Troy's Last Stand by Lyn Robinson

Adam was glad to be home after the Swing, particularly feeling so much better, and for a while he only had time for his children and his beloved wife. Ben stayed for lunch and as they sat over coffee Adam remembered that Edwin and Jim Forrester were due that afternoon. He wanted to go into town to meet them but the combined efforts of his wife and his father eventually forced him to concede that maybe he didn’t really feel up to going into town. He gratefully accepted his father’s offer to go in his stead.

Ben left soon after, just asking them to let Hop Sing know that he was going to be staying for dinner when he brought the visitors back, otherwise it might be dangerous to go home!

To Carole’s delight Adam made no attempt to do anything during the afternoon, he was content to sit quietly and listen to his children as all four took advantage of their father’s attention. They had all missed him over the last months and even when he came home he’d been too busy at first and then too ill to have much time for them. The long ride had taxed his strength despite the peace of mind he had gained but now he seemed to draw strength from the children. Carole thought he looked more his normal self than he had since he had gone to play knight errant for his brother.

Adam sat holding Anne with the other three sitting round his feet listening to a long involved story from David, not helped by Mark’s interruptions. Suddenly he became aware that he was being watched and looked up to see Carole standing leaning on the mantelpiece. She was smiling and looked so pleased that Adam laughed aloud and then beckoned her over. He patted the arm of his chair and as she sat down he put his arm round her. He considered his family fondly, “It’s so good to be home.”

In town Edwin was rather surprised to see Ben waiting for him and he showed his alarm clearly. He had heard all too many rumours over the last months but the last he’d heard his old friend was recovering fine. Ben recognized the concern and was quick to reassure him, “Adam’s fine, just a little low on stamina and I didn’t want him overtiring himself when I know darn well that you two will chat into the early hours.”

Edwin studied him carefully, believing what he read in Ben’s face more than any words and he slowly relaxed “He is alright?”

“Sure, he’s had a very rough time for a variety of reasons over the last months and he was quite badly hurt but he is home now and recovering fine.”

Edwin relaxed at that and with Ben’s help he got the luggage loaded up while Jim checked the hall and bookings. They were finished first and as arranged went over to the Palace for a beer to wait for Jim.

Roy and Dan were already there and beckoned them over. They both knew Edwin well as a friend of Adam’s and were glad to see him back but after the general hellos Dan enquired how Adam was. Ben was able to reassure them, his son was recovering fast, his normal self. Anyway they’d be able to judge for themselves as Adam would be coming to town in three days for Edwin’s opening night performance and then all of them were invited out to the ranch for a major celebration for the 4th of July. Roy wasn’t sure, he’d have to be around town in case of trouble, but promised to try and ride out for a couple of hours at least. He hated to miss any of the shindigs on the Ponderosa.

The four men chatted for half an hour and then Jim came into find them. Everything was ready, they had played Virginia City so often that it hadn’t taken long to organise things the way he wanted. The excellent young stage manager David Belasco had everything in hand. Jim was eager to see Adam too and declined a beer, he’d have something when they got home. That suited Ben and Edwin who took their leave of Roy and Dan promising to see them in a couple of days. The three men knew each other so well that the journey passed rapidly with plenty to talk about and before it seemed possible they were turning off to Adam’s house.

Edwin was very eager to see his old friend, even with Ben’s assurance that he was alright.
and Adam was waiting impatiently for them to get home. He was waiting out by the corral and came over as the buggy came into the yard. Ben offered to see to the horses and Adam led his friends inside. While Ben was busy with the horses his younger sons rode in. They had caught up the backlog of jobs at the lumber camps even on the west shore with Hoss’ help. With everything planned in for the next ten days they had turned things back to the men with the promise of a couple of days off over the 4th of July. Many of the hands would be joining the party at Adam’s with others, mainly the younger ones. preferring to go to town. The brothers had awarded themselves a slightly longer holiday wanting to see Adam. Telepathy had convinced them that something had broken through Adam’s depression but they would still not be satisfied until they had seen him face to face.

They had intended going home to change and see their wives but seeing Ben in the yard they headed over. Ben straightened up as he saw them ride in and grinned “All straight on the west shore?”

“Yeah Pa.” Joe confirmed “The men have it under control and I have arranged for them to take a break on Independence Day so.....” he broke off and Ben smiled “So you two came home to check on your brother.”

Hoss grinned “Something like that, but from the way you look there ain’t no need for us to be worried.”

Ben said “Come on into the stable. Edwin has only just arrived so your brother is fully occupied but I think I can put your minds at rest.”

Hoss asked “You did take Adam along on the swing, didn’t you Pa?”

“Yes. I know he wasn’t really strong enough but we took it slow, only got back this morning and I thought the ranch might work its magic.”

“To say nothing of having you to talk to.” Joe added grinning affectionately at his father.

Ben nodded, “Maybe that did help a little and eventually he did give in and talk. It was what he needed. I don’t think he’ll ever tell us all he’s been through these last months but I do know how much it hurt him to argue with us and especially to fight with you Joe.”

“It didn’t matter, we understand why he did what he had to. A few bruises is a small price to pay for the safety of my wife and child, to say nothing of the rest of the family and the Ponderosa.”

“Adam knows you understand Joseph and it meant a lot to him that you said so before any explanations. He didn’t say a great deal. In fact he spoke more about events twenty years ago than recently. It didn’t really matter as long as he could talk and slowly relax. Thank God he did, it was what he needed.”

“We felt him relax.” Hoss said “I knew he was with you.”

Joe added “For the first time we could stop worrying about him. I felt the relief, the easing of tension.”

Ben gripped both their shoulders and smiled “He is far better, still a little weak but at peace. Why don’t you two go home and get changed, see your wives and sons, have some dinner then come over and join us. See for yourselves.” That seemed a good idea to the brothers and both headed home to their wives, content to let Adam enjoy his friend’s company, knowing he was better.

Inside Edwin studied his friend carefully, what he saw reassured him. Adam was a little pale and lines of pain and strain were still evident n his face but Edwin had seen him looking a lot worse. Edwin shook his head “Every time old friend, you keep finding trouble.”

“I have an equal facility of getting out of it again." Adam said with a twinkle. “Enough of the past, it’s good to see you again Edwin and you too Jim.”

At that the children pushed in for attention, they were very used to Edwin and expected the gifts he brought with him every visit. They were very excited and for a while the adults could only sit back and watch as they got the packages undone and seemed to vie over who could make the most noise. As they slowly calmed down Carole suggested that the three men go and relax in the study until dinner. The men all went grateful for a break from the kids with plenty to talk about as Edwin filled Adam in on the planned performances for the next ten days. Edwin asked no questions about the past, knowing Adam would talk if he wanted to and anyway he would be able to get the main facts from Hoss and Joe.

Adam relaxed glad to see his old friends and with everything round the ranch more or less under control he was able to enjoy planning a few days celebration. With Will and Laura due on Monday most of those closest to him would be around and his beloved ranch was safe. Edwin was glad to see him so relaxed and he was happy to discuss his plans, after the next two days of rehearsal he was putting on a week of performances, mainly his normal Shakespeare but also a couple of lighter plays. Adam was planning to go along with a small party to the first performance and he would attend several other shows. Edwin had insisted that his contract included a day off on the 4th of July and his company would present a farce, more in keeping with the spirit of the day and leave him free to join the festivities at the Ponderosa. Adam was pleased at that, wanting all his friends with him on that special day.

Ben had come back to join them for dinner and quietly warned Carole that Hoss and Joe, probably with Sue and Nita would be joining them after dinner. She wasn’t particularly surprised but she was glad to hear that the brothers were home, knowing they had been worried about her husband

It was a cheerful gathering over dinner and Carole sat back watching her husband, he was looking happier and more relaxed than he had in a long time. Carole quietly attended to their needs but she was more than content to sit back and watch, so happy to have him home. Ben’s attention was divided almost equally between his eldest son and his daughter, so that he barely noticed what he ate. The three old friends were talking so much and the children chattering that their silence was not even noticed.

The children had just gone up to bed when Joe and Nita arrived. Nita had been delighted to see her husband home earlier than she had expected. She was able to confirm, that Adam was a lot better, more his normal self but then Joe put his brother firmly from his mind and concentrated on his wife and the antics of his son, who as ever seemed to have grown immeasurably in his absence. It wasn’t until they had eaten and young Adam was in bed that Joe reverted to his brother and suggested going over to Adam’s house. Nita was happy to go along, she was always delighted to see Edwin and she wanted to see Adam now he was home and according to Ben much better.

They had only just arrived when Hoss and Sue came over, equally eager to see Adam but Hoss had deliberately waited until the kids were in bed. He wanted to see Adam on his own without the distraction of the kids for once. As they came in all four greeted Edwin and Jim but pleased as they were to see the visitors their eyes swiftly went to search Adam’s face. He just smiled pleased to see them but with all the time he needed, for both his family and his friends. His new found peace of mind was obvious both on his face and in his eyes and for now that was sufficient for his brothers. Their relaxation reassured Nita and Sue so for a while the conversation was general.

Joe eventually went and poured himself a brandy and seeing Adam’s expression offered to get him one. Adam nodded and Joe brought it over, perching himself on the arm of his brother’s chair “You look better brother.”

“I feel it Joe, just took a while to unwind.”

“Welcome home.” Joe said lightly. Adam gripped his arm for just a minute before turning back to answer a question from Jim. The brothers had no further private conversation but it was enough. Hoss managed a quiet word in the study later and Adam, convinced his big brother that he really was fine now and all they had to worry about was making the 4th of July celebrations the best party ever.

Even though Edwin had to be in town relatively early to start rehearsals the two friends sat chatting over coffee until gone one a.m. before heading for bed. Adam felt totally relaxed, too tired to even be aware of his wounds and he fell asleep very quickly for the best night’s sleep he’d had in a long time. Carole managed to slip out quietly and leave him asleep and when Adam finally emerged well after eight Edwin and Jim were just finished their breakfast before heading for town.

Two days later most of the adults were going in to see the opening night performance of Hamlet. Hoss had opted out, it wasn’t a play that he liked and Sue had convinced him that she was perfectly happy to go in with his father and brothers, leaving him in peace with his son. Adam intended leaving Ben and Joe to escort the women while he rode in earlier to complete some banking and then join Edwin at the final dress rehearsal. However his family had other ideas, Ben would bring in his three daughters so that Joe could go along with his brother. Adam was a lot better but he was still weak and there was no point in riding alone, taking unnecessary risks. It suited Joe very well as it would give him a chance to talk to his brother without children or friends underfoot. Adam was slightly surprised when Joe came in to say that Blackie was waiting but he didn’t need any explanation. Carole kissed him, promising to join him later, he was just to take it easy on the ride in. Joe grinned “Don’t worry I’ll look after him.”

Adam shook his head in mock anger “I can take care of myself! Been doing it for a good many years.”

“Sure you can big brother, especially when I’m around to watch your back. Come on lets go make sure Edwin gets this play right.”
At first the brothers rode in silence but slowly they began to talk. Joe said “You’ve found that missing peace big brother.”

“You could say that. Pa and the ranch worked their magic. You all said that it was just a matter of time.”

“We knew, Hoss even knew you were with Pa, we felt the confusion and tension ease. Knew it was alright at last.”

“Pa told me what you said that day after I forced a fight on you.”

“So I know you well, is that such a surprise?”

“No. Neither is the generosity that made you forgive and even more to understand, but I hope you know just how much it means to me.”

“Nothing like as much as what you did to protect our wives and the children.”

“It’s in the past Joe, lets just forget it if we can.”

“You know as well as I do that we’ll never forget, put it behind us yes, but not forget.”

“We all played our part Joe, some more unwitting than other but as ever we all had a share in winning. I couldn’t have played mine if I hadn’t been so positive that whatever I did I would be able to come home and be forgiven.”

“You could always be sure of that and now it’s over.”

Adam was sombre for a moment “Is it Joe? Or did I win too big a victory?”

Joe was puzzled by his brother’s reaction and for a moment Adam didn’t go on. He had been thinking hard about possible repercussions but hadn’t intended saying anything. Now he’d gone too far to stop and anyway his father was right, he no longer had to fight alone. His youngest brother had developed into a reliable and far sighted man over the years, maybe he could help. Joe just waited for his brother to elucidate.

Adam bit his lip “I had to make sure that our claim to this land could never be challenged again, win so decisively that there wouldn’t be appeals to a higher court continuing over many years. Once I made my move it had to be over fast or I was putting everyone at risk again.”

“I can understand that Adam and you did a superb job, so what is worrying you now?”

”In doing so I ruined Troy and must have infuriated the others. As far as I know Troy is still on the run. He’s already tried to have me killed.”

