondering where to start he saw his brother come out of the store with a scrawny kid and headed over to join them.
Hoss rather sheepishly explained that Jimmy didn’t have a job and he had decided that they needed extra help with the drive. Joe whistled softly “I’ll leave you to explain that to Adam big brother”
“Heck Joe the kid ain’t had a good meal in a month of Sundays he ain’t got no folks just the clothes he’s standing up in”
Joe considered those and asked quietly “I take it you just bought those?”
“His own were barely decent just about to fall off him” Hoss said defensively and Joe just sighed too used to his soft hearted brother to argue but unsure how Adam was going to take it. He just hoped that they found Adam in a good mood.
If
Joe could have seen his brother at that moment he would have known that
was a vain hope. Adam had been doing a final check round the herd that he
was taking north and had found one cow that had managed to find the only
mud hole left in
He walked over to the small stream nearby and sat in it, trying to at least get the worst of the mud off his body and out of his hair, but there wasn’t very much water and he still felt filthy as he went over to put his clothes back on.Eventually he swung back on Sport and started to escort the cow back to the herd.
As he got close to the branding camp he saw his brothers approaching with the wagon and puzzled why they were there, instead of taking the stores back to the house, he let the cow go into the herd and pushed Sport on to find out what was going on.
His brothers knew from the way he sat his horse that Adam had not been having a good day and Joe said “It’s your story Hoss leave me out of it.”
“ Dadbern it Joe what else could I do? You seen what Jimmy is like, no more capable of looking after himself than a new born foal.”
Joe shrugged, he wasn’t about to get on the wrong side of his eldest brother the day before they headed out with Adam as trail boss. Anyway there was no more time for discussion as Adam pulled Sport up next to the wagon. “What are you two doing out here?”
Hoss had though about his excuse on the way from town and he was quick to reply “We thought that it would save time if we restocked the wagon here rather than have to bring it back to the house and then we can take the rest of the stores home.”
Adam shrugged “okay but you explain to Hop Sing why you’re so late back with his stores.” He was about to ride off when he spotted the kid sitting on the wagon and he turned back to his brothers raising his eyebrow questioningly. Joe just shrugged so Adam turned his attention to his big brother.
Hoss got down from the wagon “Can I have a word Adam? Sorta in private” Adam swung down from Sport and followed Hoss away from the wagon but when his big brother made no attempt to talk he said “Well?”
“His name’s Jimmy I um , I ----“ Hoss stuttered to a halt. Adam considered his big brother and placed the look, somehow Hoss had made a promise which he needed his brother to back and wasn’t sure how to tell Adam. He grinned slightly ruefully “Out with it Hoss, what have I got to do? I’m filthy and I want to get back to the house for a bath.”
“I know it weren’t my place to go hiring but you did say we were shorthanded.” Hoss studied his brother waiting for the explosion but it wasn’t forthcoming although Adam did sigh heavily “Have I got you right Hoss you have given that kid a job on the drive?”
“Yeah, he’s all on his own ain’t eaten well, no money and don’t fancy the mines.”
“Well I can understand that!. What can he do? He doesn’t look old enough to come on a drive.”
“He’s real good with horses, worked at a livery until it was sold out under him.”
“I suppose he told you that! And those new clothes?”
“He needed something and I reckoned he’d be better with us even if he’s young”
“Well okay we could do with some help with the spare horses but he’s your responsibility, just try and keep him out of trouble” Adam shook his head “I’ll see you back at the house I want one more night in my own bed.”
Joe came over to join Hoss “Well?”
“He’s fine with it long as we keep Jimmy out of trouble”
“How come it’s we brother, all this was your idea” Joe caught the look on Hoss face and slapped him on the back “Alright you big galoot I’m sure between us we can get him safely there and back, maybe teach him how to be a proper cowboy along the way.”
“Thanks Joe”
Adam had filled his father in on Hoss’ latest stray and if Ben was slightly concerned at the idea of a young kid going on the drive he could understand his eldest son’s inability to say no to his big brother. Hoss, so seldom asked for anything and even then mostly for someone else, like now.
Ben couldn’t help worrying about his sons, the drive was going to be hard it had been very dry recently everything turning to dust and both feed and water would be hard to find. He knew just how competent they were, no-one knew the land better than they did and, despite arguments at times, the boys would all support each other.
Adam could see the concern and he was glad to have an excuse to go and get a bath get the mud off, before Ben started going over all possible troubles that might hit. He sometimes felt that his father still believed he was not fully grown.
Hoss was quiet over the evening meal concentrating on his food. As it was the last meal he would have cooked by Hop Sing until they got back it didn’t cause much surprise and he was grateful that his family weren’t teasing him over his newest stray. He didn’t realise that each, individually, had decided to give him a break. Hoss wouldn’t be the man he was without his soft heart and none of them wanted him to change.
Ben
rode out with his sons the next morning to see them on their way and it
was with a distinct feeling of pride that he watched the herd move out.
All in good condition and more than enough to fulfill
his contract and he had great faith that his sons would deliver them
in the same condition. Adam came over to say goodbye and promised to send
word when they arrived in about ten days time.
