RIVER BOAT GAMBLER

by JULES

When Seline and his crew of Bonnie, Yeager and Edwards finally berthed at the wharf in Sacramento, Joe Cartwright had little idea of how grateful they truly were to see dry land again.

The journey aboard the seaworthy vessel had been perilous and full of treachery as the winds had picked up a hour after midnight and thrown the crew from one end of the boat to the other.

Joe Cartwright had remained under the heavy cloud of sedation that Seline had inflicted, and was prevented from being tossed as harshly due to the iron shackle placed around his wrist when they had first boarded.

Yeager and Edwards had cause to think that their hostage and captive had the better end of the deal. Usually they were not men who would have called themselves weak, but they both exited the small boat very pale faced and looking for a good draft of rum to cure the nausea that had plagued them for much of the journey from
San Francisco.

Bonnie had been unsteady on her own feet as she had travelled by boat only once in her young life. Her features were almost as pale as those of Joe Cartwright below the deck, and she had uttered more than a few terrified shrieks the previous night as the wind began to take control of their craft and toss it about as not more than a cork on the sea.

Even Seline Marchant himself had to pause for half an hour when they berthed at the wharf and calm the nerves that had come from their journey almost being ended by the wind.

“Edwards, you stay here with Bonnie and with Cartwright until I get back. The two of you get him ready to travel, wrapped up in the blankets like we did before from the hotel in San Francisco,” Seline instructed.

“Where are we headed to, Boss?” Yeager asked, noting the omission of his name.

“You and I are going to the train station to make sure that all of the arrangements are in place and to purchase the tickets for the train to Saint Louis. Once everything is place we will hire a buggy from the livery stable and bring it here to transport young Mister Cartwright to the train,” Seline explained.

“We could just take him onboard and have it look like it just a passenger on the train,” Edwards suggested.

“No!” Seline said with forced behind his voice. “I don’t want to leave anything to chance. We cannot risk one of the other passengers seeing him on board ready to give a report to the Cartwrights later when they ask. This must be done as secretly as possible. I will purchase enough tickets, but no information will be given to the Station Master as to who the passenger is. I have arranged for a private carriage on the rear of the train. That way, we will stand no chance of being interrupted without warning by a curious conductor or other railway staff board the train.”

Bonnie drew her shawl around her shoulders a little more as she watched Seline walk away with Yeager towards the train station. She shivered slightly, but she doubted it was the chill in the air that caused such a reaction.

Edwards had been standing a short distance away from the petite blond woman and noted the expression that crossed her face. He could clearly see the struggle within herself to deal with the situation at hand and where her loyalties truly lay.

“Why are you doing this, Bonnie?” the man asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” she replied, noting the uneven tone of his voice that betrayed his own line of thought.

“Hey, I am here for the money and nothing else. You think I care what happens to that Cartwright pup. I have been against people like him all my life. People who get born into money and never give a damn about the hard working people beneath them,” Edwards snarled with contempt.

Bonnie remained quiet after his outburst and turned her head to look at the sea behind
her, but deep down inside she knew that Edwards was just as nervous about this whole kidnapping operation as she was. Even if he tried to hide it behind a loud exterior. Money might be an incentive to keep going, but it wasn’t what fuelled Edwards motive to keep being involved.

“Lets just hope that the money reward is worth all of this in the end,” Bonnie commented, reinforcing her own walls.

“You said it,” Edwards retorted. From there, the conversation dried up and they stood there both knowing that they would need to get Cartwright ready as Seline had instructed before his return from the train station.

***************************

Whilst Bonnie and Edwards were lying to each other about what their respective
motives were, the mastermind behind this whole operation, Marchant Seline and his other sidekick Yeager had made their way to the ticket office of the train station.

Until now, their movements seemed to go greatly unnoticed. There was only a lonely middle aged porter and the ticket officer to be seen. The train still being shunted from the yard and the call from the conductor for passengers to board was some considerable time away.

“Keep a look out whilst I purchase the tickets,” Seline instructed and walked swiftly towards the ticket office before Yeager had a chance to reply.

The ticket officer was much younger than the porter they had spotted within the station upon arrival. Seline was relying on his use of persuasive speech and charisma to obtain what he wanted without too many questions being asked about the extra tickets he was purchasing. His main goal was to make sure that there was no record of Joe Cartwright being aboard the train.

“Good Morning, Sir,” the ticket officer greeted Seline, putting away the small green covered register he had been writing in. “May I help you with your travel plans today?”

“Thank you, young man, Mr …….?” Seline began, waiting for the officer to give him his name rather than give his own first.

“Reynolds, Sir. Harvey Reynolds,” the officer replied, straightening his jacket a little and giving the impression of a well respected employee with experience.

“Yes, Mr Reynolds,” Seline said, doing his best to gain the young man’s confidence from the start. “I am needing to travel to Saint Louis today. There shall be myself and some collegues of mine. We have a very important meeting to attend to. Do you have any seating available?”

“Why, yes Sir, we do. There are many fine seats still available. Exactly how many should be travelling with you?”

Seline thought carefully of how to word the next question, knowing that he needed to avoid answering the man’s question or at least be as vague as possible but still give a reply that would seem like an answer.

“Do you have any private carriages available that would suit myself and my collegues?” Seline asked.

“Yes, sir we do. There is only one private carriage on this particular train, but at present it has not been booked. Would you like to occupy this carriage Sir?” Reynolds asked, adjusting the collar of his shirt once more within the last few minutes.

Seline didn’t want to seem over-interested straight away, although a private carriage is what he had planned for all along. “That would depend on the nature of the facilities that are offered aboard this carriage, young man.”

“Oh, the very finest Sir, I assure you,” Reynolds announced excitedly. He had never known any passenger not to be impressed when they had stepped aboard the luxury compartments. “I could tell you if you like. The carriage will be shunted from the train yard within the next half an hour, then I can give you a tour myself.”

“Thank you, yes I would like to hear and upon my being satisfied, I will take up your generous offer. No tour will be necessary. I am a little pressed for time this morning,” Seline commented, noticing the time on his watch, and calculating the time needed to conceal his secret passenger aboard the train before departure.

“Well, Sir, the compartment is finished in a very rich dark wood with velvet cushioning for the seats. A dining table is provided and four elaborately decorated chairs. There are fine bottles of brandy and sherry provided in crystal decanters and glasswear to pour into. Your meals can be brought to your carriage by the waiter and served by your own personal waiter.”

Seline was liking the sound of this carriage more and more until the young ticketing officer spoke about the meal arrangements. He did not want to interrupt the colourful speech, but needed to guard his activities once inside the carriage.

“Thank you, Mr Reynolds. You have been most helpful. I will enjoy very much the comforts that you have spoken about. However, with the meals, I would prefer it that one of my colleagues attends the dining car and was to bring the trays back. I have no need to take one of your valuable waiters to assist us with dinner,” Seline remarked.

“Are you certain, Sir, there is no additional charge for the waiter’s service. That’s what they are employed for,” Harvey said, a little confused by the refusal of the first class service being offered.

“No, no, quite certain. I am a very private man, Mr Reynolds, and although travelling aboard public transport, I expect no less than utter privacy. With the use of this carriage, I should not be disturbed as we travel to Saint Louis. My work is very important to me and I do not appreciate any loss of concentration,” Seline said, his voice dropping a level to appear a little sterner, but still amiable enough for the conversation.

“I will make a note of that, Sir, and inform the other officers aboard the train of your need for privacy and not to be disturbed. If you need anything throughout the journey, all you will need to do is approach one of the conductors that are there to help the passengers. They will be more than happy to assist,” Harvey explained.

“If you will kindly tell me the tariff for the journey, I will pay you now in cash,” Seline said, knowing that money would keep the young ticket officer on his side. He made sure that the wallet he carried was clearly visible and that Reynolds would be able to see the corners of the notes protruding through his fingers as he slowly extracted the amount required.

Reynolds was clearly taken in by the display of cash. His gaze never wandered from the open wallet as he quoted the amount required. His mouth had gone dry and he put his hand to his mouth in order to conceal his expression. He was not a young man of means and his meagre weekly wage barely got him and his sister through with food and the basics of life.

Up until now, Yeager had played no part in the plans that Seline was expertly orchestrating before him. He could see that his boss was taking the young man for a fool and trying to buy his trust with money. One look at Reynolds young face told him that the plan was working.

Seline handed the fare for the journey to the young man, in all crisp new notes. The young ticket officer’s hands trembling slightly at such a large sum.