“They hated you pretty thoroughly before this blew up Adam, hated and feared. It’s not the first time the Cartwrights have beaten, even humiliated Hearst and Troy. Huntingdon too for that matter.”

“Before Troy has had too much to lose, this time he has nothing. I know he’s a coward but he’s been pushed to the brink and even cowards can turn.”
“He’s running scared for his own life. He must know he is the only one who can involve Hearst, Huntingdon, Grandison and the others. Without him we have nothing, you told Roy that.”

“So he’s hunted by the law and by his erstwhile partners, a cornered animal is dangerous.”

Joe was puzzled “I don’t believe you’re scared of Troy. You could handle him with one hand tied behind your back.”

“He knows that as well as you do Joe but he’s no fool. By now he knows the length I went to, to protect the children, and so he knows how much they matter, I’m scared he’ll hit back where it would hurt most.”

Joe considered that for several minutes but in the end he shook his head, “He’s too well known round here Adam. My guess is he’d have run for it, maybe headed east. Anyway with so many of us around at the moment everyone is safe enough. Is anything else worrying you?”

“I’m not sure. Huntingdon is a business man. It was a failure and given the chance he’ll try and redeem it but he’s always struck me as too cold to go for revenge, without some profit motive. Hearst is another matter, he hates us and he’ll want revenge.”

“At least this time he wasn’t publicly humiliated in person as Pa did after the pipeline. He’s kept in the background.”

“Yeah but he must realise from the things that came out in court that I knew far more than I should have done and must know who was involved.”

“Maybe but since there was no move after the murders, he must think he’s safe, that at most you have guesswork. Assuming they get Troy.”

“Even so....”

Joe smiled “Alright Adam, I’m not denying he’ll hate us even more but after the pipeline it took him years to put this attack together. I think he’ll act the same way and it will take a long time before he finds another way to try and attack us.”

“You may well be right and I’m fussing over nothing.”

“Just remember you’re still pretty weak and that’s one reason everything seems to mount up, but you’re not fighting alone anymore.”

“I know that Joe and just talking it over makes things come into perspective. Thanks brother.”

Joe just grinned and without further discussion the brothers pushed on for town. When they reached the Opera House everything was in chaos and it seemed impossible that a show could be put on that evening. The only centre of calm was David Belasco, in his element as he organised everything. Edwin was in a furious temper, convinced that the fates were conspiring against him. Jim knew Adam wasn’t fit for any heavy work but he asked him to remove Edwin from the fray and calm him down. That suited Adam admirably and he bore Edwin off to his dressing room ignoring all protests. “You have one of the best stage managers in the business in young Belasco. You’ve told me so often enough, leave him to cope.”

Joe remained behind to help with the moving, even though he restricted himself to the lighter items, still favouring his arm which was sore even if he wouldn’t admit it. With Edwin out of the way they began to make progress and faster than Jim would have believed possible the stage took shape.

By some miracle everything was ready with twenty minutes in hand before the curtain was due to rise and Joe went with Jim backstage to join Edwin. He was dressed ready for his entrance as the Prince of Denmark and sitting chatting to Adam. The two friends had spent an enjoyable couple of hours, forgetting the immediate past and the immediate future, reminiscing and exchanging news of old friends. Both men looked much more relaxed and were surprised to hear how late it was as Joe came in to tell them that the rest of the party had just arrived. Adam knew that Edwin liked a few minutes to collect his thoughts before a performance and he went out with Joe to join his wife and the others. He stopped dead as he took in the order which had emerged from chaos, “My you’ve done a good job.”

Joe held his aching back “I know and I’m exhausted while as usual big brother had an excuse to avoid the work.”

Adam laughed at the woebegone look, so hard done by, that Joe gave him. His laughter, so much freer and more natural than of late, resounded round the theatre, Ben recognized his eldest son’s laugh and looked delightedly at his daughters, it was a sound he hadn’t heard in all too long. Even Joe couldn’t keep a straight face at the sound and as the brothers came to join the rest of the family they were both grinning broadly.

The theatre quickly began to fill up and the Cartwrights settled down in their box and waited for the show to begin. The long relaxing chat seemed to have been the best of preparations for Edwin’s arduous role and Adam had never seen his old friend give a better performance. For once it was slightly lower key than his usual and in Adam’s opinion, as he’d often suggested, far more effective. Certainly the audience reacted enthusiastically unwilling to let Edwin leave the stage, reviving the old custom of throwing coins and in some cases even gold onto the stage, as Edwin took curtain call after curtain call. Adam slipped out and went backstage to await his friend.

Edwin finally broke away and went to change, elated by his success, popular though he was in Virginia City, he couldn’t remember a night like it. Adam sat back grinning, “You’re going to have trouble following that old friend I’ve never seen you better.”

Edwin grinned broadly as he began to clean off his makeup “Just occasionally there’s a magic night. This has been one, didn’t seem likely earlier this afternoon.”

“You gave a superb performance.”

“Quieter than usual, should have suited you!”

Adam grinned at his friend’s tone of voice “I always told you it would be more effective. Believe me now?”

“I’m the actor not you!” Edwin straightened up, “Although having seen you in court I’m not so sure. Come on I’m ready let’s go home.”

“Do you want a drink or something first?”

“No I’ll wait until we get back, Jim is getting the rig. Never really fancy anything until I’ve had a while to relax.”

It was a merry party that wended its way home and Hoss had got his houseman Kam Ling to help Kam Su and prepare a supper for them. Hoss had eaten earlier but he was more than ready to join the rest in another snack. Carole was surprised to see it all set out but well pleased. Edwin was hungry and even Adam made a reasonable meal. It was late when they headed for bed and despite his tiredness, still weak, Adam looked better than he had in a long time.’

At least Edwin only had an evening performance the following day and everyone had a lie-in, even the children cooperating for once. Adam and Carole were going in to see his King Lear but only Sue was joining them this time, too much Shakespeare was a little beyond the rest of the family.

Carole had been busy throughout the day as Will and Laura were due the following day. They were spending a fortnight at the ranch, their regular holiday, despite the recent disruption. Will’s business was doing well enough now for him to be able to delegate occasionally.

Carole decided her husband looked tired as the performance went on. Lear was not one of her favourite plays although the audience was enthusiastic; it seemed rather an anticlimax after the tour de force of the previous evening. Adam felt much the same and his back was aching, his head throbbing and for once the play seemed interminable. In the interval before the fifth act Carole considered Adam carefully and then  suggested that he stay in town. At first Adam was insistent that it was impossible, it would mean Carole and Sue returning home with only Edwin and Jim as protection but Carole had foreseen that argument and she had spotted Peter Curtis and Tom Seton in the audience. When she pointed them out Adam couldn’t deny their willingness to escort the party home safely and their ability to do so. Joe and Hoss would be bringing the buckboard and the wagon in the following day to collect supplies and their cousin and his family. Adam could usefully make all the arrangements in the morning after he’d had a good night’s sleep without exhausting himself with two long rides. Sue added her voice to Carole’s, she could see his near exhaustion despite Adam’s attempt to hide it. With the pair of them ganging up on him Adam gave in and Carole was able to catch Dan’s eye and get him to speak to Peter and Tom. Dan also arranged for a room for Adam and promised to keep an eye on his old friend and Carole was well pleased with her arrangements.

Adam thanked Peter and Tom before watching his wife and friends leave town. He was glad of Dan’s support to clear a path and protect his back through the crowds. Dan helped him up to the room at the back of the hotel which he had booked. Adam was too tired to hide it and allowed his old fried to provide a supporting arm. Adam sank down on the bed, his head thumping and his back feeling on fire. Dan considered him worriedly “Should I go and fetch Doc?”

Adam shook his head “No need for that Dan I’m just tired.”

“You don’t look at all well and I have to face Carole on Wednesday.” Dan said frankly.

Adam smiled “I’ll stick up for you Dan, don’t worry. I really don’t need Doc, all I need is some sleep. So if you’d pull my boots off you can go on home.”
Dan accepted that, knowing Adam too well to push further. He waited to tuck Adam in and his old friend was asleep before he left the room.

Carole wasn’t really worried, she knew she could trust Dan and all her husband needed was a good night’s sleep. However she had quite a job to reassure Edwin that there was nothing wrong. In the end it was Sue’s calm sense that convinced Edwin and it was a fairly relaxed party that Peter and Tom delivered.

Hoss was waiting for his wife and she had to start all over again to convince him that Adam’s absence didn’t mean anything disastrous. Hoss was frankly amazed that Adam had given in and admitted to weakness by staying in town and despite Sue’s insistence that Adam was just showing sense and was alright, Hoss couldn’t help feeling that his brother was worse than he’d believed. Although he usually slept well Hoss couldn’t settle, even though Sue had promised him that his brother was alright, and he was glad when it was time to get up.

The first Joe knew of the change in plan was Hoss’ visit at breakfast. Hoss had already eaten and was eager to get to town. Once he’d explained why he found instant support, Joe was equally worried and pushed his plate away, draining his coffee “Come on let’s go check with Carole and go join big brother.”

Carole did her best to reassure the brothers, without noticeable success, but she didn’t waste much time, just passing over the final lists of stores Kam Su and Hop Sing required, before letting them go to see for themselves.  The brothers made good time even though they had to drive and headed straight for the hotel. Adam had slept in and then had breakfast sent to his room. He was just finishing his coffee when his brothers came in. Adam considered them and smiled, a trifle ruefully, “Easy you two, I didn’t mean to worry you. I was just tired.”

Hoss studied his face and then relaxed and poured some coffee “As long as you’re okay?”

Joe grinned “We just aren’t used to you being sensible. No matter, we’re here in plenty of time to do all the errands before Will’s train arrives.”

They spared time to relax over coffee and then with his brothers’ help Adam collected all the things he needed. They loaded the wagon and then went over to the Palace for a beer. Roy and Dan were sitting chatting and smiled as they saw the brothers. Adam led the way over “I wanted to thank you for your help last night Dan.”

“You look a whole lot better.”

“Feel it, I was very tired but I’m fine now.”

Roy grinned “Good to see you three fellas back together.”

Joe ordered five beers and the friends sat chatting, finalising plans for the Independence Celebrations. Roy had arranged with Clem that he’d cover the afternoon in town while Clem went out to the ranch and then Clem would come back to town leaving Roy free to go to the Ponderosa. Adam sat back and listened, revelling in being back on normal terms with his old friends, especially his brothers. Time passed rapidly and before it seemed possible Joe looked at his watch and pointed out that the train was due in two minutes. Adam was startled, for once his inbuilt clock failing totally. The brothers took their leave and hurried over to the railway station. Hoss forcing a passage while Joe protected his eldest brother’s back. They were just in time, the train pulling in as they reached the station. Joe had moved the buckboard over earlier and the three brothers were waiting as Will unloaded his brood. Laura was delighted to see Adam looking so much better and Adam gave her a big hug leaving his brothers to help Will with the luggage.

In a surprisingly short time they had everything organised and the two wagons on the way home. Adam had ridden Blackie in the previous day and he rode easily alongside chatting to his cousin and Laura.

It was later after dinner when Carole and Laura were putting the kids to bed that Will reverted to the case, “Has anything been heard of Troy?”

Adam shook his head, “No I spoke to Roy this morning. The law hasn’t succeeded in finding him, nor have they heard of his demise.”

“You ought to watch your back Adam. He has nothing to lose now and he always hated you.”

“Troy’s a coward, always has been.”

“Even a coward can be dangerous if they are cornered. He won’t face you but he might summon up enough courage to shoot you in the back.”

Adam shrugged “I’ve had plenty of enemies over the years and I’m still around.”

“I know just be careful.”

“Stop worrying Will. I can take care of myself and anyway I expect Troy is far away from here. Too many people know him around here.” Then as he heard the girls approaching Adam firmly changed the subject.

By some miracle, with the expert help of the four Chinese, everything was ready by Wednesday morning. The day dawned bright and clear and Ben was up early, but even so Hop Sing had coffee ready. The number one bunkhouse was full, unusually for midsummer, with the bare minimum of hands remaining out on the range and even there many had arrangements to swap later in the day. From the house Ben could smell the coffee and hear the chat, with the other bunkhouses much fuller than usual too. Ben stood staring out of the window, sipping his coffee, treating himself to a few quiet minutes of reminiscence before heading over to help with the final arrangements. This celebration of Independence Day and also of their recent victory was going to be the largest party the Ponderosa had ever put on. Adam had estimated the previous night that between the afternoon competitions and games he had arranged and the evening festivities, upwards of 700 people would be joining then in the course of the day. Certainly the girls with the help of the four Chinese had prepared enough food to feed several armies!