“I’ll look after the herd
“You just make sure that you and your brothers get home safe”
“Sure Pa”
“I know you’ll do your usual excellent job, Good luck son.” Ben watched until the herd disappeared, able to recognise his sons by their horses even when the riders were indistinguishable. Then he turned to go back to the house. He had a business meeting on as lumber contract the next day and needed to go over the figures he had agreed with Adam to make sure he got the best possible deal.
The first day out Jimmy was able to look after the spare horses and Hoss was pleased to see that, just as he had claimed, the boy was good with them. It was a hard day for all of them, the cattle loathe to move away from their home range ,and by the time Adam had set the night-herders out for the first shift he was tired and hungry. Hoss saw him ride in and dismount stiffly and he went over to his brother “Go get something to eat Adam I’ll take your horse.”
“Thanks brother.” Adam stretched his back aching after a long day in the saddle and Joe moved over to give him coffee and then went to get him some food. Adam yawned “It’s gonna be a very long couple of weeks.”
“Careful brother you’re getting too old, the kid has lasted the day better than you!”
“I
think I could settle for staying home with Pa, nice soft bed, Hop
Sing’s cooking, lazy evening at home or trips to
“Eat your grub brother and you’ll feel more human.”
“Is that a promise?”
Jimmy had made himself popular with all the men on the drive, like an overeager puppy dog, he was a little accident prone forgetting to tighten a girth, dropping a plate, stubbing his toe, falling over someone’s leg but always quick to apologise and eager to learn. He was particularly intrigued by the men’s guns, he wanted one of his own, a nice big forty-five, and told everyone that it would be the first thing he bought with his wages. He wanted someone to teach him how to shoot but Adam had firmly vetoed that idea. Gunfire was the last thing he needed near a restless herd.
Although Jimmy was able to persuade someone to do most of what he wanted, none of the drovers would go against Adam, especially when they knew he was right.
On the third day out Adam had had to split the herd into small groups to water them and none of the cattle had had as much water as they would really have liked. The herd was very restless and the men were tired especially with the prospect of doubling up the night shifts. Hoss was the only one of the brothers to eat a decent meal both Adam and Joe were too tired and too on edge to be hungry. The three brothers were sitting with coffee discussing the best route to take the following day when Jimmy came over proudly twirling a gun to show them his new prowess.
Overtired and worried Adam was furious “Give that back to whichever lame-brain let you have it and don’t let me see you touch a gun again until we have delivered this herd” He turned to his brother “Hoss I told you he’s your responsibility deal with it”
With that he turned away and went over to get a fresh mount and head back out to the herd.
Hoss got to his feet and went to take the gun away from Jimmy but as he did so the boy fumbled it and the gun fell between them and the jolt as it landed made the gun go off. For a moment both were stunned and Joe rushed over scared that someone had been hit. Luckily the bullet had just buried itself in a tree but even as Joe realised that he felt the very ground seem to tremble and realised Adam’s worst fears were about to be realised as the herd stampeded.
Joe yelled “Stampede” and ran for his horse. Adam had been about to mount up when he heard the shot and he was the first to get to the herd. In that first moment of panic there was very little he could do but he tried to steer them away from the camp and the chuck-wagon.
At the camp all the men were frantically getting saddled up and out of the way of the herd. Hoss tried to keep an eye on Jimmy but it was all total confusion and with the dust and the darkness it was hard to see anything at all.
Adam raced to the head of the herd and he was hardly surprised to catch a glimpse of Cochise heading up the other side of the herd and he knew his brother would back his play. The ground was rough and he was scared that men or horses might be hurt to say nothing of the cows, but he had to stop them. Thanking all the gods that he had left his surefooted Sport for the night duty, after two hard days he had rested him during the day, Adam gradually eased to the front and started to try and turn the front runners. He saw Joe doing the same thing on the other side and signalled his brother, Joe waved back and then both concentrated on what they were doing as the herd gradually began to slow.
Despite their concentration on the herd both brothers were keeping an eye on the other and Adam saw Joe fall as Cochise lost his footing. Adam was on his way to his brother almost before he hit the ground. Adam had his gun out and shot in the air twice to scare the cattle away. As he reached Joe he quickly dismounted and threw his little brother up onto Sport noting with relief that Cochise had righted himself and moved off. Adam swung up behind Joe and tried to pull out but as he did so he felt something hit his leg hard.
Adam grabbed his leg and felt the blood but he hadn’t time to worry about it now, Joe was barely conscious and they were in a less than comfortable position, still surrounded by cattle. He urged Sport to move and the big chestnut was all too eager to get away from the cattle pressing in on him.
Despite their problems the brothers had done enough to start the head of the herd milling in a circle and those coming up behind finding their way blocked slowed down and the stampede began to lose its impetus. Hoss had finally caught up with several of the hands and he began to take control of the herd, a job he’d done all his life, but most of his concentration was on looking for his brothers.
It was more than an hour later before there was any semblance of order and then, much to Hoss’ relief, Adam rode into camp with Joe in front of him on Sport and Cochise on a lead rein. Hoss hurried over to his brothers and Adam said “Take Joe will you, he’s okay just a bit bruised”
Hoss went to lift his little brother down but Joe sat up a bit straighter, “I’m okay” He eased himself out of the saddle and Hoss, ignoring all protests, put his arm round his brother’s waist and helped him over to the camp. The wagon had survived intact and although a lot of bed-rolls had been kicked out of the way by the cows there was very little real damage. The cook for the drive Eli had already got the fire re-lit and coffee on the go. He was busy cooking some stew but hustled over with coffee for the brothers.