“And here is a little something for you,” Seline teased as he handed another crisp note to Reynolds. The bait was working very nicely as his eyes grew large at the amount presented. He couldn’t say that he didn’t accept the odd silver coin from passengers for being so generous with helping them with their luggage and local
information. But this was more than he would make in a month as a ticket officer.

“Thank you, Sir, but I cannot possibly accept such a generous offer,” Reynolds stumbled, not knowing if Seline would be offended by his refusal. His main concern was what would the Station Master think if he learned of his officer accepting such large tips from the passengers.

“Of course you can,” Seline confirmed, pushing the note back into his hand and winking at the young man that it was alright to accept it. “You have done your job well, and I wish to reward you for such helpful and courteous service.”

“Thank you, I will not forget your kindness,” Reynolds said, not really knowing what else to say.

Just as Seline and Yeager were about walk away, Reynolds remembered his job and knew that there was certain information that needed to be gained from each passenger before boarding. These new rules and regulations had not been in force very long, but because he was only a junior officer and looking to promote himself, he needed to do his task accurately and efficiently.

“Please, Sir, I need to fill out my passenger register. I need your name and some other details. All part of the new rules introduced by the railways across the state.” Harvey informed Seline.

Seline paused, a sharp reply on the edge of his tongue, but instead of antagonizing the situation, he tried to keep the atmosphere friendly. “Do you really need such information, Mr Reynolds. I do like my privacy.”

Harvey thought for a minute, wanting to comply with the gentleman’s request. In the back of his mind though was the protocol and procedures of the station that were required. The register was a safety measure introduced to keep track of all the passengers in case of an emergency. Being a little naïve and taken in by Seline’s charm and money, he came up with a compromise that hopefully would be agreeable to all parties.

“If I could just have your name, Sir, then I can enter that into the log and you wouldn’t need to tell me the names of the other passengers travelling with you. Just how many,” Harvey suggested.

Seline had actually expected to have to provide much more information as the young ticket officer had asked for, but if he could persuade him to be satisfied with less, than all the more to his advantage.

Although he knew that Ben Cartwright would be astute enough to follow their route, half the information would be to Seline’s information. It would provide clues, but not give all the answers, and Ben would waste more time looking for his son and that would work better into his hands until they reached New Orleans.

“Very well, my name is Marchant Seline, I will be travelling with this gentleman standing beside me and one other. There will also be a young lady present in our carriage,” Seline provided.

“Thank you, Mr Seline. I apologise for the inconvenience, but I must complete my assigned tasks,” Reynolds replied.

“Certainly, I understand perfectly. You have done well. If I return to this station in the future, I will recall what good and courteous service you gave,” Seline said encouragingly.

“Good day to you too, Sir,” Reynolds said to Yeager. All he got in reply was a grunt in acknowledgement. Harvey pulled out his green register and wrote the name as quoted “Marchant Seline” and placed the numbers + 2M + 1F after the name, indicating the other passengers that had been indicated without identifying
them.

Reynolds had seen them depart the station area and assumed that the gentlemen had gone to collect their luggage to be boarded onto the train. He could see the railway workers beginning to prepare for the engine and carriages to be brought through, ready to take on cargo and supplies before the scheduled departure time.

Harvey made a mental note to make sure he spotted the group as they boarded the train and saw to their luggage being treated carefully. He knew that some luggage handlers had a tendency to be rough with the passengers luggage. He wanted to make sure that his efforts were worth the more than generous tip he had received.

**********************

Whilst Seline and Yeager were making their way back towards the dock to collect Joe Cartwright for their impending journey by railroad, Bonnie had gone below the boat to check on their prisoner and get him prepared for travel as asked.

She walked over to him, and the first thing she noted with a frown was that while he had been silent for entire journey from San Francisco, the young man was tossing and turning. Enough for him to being having a battle with his restraints.

Bonnie thought that perhaps he had been in this dark hull for too long. She poured a glass of water from a pitcher nearby and brought it to his lips. Just as she did so, his hand moved suddenly in a jerking motion, knocking the glass out of her hand onto the floor.

It was only then that she noted that he seemed to be reaching for the wound along his hairline, as if to indicate this to be the cause of his distress. With gentle fingers, she attempted to probe the area, seeing some perspiration forming on Joe’s forehead.

Joe’s hands attempted to reach the area again, and he gave another whimper of pain. She was forced to hold his hands against his chest as best she could to prevent him hurting himself further. His hands were warm, but not a natural heat, and she gave a small gasp as she used a free hand to feel his temperature. His forehead was hot. Too hot. Perhaps as a complication of the drug concoction he had been given or from the head wound itself.

Bonnie startled slightly as Edwards appeared behind her, drawn by the sound of the shattering glass a few moments earlier. He had assumed that Cartwright had been attempting to get himself free and that Bonnie might have been struggling with him.

“What’s wrong with him?” Edwards asked, noting that Cartwright was mumbling and moving about, but certainly not making any attempts to escape his bonds.

“He’s burning up,” Bonnie said. “A fever, but I don’t know if it is the blow to the head that is causing it or being cooped up in here too long.”

“What do we do about it?” Edwards said, moving a little closer and noticing the perspiration on the Cartwright kid’s skin. “There ain’t no doctor about like before.”

“I know, but we have to try and get it down somehow. If his temperature gets too high, there could be all kinds of problems and then who knows what will happen. We may not even have a hostage to collect any ransom money,” Bonnie commented.

Just as Bonnie finished her sentence, Seline had come aboard the ship and had caught the tail end of the conversation about Joe Cartwright having a fever.

“Trouble, Bonnie?” Seline asked casually.

“Could be. He has a fever. I just noticed it now when I came to get him ready. The wound on his head looks closed still, but the edges are slightly red. He is still out of it mostly from the injection you gave him,” Bonnie replied.

Edwards moved out of the way and allowed Seline to move closer to the small bed and inspect his hostage and his condition. After looking and thinking about the journey ahead that he had arranged, he spoke.

“Can he still be moved?” he asked plainly, looking at Bonnie for the answer.

“I suppose, but like I just said to Edwards, we need to get his temperature down. Its not extremely high, but it could become high if we leave it and do nothing.

“Give him some water for now before we move him. We will keep him wrapped up. Like you said, it doesn’t look too high at the moment. Once aboard the train, you can try to get it down with some cool water. That’s what any doctor would tell us to do anyway. I don’t want to waste any more time looking for a doctor now before we board the train. We can find one in New Orleans if he becomes worse,” Seline instructed.

Bonnie had brought a cup of water to Joe’s lips as required and for the first time in quite a number of days, the young man showed the first signs of beginning to emerge from his grey cloud of confusion. Bonnie held the cup but watched his face intently for a few moments to note the various changes in expression.

Despite the shackles around his wrists, Joe raised a hand slowly to his forehead, the chain clinking from the movement. This small noise seem to bring Joe back to the present even more. His eyes were struggling to open, he wanted to speak but didn’t think he had the strength to do.

Even if he wanted to speak, his thoughts had no cohesion whatsoever and drifted inside his head with no real order to them. He took a sip of the water offered, but turned his head away with the offer of more.

Joe swallowed deliberately and slowly. His tongue feeling thick and like it was covered in cotton. He moaned and his eyes now opened very slightly. The darkness of the room inside the boat disorientated him further, and his eyes took on a very glazed appearance. Evidence to the fact the drugs were still within his body.

Joe blinked twice, trying to clear his vision, noting what looked to be a small blond woman standing beside her. He wanted to reach out towards her and ask her where he was. His eyelids began to droop once more and the words on his lips all but fell away unspoken.

Bonnie could see him attempting to form a question in his mind by the expression on his face, but then what little energy he had been able to conserve during his arduous journey was now spent and she could see that he had fallen asleep again before he could utter another sound.

She brushed a few stray strands of hair out of his eyes and then went up top to speak to Seline and Edwards.

“How is our young Mr Cartwright?” Seline enquired upon seeing her emerge from below.

“Beginning to wake up,” Bonnie said plainly. “He opened his eyes briefly and looked like he was about to say something, but then he just fell back asleep. You had better get him on that train quickly, before he has the chance to wake up more and that drug to wear off. He might be a little feistier next time he wakes.”

“Well, well, I must say the young man continues to impress me with his stamina and ability to overcome adverse situations,” Seline commented with a slight smirk on his face. He knew that he would have a fight on his hands once Joe was more aware of his surroundings and what had happened to him. In fact he was counting on their being a battle between them. After all, the boy was Marie’s child and she would have put up as much of a fight.

“Get him brought up from down there and loaded into the carriage before anyone sees anything,” Seline ordered to Yeager and Edwards as he stood and watched the two go below. He struck a match on the underside of his boot and lit a cigar as Joe Cartwright’s inert form was loaded into the waiting carriage.