Ben wasn’t the only one up early, Adam going out to check the lay out of the shooting competition he’d ordered found his youngest brother on the same errand. Joe grinned “Its ideal weather should be quite a day.”

“Everything looks more or less ready and noone is due until eleven.”

“Bet Dan is here earlier.”

“Then he can work for his dinner! Have you checked the wrestling rings?”
“Not yet.” The brothers went over to check that and the various stands and games designed to please all age groups from one to ninety. The band had arrived the previous evening and would set up between Hoss and Joe’s houses; the area in front had been checked and rolled so that it could be used for dancing as it had been before. Tables were out in front of Adam’s house and by lunchtime a buffet would be laid out with plenty of smaller tables where people could eat. Barrels of beer, wine and fruit punch were beginning to appear round the side as everyone got down to business.

Adam had arranged competitions for the younger guests, ranging from running, three-legged races and egg and spoon to pet shows, drawing and needlework and riding, along with the best groomed animals in various categories. He was determined that virtually every child would get a prize for something. The brothers had ignored all suggestions that they take part in the competitions, this time they were the hosts, not competitors.

By midmorning virtually everything was ready, with Hoss keeping an eye on three large barbecue pits where a number of large pieces of beef and pork were rotating slowly on spits.
Most of the rest of the family had gathered for coffee by the over laden buffet tables to check what still needed doing. In fact as far as anyone could see everything was under control and they were relaxing and chatting when the first guests appeared. For once Dan wasn’t first, he was beaten by Jess and Liza. Many of their hands would be following later but Jess had wanted to check on Adam and to offer his services. José arrived at almost the same time on the same errand and both were pleased to see Adam looking so much more his normal self. Liza went over to join Carole and Sue. She was blooming with her pregnancy, fitter and happier than she’d ever been. Carole couldn’t help commenting on it but Liza just grinned. She had everything she’d ever dreamt of; things she had never believed could be hers, why shouldn’t she be happy?

Adam was teasing Jess and José about their arrival just as the last chores were completed, when Joe came out from the trees with Nita and called for quiet. Nita had managed to slip into town and see Doc while Joe was collecting the last stores the previous day, not that she’d needed Doc’s confirmation. She had wanted it before telling Joe, unsure how her husband would react. She had intended waiting until after the party before telling him but with time to relax Joe had finally noticed something and pulling her off alone, demanded to know what was going on. In fact her news didn’t really surprise him, it was as though he had known she was pregnant but not allowed himself to consciously think about it and this was just confirmation. Rather to his own surprise he was absolutely delighted and for now at least not particularly worried. They both wanted more children, he wanted a daughter, very fond of his nieces and Nita had shown that she could bear children without any real problem. He hugged her tight and for a moment revelled in her news having her alone, but then he needed to share his joy with his family.

Joe led her back to the crowd and demanded quiet. For his immediate family words weren’t really necessary even though Adam was the only one to have been given advanced intimation, but even so they waited in silence. Joe was grinning very broadly as he announced the prospective arrival of yet another Cartwright. Then most of them descended on Joe and Nita to offer congratulations. Ben studied his youngest son carefully but he was reassured by what he saw, whatever the future might bring for now Joe was unworried, just excited and pleased. Ben was quick to add his own congratulations but rather to his surprise Adam hadn’t moved, just sipping his coffee a little contemplatively, although obviously pleased. Ben wandered back to join his eldest, looking enquiringly at him. Adam put his hand up in a peace sign. “I’ll have a word with Joe later when we can get a minute alone.”

“And Nita?”
“She knows how I feel....”

“You knew!” Ben said in some surprise.

“Yeah when Jess and Liza announced theirs, I guessed but Nita didn’t want to say anything until she had Doc’s confirmation. Joe looks calmer this time.”

“For now anyway.”

“He knows she can bear children safely. It helped me after the twins and I’m sure it’ll help Joe. If he does get worried we’ll be around to help.”

Ben grinned broadly, “That we will – all of us.” Luckily as Adam couldn’t think of an answer, the first of a steady stream of wagons from town began to arrive. This time Dan was leading the way but not by much as old friends and business colleagues swarmed onto the ranch. The hands, some with girls in tow, also began to make their way along and within an hour there were people everywhere. Somehow with so many people around it was easier for Adam to catch his little brother and very quietly offer his sincere congratulations.

There after they all separated, different members of the family in charge of different events. Hoss was referring the wrestling matches in the large knockout competition, for which half the hands had their names down. Joe was in charge of the rifle shooting where accuracy was everything while Will controlled the fast draw competition. Ben had taken charge of the horse racing while Adam, with Carole’s help was dealing with the show classes. Prizes for pets and for farm animals in every category that they had been able to think of had been well publicised and many of the local kids were very excited about the show. Carole had laid in a vast supply of small prizes for all age groups and didn’t intend that any child would go home empty handed and disappointed. She had also arranged games and races for the children with Sue and Nita’s help and Adam got an immense enjoyment just watching them play and run. For many of the kids it was a magical afternoon, encouraged and rewarded in a way they never were normally.

One tiny mite was so totally delighted with her prize for the dog with the longest ears that Adam couldn’t stop himself picking her up and giving her a hug. She confided in him that none else seemed to realise just how wonderful her dog was and they all called him names but now he’d won a prize. Adam put her down and smiled at her and at the friendly but exceedingly ugly mongrel wagging his tail furiously at them. For him that moment summed up the day, it was extremely exhausting but so very worthwhile, a display of everything he believed in, their debt to the community which had supported and helped them and for which they in turn had fought too often. All of them trying to make this a good place to settle down and rear children.

Late in the afternoon as those with young children and a long way to go began to leave and those who remained began to feed themselves and relax preparing themselves for the evening dancing, Adam slipped away into his study. Jess saw him go and, a trifle anxious, went after him. Adam had poured himself a brandy and was standing staring at the painting of the lake. He turned as he heard his friend, Jess hesitated “I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. I’d best get back to Liza.”

“She’s fine, come in and pour yourself a drink. I’ve hardly seen you all day.” Jess did as he was told and made himself comfortable “You look tired.”

“A little but I’m pleased with the way everything has gone, Joe and Hoss will be seeing to the fireworks soon and then the dance. I think everyone has enjoyed themselves.”

“I’m sure they had good fun and no speeches!” Jess grinned, then more seriously he commented “I don’t think some of those kids will ever forget today.”

“It was worth it just to see their faces.” Adam smiled as he remembered and Jess relaxed his old friend would be very tired by the end of the day but he was enjoying it and that was all that mattered. For a few minutes they sipped their brandy in a companionable silence and then almost abruptly Adam sat down facing Jess, “Last week Pa and I took a ride round the ranch. I needed to see it again and talk, to believe it was really over.”

“I can see it worked.”

“Yeah but one thing still worries me. How can I say thank you to the girls, to everyone who helped, but most of all to you Jess.”

Jess was slightly embarrassed but seeing that it mattered a great deal to Adam he went over and gripped his hand. “There’s no need. We’ve said before we’ve moved a long way beyond that. How can I thank you for saving my life, not just once, or for making it possible for me to have Liza and the ranch.”

“Money!” Adam said scathingly “That’s too easy.”

“No I’m not talking about money. Yes I was grateful for the money and the loan and I was delighted when Carole cancelled the loan, mainly because she cared. I’m talking about the times you saved my life so that I was around to marry and probably even more the way you taught me to trust the human race again and to care. Without you and the Ponderosa I’d have stayed a drifter not daring to get involved in case I got hurt and becoming more and more discontented, missing everything that makes life worthwhile. I never found a way to say thank you either.”

Adam gripped his friend’s hand and looked up at him smiling “Oh yes you did Jess. I couldn’t have got through these last months without you. You said thank you in a very practical way.”

“As you have ever since I’ve known you so let’s have no more nonsense about the need for words.”

Adam couldn’t help grinning at his old friend, who had come so far from the quiet rather diffident man he’d first known. “Alright Jess point taken, come on let’s get some grub.”
Roy had just arrived and joined them as Hop Sing served up food. Everything in town had been reasonably peaceful although the saloons were doing a roaring trade. Still with everyone good humoured he was sure that Clem could cope and in an emergency knew where he was. The sheriff was determined to enjoy himself and with a large plate loaded with food and a mug of beer he wandered off to find Ben. Joe came over and joined Adam and Jess, “You should have seen him shoot Adam.”

Adam looked enquiringly at Jess, who reddened and looked away. Joe laughed “Jess won the rifle shooting by a margin of four over José, noone else was close to them.”

“I wouldn’t have won if either of you two had been involved I’ve seen you shoot before.”
“Rubbish!” Joe said “Form you were on today I very much doubt it would have made any difference.”

Adam just grinned, pleased that his old friends had come first and second. Adam was tiring, despite the combined efforts of family and friends he had done too much over the last few days with so many preparations needed. He was reduced to pushing his food around on his plate, too tired to really be hungry. Joe and Jess met each other’s eyes but it didn’t need Joe’s slight shake to warn Jess not to say anything. Jess just picked up his own and Joe’s empty plates and looked at Adam who passed his plate over too. Adam was just glad that they didn’t make any comment and for a few minutes he lazed back on the grass and tried to relax. Joe sat by him, not talking but keeping everyone away, knowing it would be a total waste of breath to try and persuade his brother to go for a nap, much as he would have liked to.

As the band struck up Adam got to his feet, glad of his brother’s help but determined to play his part. He went over to Carole and insisted on leading her out to open the dancing, soon joined by Hoss and Sue, Joe and Nita and Jess and Liza. The first dance was a slowish waltz and Adam managed without any visible sign of trouble but Carole knew him so well she could feel the tension and growing pain as dancing pulled on the only partially healed muscles in his back. His father and brothers were equally aware of it as Adam no longer shielded his mind but there was little that they could do, knowing how stubborn he was. In fact Joe was the first to slip out of the dance and he had a very firm plan in mind.

Over the next few minutes he had a quiet word, firstly with his father and then with Hoss, Edwin, Jess and José before catching Carole so that she could enlist Laura, Sue and Liza. Joe was well aware that Adam wouldn’t risk dancing much more, but in the party that had come out for the evening festivities were a large number of business associates and more casual acquaintances from town. The very people who had been outraged by Adam’s behaviour over the last few months. Joe guessed his brother would be taking the opportunity to mend a few bridges, ignoring his weakness. Joe was determined that Adam wasn’t going to be hurt anymore and between them someone was to be on the watch all the time, ready to move in if necessary. Ben fully concurred but just warned Joe not to make it too obvious or they might do more harm than good.

Joe was right about Adam’s personal plans. He danced once with his sisters and with Liza, then once more with Carole but that was as much as he was willing to risk. It was an ideal opportunity to get back on terms with many of the people he’d snubbed. In some cases such as John McKay that was very easy, John was fond of Adam and more than willing to meet him halfway, rumour in town already having gone a long way to explaining his out of character behaviour. However John’s partner Jim Fair was a very different proposition. Although he had a great deal of respect for Adam’s ability, he had enjoyed the spectacle of this respected Cartwright falling from grace. Now Adam was back home with a cast iron excuse for all he had done, unlike his own estrangement from his wife. Fair couldn’t help thinking he was very lucky, Adam had had all the fun of playing around and still come out smelling of roses. He was making his feelings very clear, making it obvious that Adam might fool his family that he’d been doing it all for them but he wasn’t fooling Jim Fair. Adam weaker that he liked to admit even to himself was close to losing his temper and he was very relieved when Hoss joined them. Hoss smoothly changed the subject and bore his brother off to check the final arrangements for the fireworks which were about to start. Adam didn’t realise it was anything but a coincidence but he was relieved by it.

The firework display went down very well, it was the best they’d ever had. Adam had enlisted Hop Sing’s help to contact his relatives in San Francisco and get the best selection that Chinatown could supply. Adam left his brothers to set them off and sat back with Carole and Nita to watch, It was received with a great many ooh’s and aah’s especially from the younger members of the audience. Adam relaxed as he watched and after a while he was almost asleep but he pulled himself together as the last rockets faded away. He was determined not to give in until everyone had gone home and as Carole knew he wouldn’t, she went and got him a large brandy.

Adam was thankful for it and gave himself a few minutes peace and quiet to enjoy it. Then his innate strength came to his aid and after ten minutes he got to his feet and began socialising again. Three more times in the course of the evening someone started making comments or asking questions but each time before Adam really lost his temper someone else moved in. Once it was Edwin, the next time Laura, then it was Joe. Joe carried his brother off for a drink only wishing he could bully Adam into bed. He had the sense not to try and the brothers sat quietly for a few minutes as Adam sipped his drink and Joe didn’t badger him at all just motioning José and Red away when they came over.