Joe did his best to reassure his brother that he was fine, just a few bruises where he’d hit the ground when Cochise went over, he had just been winded and Adam had pulled him out before there was any real damage. Even Cochise seemed to have survived with no more than a slight limp and should be fine in a day or so.
Hoss relaxed at that “You sure push your luck little brother”
“I’m fine”
Hoss considered him carefully, he had heard that statement too often in the past and it didn’t always mean what it said. This time he though Joe was being at least reasonably accurate. He was sure his brother would be stiff and sore the following day but that wasn’t unusual and Joe would be fine in a day or so. Confident of that Hoss’ attention turned to his eldest brother who still hadn’t dismounted.
Adam had been about to get down, hoping his leg would support him, when he spotted something over on the edge of the camp. He directed Sport over to the bundle of rags and eased himself out of the saddle holding onto the saddle horn to keep on his feet. He was barely aware of the stabbing pain in his thigh as he realised that his worst fears were justified, the stampede had claimed at least one victim.
Adam knelt down by the body but it was obvious that he was far too late to do anything for Jimmy, the boy was dead. He sank back on his haunches, just a kid and he hadn’t known how to protect himself when things got rough. Adam mourned for the boy himself and almost equally for his big brother. He had told Hoss that he was responsible for the boy and he knew his brother would blame himself whatever anyone else said to him. Before he could even think what to say to Hoss that might help, his big brother had come over worried about him.
Hoss was concerned about Adam but then he realised what his brother was looking at. He suddenly realised that he hadn’t given Jimmy a thought since the stampede started, worried first of all about stopping it and then about his brothers. Now he knew that his attempt to help the young man had ended in disaster. He had been so sure that taking Jimmy with them he could teach him how to cope, help him to a better life. Adam had told him the kid was too young for a drive and told him that Jimmy was his responsibility, a responsibility that he had soon forgotten when other problems arose.
Now
the boy was dead and he would have been a lot better off if Hoss had left
him in
Adam gripped his brother’s arm “He didn’t stand a chance must have died almost instantly”
“ All my fault”
“Hardly Hoss. He started the stampede by messing around with a gun after he’d been told not to. I’m very sorry he got hurt but in a stampede its always every man for himself”
“Trouble is he never got a chance to be a man ‘cos of me he’s dead while he’s still a boy” Hoss said bitterly and getting to his feet walked off into the dark not even realising his older brother was hurt.
Joe had come over more slowly and he knelt down badly shaken as he took in just what his eldest brother was looking at “Hell! How’s Hoss?”
“Badly shaken and blaming himself” Adam looked up at his little brother “Never easy to lose a hand, let alone a young kid.”
Joe saw more than Adam wanted in his face and frowning he asked “What’s wrong with you big brother?” Very well aware that Adam was hurting and trying to remember exactly what had happened.
Adam shrugged “Nothing much, just caught my leg”
Joe moved closer to him and saw the dark blood staining his brother’s pants “Come back to the fire and let me have a look at that.”
“In a minute get one of the man to bring a blanket for Jimmy, we need to check to see if there’s anyone to notify and then we are going to have to bury him”
“Okay brother but there’s nothing we can do for him and you’re still bleeding, at least I can do something about that.”
Adam tried to get to his feet but his right leg wouldn’t support his weight and if it hadn’t been for Joe’s support he would have fallen. Joe yelled to Hank and Dave to come and help and between them they supported Adam back over to the fire. Joe ordered Eli to get water on to boil and to bring their first aid kit while he cut his brother’s pants to try and see what damage had been done. He badly needed Hoss’ help but for the moment he didn’t have time to go looking for him, Adam needed treatment now.
Joe was horrified when he revealed the damage, there was a gash nearly ten inches long down his brother’s thigh and it looked to have gone quite deep at one end, he could see the muscle and in places it looked torn. It was bleeding sluggishly and looked filthy. “Dear God Adam why didn’t you say something?”
Adam looked at the mess and then rather ruefully said “You weren’t exactly taking anything in and the cows weren’t interested.”
“This needs a doctor.”
“Trouble is little brother we are rather a long way from any Doc and I think it needs cleaning and bandaging to stop the blood loss rather immediately. Sorry to be a nuisance but you and Eli are it just at the minute. Do the best you can Joe, clean it first and then bandage it tight”
Joe nodded slightly but he bit his lip knowing how much he was going to hurt his brother “Do you want a slug of whiskey first? All we got that might help.”
“I think you had better keep that for outside application Joe.”
“It’s gonna hurt”
“I know but it won’t be any better for thinking about it, best get started.” Adam knew just what a hard job he was handing his youngest brother but he had no choice especially with Hoss having disappeared.
Joe asked Hank to hold his brother’s shoulders and Dave to hold his feet and then, with Adam nodding encouragingly, he gave him a piece of wood to bite down on. Joe picked up a cloth and placed it in the boiling water. Then he used his knife to lift it back out and as soon as it had cooled sufficiently he wrung out the worst of the water and began to clean the blood and dirt away from the wound. He heard Adam’s quick indrawn breath as his brother fought for control and he could feel the tension in Adam’s body but Joe had to ignore the pain he was causing. Joe worked steadily cleaning up round the wound before he dared tackle the open gash. He got fresh cloths and cleaned everything he could, worried about the blood flowing from the wound but at least it was carrying the dirt away from the wound. Eventually he sat back having done all he could.