Joe was loaded into the carriage feet first and before they could get him settled enough along the bench seat inside, a brief gust of wind whipped the tan hat off his head, causing it to fall into the gutter.

Bonnie knelt down to retrieve it, holding it out towards Seline rather than placing it back upon Joe’s crown of messy brown curls. “We can’t afford to leave anything behind that somebody might find to identify him,” she commented casually.

“Very clever of you, my dear,” Seline said, taking the hat from her. “Yes, we cannot afford to leve too many clues behind for Ben Cartwright to find,” he said, knowing full well that he had left quite a few deliberately himself.

Nothing specific that would link him to the disappearance of Joe Cartwright. But enough to be a teaser and torment to a father trying to find his missing son. To be so close in finding the one he loved but not close enough to rescue him from danger when it threatened the most.

With a snap of the reigns, the carriage moved slowly towards the railway station, its silent prisoner inside away from prying eyes. Edwards had taken position beside the driver, giving directions as necessary. Yeager was seated inside with Bonnie and Seline, a gun close by his side in case trouble presented itself.

Bonnie couldn’t help but feel nervous the closer they got to the train. Every now and then her eyes wandered to the prone form of Joe Cartwright on the other seat. He didn’t move or make any noise since being placed inside there from the boat.

With every mile she couldn’t help but wonder what trouble she was getting herself into as well as the handsome young man laying there. Right at this very moment, although she never showed it openly on her face, she felt every bit the prisoner that Joe Cartwright was. Not in shackles or tied up as he was, and her freedom had not been taken away completely, but a prisoner all the same.

Whilst Seline and his party travelled through the streets of Sacramento towards the train station and the journey they would take further to Saint Louis, another coach was also making a journey.

Ben Cartwright and his two sons, Adam and Hoss were currently travelling on the stagecoach from San Francisco towards Sacramento. Time was of the essence, but even with the stage travelling as fast as the horses could run, there was no way of knowing if they were going to be able to reach Joe in time.

The road was rough and the heat inside the stagecoach oppressive, but none of that seemed to matter to Ben as he stared out the window. His mind was elsewhere. Hoss and Adam could see the inner turmoil within their father and how helpless he felt right at this minute.

Ben’s expression was blank, and that was probably the most difficult for Adam and Hoss. In the past, their father’s face was the window to his soul. Being able to tell his various moods and feelings by the kindness in his eyes or the disappointment in his jaw line when they had done wrong.

Ben let out an audible sigh and wrung the bandana tightly in his hands as a sign of his frustration. His own nerves were twisting just as much inside. They could pre-empt all they liked and guess at Marchant Seline’s next moves or where they might have taken Joe.

They were travelling now to Sacramento on a hunch. Purely that. There was no real way of knowing if they were getting closer to being able to rescue Joe or going further away, well out reach of any help.

He had to put all his trust and faith in God that he would keep Joe safe until he could get there. That his son would have the strength to fight against his captors and that Joe would not loose his own sense of belief that help would arrive.

Hoss could see his father’s sorrow and sense of frustration. He didn’t know how he could help the most, but with his large, but gentle hand, rested it on Ben’s and then held his gaze for a few moments.

“Don’t worry Pa, we will find him.”

Adam smiled at his younger brother and knew that Hoss’s enthusiasm was the best medicine for his father at present. They all had to believe that Joe would alright until they found him. He gave a brief wink to Hoss, in praise of his efforts, and appreciative that they needed to work together to find Joe.

As Seline and the carriage approached the railway station, Edwards had started to give more specific instructions about where to stop the horses. They knew that they would have to attempt to get Joe Cartwright aboard the train without being seen if possible.

Seline on the other hand, would need to make sure that the young fool Reynolds saw him boarding the train and assumed that everything was proceeding normally as any other day. That he was just another passenger boarding the train to the next destination.

Seline gave the orders to Edwards and Yeager that he would get young porter to open the carriage and then have the baggage being secured and loaded aboard the coach. He intended to board early himself, but have Joe taken aboard as close to the departure time as possible, to avoid any chance of the young man being spotted by a curious conductor.

Bonnie was Seline’s tool at the moment. He had told her to smile sweetly at the porters and ticket officer to get them thinking more about her than what was happening around them.

Seline smiled to himself as he could see Reynold’s nervous disposition as Bonnie approached his ticketing booth. The young man was struggling to loosen his collar and hide his awkwardness around such a lovely looking young woman.

“Hello,” Bonnie whispered to him in a sweet, soft voice. Her dressed hugging her hips well and her bodice showing off her generous figure. Her blond hair was swept up in an elegant style, giving the appearance of upper-class sophistication.

“Good Day to you again, Mr Reynolds, this young lady will be my travelling companion on this journey,” Seline said to Harvey. “I am afraid this weather is not quite what she is used to. If you don’t mind, I would like to help her aboard as early as possible before the train leaves.”

“C-certainly, M-miss,” Reynolds stumbled over his words, reaching out to take Bonnie’s hand and not really knowing what to do when she didn’t extend the invitation to greet him in that fashion.

“Thank you, kind Sir,” Bonnie cooed at him, fluttering her eyes at him and then turning to walk towards the train.

Almost tripping over his own feet in haste, Harvey snatched a set of keys that hung on a board in the office and raced out to open up the private carriage before them. Making sure that they were following him, wanting to ensure that they were well taken care of.

Once inside, Bonnie was a little surprised at the luxury and opulence that was offered before her. Struggling to keep up appearances, she ran her hand over the back of the velvet covered chair as if give her approval of the facilities.

“Very nice,” Bonnie murmured, although Reynold’s attention was more focused on Seline to see if everything was to his satisfaction.

Reynolds proceeded to give a tour of the other compartments, including the bedrooms. There were three. One for Yeager and Edwards, one for Seline and one for their captive. The rooms were very compact and small and the living quarters would be a little cramped for their journey, but that couldn’t be helped.

‘Could we have some iced water brought in by the waiter? Also some extra linen and towels?” Seline requested, stilling looking about the room.

“I will have it brought to you straight away, Sir,” Reynolds responded. “If there is anything else you will be needing before departure, please let myself or one of the conductors know. The dining car will be ready for use as soon as the train has left the station.”

“I trust all is in order for the moment, Sir?” Reynolds asked with a little nervousness creeping into his voice. Seline had still to utter an opinion, good or bad about the accommodations and Harvey did not have any other options should they not be suitable.

“For the moment,” Seline replied without looking directly at the young ticket officer.

“I hope you enjoy your journey, Miss,” Reynolds said as he departed the carriage, trying to do so without appearing rude and turning his back towards the young lady.

Bonnie gave him a grateful smile and then went into one of the rooms. She knew that they needed to get one of the beds prepared for the arrival of Joe Cartwright. No doubt Seline had pre-empted a little of what they needed in asking for the extra linen and towels a few moments ago.

“I’ll stay here and wait for you to bring him in. Make sure you are not seen,” Seline hissed at Yeager and Edwards, now focusing on getting his captive aboard as quickly as possible without any problems. Although a good enough alibi for later if questions should be asked, the platform proved a little more too public than he had first envisaged.

Bonnie pulled back the richly decorated quilt on the bed and smoothed the crisp white sheets. Seline now come in briefly with a large jug of ice water and informed her that there was a second ewer in the other living compartment should she need it.

Bonnie also took two of the white towels and two sheets. They would be able to get more, if needed, but would have to do so in smaller quantities to avoid any suspicions being drawn about the over-usage of the linen by train staff.

She had expected Seline to give her a lecture about what was expected of her during the train journey, but he had left soon after placing the jug on a table near the bed. Sounds coming from the front of the compartment, indicating that Edwards and Yeager were only moments away from entering with the unconscious form of Joe.

“Problems?” Seline asked as Edwards and Yeager stood in entrance, with Joe Cartwright supported between them.

“Not yet, but there might be,” Yeager answered, nodding with his head towards a loud conversation that could be heard happening between the young ticket officer and another female passenger.

The door to their apartment was closed and concealed the fact that they were listening, for which they were thankful. “Did she see you get on with Cartwright?”

“No,” Edwards replied truthfully, “But she seems a little bit upset about not being given this apartment. She is demanding to know who is in here and why we can’t be persuaded to give it over to her for another seat on the train,” he explained, from what accusations he had heard from the woman.

Outside on the platform, Harvey Reynolds was quickly feeling out of his depth in being able to confront this head-strong woman and advise her that she could not have the private compartments which were already occupied.

“Where is your supervisor, young man. Or the Station Master. I demand to talk to them at once,” the woman questioned him, poking him in the chest with an extended finger with each additional question.