It was well past midnight before anyone, even those from town, started to go home and as the first of them left Ben took one look at his eldest son and put his foot down. He sent José to find Hoss and then without any discussion Ben and Hoss combined to send Adam to bed. Ben wasn’t taking any nonsense and told Hoss to carry his brother up if Adam didn’t go willingly. Adam gave in, too tired to make more than an token protest, even though he felt with so many guests still around he ought to stay.

Once he’d given in Adam was very grateful for Hoss’ help to get to bed and as soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. Hoss waited for a couple of minutes but his brother was very peaceful and he was able to go down and reassure his father, Carole and the others that Adam was fine.

It was another couple of hours before the last guests straggled off and with one accord the Cartwrights headed for bed, clearing up could wait until the morning. In fact Jess with a few of his hands and José with a number of the long term Ponderosa hands came back to help out and in a surprisingly short time the debris of the party was cleared up and everything put away. Adam exhausted slept in and it was well after midday before he stirred. He was stiff and sore with a bad headache although he tried to hide how he felt. Carole knew him too well and when he came down moving awkwardly, she got him coffee, shooing the children outside to play and led the way through to the study. “You look as though you need a hot bath.”

“Sounds marvellous.”

“I’ll get Kam Su to prepare one, do you want anything to eat?”

“Not now, just some more coffee and a hot bath,” Adam surrendered and kissed her “I slept too heavy and after a bath I might even feel human, sorry sweetheart.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, you overdid it yesterday,”

“I enjoyed it, sorry I left you all the mess.”

“Not me, Pa had a whole squad working this morning, even Jess and some of his hands came back over.”

“Maybe I ought to show my face.”
“I think they would much rather you took it easy, you’ll only worry them.”

“And you?”

“Only a little I know you, just relax darling.” Adam did as he was told for once. Certainly the hot bath eased his aching muscles and he felt much better after it. When he came back down Edwin was just about to leave for town with a show to do. Edwin was glad to see Adam looking better but he could only spare five minutes before Jim started fussing about them being late. Adam grinned “Go on Edwin before he bursts a blood vessel, we’ll have plenty of time to talk later.”

Adam wandered out with Edwin to find everything just about finished.  Joe lent ostentatiously on his broom “My big brother, your timing is getting real good!”

“I take it the work is done?”

Jess sighed “Sure is and you can get the exhausted workers a beer.” Adam laughed but willingly did as Jess suggested. It was a cheerful crowd that sat over beer but slowly the conversation came round to work. Two days off was all they could afford in the middle of the summer. Especially after so many days tied up in court.

Jess had to get back, he had his own ranch to run but he invited Adam and Carole over for lunch next Saturday. He wanted some help with his accounts. Adam was more than willing and promised to be over about ten so they could clear the work before lunch, provided Jess and Liza joined the party in town to mark the end of Edwin’s short season. Edwin had asked him to pass on the invite. Jess wasn’t too sure about the Shakespeare but at least it was Romeo and Juliet, one of the lighter ones in his opinion and he knew Liza wanted to see it.

On Friday Adam settled down with his father to run over the detailed plans for the rest of the summer and to check on a couple of legal problems. It wasn’t too demanding and he was pleased to get back to work. It tired his brain sufficiently for his body to get the rest he needed and by Saturday as he and Carole headed over to Jess’ he felt almost back to normal. Joe and Hoss were bringing the rest of the party into town after lunch and arranged to meet Adam there. Even Peggy was joining them, Kam Su watching the younger children with Hop Sing’s help.

Jess had been preoccupied with his friend’s affairs and had made several minor mistakes in his accounts, which had thrown him into total confusion. It didn’t take Adam very long to disentangle the mess and well before lunch he had the accounts straightened out. Leaving Carole and Liza chatting, Adam went out with Jess to see two new foals that had been born in the last few days, one a black colt was a real beauty with something of the look of Adam’s own stallion. Adam congratulated his friend on the colt, and Jess hesitated for a minute, but then knowing Adam wouldn’t mind he said “I bought an Arab mare, I’d like to borrow your Arab stallion to cover her.”

“You’ve got it.” Adam said, “You concentrating on horses?”

“Not really but I do like your blood stock and it would raise the standards of my cow ponies in the long run.”

“All helps to raise our standards. Equally easy to let you have a blood bull.”

“On loan?”
“No. we had three superb bull calves a couple of years back, still take a year or so to maturity, but we don’t need all three. One is yours if you want it.”

Jess didn’t have to answer, it was written all over his face and Adam grinned “Good that’s settled. Come on I’m hungry and Liza is as good a cook as Carole.”

They had timed it well, Liza was just about ready to dish up. She had made a special chicken in wine, hoping to tempt Adm if he was still unwell In fact Adam was hungry and to Liza’s delight, ate his meal with every appearance of pleasure. He made it very clear as he sat back with coffee that he had thoroughly enjoyed his meal, a statement that had Carole’s whole hearted backing.  She was quite honest as she asked for the recipe, it was a new and very enjoyable dish.

The four friends headed for town with time to spare before they had to meet the rest of the crowd and Adam took the opportunity to go and see Jeff and Marcy. Carole had heard just how large a part Marcy had played and was very glad to have the opportunity to say thank you. Marcy was pleased to see Adam, she had had a brief word with him on Wednesday but with so many people there hadn’t been time for much. Marcy insisted on fetching coffee and the six sat around chatting. Adam was glad of the opportunity to thank Marcy and she was thrilled when he suggested she and Jeff join them for the show and the party Edwin was throwing afterwards. Edwin was a big name to Marcy and she couldn’t believe she was joining his select party. It was the sort of thing she had dreamt of, always on the outskirts of society, although she hadn’t thought of it when she offered her help. Adam would never know just how well he had repaid the debt he thought he owed.

It only took a couple of minutes and a quiet word with Joe to get two extra chairs put in the box for the show and for Joe to have a word with Edwin and extend the party by two, Edwin was more than pleased to do so when Joe explained why Adam wanted their inclusion. Everyone who had helped Adam in those awkward weeks before the case came to court had earnt Edwin’s gratitude.

The show was nearly as successful as his opening show had been, although Adam didn’t find it nearly as effective, but he freely admitted that Romeo and Juliet was not one of his favourite plays. The audience was, if anything, even more enthusiastic than it had been the previous week and Adam began to have doubts that they would ever extricate Edwin from the stage, He sat back and watched amused knowing his old friend was revelling in the applause. Ever since his brother had killed Lincoln, Edwin had needed the reassurance of popularity, in addition to his close friends who had given him the courage to face life after that tragedy. Adam could understand the need and he watched the tiredness of a hard week fall from Edwin as he took his well earnt applause.

Eventually the curtain came down for the last time and Edwin made his way to his dressing room. Adam joined him there, while Joe and Hoss got everyone over to the private room Edwin had booked above the Crystal Saloon. Everything was ready and waiting, Hoss had been over earlier to check on things for Edwin. The brothers made sure everyone had a drink while they waited for Edwin. Adam sat and watched Edwin as his friend changed and cleaned off his makeup. Edwin was still very excited and he talked incessantly while Adam just relaxed back smiling, enjoying his friend’s delight.

Edwin was used to moving fast and the friends were only ten minutes after the others in heading over to the saloon. As they came through the theatre David Belasco was still busy ordering the dismantling and storing of the scenery and costumes. Edwin went over and firmly told him to send everyone home and lock up. They could finish up in the morning but he was to come along to the party. David wasn’t sure but Adam added his insistent voice David had worked as hard as anyone and he’d earnt his place at the party to celebrate a successful week. With two of them ganging up on him David went along with them, two men he idolised both wanting his company and praising his work. It was a feeling unlike any he’d known before, he was so proud he could almost burst. Adam saw that even if Edwin still on his own high was too preoccupied. Adam led the way up to join the rest and Joe came over to see what drinks they wanted “Food will be ready in ten minutes Edwin.”

 “Fine thanks Joe.” As Joe wandered off to get their drinks Edwin turned to his friend “Don’t seem possible that that efficient young man is the same younger brother of yours who used to drive me demented.”

“He’s come a long way.” Adam said and then with deep feeling “A very long way.” Only Adam knew just how much his younger brother’s attitude, before he knew any facts, had meant to him. For now Adam put all that behind him and let himself go with the party spirit. Edwin was thrilled by the town’s reaction even better than usual and he carried the whole party along with him. The food was excellent and if Adam was sparing with the wine, most of the others took full advantage of the free drinks as well. Adam sat back and watched everyone enjoying themselves, very pleased to see those who meant most to him so happy. He was enjoying himself too but without quite the ebullience of the others, still recovering from the weeks of strain even if he didn’t realise it.

The party was late in breaking up and Ben considered his eldest son “Do you want to take a room in town, it’s very late?”

“No Pa I’m fine let’s go home.” It was a merry party that made their way back to the Ponderosa, all singing and Adam raised his dark brown baritone and joined in. Joe and Hoss didn’t need telling whose voice that was and Joe brought Cochise alongside the buggy Hoss was driving, he lent over “Good to hear big brother so relaxed.”

“It’s been a while.” Hoss agreed, “Still he’s just about back to normal.”

“Thank God.”

“Amen to that Joe” Hoss grinned and then added his voice to the songsters. Joe smiled and went back to rejoin Nita, Laura and Will singing as he went. Even though they were all tired it had been a great evening and as it was Sunday, noone had to rush to get up in the morning, only a minimum of chores were needed.

Adam was tired when he reached home but only pleasantly so and in bed he pulled Carole to him and made her his own for the first time since his injuries. It was only later as she slept at peace curled up by him that Adam realised he hadn’t given any thought to the events earlier in the year, not a single memory intruding. That realisation brought great peace of mind and he was soon asleep too, a gentle smile still playing on his lips when Carole awoke the next day. She slipped out trying to leave him to sleep.

However her efforts were fruitless, as he recovered his strength Adam’s built in alarm clock started working again and he joined her downstairs fully dressed and shaved less than twenty minutes later. For the moment they were alone, not even Laura had yet appeared and the children were all having breakfast. Adam firmly took the paper and pencil away from Carole and took her in his arms, “You’ve had a miserable year so far but I’ll make it up to you.”

“I love you darling and I hate to see you hurt but that’s all. It wasn’t so bad.” She smiled
“You see I have a great deal of trust in my husband and in his ability to make everything turn out right.”

Adam laughed at her but he was warmed by her trust, however lightly it was said she meant every word and he knew it. Slowly Adam was getting back into routine and doing his share round the ranch. After a light lunch he told Carole that he had a couple of jobs to do and Blackie needed the exercise, so he’d clear them now. Carole didn’t query exactly what he was up to and Adam promised to be back for supper.

Edwin and Jim were going to town and Adam rode a little way with them before cutting up towards the main flume. At the party Peter Curtis had mentioned recurring hold-ups due to some sort of intermittent fault with the central high section and Adam wanted to see for himself. Then he was intending to check with Jack Catfish at the mill before popping in to see his father at the main house.

As Edwin took his leave of Edwin and Jim he didn’t realise he was being watched. Even if he had done so he wouldn’t have worried greatly but he might have taken a little more care. Troy had been hanging around the Ponderosa for more than two weeks. He had a one track mind, he wanted Adam, he blamed him for everything that had gone wrong ever since the day more than decade ago when Adam had bullied him into telling where Little Joe was being held after they had kidnapped the youngster to force Ben to cut timber. Troy had always known that he was a physical coward but until that day he’d believed noone else knew. After that day he’d had the bitter knowledge that Adam knew and had probably told the other Cartwrights. His hatred of them has grown steadily ever since. He knew that his erstwhile colleagues had killed Sauvinet and his friend and he was all too well aware that he must be their next target, all too vulnerable after the failure of his hired killers. He had persuaded himself that if he managed to kill Adam Hearst and Huntingdon would protect him rather than kill him. His grip on sanity had become very tenuous and he had convinced himself that he could cope with Adam, a bullet in the back would kill him, same as any other man, all he needed was to get Adam on his own. Scared that his aim wasn’t very good Troy had equipped himself with a sawn off shotgun. He had hung around the trail where the roads from the various houses connected to the main road to town but although he’d seen Adam several times he had always been with other people. Now finally Adam was moving off alone and very carefully Troy followed.

Adam wasn’t aware that he was being followed, he was revelling in being alone and being well enough to enjoy it. It was a beautiful day, everything clear and hardly any wind to disturb the dust. It was very dry and had been for weeks but Adam was not even aware that he was leaving virtually no sign. Even if he had realised he wouldn’t have worried, discounting Troy and sure that it was too early for Hearst to move, while Huntingdon would probably ignore him.

Adam was taking his time but Blackie was eager, he had spent too much time in the stable recently and even without his master pushing he lengthened his stride sufficiently for Troy to have trouble keeping up. Troy was no horseman and he bounced up and down as he tried to keep up with Adam.