Adam wrenched his arm free and took the wood from his mouth. He was gasping for breath but he knew what Joe had to do “The whiskey”
“Adam it’ll hurt like hell.”
Adam gritted his teeth “Do it” and Joe knew his brother was right and poured the spirit into the open wound. Adam couldn’t help screaming and he finally gave in to the lure of oblivion and passed out.
Hoss heard the scream of a man in agony and forgetting his own misery for a moment he ran back to the camp to find his youngest brother, chalk white, trying to tighten bloody bandages round his eldest brother’s thigh. For now the important thing was to see to Adam and he took over from Joe and carefully padded and tightened the bandages to try and prevent Adam losing any more blood. Only when he had done the best he could and wrapped a blanket round Adam could he turn his attention to his younger brother. “You okay Joe?”
“Sure I wasn’t hurt, Adam saw to that and then he didn’t even say he’d been gored” Joe said bitterly.
“Come on Joe, Adam’s been taking care of us most of his life, he couldn’t do anything else if he tried. Anyway he’s tough he’ll be fine”
“If I’ve got it clean” Joe got to his feet and turned away from Hoss “I had to hurt him so much”
“You did what you had to little brother, I’m sorry I disappeared on you I should have been here to help.” Hoss gripped Joe’s shoulder “Come on we could both do with some coffee and then we can try and see how we are gonna cope with all this.”
“Adam?”
“Eli will you keep an eye on him for a few minutes give a yell the minute he starts to come round.”
“Sure Hoss but don’t worry too much. Need more than a gash on his thigh to keep your brother down.”
Hoss nodded and led Joe over to get coffee. As he did so Joe glanced over at the blanket wrapped body “What a hell of a night”
“There ain’t much more we can do until daylight, need to get at least some of the men rested. You should try and get some sleep, you were pretty shaken up from that fall.”
“What about Adam?”
“You’ve done your share I’ll sit with him for now call you in a few hours.”
Joe shook his head “Not until he wakes up I need to –“ he fell quiet but Hoss knew what he meant somehow Joe needed to tell Adam that he hadn’t meant to hurt him. However necessary it had been Joe had caused his brother pain and that was always difficult to accept.
Hoss couldn’t argue, he never won arguments with either of his brothers anyway and once they had coffee, the brothers went to sit either side of Adam. It was nearly an hour later before he stirred and Hoss shook his head at Joe as he started to question Adam “Easy let him come to in his own time”
A couple of minutes later Adam opened his eyes and considered first one brother and then the other. He smiled at them “You two should have got some sleep”
“Easier said than done” Hoss said “with you taking on cows with your bare leg”
“It wasn’t bare until Joe ruined my new pants.” Adam looked at Joe “Take it easy little brother you did what you had to and my leg feels a lot better now.”
“I hurt you”
“Yeah but you had no choice just did what was needed, forget it.”
“What do we do now?” Joe asked and despite his injury Adam took charge “For a start Joe you go and get three or four hours sleep because tomorrow morning you are gonna have to take the hands and round up as many of the cattle as you can. Hopefully they haven’t spread too far. The terrain is in our favour, too steep to the east and very rough to the west. Some will have tried to turn back but most I think headed north and we have time for them to regain condition.”
Joe hesitated but his brother was talking sense and with a quick squeeze of Adam’s shoulder he went over to his bedroll and although he didn’t expect to sleep he was out for the count almost as soon as he laid down. Hoss checked up on him and went back to reassure Adam that Joe was okay. “What about you Hoss?”
“I don’t know, you’re hurt I wasn’t here for you or Joe and Jimmy is dead. How am I supposed to feel?”
“None of it is your fault Hoss.”
“Don’t
feel that way. If’n I’d left the kid in
“You wouldn’t be my big brother if you didn’t try and help the underdogs of life. We don’t want you to ever change and you couldn’t have known what would happen.”
Hoss relaxed a little with his brother’s support but he couldn’t sleep although he was glad to see Adam relax into sleep again. It seemed a very long time until dawn but eventually Eli was up and Hoss was able to go and get coffee. As he sipped it he realised Adam was awake and he helped his brother to sit up and fetched him coffee.
Hoss asked “Are you going back to the house?”
“We have a drive to complete”
“Adam you need to go and see a doctor get that leg seen to properly Joe and I can cope with the herd, send Dave back with you.”
“Don’t be daft! We’re short handed anyway”
“Pa would lose the whole herd rather than take risks with you. You know that as well as I do. Anyways Joe and I can’t do our job if we’re worrying about you.”
“Look
there’s a Doc in Fallon it’s only half a day north, closer than
Hoss accepted that much knowing he was lucky to get it and Adam was right that was the closest doctor. He went over to get some breakfast but Adam only wanted another cup of coffee and Hoss couldn’t push him he could feel the fever in his brother’s body. At least it was only low level at the moment and Hoss hoped it didn’t mean there was infection in the wound.