“The Station Master is not here at the moment, Madam,” he replied honestly enough. “Unfortunately as I have told you, there is only one private compartment aboard this train to New Orleans. At the moment, another passenger has paid in advance and been offered these accommodations for the journey,” Harvey explained.

“Who are these people you speak of. I haven’t even seen anybody go in there. Can you be sure that they will turn up to board the train in time. The other seats aboard the train are inadequate. Surely you could ask them…….”

“Oh, but I am sorry, Madam, I couldn’t possibly do that. My apologies. The passenger is currently aboard the train already with his party. He has asked for privacy and in accordance with railway policy, I am not obliged to give out any personal details about them,” Harvey said.

“Hmph,” the woman scoffed, not believing that it was a part of railway policy at all, but not really having any other complaint that could assure her the private compartment. “Rest assured, I will speak to your Station Master on this matter.”

“My husband is a very important man in this community, you know. Being treated no better than second class citizens,” she murmured as she climbed aboard the first class carriages. They did not have sleeping compartments, but the seats were spaced further apart from each other and they were covered in plush velvet for comfort.

“I will pass on your complaints, Madam,” Reynolds said through a forced smile. He couldn’t wait until the ungrateful woman boarded the train and he wouldn’t have to deal with her again.

After seeing that the luggage had been loaded correctly and all accounted for, Reynolds was just walking past all the compartment doors, ensuring they were securely locked. Ready to give the driver the signal to depart the station.

Something caught his eye just outside the private apartment of the lovely lady and Mr Seline. It was a tan hat. He picked it up and looked at it. He couldn’t recall it being included Seline’s luggage or his companions. The gentleman had worn a much grander black hat.

Must have come from one of the other passengers aboard the train, or perhaps one of the bystanders, waiting to wave goodbye. “Put it in the lost property box,” he muttered to himself as he carried it away. It looked like a good hat and surely someone would notice it was missing and come looking for it.

Reynolds walked inside his office and hung the hat up on a peg behind him where a number of other disused hats sat, awaiting to be claimed. Little did he realise at the time that the hat would be the only clue to Joe’s family that he had been at the train station at all. That one missing link or connection that could mean all the difference to their search.

Yeager and Edwards let out a collectively held breath as they heard the young ticket officer, Reynolds walk back to his office after dealing with the woman. They were pleased that he had been able to convince her that he couldn’t interrupt anyone else’s seat for her sake.

Seline had listened a few moments longer, ensuring that Reynolds had indeed walked away from the train. Because of the closed compartment door, he and the other two men did not see Harvey pick up Joe Cartwright’s discarded tan hat. Neither did they notice that it was missing from his head as the young captive was now taken down the corridor towards a bed.

Seline sat down in one of the leather arm chairs and poured himself a brandy from the liquor bottles generously supplied with the private rooms. Yeager and Edwards took up seats in two slightly less formal chairs within the living area, awaiting their next instructions.

Soon after sitting down, the three of them heard the whistle from the train and an indistinct yell from the conductor to get the journey underway.

Bonnie had held onto the water jug for a moment, as the train jolted and jarred into movement on the tracks. Joe Cartwright had moved a little at the noise, his eyes still closed, but his body beginning to wake a little more.

“You need to be waking up soon, Mr Cartwright,” Bonnie whispered, not expecting any answer from her patient. She took one of the smaller towels and dipped the corner in some of the cold water from the pitcher and began dabbing at his forehead and his cheeks. The fever was still present and hopefully the cool water would help greatly in bringing it back down under control.

Whether Joe Cartwright actually heard her words or not, Bonnie couldn’t really be sure. The young man laying before her suddenly shifting, turning and rolling onto his side now that he was no longer restrained by shackles. His lips parts with a sigh as exhaled in his sleep.

Bonnie resumed her sponging routine, trying to cool his body temperature. His skin was hot and dry to the touch, though the colour was paled from when she had first seen him in the hotel in San Francisco. The lack of sunshine had not kept the bronze tone that had given his skin a lustre and shine a few weeks ago.

Bonnie took care of Joe Cartwright well into the night. Just when she thought the sponging and cool water were working, his temperature would spike a few degrees higher again and she would have to continue the rigorous routine. His sleep was restless, with frequent periods of tossing and turning. Caught in the midst of dreams.

Dawn was just beginning to shine through the curtains in the carriage windows, when she placed the sponge back into the bowl. The water was tepid enough to need replacing, but looking down at Joe’s serene face as he slept, she thought they may just have turned a corner and that he may actually beginning to show signs of improvement.

Bonnie felt tired herself, brushing a few wisps of hair from her face. Seline knocked briefly on the door before walking in, looking down at his sleeping hostage. He was carrying a hot cup of tea which he offered to her. She gave a grateful smile in return, but her face still showed the slight sign of worry over Cartwright’s health.

Seline was just to make another comment, when his attention was drawn towards the bed. Joe Cartwright was attempting to wake up, his eyes blinking quite a few times before opening. Neither he nor Bonnie said anything at first, allowing the young man to gain his bearings on his own.

Joe’s green eyes looked very tired looking and bloodshot. As though it was taking all of his strength just to remain wake. He was clearly confused as he attempted to understand where he was. He turned his face towards the two figures he could see standing in the room. Their images were blurry and his head was pounding from a dreadful headache.

Seline and Bonnie watched as Joe winced in pain and brought his hand up to his head to signal the headache that was present. Bonnie poured some fresh, cool water in a glass and held it to his lips, urging him to take small, slow sips at first.

Joe did as she asked, watching her the whole time, trying to get his mind around who these people were. His brow furrowed deeper, as he tried harder to recall where he had seen this familiar face. But the pain in his head only increased, so intense to make him stop drinking from the glass and turn his head away and grimacing again.

“How are you feeling, Mr Cartwright?” Seline asked, standing beside the bed. His tone of voice indicated that as long as there were no long term effects or permanent damage, then he was indifferent about how much pain or discomfort his captive might be experiencing.

“What’s happened?” Joe asked, barely recognizing his own voice. It sounded hoarse and was barely above a whisper. “I seem to have misplaced several hours,” he grimaced as he shifted on the bed once more. “My arms and legs feel so heavy.”

“Not hours, Mr Cartwright. You have been sleep for a few days,” Seline informed him. “Unfortunate, but necessary.”

Joe’s mind was still clouded by the drug concoction he had been given. He tried hard to put his thoughts together, but that only made his headache reignite.

Seline could see Joe’s difficulty in putting the words together and the battle he was still fighting to stay awake. “Bonnie, please see that Mr Cartwright enjoys a hot meal, something simple, like a hearty beef soup. Then allow him to go back to sleep.”

“We will talk later, Joseph,” Seline said, as he headed towards the doorway. Joe turned and watched him leave, his senses telling him that he should recognize the face, but the moment he could not recall having met the man at all.

A few minutes later, Bonnie was helping Joe with the soup that had been brought for him. He seemed to be enjoying the spicy taste, but his eyes were growing heavier and heavier. He would not be awake much longer.

Finally, Joe’s hand fell limply from the soup ladle, no longer having the strength to hold onto the metal utensil. Bonnie decided to take pity on the young man and after moving the tray from his lap, aided him in laying down onto the bed in a more relaxed position. Joe never felt her gentle hands on his bare skin, checking again for any sign of unwelcome warmth now that the fever had broken.

About two hours later, Joe’s alertness brought him out of his profoundly deep sleep. He blinked a number of times before opening his green eyes to a soft light within the room.

Cautiously he looked around and saw the young blond woman sleeping across the other side of the room. Her blond hair a little more out of place than it had been earlier, indicating she had been asleep for some time herself. Her back was facing towards Joe, so she did not notice him awake.

Joe lay still for a few moments, trying desperately again to gather his thoughts and work out where he was and why. And for the first time, reality hit him strongly as he felt the movement of the train.

Fear took control of him and he sat up abruptly, which he quickly regretted. The carriage was rattling from the tracks underneath. An occasional screech of metal on metal cutting through his nerves. The headache he had awoken to a couple of hours again had yet to fully subside, the noise from the train only causing it to remain longer.

Joe was berating himself harshly. He had no recollection of getting on a train, he had little if no recall of the young woman across the room sleeping. He had no idea where the train was taking him to. There seemed to be so many gaps between what he remembered and what he didn’t and none of it was meshing together to make any sort of sense to him.

Little Joe decided he had to find out for himself what was going on and where he was travelling to. He threw the bedclothes back and swung his legs around over the edge of the bed. He was surprised to feel just how much exertion was required of his body to carry out such a simple task. He wasn’t weak exactly, but his arms and legs were not co-operating with him or each other, making movement unsteady and ungainly.