Adam wasn’t looking for Peter or Johnny, he knew exactly where he suspected the trouble was and he headed straight there. The main lumber camp was nearly four miles away at the top of the flume with the sawmills equidistant at the end of the flume. If Adam had tried he couldn’t have headed for a more isolated part of the ranch which was still within easy reach of the roads. It was too far away for any shots to be heard and Troy realised that. Now with Adam alone in his sights he was very scared but there were too many pressures on him and he had fixated on Adam’s death as the one thing which might save his own life. He checked the load in his gun for the thousandth time and then tried to edge closer, knowing he was too far away. He was so on edge that he’d passed it onto his horse which sidled sideways brushing against the bushes. Adam heard and it was his first intimation that something was wrong. He acted instinctively going for his gun and Troy close to panic raised the shotgun and fired even though he knew he was too far back.

Adam was half turned pulling his gun as the pellets hit him but for now he barely even felt the sting as he recognized Troy. He could only see through a red mist as blood ran down into his eyes but it was enough to know his enemy. The gun felt strangely heavy and everything seemed to be happening a long way away but self preservation was enough and he managed to level his gun and fire one shot before he blacked out and fell heavily from his stallion. That one shot was enough, it caught Troy right in the heart and he was dead before Adam even fell from his stallion.

Troy’s horse was scared and headed for town and its own stable but Blackie was loathe to leave his master. He nuzzled at Adam but couldn’t wake him and eventually the black stallion gave up and headed home. Adam had taken more than a dozen pellets but Troy had been so far away that the spread of the pellets had been sufficiently to save his life. However two pellets had hit the side of his head and Adam couldn’t see clearly, a bad concussion disturbing his sight. The rest of the pellets had taken him in the side and shoulder, not too dangerous apart from the weakening effects of loss of blood.

Adam didn’t know how long he was unconscious but it was long enough for Blackie to give up and leave. When he did come round Adam found everything was blurred and he couldn’t think clearly. He pulled himself to his feet and for a moment lent against the nearest tree. The flume seemed to float above him the only point of reality and he stared at it trying to bring it into focus. For some reason he was convinced that it was the flume on the west shore and taking his position from it Adam headed for the lake, desperately thirsty and wanting help. The men would be camped by the lake and therefore the same direction would accomplish both jobs. Adam felt as though he was thinking clearly and didn’t realise as he staggered off just what a useless direction he was taking, heading away from all sources of help, nor did he realise just how much weakness was making him stagger so that he was going in anything but a straight line. On the hard baked land he left no trace of his passage apart from the occasional blood stain on a branch as he stumbled. He was not losing enough blood to leave a trail, it was mainly absorbed by his clothing but it was enough to weaken him with his stamina low to begin with.

From time to time Adam fell but the will to live was enough to bring him to his feet again and drive him onwards. Eventually he fell down close to a stream and crawled down to it, thankfully washing his aching head and taking a long drink. For a few minutes Adam lay still thankful to soak his head and drink, then he forced himself to try and focus. Something was wrong, even his blurred vision was enough to show him that he didn’t recognize this place. He was still sure that he was on the West Shore or he might have done so. He pushed himself to go on, still aiming for the lake. It seemed to be growing dark and Adam wasn’t sure whether it was night time or the effects of his head wound but he couldn’t give up, he had to find help.

As Adam pushed himself on, his back and side on fire and his head throbbing, Joe became aware of his brother’s pain. Joe headed first for Hoss’ house, puzzled by his feelings. As far as he knew his brother was at home and he should be safe but he didn’t want to worry Carole until he had checked with Hoss, Hoss had been playing with Johnny but he too had sensed something was wrong and he wasn’t too surprised to see his younger brother.
Joe slipped in quietly and almost before he closed the door Hoss was straightening up “So it’s not imagination he’s found trouble again.”

“I think so,”

“Have you checked with Carole?”

Joe shook his head “I didn’t want to worry her until I’d checked with you but now we’ll have to, I didn’t know he was going out today.” Hoss got his hat and gun and went out with his brother, on edge wondering what was wrong. Neither brother wanted the job of breaking it to Carole that they suspected more trouble but they needn’t have worried as they walked over there was a knot of people in the yard, gathered round Blackie who had just come in.
Joe broke in to a run and Will moved aside to let him through, Carole was white as a sheet but keeping control with an effort, Laura’s arm was round her friend’s shoulder but she was almost as pale as Carole. There was all too obviously blood on the saddle and on Blackie’s muzzle.

Carole licked dry lips “He’s alive I’m sure of it,”

Joe went straight over to her and kissed her forehead “So am I Carole and we’ll find him, don’t worry.”

Will didn’t look too sure but Hoss wanted facts “When did Blackie come in?”

“About five minutes ago. He came along the road so it don’t really help." Will dropped his voice “Fair bit of blood on him.”

“I can see. Where was Adam going?”

“We don’t know. A few errands was all he said to Carole, but he expected to be back for supper.”

Hoss bit his lip, very worried and not knowing where to start. Carole said “He rode out with Edwin and Jim, they were going to town but I don’t think Adam was.”

Joe straightened up “Wherever he is, he’s in trouble and we have to find him. We need help to do that.”

Hoss nodded “What are you suggesting Joe?”

“You go tell Pa, rout out as many men as you can from the bunkhouse or close at hand. I’ll head straight for town, make sure he hasn’t been there and anyway see if he said anything to Edwin. Meet up at the fork in the road.”

“What do you want me to do? “ Will asked.

 “You know the old Ferguson place that Jess bought.”

“Sure.”

“Ride over check Adam hasn’t been there and anyway enlist Jess’ help and that of any men he can spare.”
That made as much sense as anything and the men separated to saddle up. Laura left Carole for a couple of minutes while she went and warned Nita and Sue, and then the four women gathered together with all the children to give what support they could to each other as they waited. Laura poured coffee and laced each one with brandy worried about Carole and Nita who was pregnant. Carole forced herself to think over everything Adam had said, trying to remember if he had given any hint where he intended to go, holding onto her belief that Adam was alive and Joe’s confirmation, she remained fairly calm.

Ben had been quietly working on the accounts when Hoss can in. He only needed one look at his big son’s face to know there was more trouble. Ben got to his feet swiftly “What now?”
“Blackie came in quarter of an hour ago, blood on the saddle.”

Ben poured himself a large brandy and downed it as he tried to reach out to his eldest son. He got an impression of pain and confusion but he was sure it was emanating from Adam so at least his son was alive. A little calmer he turned back to Hoss “Where was he going?”

“We don’t know Pa. Did he give you any hint?”

Ben shook his head “Just said that he might pop over here later on to go over a few details. José may still be here. Let’s go over to the bunkhouse and get whoever is there to round up all the men we can.”

“That’s what Joe suggested, he sent Will to Jess to ask for his help and men. Joe’s gone to town to check there and find Edwin. Adam rode out with Edwin and Jim. They were going to town but even if Adam wasn’t he may have said something.”

By the time Hoss had finished speaking they had reached the bunkhouse. At least they were in luck as José, Stevens, Johnny and Jack Catfish were all there playing cards. José came to his feet as he saw his boss come in, knowing both by his presence and his expression that some thing was very wrong. Ben quickly explained and asked all the men to go and mount up, collect anyone who was close at hand and then he went over to Kirk and asked him to saddle Buck while he collected a first aid kit and then Kirk was to stay put in case Adam made his own way home. Everyone was ordered to meet at the fork in the road in an hour, but they couldn’t really move until Joe came back. There was a huge area to search for a man on foot and they would stand a far better chance if they knew where to start. Hopefully Joe would be able to give them that start,

Will reached Jess’ ranch just as Ben left to go and see his daughters, unable to do anything else for now. Jess was surprised but pleased to see Will but that didn’t last as he took in Will’s expression. “What the hell’s wrong now?”

“Adam hasn’t been here today?”

“No. What’s wrong?”

“His black stallion came in, riderless, blood on the saddle and we don’t know where he was going.”

“Oh God.”

“Joe says he’s alive, he asked if you would help look for him and any of your men you can spare.”

“Sure, give me a minute to get the men to saddle up and tell Liza and I’ll be with you.”

“I know your sorrel, do you want me to saddle it?”

“Thanks Will.” Jess ordered his men to saddle up with a quick explanation and then went in to tell Liza where he was going and why. She was very upset to hear Adam was in trouble again, she had become very fond of him since her marriage and knew just how much he meant to her husband. She had less faith than Jess did in Joe’s pronouncement that his brother was alive. Liza hoped he was right but couldn’t help feeling both Joe and her husband were fooling themselves. All she could do was to pack up some food and brandy, blankets and first aid supplies ready for Jess so that he could start hunting as soon as possible.

Joe made good time to town, fear like an ice-cold grip round his heart, not helped by knowing that his brother had not been fully fit to start with. His one consolation was his certainty that although in pain and confused Adam was alive. He pushed Cochise hard but with the traffic in town he could only edge through and after a couple of minutes he dismounted, tying Cochise up in front of the dressmaker and went on, on foot. He was guessing that Edwin would be finishing up things at the theatre but to get there Joe had to pass the jail and he spared a minute to see Roy.

As soon as Joe poked his head round the door Roy could see there was trouble and he didn’t hesitate as Joe asked “Spare me a minute?”

“Sure.”

“Can we talk on the way to the theatre?” Roy nodded, puzzled but willing to help. He grabbed his gun and went out to join Joe, “Whatever’s wrong?”

“Blackie came home without Adam but with blood on the saddle.”

Roy sighed heavily “You think someone is out for revenge?”

“Yeah. I’m sure Adam’s still alive but we don’t know where. He rode out with Edwin and Jim so I’m hoping they can tell us where to look.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Maybe check around town, any rumours who.” Joe sighed “I don’t know Roy.” The two men had made good progress and they were in luck Edwin and Jim had just finished and were standing talking to David Belasco. The conversation faltered to a halt as they took in Joe’s expression. Joe moved swiftly over “Edwin did Adam tell you where he was going when he left you?”

“I .... Is he hurt?”

“We think so, his stallion came back alone, blood on the saddle. Which way did he go, where do we start looking?” There was a note of desperation in Joe’s voice and Roy gripped his arm, “Take it easy Joe, let Edwin think.”

Jim said “Adam only came with us to the fork in the road. He said something about going to see your father at the main house.”
Joe bit his lip, knowing he’d have been told if Adam had been on the road between the houses. He had put a lot of faith in Edwin knowing where Adam was going. Edwin frowned as he tried to remember.”He didn’t go that way. He headed up into the forest.”

“Well it’s a start.” Joe said trying to sound optimistic and then Edwin said “I know, he was going to check on the flume. Someone had commented about trouble at the party.”

Joe gripped his hand, “Thank you Edwin. I remember Peter Curtis saying the high section was causing problems. Now we know where to start we’ll find him.”

“Is there anything we can do?” Edwin asked.

“Warn Doc we might be needing him and then come home and look after the girls for us.”

“We’ll do that.” Edwin guaranteed and Roy promised to do his best to find out who was acting against Adam. Joe hurried back to Cochise and headed back to the ranch as fast as he could.

By the time he reached the ranch Ben had gathered a sizeable group of men at the fork, only waiting for word of where to start. Ben and Hoss were dividing the men up into groups and ensuring each group had blankets and first aid supplies with them. José, Jess, Will and Stevens were standing talking quietly, each in his own way trying to remember any hint Adam might have given about his plans for the day.

Ben was the first to spot his youngest son’s arrival and he moved over to greet him, “Any luck?”

“Edwin said he was going to check the main flume. Peter Curtis said that the high section, the main central one was giving trouble, so I guess he’d head there.”

Ben nodded curtly “It’s a start.” He called Johnny over and told him to take one group of men and head straight for the lumber camp in case Adam had been going there first. He sent Will along with them, Will was to lead a group down the flume to the high section while Johnny organised a search fanning out from the camp. Another group with José and Jack Catfish to do the same, starting at the sawmill, while the rest of them headed up to the high section direct. He asked Joe to go and tell Carole that they at least had a place to start and then join them.

Joe didn’t spend long over his errand, Carole was more concerned that Joe, who knew his brother so well, was on the spot rather than reassuring her. Joe kissed her, “We’ll find him, try not to worry.”

In fact Joe caught up while the main party was still more than two miles from the flume. Knowing the ground so well, he pushed his sure-footed pinto a little harder than most dared. The main party split to allow Joe to move through next to his father. Ben asked anxiously “The girls alright?”

“Yeah. Carole knows him as well as we do, she knows he’s alive.”

“The others?”

“They’re helping each other and Edwin and Jim were coming back to do what they could. Roy will make some enquiries round town and warn Doc to expect a call.” Ben nodded, his son had done all that was possible until they found Adam.”