Joe joined them glad to see Adam looking rather brighter and Adam made an effort for his little brother not wanting to worry him. Joe headed out to the herd as soon as he had had some food. He was stiff and sore himself from the fall and his right arm and shoulder was so stiff that it was a real effort to use it and he couldn’t lift his arm more than chest high. At least it was his right hand and he managed to carry out his work.
By
midmorning most of the cattle had been collected but then Joe found a camp
site and sign of a small group of cattle being driven off. Joe got down
and studied the sign but Hoss was the best tracker so he sent
Hoss
had gone back to the camp to check on his eldest brother and had just finished
changing Adam’s bandages when
“Sorry Hoss, Adam but Joe wants you quick looks like rustlers”
“Are
they still there?” demanded Adam scared for his impulsive little brother,
but to his relief
“You be alright here on your own Adam?”
“Give me a hand up Hoss I want to see for myself.”
“Don’t be a fool, you got a bloody great gash in your leg, you can’t ride.”
Adam was easing himself round to get to his feet by holding onto the wagon and Hoss moved swiftly to support him. Adam gave him a tight grin “Hoss I am still the trail boss and I’m going to see, with you or without you, but it would be easier with your help.”
Hoss muttered under his breath but he knew his normal success rate at changing Adam’s mind was about zero and, at the least, he had to keep an eye on his brother. “Alright but you do exactly what I say.”
“Sure Hoss.”
“
“Sport will be fine. Anyway you just re-bandaged my leg it’s not bleeding.”
“Maybe but it won’t take much to start it again you be real careful brother.”
Adam was very glad of Hoss help and steadying hand as he settled in the saddle but at least Sport seemed to sense his master wasn’t his usual self and was remarkably peaceful. Hoss would have taken it very slow, but Adam was still concerned his youngest brother would go off on some ploy of his own if they didn’t join him soon, and pushed Sport into a lope as he ordered Tex to show them just where Joe was.
Hoss watched anxiously but his brother wasn’t showing any obvious sign of distress, not that that did much to put his mind at rest, knowing how adept his eldest brother was at hiding his feelings. At least Adam made no attempt to dismount when they reached Joe, very willing to leave it to Hoss.
Joe anxiously went over to his big brother “What the hell is he doing here?”
“He’s still the trail boss and when have I ever bin able to stop Adam doing what he wants? Anyways show me this sign, sooner we make up our minds what we’re doing sooner he’ll maybe rest.” That made sense and Joe showed his brother what he’d found and then moved over to Adam leaving Hoss to study the sign. He was unconsciously rubbing his sore arm and Adam asked with some concern “What’s wrong Joe?”
“Just a bit sore. You shouldn’t be riding.”
“Damn sight easier than the wagon out here. Do you a deal Joe, I won’t fuss at you if you do the same for me.”
Joe shook his head, sure that as usual he was getting the worst of the deal, but he could understand his brother’s dislike of being fussed over. “Okay deal, but you stay put on Sport and you don’t do anything but ride along.”
Hoss came back over before Adam could argue and Joe changed the subject demanding to know what Hoss had found. “The same as you I guess, looks like four men camped here and when the cattle stampeded they cut out a bunch of about 15 and drove them off.”
“When?” asked Adam
“Sometime last night I reckon, got maybe twelve hours head start”
“Then we’d better get after them in a hurry” Joe insisted but Adam shook his head “We can’t Joe, much as I would like too. We go after those fifteen and we risk losing the other five hundred and we certainly won’t make the contract date.”
“But those men have stolen them from us”
“I know but we’re short handed as it is.” Adam touched his sore leg “and this doesn’t help. All we can do is report it to the law in Fallon I’m going into town anyway to see the Doc and keep Hoss quiet.”
It didn’t satisfy Joe but without his brothers’ help he knew it would be foolhardy to go after the rustlers and begrudgingly he gave way. Most of the herd was collected again but they still had one job to do, a body to bury.
Adam accepted his brother’s help to dismount at the camp, his leg was throbbing but it didn’t feel like the deep pain of infection and he hoped he would get off lightly, still he didn’t want to start it bleeding again. Using Hoss as a crutch he limped over to the wagon and then asked Hoss to get him some coffee. Not that he particularly wanted the drink but he wanted Hoss away as he looked through Jimmy’s meagre possessions, his big brother was upset enough. Adam wanted to check to see if there was any indication of family someone to notify despite Jimmy’s story but he found far more than he had bargained for. In a small pouch in the pocket of a very old coat there was over five hundred dollars and Adam stood looking at the money in amazement.
Something in his attitude brought his brothers swiftly to his side Joe asked anxiously “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Adam held out the money “I just found this in Jimmy’s pocket”
Hoss took it and counted it “Five hundred and twenty five dollars. It don’t make no sense. If’n he had all this why was he half starved? Wearing rags?”
“Well no-one else has that sort of money to put in his pocket. It must have been Jimmy’s. After all who would expect to find money in old rags, no wonder he didn’t want to throw them away.” Adam bit his lip he could make a guess at where the money had come from but he didn’t want to upset Hoss any more and he diplomatically suggested “Maybe he was saving for something real important to him like a stake for land. More important than eating or how he looked. Guess we’ll never know. I’ll turn it over to the law, maybe some charity in his name, there’s no record of any family.”