The room was spinning a little as he forced his legs into a standing position, but it was not as bad as it had been earlier that day. As he run his hand through his tusselled curls, his fingers came cross the jaggered and still healing gash just inside his hairline. The wound that had come about as a result of the two blows from Seline and his henchman.

“Ouch,” Joe whispered to himself as he carefully withdrew his hand from the area. The wound gave him a little bit more of an answer as to why his thoughts were so jumbled up and how he had come to loose so much time. He couldn’t remember how such a gash had occurred. He couldn’t recall falling down or being in any fight recently.

Cautiously, Joe put his hand on the doorknob to the small room and opened the door, ready to step into the corridor, not knowing that he was meant to be a prisoner.
He found himself using his outstretched hand to steady himself and keep his balance as he made the few small and deliberate steps.

The walls were all made of a dark timber, causing the corridor to appear a little darker than the room he had just emerged from. He paused a minute to get his breath and figure out which direction to go in, when he could suddenly hear voices from one end of the corridor.

Perhaps the people belonging to these voices would be able to tell him where he was and why he found himself on a train. Joe’s concentration on those speaking increased as he moved along the narrow hallway, the frown on his face deepening as the voice he was hearing began to seem familiar. Where had he heard it before?

“What are you going to do about Cartwright?” came the question, Joe not being able to see who asked from where he was standing.

“Play things cautiously for the moment,” Seline answered Yeager, as he stood looking out the window of the train, calculating the next few steps in the journey.

What could the man mean? Joe asked himself, concluding that they were talking about him by mentioning the name Cartwright. What did the man intend to do cautiously?

At the same time as a hundred questions ran through his brain, the voice became more recognizable. Like someone had just told him the answer to the question. A series of images flashed through his mind.

In his mind he could see a street but didn’t know which town. There were large buildings along the roadway, a lot taller and grander than Virginia City.

And then, just as crisp and clear, the voice he had heard a few moment ago echoed in his head again.

“Because I told them what it was,” came the voice.

Joe could suddenly recall the voice and then a few mumbled words. Then all he could remember was a flash of pain and darkness descending on him. These had been the men on that street. What events had occurred after then were still a blur, but the pieces were slowly beginning to fall into place.

With a surge of anger coursing through him, Joe tensed his muscles, and willed himself to walk forward and demand to know what was going on from these people and why he was here on this train.

Seline had been surprised when he heard the approaching footsteps. Yeager and Edwards who had been seated on the sofa, turned also, and couldn’t believe that Cartwright was standing in the corridor, a strained expression on his face.

“Sit down, Mr Cartwright, before you fall down,” Seline said calmly and firmly, giving Yeager and Edwards a small wave of his hand to indicate that they were to help him make it to the sofa.

“Get away from me,” Joe growled, but his body was protesting and beginning to falter, which Seline could sense. The train suddenly lurched for a brief second, almost causing Joe to loose his balance.

“I want to know………,” was all he managed to speak before he felt the strong grip of Yeager and Edwards on either arm, guiding him into the living compartment. With a soft thud he was dumped onto the sofa unceremoniously.

Joe immediately tried to get to his feet again but instantly felt a restraining hand from Yeager on his shoulder, forcing him back down on the sofa. He gave a scowl in return, but also grimaced at the headache that had come back from the sudden activity.

“I suggest you rest while you can, Joseph. You have been recovering from a head injury,” Seline said. Joe reacting by feeling for the area and wincing at the slight pain he felt and the swelling he could detect underneath his fingertips.

‘You were the man I met that day on the street………,” Joe said, but he lowered his head as the headache became worse.

“You have a good memory,” Seline said with contempt in his voice.

“Who are you?” Joe asked, his temper beginning to mount with every second that passed without the answers he was seeking.

“Who I am is of little importance right now, Joseph.”

“Joe will do just fine.”

“What I want is important. And I will not let you or anybody else disturb the plans that I have carefully laid out.”

“And what do you want?”

Seline thought about his response for a moment. Should he tell the young man everything he planned to do or merely hide the real truth?

Seline turned around to face Joe and sat in an elaborate arm chair adjacent to where his prisoner was seated on the sofa.

“Who is your father, Joseph?”

Little Joe thought the question odd at first, until he saw the disdain on the man’s face as he mentioned the word “father”.

“Ben Cartwright,” Joe replied quickly, both defending his family honour but at the same time being proud to call himself a part of such a well known family.

“Yes, the high and mighty, Benjamin Cartwright,” Seline repeated through clenched teeth. “A man that thinks himself above everybody else and cares nothing for the lives and feelings of others that he destroys along the way.”

“Now wait just a minute………,” Joe said as his temper flared and he stood up, “If you think I am just going to let you speak that way about my father, than……..,” but Joe was forced to sit back down again as his legs threatened to betray him.

“Let me ask you this, Joseph,” Seline said, getting up from the chair and gazing out the window, trying to heighten the air of mystery that was still present within the room about the young man’s fate.

“How much do you know about your father’s life before the Ponderosa. How much do you know about his relationship and marriage to your mother, Marie?”

“My mother?” Joe said, by now totally confused about the direction of the conversation. First the man was attacking his father’s good and hard earned reputation. Now he was making of his mother, and there was no way that Joe was going to have her name soiled by a stranger who barely knew her.

“Your mother, who was the most gentle flower to walk upon this earth. Willing to show her kindness and affection for others even when they didn’t ask for it,” Seline said as his mind drifted back in time to when he had time along with Marie.

“She was the most lovely woman I had ever had the fortune to meet. With the demise of her first husband, she was crying out for attention and to be loved as she deserved to be. I could have given her that. Given her a luxurious lifestyle and all the wealth she could have ever desired,” Seline continued with a touch of bitterness.

“Then Benjamin Cartwright had to show up and things began to change. Marie’s personality changed. She was no longer the quiet young woman that desired to have a strong man controlling her life. Marie began showing signs of rebelliousness and defiance.”

“My father didn’t force her to become like that. My mother was always strongly independent and head-strong. She spoke her opinion and didn’t back down from anyone trying to run her life the way she didn’t want to live it,” Joe denied hotly.

“Then she tells me one day that she planned to marry Ben Cartwright and travel over 2000 miles to live in an inhospitable territory and carve a homestead out of the landscape with their bare hands. Away from the sanctuary and comfort that she had known. Separated from family and friends and severing all ties to a lifestyle she had been accustomed to for many years.”

“My mother loved my father and had a wonderful life in Nevada on the Ponderosa,” Joe said, defending his mother’s choices. She would have never stayed with the likes of you. A man to tell her when to do this and that, with no real position in life but to hang off your arm as a trophy. A prize to be shown around but never fully to experience life because you didn’t want her to.”

“I watched your mother and father for many years. Without them knowing. Seeing your mother have to work hard to make your brothers accept her.”

“You don’t know anything about my family, especially about my brothers, and you certainly don’t know anything about my mother. You don’t understand anything about her if you wanted to lock her away like a bird in a glass cage.”

“On the contrary Joseph, I know everything about your family.” Seline answered, turning and facing him up close for the first time. He could see that the converstion was beginning to unmask Joe’s emotions. He wanted to be able to invoke a whole kaleidoscope at will, from happiness, to sadness to outright anger and rage.

“And then there was that tragic accident, and Marie life was taken,” Seline said, noting that Joe’s emerald green eyes misting up to the memory of his mother’s death. “Was it really an accident, or something more convenient for your father?”

“Why you…………,” Joe yelled, by now his chest heaving as he was driven by pure unadulterated rage at such a statement. He drew back his fist and was about was about to deliver any blow he could to such a despicable man, but his arms were quickly restrained from behind by Yeager and Edwards.

Both of them were surprised with how much the weakened young man fought and struggled against them. Joe could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. His eyes were stinging from the tears of frustration and the anger he felt.

“Your not even good enough to speak her name,” Joe spat at Seline. His words were not well taken though and he almost took a step back as he saw his tormentor take a step forward.

A resounding slap could he heard as Seline used his open hand to strike Joe hard across the side of his face. “You will soon learn the consequences of your words, Joseph.

“Just like your mother. I would have tamed the rebellious spirit within her too, just like I will her impudent young son.”

“You would have controlled her by beating her when she didn’t agree with you. What kind of love do you call that?” Joe said, barely able to talk civilised to the man who had wanted to strike his mother.

“For your father’s act of betrayal, you will remain by guest,” Seline stated.

“Guest or prisoner?” Joe demanded.