Ben and Joe were slightly ahead of the rest as they came in sight of the flume and they didn’t need a second look to know that whatever had happened, they’d found the starting place. Instinctively the two men reined up and Joe turned round “Hold it everyone.”

Ben was staring in horror at the scene ahead, a crumpled body just in front of him. Joe said “We’d better leave the horses here Pa.”

“Yes. You, Hoss and Jess only for now, while we check.”

Joe dismounted and tied Cochise walking forward almost hesitantly, scared what he might find. Ben went with his youngest son while Hoss checked the body. As he turned him over he recognized Troy instantly and stood up “Pa, It’s Troy and he’s dead. One bullet right in the heart.”

Ben looked around but there was noone else in the clearing. For a moment he just stood there and then as the sense of what Hoss had said penetrated he went over to this his son “Troy?”

Jess was checking by the body, “There’s a sawn off shotgun here. It’s been fired.”

Ben took it from him “You think Troy made a try for Adam personally?”

Hoss frowned “I wouldn’t have thought he’d have the nerve but I don’t know what else it can mean.”

Joe was on his knees examining the sign on the other side of the clearing, “Pa over here.” He had found Adam’s gun and hat on the ground and also sign of where a body had lain, crushing the grass and leaving bloodstains.

Ben and Hoss hurried over and looked around. Joe held up his brother’s gun “One shot fired, I guess he got Troy.”

Ben was fingering the bloody grass “Drying but not quite dry, must be a couple of hours at least.”

Hoss tried to be optimistic “Well at least he was well enough to get up and leave.”

Ben frowned “Quite a lot of blood and he left both his hat and his gun.”

Joe forced a smile, “Still Hoss is right at least he’s on his feet.”

Jess was still standing over by Troy’s body and he was holding the shotgun. Joe turned to face him “How far do you reckon it is Jess?”

“Too far for a shotgun. The spread will mean only some of the pellets hitting and with luck not too deep.”

Joe nodded “My thoughts exactly. With any luck Troy’s cowardice gives Adam a chance, superficial maybe.” He was forcing himself to be more optimistic than he really felt, to try and keep up his father’s spirits. Ben knew why his son was doing it but he couldn’t help being scared both by the blood and because Adam had left his gun. He asked his sons and Jess to check for sign while he went to speak to the rest of the men, He told two men to take Troy’s body into town and tell Roy what they thought had happened.

Joe and Jess had found where Adam had lent against a tree trying to get a grip on his senses but casting around from the tree they couldn’t find any real trail. The ground was too hard and there was very little undergrowth. Jess straightened up “Its useless Joe, at least he’s not leaving a blood trail may not be too bad.”

“I know, it will be far too slow. With plenty of men here it’ll be quicker to spread out and hunt.” Joe led the way back over to his father, “It’s no good Pa, no sign to follow, even if we could find anything we’d be far too slow.”

Hoss agreed with his brother and so Ben said “So we search, plenty of help. Where would he have gone?”

“Maybe to the lumber camp or the sawmill for help.” Hoss suggested, “Or maybe straight home.”

Joe added “If he needs water he might go to the stream, about half a mile south west or the lake.”

 Ben wasn’t sure the lake was rather a long way off, but if his son wasn’t thinking straight it was possible. He split his men up into parties, sending Joe south west to check the stream, Jess to head down towards the sawmill to meet up with José, while Hoss went up towards the lumber camp to meet up with Will. He sent Stevens to check up towards the lake, trusting the reserved cowboy, knowing he wouldn’t miss anything. Ben kept the rest of the men with him sending four with each party, Ben told his men to spread out from the tree where Adam had lent and hunt both for Adam or for any sign, three shots to be the signal if anything was found.

It was obviously going to be slow work and there weren’t many hours of daylight left, so Ben sent Red and Hank back to the house to try and collect as many lamps as possible. He was sure that all the men would hunt all night if that was necessary,

With everything organised the men began the soul destroying job of hunting, everyone wanted to move fast and find Adam, the blood mute testimony that he needed their help. However common sense pointed out that if they moved too fast they might miss the one pointer which would lead to him.

Ben moved on ahead of the men, desperately worried, knowing his son hadn’t fully recovered from the strains and stresses of the last months, even before this last attack. He could only pray that if Adam had acted logically as usual one of the parties would find him soon.

In fact with his confusion about the flume Adam had headed south-east, the one direction noone had thought of. He had in fact reached the stream Joe mentioned but he was nearly three miles upstream from where Joe was searching. Adam had kept pushing on, he had been glad of a drink but he was all too aware that he needed help, he was still losing blood and he could hardly see. The pellets which had hit his head had caused a lot of swelling round his eyes and with blood sticking round them, half the time he couldn’t open his eyes at all. Some of the blood had dried and his clothes were sticking to him and the damaged muscles were stiffening up, making every movement more difficult and painful. Too many of the wounds had cloth carried into them with their lethal burden of germs, so some of the wounds were festering and as blood poisoning took its toll his temperature was rising.

Adam wasn’t even aware when night fell, unable to see clearly everything blurred it made little difference and he trudged on. He didn’t know how much he was meandering but overall he managed to keep his over all direction south-east. Sometimes he fell, usually forcing himself back to his feet immediately but two or three times almost slipping into unconsciousness for a while before pain wrenched him back from oblivion and the will to live got him back on his feet.

In the early hours of the morning he slipped and fell down the steep side of a gulley. He landed heavily on his injured side and passed out and this time he remained unconscious until the sun beating down on him roused him the following morning.

Adam wasn’t really aware of much that had happened, and he was never able to remember anything much about that night, just a confusion of pain and fear, falling and forcing himself up and on. The reasons long forgotten just the need to keep going, the will to live paramount.

If Adam didn’t remember that night the rest of his family and friends had it etched in their memories. It seemed never ending and despite all the efforts by every man, at the end of the night they had nothing to show for it. All of the men were tired and more than a little dispirited, there was no sign of Adam in any of the place’s he could logically have gone and that left them with the grim prospect of searching the wide open spaces of the ranch. There was the ever present fear that somehow they had missed an unconscious man in the dark despite their best efforts. Most of the men had an underlying fear that Adam was dead but his immediate family could still reach him and they knew that final tragedy wasn’t true. Jess, José and a few others who had rejoined Ben were able to read that faith and thus maintain their own but even for them it was a very long night. Even if Adam was still alive the thought that if they didn’t find him soon that might not remain true weighed heavily on their minds.

With the help of lanterns the men hunted all through the night but found no trace at all and as the circle of men spread out and each had a larger segment to check progress dwindled to a virtual halt.

As the first false light of dawn showed in the sky, Jess left his position, warning his two men to cover and slipped over to join José. “Everyone needs a break, at least some hot coffee or they’re gonna start missing things.”

“The boss said carry on.”

“Those three in particular need something. Joe’s still not fully fit and they’ve all been under a strain this year.”

“I can’t tell him Jess.”

“No but I can. You got anything with you?”

“Yeah but not enough for everyone.”

“I’ll speak to Ben get half the men to stop and then swap over. Give me time to fetch more supplies.”
“I suppose you’re right, lights so bad now we’re not doing much good anyway. Back about a mile there’s a telegraph point. If you warn them someone can meet you with grub and coffee,”

Jess accepted that and went over to the point where he knew Ben was working. Ben straightened up as he saw Jess approach, for a moment hopeful “Found something?”

Jess sighed “No sign but the men are tired and cold Ben. They need a break, food, hot coffee.”

Ben’s instinctive reaction was no, out there somewhere maybe under the next bush was his son in pain, hurt and bleeding, but before he could protest commonsense told him that Jess was right, He knew Jess cared as deeply about Adam as he did himself, Jess pressed gently “The light is bad and tired men miss things, Just for a little while.”

“You’re right I should of considered the men.”

“They will all want to carry on but ....”

“Do we have enough?”

“Split then in two, half eat now and I’ll collect supplies, enough for the rest." Ben couldn’t help feeling that Jess had already done his share and more but he was too tired and worried to do anything except accept gratefully.

Jess had no trouble rousing Hop Sing and he had already thought about food. Kirk had left with a chuck wagon over an hour earlier, if Jess could meet him up near the flume and take him to a suitable meeting place, that would be ideal. Jess promised to do so and with a quick word to let José know what was happening he set off on his self imposed errand.

On his own without even the other searchers the ranch seemed very still and very large, the prospects of finding one man on foot remote. Jess tried to maintain his confidence but he knew, maybe better than anyone just how rundown Adam was. Certainly the scatter of pellets at that distance should have ensured Adam didn’t take the full blast but different guns produced very different patterns and Jess had seen men with their faces blown away by a shotgun. He tried to console himself that Adam had been well enough to walk away but it didn’t really help, he had seen Adam force himself to move before with injuries that would have killed many men. Jess was very glad to see Kirk’s wagon loom out of the dark and at least for a while he could concentrate on practicalities.

As Ben called in the men, Joe gravitated to his big brother. For the past hour he’d been unable to reach Adam and was very cold. Overtired and still low on stamina, he was scared that this emptiness was all there was. Hoss didn’t need telling he could read it on Joe’s face despite the dim light, He put his arm round his younger brother feeling the cold emanating from him. “Easy Joe he’s still alive, just asleep, or maybe passed out.”

“You can’t be sure.”

“Come on Adam’s a survivor; it’ll take more than a coward like Troy to put him down permanently.”

“That’s rubbish a cornered man running. A gun don’t know who uses it.”
“But because he was a coward he was too far away. Adam walked away, he’ll hold on until we find him.”

“If only he’d stayed put! Where is he Hoss? It don’t make any sense, there were half a dozen things he could have done but he didn’t do any of them, why not?”

“Maybe be he ain’t thinking too logically. We know he’s hurt and wasn’t that fit to start with, but it’ll soon be light and we’ll find him. Come on Joe you need coffee and grub just as much as the men.”

Joe felt as though he couldn’t eat but knowing that wouldn’t help his brother, he forced himself to do so, at least the coffee was very welcome. With the arrival of the chuck wagon Ben had called in all the men and once they had eaten, he offered them the opportunity of an hour or so’s rest, they were all short a night’s sleep. Noone took him up on his offer but neither did anyone have any better suggestion than the slow laborious search from the point where they’d last found sign.

Hoss had dim memories of a previous hunt for Jamie when he’d fallen foul of a bear and a psychic had helped. On that occasion they had first found trace of Jamie on a stream but a long way from the obvious place. Joe had no better suggestion and he offered to do it, but one of them ought to stay close to their father, Ben was looking very drawn, almost old.
Hoss was loathe to let Joe go alone and he was torn, unsure which member of his family needed him more. Then he spotted Stevens and beckoned him over, “Will you stick with Joe check out that stream again.”

Stevens looked unconvinced but agreed to do as he was asked and the two men slipped away, leaving Hoss to explain why. They had only been gone five minutes when Joe pulled Cochise up suddenly, without any conscious decision. Stevens reined in, startled and alarmed by the pain he could see on Joe’s face, “Whatever’s wrong Joe? Are you ill?”

“No.” Joe rubbed his hand across his mouth and his aching eyes. “No I’m alright.”

“Then what?”

“Adam I think he’s just come round, he’s in pain.”

Stevens had heard something of these feelings between the Cartwrights but never known any of them be so open about it, not with him. He tried to calm his friend, “Not surprising Joe, he must have taken at least a few pellets. So long as he’s alive, we’ll find him soon.” Joe nodded and back in control, at least for now, pushed Cochise on, on his self-imposed errand.

Joe wasn’t the only one to feel the surge of pain as Adam came back to full consciousness, Hoss, Ben and Carole were each aware of it in their own way. Carole could only wait, busying herself with her children and leaning heavily on her sisters for support. At least Ben and Hoss could do something a little more positive as they continued the search.

Adam had finally come round with the sun on him. He was desperately thirsty and his back and side felt on fire. For a moment he couldn’t think only aware of pain and so stiff he couldn’t move. He felt sick and weak but something was telling him to get up, to move. Confused he thought he was back on the west shore, afraid of the forest fire and that fear was enough to get him to his feet and moving again. At first he could only crawl over to the side of the gully, not even realising that the strange moaning sound he could hear was coming from him. Once there he lend his aching head on his uninjured right arm for several minutes while he regained control, then unable to get out of the gully he had to follow it, moving even further from the area where the search was concentrated. The need for water and his desire to get home to Carole and his children kept him moving.