“He
said there weren’t any” Hoss said puzzled at his brother’s checking but
Joe added quietly “
Hoss wanted to dig the grave himself needing to work off some of his worries and his brothers let him do it. Joe insisted that Adam come and sit down and eat some lunch but although Adam took a plate of stew he was only pushing the food around and eventually Joe took the plate and gave him some coffee, biting back the anxious questions. He was rewarded by a half smile from his brother and encouraged by that Joe asked “You don’t really think he was saving up?”
“No I guess not but I don’t know any different.”
“Come on Adam what do you really think?” Joe pressed
“Probably the same as you. Jimmy got himself on the drive deliberately. Working with those four rustlers and waiting for an opportunity to stampede the herd and give them their chance.”
Joe nodded glad, but not surprised, to find his brother thinking along the same lines “Just seems a strange place to choose.”
“Adam shrugged “I suspect the actual stampede was an accident. I would guess he would have waited until tomorrow night, after a dry drive with no water overnight. I think if the others had been ready, they would have taken more than 15 head.”
“Why didn’t you tell Hoss that. It might stop him blaming himself?”
“You really think it would help him to know he was deliberately set up and the kid was a rustler?” Adam raised his eyebrow enquiringly “At the moment it’s an awful accident and unless we have proof big brother is not going to accept Jimmy as some kind of outlaw.”
Joe had to accept the truth in what Adam said but he still hated seeing his big brother blaming himself over something that wasn’t his fault.
When the grave was ready Joe helped Adam over to the grave and once the boy was placed in it Adam said a few word asking God in his infinite mercy to forgive all Jimmy’s sins and take him into his own care and then he recited the 21st psalm.
Then he ordered the men to move the herd on, they were a long way from the next water. He insisted Hoss help him back on Sport but to keep his brothers quiet promised to ride alongside the wagon and take things easy.
Despite the very late start they made reasonable progress and if not quite where Adam would have liked at least there was a campsite with feed for the cattle only about two miles short of their normal stopping place and only eight miles from Fallon.
Adam had slept very badly, his leg throbbing fiercely, and he could feel the heat in it that indicated some sort of infection. It was hardly surprising but he intended heading into Fallon at daybreak.
Joe woke himself up trying to turn over just as dawn broke and instinctively looked over to check on his eldest brother. Seeing Adam was awake he moved over to him “Can I get you anything?”
“I wouldn’t mind a drink Joe”
Joe checked his brother’s forehead “You’re burning up, best let me have a look at that leg.”
Adam was curt “Leave it. I’ll go in to see the Doc shortly.”
Joe considered arguing but decided that wasn’t what was needed and instead he got Adam a drink and then went to wake Hoss. Adam wanted to protest but couldn’t seem to get enough control and Hoss sat up as Joe shook him. “What’s wrong?”
“Time we got big brother into the Doc, he’s running quite a fever.” Joe bit his lip “Maybe I oughta clear a place in the back of the wagon”
Adam heard that and protested vehemently “I’m riding and I don’t need any watchdog”
Hoss and Joe glanced at each other and both agreed instantly but Joe left it to Hoss to tell their brother. “Alright you can ride, sooner the better but Joe goes with you I think he ought to get the Doc to check his right arm and shoulder anyway, make sure it is just bruised.”
Put like that Adam couldn’t argue and, as he couldn’t face food, he had some coffee while Hoss saddled up for them. The brothers were on their way to Fallon before the rest of the hands were awake to face the days work.
The Doc’s house was on the outskirts of town and they were in luck, he was still sitting over breakfast when they arrived. Joe ordered his brother to stay put until he could get some help, uncertain that he could manage Adam’s weight with a sore arm.
Doc willingly came out to help Adam inside and up onto the examination table as he felt the heat coming from the older man.
He tried to get the brother to wait outside but Joe had no intention of leaving until he knew how Adam was. Giving in to the insistent young man, Doc got Joe to hold his brother still while he unwrapped the bandages. The wound was very red and angry especially at one end and Doc knew he would have to open it up and re-clean the wound but he wasn’t doing it with his patient still awake. He sent for his wife who was used to keeping his patients under the influence of chloroform, while he operated.
Once Adam was asleep, he did insist that Joe wait outside and Joe feeling guilty at not doing a sufficiently good job of cleaning his brother’s leg and feeling vaguely sick went out to get some fresh air.
It was about forty minutes before the Doc came out. Joe hurried over the question obvious on his face. “Take it easy young man your brother was very lucky, no real damage done. It is all cleaned up and I’ve stitched up the wound, only slight damage to the muscle and that should heal cleanly.”
“Is he awake?”
“Not yet. Probably be out for another half an hour and then he should stay off his leg for the next four or five days. We can put him up here, it’s too far to your ranch just now.”
“Thanks Doc but I really have to get back to help my other brother we still have a herd to deliver.”
“Fine let me have a look at your shoulder. By then your brother will probably be awake and you can let him know what is happening before you leave.”