“Whichever way you wish to call it. But you will remain until I have been satisified that your father’s debt is repaid.”

“And what would be your price?” Joe asked, knowing that Seline must have been counting on his father to pay a ransom for his return. Seline delayed as long as possible to reply to this question. Whilst still being restrained by Yeager and Edwards, Joe was forced to wait for an answer while Seline walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured a brandy.

Over the rim of the glass, Seline smiled as he saw Joe’s temper getting the better of him once more. He had been told a lot about the infamous temper of Joe Cartwright and his often impulsive and impetuous nature.

“Yes, just like your mother, Marie, again Joseph,” Seline said to himself.

The ice in Seline’s drink tinkered against the side of the glass, infuriating Joe even more as he attempted again to break free of the iron grip from his assailants.

“What was the promised price?” Joe shouted.

“Benjamin Cartwright’s life,” Seline said plainly.

“You can’t do that, it will be murder,” Joe said, trying to be brave, but inwardly believing that this man was capable of such a hideous crime. “I won’t let you do it.”

“And your going to stop me?” Seline said with a chuckle.

“If I have to,” Joe promised. “My brothers wouldn’t let you get anywhere near my father to harm him.”

“Maybe I will just have to kill them too, to make sure they don’t interfere.”

“Over my dead body,” Joe declared.

“That, my young foolish friend, has already been assured,” Seline stated.

***************************

Joe could feel his body protesting against him once more. The physical battle against Seline was nothing compared with the emotional torture and mental anguish that he was enduring.

“Yeager, Edwards, return Mr Cartwright to his room, and this time, make sure that he is properly restrained. And you may need to gag him to keep him quiet. We will be approaching a station soon and taking on new passengers. We don’t want to risk anyone hearing him calling for help,” Seline instructed his henchmen.

Although completely unprepared, Joe saw this as his one and possibly only opportunity to get away from his captors. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Seline not far away, but behind him was the compartment door which in theory should lead to other carriages on the train and hopefully help.

Joe knew couldn’t afford to get this wrong. Without warning, he slumped his shoulders and allowed his balance to become unsteady. It had the desired effect as Yeager and Edwards were taken by surprise, having to alter their grip to keep the young hostage upright in their grasp.

“What’s wrong with him?” Yeager began to ask as he and Edwards looked to their employer for answers.

Joe went one step further and allowed his eyes to roll up in his head and collapsing to the ground as though in a dead faint. He lay limply on the floor whilst Seline dropped his glass in surprise and was about to walk over and monitor his condition. Maybe he had pushed the young man too far after waking up.

With one almighty kick outwards, Joe managed to catch Edwards in the groin, causing the man to double over and fall to his knees in great pain. A roar of horror and outrage came from Yeager as he tried to grab a hold of Joe as he attempted to scramble to his feet.

Joe had enough knowledge of dirty fighting from night’s at the Bucket O’ Blood saloon to catch the man unawares and deliver a stunning blow to his chin before making to his feet and racing towards the door that would lead to the other compartments on the train.

“He is getting away!” Seline shouted in frustration, as his two henchmen were put out of action. “Do I have take care of everything myself?”

Edwards was trying to get on his feet, with his hand shielding the injured area and a grimace of pain on his face. Edwards was angry had every intention of extracting some pain for himself in return.

“Come here you little…….” Yeager shouted, who was the first to be able to make a grab for the escapee.

Seline was still in the way and posed the biggest threat to Joe’s escape attempt. Thinking quickly, the young man made use of some nearby furniture and toppled a nearby dark-stained table. On top of the table had been an ornate crystal vase spilled with water. As the table lost it balance, so too did the vase, the water pouring out and then the glass shattering on one corner as it struck the floor.

The obstruction of the table was just what Joe had been looking for as a distraction and allowed him that one moment to get past Seline. Almost anyway.

Seline had tried his best to trip the young man’s feet as he tried to regain his own footing and dodge the table. His suit jacket had come off worst, now soaked with the majority of the water from the vase.

Joe managed to reach the door, but in his haste, fumbled with the brass door handle that lead from the private compartment to the rest of the train. In the few seconds that he tried in frustration to get the door open, Edwards and Yeager were only a step behind Seline, and almost within reaching distance of Joe.

There was a small gap between the carriages. A compartment with doors to each carriage and one on the side for easy access for the conductor from the outside of the train when not in motion.

Joe had scrambled out the door, not daring to look back at where his captors were. Seline on the other hand, knew that he had to stop Joe from reaching the other passengers or attracting their attention if possible. If they were aware of his presence aboard the train, they could reveal to anyone asking the wrong kinds of questions later.

Seline realised that swift and decisive action was required and with the limited time and space before Joe reached the safety of the second carriage, he brought his pistol out from his holster and held it slightly aloft.

Joe’s concentration had solely been on reaching the second carriage, with his hand on the other brass door handle and preparing to open it. Without warning, a staggering blow was delivered to the same spot that had rendered him unconscious in the alley in San Francisco.

He didn’t lose consciousness immediately, but was driven to his knees, giving a cry of pain and reaching immediately for the affected area. Still using his remaining adrenaline levels, with one hand over the wound and blood beginning to show between his fingers, Joe groped again for the brass door handle.

Seline was not quick enough from preventing the confused and swaying young man from entering the second carriage without making other aware of what had happened. He would have to change roles for a minute and appear as the concerned family member trying to prevent the young man from injuring himself further.

Joe stepped into the next compartment, but found his vision somewhat unfocused and unable to distinguish clearly whether there were any other passengers nearby that would come to his aid. He thought he could hear voices, but they sounded distant and he couldn’t really work out what they were saying.

Joe had managed to walk another three steps, coming to the fourth row of seats before he fell to his knees again and squeezed his eyes shut against the pain inside his head that was growing in intensity. The blood had now run through his fingers and was
clearly visible on the side of his face.

“Oh, you poor young man,” came the voice from an older woman seated against the right hand window. She hadn’t heard the young man enter the compartment, but was shocked and surprised to see him collapse to his knees and see the amount of blood about the gash on his head.

“Let me help you,” the woman said, trying to take a gentle grasp of Joe’s arm to steady his balance a little. “What is your name? Who are you travelling with?”

Joe could hear a voice talking to him, but it was growing softer and softer compared to a roaring sound that was getting louder and louder inside his head. He tried to raise his head to see who had a hold of his arm, but his grip on consciousness slipped further away and he held on with a thin thread.

“Thank you Madam,” came Seline’s voice from behind. “I thank you for finding my son before he could do himself more harm.”

“You are his father?” the woman eyed him suspiciously, a little startled by his appearance behind her. “How does he come to have this head injury? It doesn’t appear that you are watching him too carefully.”

“My name Dubois and this is my son Joseph. Unfortunately he was involved in an accident a few days ago where he sustained a head injury. We come to be on this train, travelling to seek medical attention for him. I had turned by attention away briefly to attend to his bed when he tried to walk from the safety of our carriage,” Seline explained.

“Hmm, I suppose that could happen,” the woman said, looking back down at Joe who was growing more and more limp by the minute. “I trust you will give him the best care now. He seems such a handsome young man. It would be a shame to see any further harm to him.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Madam, and we are extremely grateful for your vigilance. Joseph needs complete rest and the best medical treatment which I will ensure he gets once we arrive at our destination. If you will excuse me, I will get his two uncles to help me carry him back to our private compartment,” Seline said.

The woman looked disdainfully at Edwards and Yeager as they took a hold of Joe, trying to appear the kind and loving family members. She had seen the generous head of curls on the young man and saw the strong jaw line and handsome features. She was concerned that the head injury might be worse than these men suspected, but didn’t think it her place to interfere in family affairs.

Just as Edwards and Yeager entered their own apartment with Seline following behind, Joe lost his tenuous hold on consciousness and felt his senses spiral away into complete darkness, away from the pain that was assaulting him.

Bonnie had appeared at the doorway to Joe’s room as they returned, not aware of the conversation that had taken place between Joe and Seline and the escape attempt. She gasped in shock and horror at the fresh blood that was still trickling down his slack face and winced at seeing the re-opened wound just under his hairline.

“You will be needed in here with some water and towels,” Seline muttered on his way into the room, still mulling over what ramifications Joe’s escape attempt might have on the entire kidnap operation. Hopefully the old bat that had seen him would believe the story as given and wouldn’t think more of it. She had not seen Joe long enough to notice anything specific about Cartwright except the fresh wound on his scalp.

By the time Bonnie had returned with the water and towels, Joe had been laid on the bed and Seline was examining his handy work, touching lightly at the gash on the young man’s scalp.