Throughout the morning Adam moved on in fits and starts, sometimes sinking to his knees or falling, but each time forcing himself to get up and move on. Once he fell and caught his head on a bush breaking open his wounds and passing out, leaving a pool of blood. When he came round at first he was only aware of pain, hardly able to see but he forced himself to think, “Need to head straight.” He picked out a lone tree on the horizon and headed for it, just praying that he would cut a trail or see something he recognized, maybe even meet someone. He had a great deal of faith in his family and knew that they would be searching for him; all he had to do was stay alive until they found him. He was praying wordlessly that he would find water soon so desperately thirsty and even more that his family were close. He forced himself to move on, counting his steps to one hundred and then after a short break doing it again until there was nothing in his world except the need to count and move. Sometimes he had to deviate from the straight line but each time headed back to the tree. When he reached it, he picked another target and moved on.

Joe was searching along one side of the stream while Stevens paralleled his progress on the other bank. They couldn’t hurry scared of missing any signs and for all too long they found nothing. Then Joe’s whole attitude told Stevens he’d found something and he splashed across the stream to join his friend, Joe was examining marks reading down to the stream and blood on the bank. It was faint but as Joe dampened the sandy edge it was obviously blood. There was no real sign of footprints and Joe looked up questioningly “What do you think Stevens, it could be an animal.”

Stevens stayed back studying the sign “I’m not sure Joe that’s blood but – maybe crawling.”
Joe bit his lip unsure whether to call everyone here to this new starting point well out of the agreed line of search, without any complete certainty that it wasn’t just some wild animal. Stevens could understand Joe’s dilemma but it had to be Joe’s decision, it was his brother. Unable to help Joe make up his mind Stevens went back across the stream, maybe something would shown there. There was little trace of blood and then Stevens saw a clear handprint shaded by a rock where the sand was still damp, from Adam’s passage as he crawled out of the river. Stevens stared at it almost disbelieving, “Joe get over here quick.” He was scared it would fade before Joe saw it.

Joe hurried over and knelt down to look where Stevens was pointing. He could see clearly the mark of three fingers and a thumb, There was nothing to prove that it was Adam’s but it couldn’t have been there more than a few hours and in conjunction with the blood it was too big a coincidence for it to be anyone else. At least he had a firm fact to base a decision on and he sat back “Well at least we know he made it this far.”

“What now?”

“You go back to Pa. Tell him and bring all the men here I’ll start casting around see if I can pick up any sign.” Joe sounded almost buoyant with the relief of cutting his brother’s trail again. He’d half convinced himself that the mark must have been made that morning in which case they weren’t very far behind Adam. It was almost an hour before Ben had collected the men and moved to join Joe. Joe hadn’t been able to find any sign to follow but he was still reasonably optimistic as he saw the men approaching. Ben had just crossed the stream when Joe came up “Stevens explained, "Have you found any sign?”

“A couple of drops of what might be blood fairly watered down I’d guess, difficult to see and then it fades.”

“Where was this handprint?”

“Under a rock over there but I expect it’s dried out by now.” Joe showed his father but to his surprise the print was still there. Ben felt it very carefully “Only slightly damp, and its well in the shadow. I’m not sure this was made this morning Joe.”

Joe bit his lip “I thought it was recent but it doesn’t look any different than when we found it. I think you’re right. Oh hell.”

Ben put his arm round his son’s shoulders, “Easy does it Joe we’ve found his trail again, its daylight and we have lots of help. We’ll find him soon.”

Joe straighten up “Sure we will Pa.” Ben organized his men again and on the fairly flat ground they were able to make reasonable progress for a while but then it became more difficult. They moved into an area of broken scrub land and had to check carefully however impatient they were.

Meanwhile Adam had kept moving more or less south east but in that direction there were few streams and he missed the only one there was, just passing the head waters of it. As his wounds festered so his fever mounted and weakened by loss of blood there came a time when he fell and couldn’t make it to his feet. For a few minutes he tried to crawl but it was no use and he knew it. Adam lay still knowing that unless his family could find him he was going to die right there. Love for his wife and children had kept him going even further than the will to live but even his will power could only do so much and eventually he’d had to give in to his weakened body. Adam prayed wordlessly for his family and then surrendered to the lure of oblivion.

Word had spread beyond the bounds of the Ponderosa that Adam was missing and hurt, the arrival of Troy’s dead body in town spread like wildfire. Most people were amazed that Troy had had the nerve to go up against Adam even with a bullet in the back. Adam had many friends, not just on the ranch and with word of the general direction of the search, various groups had headed out to try and help. One group was led by the owner of the Mallory ranch. Leslie Harwood. Leslie had become close friends with Adam in the nine years since he had first come to Nevada to sort out an investment he had recommended to his bank in London. The one time banker had found a far more congenial life once the Cartwrights has taught him how to cope and he had resigned buying the Mallory ranch for himself. He and his wife Gillian retained their English accents but were well established now with three children born in Nevada.

Leslie spread his men out and began to move from the boundaries of his ranch towards the searching Cartwrights. It was not long after lunch when one of his hands yelled, he had found sign of blood and a man’s body imprinted on the grass at the bottom of a gully. Leslie hurried over but despite his years in Nevada he knew he was no expert at reading sign. Certainly his man’s reading seemed reasonable from what he could see. He asked his men to look around for any sign and cut across towards the main search on the Ponderosa. They had again veered rather too far to the west as the last thing they expected was for Adam to head off the Ponderosa, which he knew so well.

The search line had moved on past the gully, but too far west, and Leslie had to go more than two miles before he found them. He was quickly directed to Ben and as word spread Hoss, Joe, Will, Jess and some of the other hands converged on Ben as Leslie came up. Leslie didn’t keep them waiting, explaining succinctly what they had found.

Ben was very grateful that his neighbour had taken the time and trouble to go and look for Adam and this seemed to give them a new lead. Leslie was swift to push away the thanks and led the way back to the gully. Joe joined his brother “That’s the second time we’ve picked up sign outside the area where we’ve been searching.”

“At least we’ve found sign.”

 “Fluke this time, because Leslie cared. It’ll be dark again soon and with the blood he’s been losing Adam may not survive another night without help.” There was a note of desperation in Joe’s voice and Hoss couldn’t reassure him equally scared, “Even so what the hell else can we do Joe? Seems half the state are out looking.”

“I don’t know but something.” Joe fell silent wracking his brains to find a way to help.
At the house Carole had passed the hours almost in a daze. She preformed the necessary tasks to ensure her children were fed and looked after with Nita, Sue and Laura hovering around but in many ways she would have preferred to be on her own. However Edwin was a godsend, remaining cheerful and reminding everyone just how much of a survivor his old friend was and outwardly a least he was confident that Adam would be home soon. On his own Edwin was anything but confident, but he wasn’t an actor for nothing. Usually Edwin had heard about Adam’s problems once his friend was safe, everything over but this time he was in the middle and finding it hard to remain calm. He was frankly amazed at how calm the women remained. Laura explained that all of them had had all too much practise over the last years.

The Cartwrights reached the gully about three in the afternoon, almost a full day behind Adam and they all had the feeling they were falling further and further behind. Leslie’s men had searched around and found where Adam had left the gully. Ben checked it for himself and could only agree with their reading of sign but as so often the sign had petered out on the bone hard ground. Ben was very tired and he couldn’t reach Adam any longer but he had to keep going and he began to reorganize his men yet again.

Joe came over to his father “Pa I want to try something. We need to find Adam and fast, maybe the search will miss again.”

“Anything Joseph.” Ben said eagerly, “What have you got in mind?”

“I’m guessing that Adam is on his feet through sheer will power and not thinking clearly.”

“That seems obvious or he’d have headed for help, but how does that help us?”

“I want to try second guessing him. He taught me what to do if I was lost and I’m hoping that his idea are so in built that he’ll carry them out even if he can’t think straight. He always said choose a target and head for it so you don’t go round in a circle, a target like that lone pine over there. I want to head for it and then try and guess his next target. If the short cut doesn’t work we’ll come back and three people won’t make any difference.”

“Alright Joseph who do you want with you?”

Joe looked at his big brother, Hoss was closest to Adam and might be better at guessing how his brother would react but Hoss shook his head “I’ll stay with Pa. Why don’t you take Jess and José, they know Adam very well.”

Joe could see the sense of Hoss staying with their father he’d seldom seen Ben look so exhausted and old unless he was ill. Jess and José were more than willing and the three men collected their horse hand headed out for the lone opine. They rode abreast about 200 yards apart to sweep the area up to the tree but arrived without seeing anything. There was no sign at the tree to show whether or not Joe’s guess was right but he didn’t waste time looking all too conscious of how few hours of daylight they had left.

Joe studied the horizon but this time it was not so obvious, there were two possibilities, a clump of trees to the southeast and a singleton pine to the southwest. Joe frowned “What do you think?”

José shrugged, “Either are possible.”

Jess added “He’s been heading basically southeast. I don’t understand why but all the sign we have found had been consistent. I’d guess he’ll carry on heading that way so I’d go with the clump of trees.”

Joe had been thinking the same “Well we can only guess. José go check the lone pine just in case but if there’s no sign come join us. Jess and I will check the clump.” José nodded it seemed as sensible as anything else. The men made good time and José finding nothing at the single pine cut across to rejoin them. Jess had found where Adam had fallen against the tree and reopened his head wound. Joe was on his knees examining the sign when José rode in. There was a little pool of blood and in the needles he could just make out the impression of a man.

Joe wasn’t sure whether to send José back to his father or just push on and pray they found his brother. In the end he decided he didn’t dare take the risk. “José go fetch Pa and the others. Jess and I will push on to that lone pine. As soon as you’ve told Pa, get after us as fast as you can and bring Will or someone with you so that we have a messenger next time. If we’ve moved on I’ll leave a note.”

José nodded and headed back to the main search party at speed. Joe was relieved to have found sign at least, it bore out his contention that his brother would obey the rules he’d taught his younger brothers so carefully. With Jess he headed out for the lone pine again, keeping about a quarter of a mile apart. They didn’t find any sign and although the earth looked slightly disturbed by the tree it could have been an animal. Jess asked “Do we wait?”

“No it’s gone four now, we don’t have that long. That tree over there.” Joe pointed and quickly left a note scratching an arrow in the soil to show the way. They were about half way to the tree when to Joe’s surprise Jess suddenly cut across towards him at a gallop. Joe pulled up and waited. Jess yelled as soon as he got close enough, “The vultures.” he pointed towards the south east. Joe stared where he was pointing and saw what Jess had noticed. There were several vultures wheeling high in the sky about a mile away. Jess pulled up by “What do you think?”

“Could be an animal but it’s the right direction lets check it out.”

Jess was more than willing and for the first time Joe asked his pinto to move and Cochise responded magnificently. Adam was lying in a slight hollow and he wasn’t visible from a distance so that at first Joe and Jess couldn’t see what was attracting the vulture. Then as they breasted a slight rise, they could see the huddled body some two hundred yards ahead. At least they had found Adam but from where they were he looked dead. Jess looked over at Joe who had gone desperately pale but there was no point in commenting, in a minute they would know one way or the other. Joe felt that it took forever to cover those last few yards and he was off his horse before Cochise had come to a halt. Joe ran over and knelt by his brother anxiously feeling for a pulse and to his utter relief, finding quite a strong one. He looked up at Jess not even realising the tears of relief were streaming down his cheeks “He’s alive, strong pulse.”

Jess had followed slightly more sedately, if no less relieved and he had his canteen. He knelt down by Joe and helped him very gently turn Adam over. Joe very gently touched his swollen head and face “My God how did he get this far?”

Jess shrugged “We both know his will power” and then trying to sound optimistic he added “As his pulse is strong, maybe they aren’t as bad as they look.”

 Joe just grunted fully occupied in washing his brother’s face and trying to get a little water into Adam’s mouth. It ran slackly out again and Adam showed no sign to coming round. There was very little Joe could do for him with the limited supplies he had and no water apart from the canteens. Jess straightened up, “I’ll go and tell your Pa, arrange a wagon.”

“Thanks Jess I don’t know how ....”

Jess interrupted “Don’t be daft Joe you know how much your brother means to me. He’ll be alright that’s all that matters.” Jess remounted he could see from the fever Adam was running that some of the wounds were festering and the sooner they got him to Doc the better. In fact Jess didn’t have that far to go before he spotted José and Will, cutting across to join them. He yelled out “We’ve found him he’s alive.”

Will pulled up without thinking “Where?”

“About two miles southeast. Joe’s with him. He’s out cold but strong pulse. Quite a fever, he needs Doc. Taken several pellets in his back and side, side of his head that’s pretty swollen.”

Will turned his horse. “I’ll go tell my Uncle, arrange a wagon, you two go join Joe help him.”