Joe accepted that and once Doc had checked and rubbed in some linament his shoulder did feel a bit better. He turned down a sling but did accept a supply of linament sure Hoss could help him. Then he went in to check on Adam and found his eldest brother just stirring. Joe gently felt his forehead and to his relief found that cleaning the wound had already had the effect of dropping Adam’s fever. His touch woke Adam and for a moment Adam wasn’t sure where he was. Joe lifted his head and gave him a little water “Easy Adam you’re going to be fine”
Adam was feeling distinctly nauseous from the after effects of the chloroform but his leg wasn’t throbbing nearly as much and he accepted Joe’s comment. “Give me a
few minutes and I’ll be ready to get back to Hoss”
“Not a chance big brother. Doc said you stay of that leg completely for four or five days. Hoss and I can cope. You stay here and we’ll pick you up on the way home.”
Adam glared at his brother but at least for now he still felt too woozy to do much about it. Joe patted him on the shoulder “Take care big brother I’ll see you in a week or so” With that he headed out determined for once to have the last word. He rode back to rejoin the herd and reassure Hoss that their brother was going to be fine.
Hoss accepted that but he was less sure that Adam would remain meekly in Fallon until they went back to collect him. Joe shrugged “Well I guess if he’s well enough he can head home but if he does he’ll send us word.
“Maybe, but I have this feeling we’ll get to see him sooner than that.” For the time being the brothers had their hands full with a dry drive and a herd, which having stampeded once was more prone to do so again, still very restless. They soon forgot about Adam, confident he was on the mend.
Adam was an obedient patient for one day, but then he got himself up and dressed, accepting crutches to save his leg but determined to go and see the law in town. What he learnt there made his mind up, he was rejoining his brothers and the herd. He was the third person to report a stampede followed by rustlers taking cattle. He had also been right on the planned area, as both the other herds were attacked a day later than his had been; and both had lost considerably more head.
One of the herds belonged to a man he knew quite well and was only a few days ahead of them Chances were the owner Mike Grey would spend a few days in town at the end of the drive. It was his normal habit and Adam wanted to talk to him. He was also scared that the rustlers wouldn’t be content with the 15 head they already had and would try again. If so he needed to be there with his brothers, Joe had already been hurt. He knew the route the herd was taking and on horseback there was a shortcut, which should allow him to rejoin his brothers at the next waterhole. They would have to stop there and water the herd after two days dry drive.
His mind made up Adam went to settle up with the Doctor and thank him for his help. The man did his best to dissuade Adam but with no effect. Adam was adept at totally ignoring what he didn’t want to hear. The wound was clean and showing signs of sealing when Doc changed the bandages so just ensuring Adam had fresh bandages with him and warning him to stay off the leg as much as he could Doc let him go. Adam took a cane with him, crutches were more likely to be dangerous on the rough terrain he was traversing. He couldn’t be persuaded to stay one more night as he needed to catch up his brothers and set off after lunch.
Hoss and Joe had reached the watering hole late in the afternoon but even this hole was low and they had to divide the herd and water them in small groups. It was late before the whole herd was watered and settled and the men were all exhausted. Hoss took the first stint of nightherd himself. At least the herd seemed tired and with water and feed available were unlikely to run.
Joe had promised to take over after a couple of hours and he rolled up in his blankets to get some sleep, too tired to really want any food.
When Adam arrived in the camp everyone was asleep and Hoss out with the herd, which at least prevented arguments. Adam moved over by the wagon to ensure he had something to hold onto if his leg gave and eased himself down. Then leaning heavily on the cane he was able to water and give Sport some feed although a decent grooming was beyond him. Then aching all over, he rolled himself in a blanket and went to sleep grateful that he had survived without breaking open his wound.
Joe went out to relieve Hoss without even noticing Sport’s reappearance and Hoss was too tired to notice so that it wasn’t until the following morning that the brothers realised. Adam had been very stiff and sore, having favoured his right leg he had ridden awkwardly and his muscles were letting him know all about it. As soon as he saw Eli up and making coffee, Adam eased himself up and moved over to get a cup. He was sitting talking to the cook when Hoss woke up. Hoss’ instinctive bellow of rage at his brother woke not only Joe but all the rest of the camp “What the hell are you doing here?”
It was very rare for the big man to swear and Adam knew his big brother was seriously worried and did his best to reassure Hoss that he was fine. Joe came over to get coffee and resignedly commented “I should have known it was too good to be true when you didn’t even argue! How you feeling brother?”
“A great deal better than I was. My leg is healing up fine and as long as I don’t walk on it much I’ll be fine.”
“Just what are you doing here don’t you think Hoss and I can cope?”
“I know you can but I needed to fill you in on what the sheriff in Fallon said and I need to talk to Mike Gray.”
“He took his herd up about a fortnight ago, he’s also got a contract with the army” Joe said slowly “Did he hit trouble too?”
“Yeah lost more than fifty head after a stampede”
Hoss frowned looking from one brother to the other “What are you two suggesting?”
“That the same rustlers hit Mike and us” Adam said trying to avoid the real question but his brother wouldn’t let it go “Are you saying that stampede wasn’t an accident?”
Adam was absolutely truthful as he said “Oh no I’m perfectly sure that the stampede was an accident.”
“There’s something Joe knows and I don’t. Level with me Adam.”
“Look Hoss, I don’t know anything. Least not until I talk to Mike.”
“Alright you both suspect something. You think Jimmy had something to do with it.”
Joe and Adam looked at each other and Joe said “Well there is still that five hundred odd dollars to explain.”