“How does it look?” Bonnie asked, already sure that it had become a much more serious injury than what Joe had sustained in the alleyway. The stitches that had been carefully sewn by the doctor in San Francisco were now unrecognisable and the skin surrounding the wound had begun to swell again from the fresh blow.

“I don’t really know,” Seline was forced to admit as he eyed the wound with dismay. All the effort he had put into this operation might have been for nothing if Joe Cartwright didn’t recover from the blow he had dealt. He hadn’t meant to strike the young man in the same place as before, merely to prevent his imminent escape.

“Its bleeding quite freely,” Bonnie said as she sat on the side of the bed and began to dab lightly with a moistened cloth at the gash. Joe moaned and tried to turn his head away from the pain, but did not awake.

“That’s not good,” she remarked, noticing the lack of response and the sound only been drawn out from the young man because of the pain he was experiencing sub-consciously.

“How long until we reach New Orleans?” Yeager asked Seline. “Maybe we need to get a doc for him again.”

“It certainly looks that way, but we cannot do that until we reach our destination. We will just have to do what we can until tomorrow afternoon and he is moved to the paddle boat. I will contact a doctor I know and he can examine Joe more,” Seline answered.

“Maybe it looks worse that it really is,” Edwards piped in, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

“Perhaps with rest he will be much improved by the time we reach New Orleans,” Seline said, not really believing his own words. Even from a non-medical point of view he could see that Joe Cartwright would be suffering the effects of this injury for quite a few days to come. What the long term effects were going to be was yet to be seen.

“Lets allow Bonnie to make Mr Cartwright more comfortable and tend to his injuries,” Seline instructed the other two men, ushering them out of the small room.

Bonnie gave him a small fake smile as they left, but didn’t feel very confident that she could do very much at all to help Joe Cartwright. How long he would remain unconscious was yet to be seen.

After the other men left, she did her best ease his pain. She removed his shirt, with no co-operation from her patient. Joe never showed any signs of feeling her touch or her administrations.

The bleeding was beginning to slow, which was a welcome sign, but from the look of his facial features, it was clear that Joe appeared to be slipping into a deeper form of unconsciousness rather than beginning to show signs of improvement.

His head lolled to one side on the pillow, staining the pillow slightly, but the rest of his body remaining relaxed. Bonnie continued to dress the fresh wound as best she could, remembering what she had seen the doctor in San Francisco do. She didn’t want to risk infection and covered the area with a small gauze pad, but not overly tight, allowing sufficient air flow to aid in the reduction of the swelling.

Once she had covered him enough with a light quilt and checked his breathing was regular, Bonnie left the room for a short time, preparing to return for the long night vigil that was going to be necessary to monitor his condition for the remainder of the journey to New Orleans.

Seline was standing near the door when she came out, an anxious look in his eyes that she was quite unaccustomed to. He seemed actually concerned for Joe’s welfare. Whether it be for his own benefit or advantage at a later date was unknown, but he appeared nervous and was looking to her for a diagnosis.

“He is still unconscious, and I think its deepening,” she admitted honestly. “I have dressed it as best as I can, but he had better not be left alone for the remainder of the journey and he will need to have a doctor take a look at him as soon as possible,” Bonnie informed Seline.

“Just do what you can to keep him alive,” Seline muttered and then removed himself from the doorway and walked back into the living area of the private apartment, still looking nervous about the future outcome.

A cloud of dust signalled the departure of the stage the Ben and his two sons, Adam and Hoss had been travelling on for two and a half days. Ben tried the best he could to stretch some of the travel out of his tired and stiff muscles.

Adam and Hoss were taking in the new buildings that surrounded them and deciding together which of them would help them gain some information on Joe.

“Rough trip huh, Pa?” Hoss asked Ben noticing the tiredness on his father’s face. A deep fatigue that didn’t come from lack of sleep or hard work, but from the worry and concern that he carried for the safety of his youngest son.

“Sure was Hoss, but lets not linger here any longer than we have to,” Ben said as he started to walk towards the stage depot. He wanted talk to the clerk inside and gain as much information as possible about how Joe may have travelled once arriving here in Sacramento.

“Did you want to get a bite to eat first, Pa?” Adam asked, not worried about himself or Hoss, but hoping any small distraction for their father would help him deal with Joe’s disappearance.

“No thanks, Adam. I don’t think I could stomach food after that stage ridge today,” he replied honestly. Though part of him was just like his sons suspected and wanting more to focus on finding Joe than doing anything else.

The three Cartwright’s approached the small wooden counter of the stage depot. The office itself was no more bigger than a small shed. There was a young girl serving behind the counter and sorting mail into shelves of pigeon holes behind her.

“Good-day Gentlemen, can I help you?” she asked politely, drawn to Adam’s handsome face. She smiled sweetly at him and kept her gaze directed at him rather than Ben.

Adam thought because of this it might be best if he asked the questions. Save having his father repeat them twice because of her attention being directed towards himself.

“Miss, my name is Adam Cartwright. Together with my father and brother here, we arrived a few minutes ago on the stage from San Francsico. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to tell us about the fastest method of transport out of this town?”

“Leaving so soon?” the girl asked shyly, her mind repeating his name over and over, deciding if it suited him. “Where would be wanting to go to?” was her question to Adam.

Adam looked to Ben for some suggestions, knowing that they were all just guessing and grasping at straws as to what fate might have befallen Joe after arriving in Sacramento.

The young girl saw their expressions and realised that they were anxious about something. She offered what she could. “If it was me trying to get out of here, the first place to go to would be New Orleans. Supposed to be and exciting city, full of restaurants and theatres. I have even heard you can see live shows in some of them,” she said excitedly with a touch of wishing in her blue eyes.

Ben thought about the answer for a moment and what he knew of Seline and how that might determine his movements. “Yes, that would be a good choice?” he said, not giving away what his reasons were for agreeing with her suggestion. The more he thought about Marie and Seline’s involvement in Joe’s disappearance, the more he was convinced that there would be a logical trail to follow.

“Well now, if it be New Orleans you would want to be going to, then the best way to go would be by train. Only takes about 3 days and the have a dining car too,” the girl informed them.

“Thank you, Miss, you have been most helpful. Now if you would just direct us in the right direction for the train station, please?” Ben thanked the young woman.

“You need to go down the left hand side of the street over there for about 3 blocks and then turn to the left again. There is a large sign on the roof of the station house and the platform is on the other side. The is a porter there I know by the name of Harvey. He should be able to help you with any ticket information that you need and travel times.”

Ben bid her good bye and the three of them left, leaving the young woman to watch longingly after Adam as he departed. Good looking men never stayed in this town very long she sighed and then went back to her mail sorting.

Adam led the way as the trio made their way over to the left-hand side of the street and walked the three block like they had been instructed. The didn’t have too much trouble finding the train station from her description.

It was a little bit further away then she had said, but perhaps her judgment of distance was not the same as theirs. The station was towards one end of town where the railway track exited the town. There were very few houses in the area, a few stables nearby and a Chinese laundry, but no shops or stores.

When they entered the station to find the platform, they were surprised with how quiet it was. There didn’t seem to be many passengers about at all. They didn’t know when the next train was due to leave, but judging from what they could see, not anytime soon.

There was a sign over a door that read “Ticket Office” and this is the window and counter that they approached, remembering the name of the fellow that the young woman had mentioned.

“Good day to you gentlemen,” Harvey Reynolds said, a little surprised to see people in the station on a day like today. He wasn’t expecting to see any passengers until tomorrow morning when the next train was due to leave for New Orleans.

“Hello, my name is Hoss Cartwright and we wus told to ask for somebody by the name of ……,” Hoss introduced himself to the young man. He had forgotten the name and was looking at his older brother Adam for help.

“Harvey?” Adam answered. “A young woman at the stagecoach depot said to speak to someone here by that name about a train to New Orleans.”

“I could certainly try, Sir, but the next train doesn’t depart from here for New Orleans until 8am tomorrow morning,” the ticketing clerk advised.

“When did the last train leave?” Adam asked immediately, trying to piece together any clues that might be found through the tangle of words they had been given since getting off from the stage.

“Left day afore yesterday, seen it off myself and all. That’s my job to do that. To make sure that all the passengers get aboard safely,” Harvey puffed proudly.

“And I am sure you do it well, but I am looking for one passenger only. My brother, Joe Cartwright,” Adam replied, hoping the mention of a name might help aid his memory.

“Joe Cartwright?” Harvey repeated, thinking about the names he had seen on the passenger lists. “Can’t rightfully remember seeing anybody by that name. And I remember most everyone that gets on these trains.”

Ben had been strangely quiet for most of this conversation, trusting that Adam would ask the right questions. His gaze had been drawn to the station as he looked about taking in the fixtures and the quaint little quirks that made it recognizable as a train station. There were ashtrays along the wall for cigar ash, shaped into carriages and joined together like a train.

Ben had looked back towards the ticket office as Adam mentioned his brother’s name, hoping there would be some change in the young man’s expression that would give them hope that he had some information. His hopes had been crushed slightly when Harvey had responded that he couldn’t remember anybody by that name.

But just then, something caught Ben’s attention. Almost taking his breathe away as he looked at it ………..

“Adam,” Ben interrupted, but whispering his son’s name and pointing at what he saw.

Hoss followed his father’s pointing finger and gasped out loud at the sight of his little brother’s hat hanging on a peg in the office. Just as polite as you please. As if it was waiting by the credenza back at the Ponderosa, for his owner to claim him before heading out the door and starting work.

“Can we look at that hat, please” Adam asked, his mouth going a little dry at the possibility of such a good stroke of luck. Something that had been sadly lacking on their part up until now. Maybe this was just the break they were looking for.

Adam took it in his hands and turned it over once or twice, before giving it to Ben’s anxious and outstretched hands.

“This is his,” Ben said, barely keeping his emotions inside. His fingers ran along the familiar brim of the hat as thought recognizing the face of an old friend. He would have known this hat anywhere he told himself. “This is Joseph’s hat!”

“It sure looks like it is,” Hoss agreed. He had seen Joe put that hat on back home a hundred times and had never given the slightest thought that it might be the one item of clothing that would identify his brother.

“W-where did you get this?” Ben asked, a little afraid of the answer he would receive. The hat had been hanging on the peg like it was lost property. The fabric and condition of the hat gave no real indication of when Joe might have worn it last.

“Funny you should ask that,” Harvey said, thinking these people were getting a little over-excited about a minor article that had been left behind on the platform. “I found that just laying on the platform over there right after that train left for New Orleans.”

“Did you see anyone getting on the train that was wearing it, or might have lost it?” Adam asked, trying not to sound impatient.

“No, like I said, I found it after the train started down the track. It looked like a good hat, so I kept it. Thought someone might have come back to claim it after noticing it missing,” Harvey said. “I have a list of the passengers on the train, but like I told a lady the other day, its railway policy not to divulge any information about the other passengers. I would get into trouble and possibly lose my job.”

“We understand, Harvey,” Ben commented. “But you have to understand that this hat is the only clue we have at the moment to my son who we believed has been kidnapped by a very bad fellow. We have been trying to follow them since San Francisco. We think my son might have been injured so that makes our search even more desperate.”

Harvey’s expression changed slightly but enough for the Cartwright family to think he might have further information. Reynolds thought back to the young man he had seen being carred onto the train.

“What did you see?” Hoss demanded, not wanting Harvey to dodge the question. “You need to tell us what you know.”

“Did you see who was carrying him, or travelling with him?” Ben asked with hope renewed of fresh leads to Joseph’s whereabouts.

“Sorry, but I didn’t see anybody get aboard with that hat on. I had trouble with an older lady who wanted to argue about the private compartments.

“Joseph was here,” Ben said firmly, “I don’t know how, but he was definitely here.” Adam and Hoss nodded their heads, believing their father.

“You have tickets aboard the train for New Orleans tomorrow morning?” Hoss asked the clerk.

“Y-yes,” Reynolds answered truthfully.

“Then start writing them up, because there are going to be three more passengers,” Hoss remarked and started urging him back to complete the necessary paperwork.

Adam and Ben stood where they were for a few minutes, trying to tie this new information to what they had learned so far about Joe’s disappearance.

“He is not getting away with this,” Ben said, his brown eyes set hard and his face serious. “He is not getting away with my son,” he added and strode off sharply towards the ticket office, ready to get everything prepared for the train journey in the morning to New Orleans.

New Orleans was a city that left both good and bittersweet memories for Ben. He had met Marie and she had become his wife, giving him a son called Joseph. He would not allow Seline to destroy the relationship that he had with his son. One that had been carved out of respect, truth, honesty and most of all love.

Back onboard the train, it was well into the night and early morning before Joe Cartwright groaned in pain, showing some signs of regaining consciousness. For Bonnie, it was nothing short of relief.

She had watched and prayed over him all night, keeping him as comfortable as possible and tending to his injury as best she could, but not knowing what else to do to bring him around and back to consciousness.

Joe allowed his thoughts to come back to him a little more before attempting to open his eyes. Inside, his skull was pounding from an incredibly powerful headache. Even his hair seemed to hurt.

He tried to reach up with one hand to the most painful area, but found that his co-ordination was hampered. His limbs felt strange, not heavy, but a tingling sensation that he was unaccustomed to.

The pain was growing worse, causing him to groan even louder. He attempted to turn his head away from the source, but this only incurred fresh stabs of pain from the movement.

Joe tried to relax his body a little more and give himself a little more time. But the longer he lay there with his head pounding, the more agitated he was beginning to feel.

He tried to form a few images about where he was, but nothing familiar came. He couldn’t remember what the last thing he had been doing. He didn’t know what time of day it was. He tried something more basic, his name.

But this was were the real panic began to set in.

He furrowed his brow together to recall the answer, but all that remained was a blankness and the thundering headache. He couldn’t remember his name.

With this thought, the alarm was beginning to grow more, and he attempted to open his eyes and find the answers that way. But the light assaulted his eyes immediately, making them shut them and squeeze them together again tightly, trying to block the waves of pain that resulted.

A few tears of frustration ran down his race as he laid back against the pillow and tried to remember his name. He put together a small sentence, “Who am I?” which sent Bonnie scurrying from the room looking for Seline.

In the brief time that Bonnie was gone from the room, afraid for the confusion the young man was demonstrating and the question that Joe Cartwright had asked.

Bonnie had given Seline the barest of outlines at to Joe’s mental state, saying that Joe didn’t remember who he was. Seline had scoffed at it being a stunt and had strode into the room, prepared to give the young Cartwright a lesson after his escape attempt.

Joe opened his eyes again, still squinting at the harshness of the light and swallowing hard to cope with the relentless pain in his head. He couldn’t put any coherent thought together that would give him any kind of explanation to his current situation.

Seline came and stood by the bed, fully prepared to be a sceptic and to make Cartwright reveal that he was faking the symptoms that Bonnie had explained.

“Come now, Joseph, you don’t expect me to believe this little performance do you?” Seline asked.

Joe had started a little at the voice, not hearing anybody approaching. He had tried to focus on the face talking to him, but it held no familiarity either. He couldn’t put a name to the well-dressed gentlemen at all, or how he came to know him.

“Who are you?” Joe asked, closing his eyes again briefly. He was tiring quickly and didn’t wish to deal with the pain and confusion any longer. He wanted the darkness to come and take him again so he didn’t have to ask questions that seemed to have no answer.

A resounding slap could be heard as Seline slapped Joe across the face without warning. Joe had yelped at the slap and looked back at the man with shock and surprise, but still no idea as to the reason for being struck.

“I promise you more of the same if you wish to play these foolish games, Joseph.” Seline said in a cold voice.

“Who is Joseph?” he asked not realising the man had been talking about himself. He didn’t really care at the moment, he just didn’t want to deal with any of it while the pain was so bad.

Seline had raised his hand in frustration, ready to deliver the second blow, but held his hand in mid-air as he watched the young man close his eyes and fall back to sleep. He still thought the stunt a ploy, but something in Joe’s eyes as he had rubbed at the redness on his cheek, made him stop and think a little.

There had been a look of uncertainty and one of fear. Surely the boy could remember his own name?

TO BE CONTINUED…………………..

Okay – a few notes from the author. The distances and places are totally made up as are the various modes of transportation, so please just believe them as they are for the sake of the story.

DUBOIS is the name I have used for Marie’s maiden name. I believe this may not be entirely correct, but now I had used it once, I will have to stick with that for the remainder of the story. It does play a significant part in the story as you will see later.

There are still little clues all the time for future things that will happen or things that have already happened that will be left for Ben and the others further down the storyline.

I apologize for the length of time to update, but at the moment with work commitments, family responsibilities and many other activities, writing time had been difficult. I don’t want to update for the sake of updating. I want the story to flow well and for readers to be able to follow it with some logic and enjoy reading it.

Please let me know what you think so far. The plot does continue to grow and the next chapter will begin to emerge with the reasons why the story is called “Riverboat Gambler”. Joe’s condition will be revealed in more detail and the effects on those around him.

Thanks for reading

JULES

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