“So you both think he was a spotter for the rustlers, picked me out as a patsy from the start?”
“Joe didn’t say that” Adam protested but Hoss had walked away, too angry to even want food.
Joe said “Sorry Adam I should have kept my mouth shut, as usual”
“Not your fault Joe. Hoss wasn’t about to stop pushing until he found out and he knows us far too well. He probably had his own suspicions anyway. Let him calm down for a bit and we’ll try and make him see that it isn’t his fault. Meantime lets you and I get some breakfast we still have a herd to get to market.”
Hoss did his best to avoid his brothers for the rest of the day, his gullibility had led to both his brothers being hurt and he felt guilty whatever they might say. He didn’t even come in for food and that worried both of them more than anything else. Eventually Adam had had enough and if Hoss wouldn’t come to him he was going to Hoss. He ignored Eli’s protests as he left the chuck-wagon and moved steadily over to the rear of the herd where Hoss had positioned himself riding drag most of the day.
Hoss saw Adam coming but he couldn’t force his brother to ride further than he had to so he cantered over towards him. “You’re supposed to be sticking by the wagon.”
“Fine I’ll do that if you come back and get some grub”
“Ain’t hungry”
“Come on Hoss none of this is your fault.”
“I brought him on the drive, got you and Joe hurt, him killed.”
“I told you I’m sure the stampede was an accident. It could have happened at any time and neither of us is badly hurt. Accidents can always happen on a drive, you know that as well as I do. You don’t think Joe blames you surely and I guarantee I don’t”
“Maybe not” Hoss sighed heavily “Yeah okay I know neither of you will blame me. Ain’t in you, but I can blame myself. If I wasn’t such a gullible fool none of this would have happened.”
“Gullible?”
“Yeah I fell for his poor half starved kid routine, brought him along “
“You call it gullible, I call it compassion and Hoss, neither Joe nor I would want you any other way than our compassionate big brother. Sure occasionally someone will take advantage of you because of it but think of all the people you have helped. Don’t ever change.”
Hoss stared at his brother as though he would find the truth in his eyes and what he saw was enough to make him feel as though a ton weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For the first time that day he sat up straight and even managed a grin “Guess if you put it that way maybe I am hungry”
“Good because so am I so why don’t we head back over to the chuck-wagon.” Adam signalled one of the hands to take over on drag and headed back with Hoss. Joe saw them and looked his question at Adam but the grin he got was sufficient answer so he concentrated on his own job.
By the time they reached town, still with more than enough cattle to fulfill the contract and with a day in hand, Adam was moving much more easily and Joe was just about fully recovered. His brothers were still insisting Adam did nothing but ride along and he had taken the opportunity to get down on paper details of the attack and a description and sketch of Jimmy. Although he wanted to talk to Mike without giving him any preconceived ideas before going to the law.
He
was in luck Mike was staying at the same hotel and he came down the stairs
as the brothers walked in. Mike was very willing to join them in a beer
and to tell his sad story. Adam asked if there were any hands on the drive
apart from his regular ones and Mike explained how he had taken along a
poor kid, as an assistant to the cook and to help with the horses. He had
seen him in
Hoss spoke up “Yeah it was sold to a new owner who had two sons.”
Mike was puzzled “Right but how did you know?”
Adam
asked “The livery in
“No Silver Springs”
Hoss was about to protest but Adam silenced him with a look “What was the kid’s name Mike?”
“Frankie”
Adam asked what he had been wearing and the ripped green coat and dirty blue shirt sounded all too familiar so he got out his sketch and showed it to Mike. He wasn’t the world’s best artist but he was confident he had a reasonable image. Mike stared at it “How come you got a picture of Frankie?”
“We knew him as Jimmy. Did he have anything to do with the stampede?”
“Well yes he was playing around with one of the guys guns, he didn’t have one and it went off but he was awful sorry.”
“I doubt it.I reckon it earnt him at least five hundred dollars. You weren’t the first herd he caused to stampede nor the last.” Mike was intrigued and Adam had to explain exactly what they believed.
Adam left Hoss and Joe to deal with the formalities of handing over the herd and getting paid while he went with Mike to see the sheriff and arrange for all the local towns to be warned in case the gang got a new spotter. Having done all they could to ensure no-one else got hurt the brothers only wanted to get home.
Epilogue
Ben
was pleased to see his sons home but as Adam was still limping, he demanded
to know what had happened. He had taken a lot of persuading that his sons
weren’t seriously hurt and that Hoss had forgiven himself but eventually
the drive was put behind them, until
‘Jimmy’
had been identified as Richard Shaw.
He was the youngest of five brothers from a small town in
There was a younger sister and the other brothers had been taken at her house, still near the same town. The brothers had attempted to take cattle from another herd without the help of an insider. It had led to a shooting match, with two dead drovers and two of the brothers injured. It wasn’t the first time that they had left dead bodies behind them and they would hang.
He had fooled all of them over his age, but somehow Hoss found it easier to know he had deliberately set out to rob people and that he was by no means the only person to fall for his story. Remembering Adam’s insistence that he didn’t want his brother to change helped more than he could ever say.
When
Adam glanced over at Joe “Well not all the time anyway.”
Hoss saw where Adam’s gaze had settled and burst out laughing. He put his arm round Adam’s shoulders as they went to join Joe.