That suited Jess and José and they rejoined Joe long before he expected to see anyone. Joe was slowly doing what he could to clean up and bandage his brother but he wasn’t making any attempts to remove the pellets. They had been there for many hours a few more wouldn’t make much difference and he preferred to leave it to Doc’s expert hands. For now he made sure Adam wasn’t losing any more blood, cleaning the dirt where he could and then using cold compresses to fight the fever. At least his brother was alive and knowing Adam’s innate strength Joe was confident they would keep him that way. He was glad to see the others but there was little they could do but they busied themselves making a fire and heating up coffee for Joe. In many ways Joe hoped his brother would remain out until they got him home, it was going to a long painful journey, better negotiated with Adam unaware of what was happening.

Will made good time back to his Uncle, very thankful that his cousin was still alive and from the sound of the things not too seriously hurt. Ben still had the men searching but he straightened up from checking a possible sign as Hoss said “That’s Will Pa.” Will headed straight over “Joe’s found him, he’s alive.”

Ben shut his eyes momentarily weak with relief and it was Hoss who asked where. Will explained, finishing up ”According to Jess Adam’s out cold and you’ll need a wagon to get him home.”

Hoss started sending some of the men home and Leslie offered to go and fetch a wagon from his ranch which was much closer, he suggested taking Adam back to the Mallory ranch. Ben was very grateful for the offer and accepted the wagon but he knew his son would recover better in his own home, on the ranch where his roots were so deeply embedded, he’d been away too much recently. Will explained exactly where to take it and Leslie promised to have it there as quickly as possible.

Ben turned to his nephew “I know you care about Adam, as much as any of us but we must let the girls know, especially Carole and get Doc out.”

“I’ll go tell Carole." Will smiled “and Doc will be waiting when you get him home. Adam’s alive that’s all that matters.”

Ben was very grateful and Will set off home with most of the men. Pio, Johnny and Peter Curtis went along with Ben and Hoss, taking all the medical supplies and blankets with them. In less than ten minutes from Will’s arrival each party was on its way.

Joe had done all he could for his brother and was sitting cradling his brother’s swollen head in his lap, just moving to change the cold compress as he waited for help to arrive. Jess and José could only build up the fire as a clear signal of exactly where they were. José had coffee ready and passed Joe some “Want some jerky Joe?”

“No thanks.”

“When did you last eat Joe?”

“I will once we’ve got Adam home in his own bed, for now all I want is coffee.” Joe forced a grin “Mind you that goes down real well.”

Jess signalled José to drop the subject, it had been a long hard search and Joe was near exhaustion, it wasn’t the time to press him. He could afford to miss a few meals. The two friends were glad to see Ben and Hoss approaching, as much for Joe as for Adam.
The others stood back as Ben and Hoss went down on their knees by Adam. Joe was very glad to see them “I’ve stopped the bleeding but I’ve left the pellets for Doc.”

Ben nodded feeling his son’s pulse and forehead, “Feverish but his pulse isn’t bad, Leslie is bringing a wagon and we’ll get him home. Will says he’ll have Doc waiting. You did the right thing son, well done.”

Joe relaxed a little as Hoss took over sponging Adam’s forehead and feeding him sips of water. Whether it was the water or sensing his family’s presence wasn’t clear but ten minutes after their arrival Adam moaned slightly and put his hand to his aching head.
Joe was quick to reassure him “Easy brother we’re here, you’re safe, lie still.”

Adam was only vaguely aware of his brother’s voice and couldn’t make out the words. At first he thought he was dreaming again but then firm hands wiped his face and Hoss offered him more water. This time Adam drank eagerly and forced his right eye open. He still couldn’t focus but there were blurred shapes and instincts identified three of them “Pa?”

 “Right here Son, try and rest. We’ll get you home to Doc very soon now.”

“It was Troy.”

“We know but he can’t hurt you anymore. Don’t try and talk just rest.”

“Hoss, Joe?”

“Your brothers are right here, we’ll take care of everything you try and sleep.” That made sense to Adam and with a quiet sigh he turned a little onto his uninjured right side and nestling against Joe fell asleep. Joe grinned up at his father, at least Adam had come round and was rational. He’d be fine now they’d found him, a view the others shared.

Leslie made good time and it wasn’t much over an hour after Ben’s arrival when the wagon came into view. Leslie had done a good job with straw and blankets so the injured man could be moved as easily as possible. Adam didn’t stir as Hoss picked him up and laid him gently in the wagon, much to everyone’s relief. Leslie tried again “My place is much closer and we could put you and Carole up too.”

“Thanks but no.” Ben reiterated “I think he needs his own home more than anything else just now, he’s been away too much recently.”

Leslie knew there was a lot that Ben wasn’t saying. He’d heard all the rumours and stories and some of the reasons and he decided that Ben knew his own son best. He had his own horse tied on the back and with a final comment that there was no rush in returning the wagon Leslie left them to it and headed home.

Hoss drove the wagon while Joe sat in the back and steadied his brother, Ben riding alongside and the others following. There was no proper road and Hoss had to take it slowly but even so the wagon sometimes bumped alarmingly. They had only made about six miles when Adam, began muttering in delirium and moaning with pain at the worst bumps. Hoss looked round at his father in near despair, “I can’t make it no easier Pa.”

“I know just keep going, he’s strong and not really aware of the pain.”

 Joe straightened his aching back “His temperature is rising Pa.”

“Not surprising Joseph but we can only keep using the cold compresses and get him home.” Ben turned to Jess riding next to him, “Maybe if you got in the wagon too, between you and Joe you could steady him.” Jess was very willing and tied his mount on the wagon, clambering in on the other side of Adam. Ben would have liked to do it himself but he was very stiff and tired, scared of becoming more of a liability than a help to his sons and he left it to the younger men.

Between them Joe and Jess managed to steady Adam over the worst bumps and his moans were less frequent, but even so his fever continued to rise. They were all very relieved when Hoss pulled onto the wagon road which cut across the Ponderosa. Hoss was able to push on rather faster but it still took nearly three hours at the fastest pace he dared before they reached the fork in the road where Adam had so light heartedly left his friends.
Ben left his sons to bring the wagon in and rode ahead to warn Doc what to expect. Everyone was very relieved to see the houses ahead, Adam had fallen quiet again over the last hour, seemingly sunk in a coma, burning up and weakening so that his brothers were more alarmed by his silence than by the moans of pain. Even his pulse was becoming too fast and a little thready and he showed signs of trouble breathing. Hoss and Joe had both come to believe they should have accepted Leslie’s offer even though they understood Ben’s reasons for refusing but there was no point  discussing it, all they could do was get their brother home.

The journey had seemed to take an eternity but eventually they pulled into the yard and Hoss with Jess help, picked up his elder brother and carried him in straight to his own bed. Ben, Doc and Carole were waiting him there, Ben having arrived a few minutes earlier. Sue had water ready boiled and was ready to assist Doc. The others clustered downstairs, very anxious but keeping out of the way. The brief glance they had of Adam, his face swollen, white apart from fever spots was not reassuring, neither was the dried blood obvious on his clothes. They could only stand back out of the way, Will had his arms round both Laura and Nita trying to calm them. Joe came in and went to his wife, pale himself and looking exhausted but he forced a smile “He’ll be okay don’t look so worried. It’s been a rough journey and shotgun pellets still have to come out but he’ll be fine.” The optimistic words weren’t borne out by either Joe’s tone of voice or the worry in his eyes but for now it was the best he could do. Joe called Jess, José and the others to come in, they all needed food and were very welcome to await Doc’s verdict in comfort.

Upstairs Hoss rested his brother on his uninjured right side and then helped Doc cut his brother’s clothing away. Doc checked his patient’s overall condition and then turned to Ben “Feverish but not too bad. He’s weak but we have no choice must get those pellets out.”

“I realise that. What do you need?

“Boiled water and Sue. Hoss you can help, hold him still. He’s out and I’d rather not use chloroform unless I have to.”

“Sure Doc.”

Doc looked round at Carole “Sue can do all that’s necessary, why don’t you let Ben take you downstairs, you look worn out now.”

“I’m not leaving Doc, he’s my husband and you know I don’t panic. Maybe I can help.”

Doc shrugged but didn’t waste his breath arguing and he wasn’t at all surprised when Sue appeared with Joe carrying the hot water for her. He was used to the Cartwrights and he had seen all of them gain strength from the presence of their family and his patient could use the help.

Doc checked again and found nine separate puncture wounds, several of which were red and inflamed as the dirt and cloth carried in by the pellets caused festering. Doc made no comment just starting on the lowest wound. It was deeper than he’d expected and it was fully five minutes before he pulled out the pellet. He passed it to Ben without comment but all the men realised that it was three times the weight of the normal shotgun pellet. Adam was very lucky to be alive with the number he had taken.

Doc was concentrating on the next pellet in Adam’s ribs, it was one of the very inflamed ones and Sue had to keep swabbing the wound clean in order that he could see what he was doing but eventually he pulled the pellet out and the piece of cloth which had been doing the damage. As Sue swabbed it clear Adam moaned and Hoss had a job to hold him but Joe went to his brother’s aid and slowly they felt Adam relax again,

Doc took his pulse again “Easy he’s standing up to it well and he’s not conscious.”

The brothers held Adam as Doc slowly worked his way up. Two in particular were awkward to extract  and Doc was slightly concerned at the blood his patient was losing but his pulse was still strong. One pellet in Adam’s biceps was a struggle and when he finally had it out and had sewed up the wound Paul straightened his aching back and then looked round reassuringly “Just two more, he’s standing up to it well.”

The last two pellets on Adam’s head were easily removed although he was very swollen and Ben watched anxiously. Doc smiled “Cheer up just a slight infection it doesn’t take much to cause swelling there, now it’s clear the swelling will soon go down. No real problem.”

When Doc had finally finished Sue helped him bandage Adam up and then Doc checked his patient. Adam’s breathing was shallow and he felt clammy so Doc was worried knowing he was in shock. It was hardly surprising but until he came out of it there were no guarantees. None of the Cartwrights needed telling what it meant and Doc couldn’t lie to them but he said reassuringly “He’s strong and he’s survived far worse.”

Carole bit her lip “He hadn’t lived through these last months then.” Ben put his arm round her, “Stay with him Carole, he needs to know you’re here. Hoss go and get some coffee and brandy, tell Kam Su to get some food we all need it. Joe you go and tell the others what’s happening.”

As the brothers went out Ben turned to Doc “Can you stay?”

“Of course Ben and try not to worry it would be a miracle if he wasn’t close to shock he’s been on the operating table for over two hours.”

“I know but he lost so much blood and it took so long to find him, I ....” Ben broke off with a sigh

Doc smiled “I know you blame yourself for not finding him earlier.”

Carole broke in “That’s not fair you all did everything anyone could do and you did find him, out in the middle of nowhere you found him.”

“Joseph did, by reading his brother’s mind, what he would do given the circumstances.”

Carole hadn’t realised that but she wasn’t surprised knowing how close the brothers were. She pulled up a chair close to the bed and very gently wiped Adam’s face. Adam moaned but didn’t really waken, his right hand moved as though looking for reassurance and when Carole took it, he gripped her hand firmly and seemed to relax. Carole forced a smile “He knows he’s home that we’re here, he’ll be fine.” The worry in her eyes belied the optimistic words but Ben just kissed her forehead “Of course he will.”

Hoss and Joe came back with food and drink, the others had been glad to hear Doc had removed all the pellets but Joe hadn’t hidden from them that the long operation had cost Adam pain and loss of blood, leaving him weak
Edwin had insisted the others join him for food earlier, starving themselves wouldn’t help anyone but noone felt much like it. They had put on an act while the children were up but once all but Peggy were in bed, the adults reverted to sombre silence.

Upstairs they found it equally difficult to eat and only Paul and Hoss managed more than a few mouthfuls, Joe had brought up some broth and he joined Carole and with infinite patience managed to persuade Adam to drink about a cup full.

Eventually Sue pushed her plate away “I’m going to check on Johnny, you don’t need me for the moment.”

Carole looked up at her big sister and very softly said “Bless you Sue, how did we ever manage without you.”

Sue gave her a swift hug, “Don’t worry too much I’ve seen that husband of yours defy every tenet in the book. By morning he’ll be making a token fuss about staying in bed and in less than a week he’ll be up and around, whatever we say.”

Carole could only hope she was right but just now Adam was so still, his breathing shallow and so very pale, his hand clammy to the touch and the swelling still shutting his left eye he didn’t really look like himself. Joe had finally put the broth down and poured himself some coffee “We’d better get organised, we’re all short on sleep and it won’t help anything for us all to be exhausted.”

The others knew he was right even though none of them wanted to leave Adam until they were sure he was going to be alright. Paul stood up “Joe’s right it could take while. Once he comes out of shock I expect his fever to go up and he won’t be out of all danger until that breaks. I’m not God but I do know Adam very well and I really don’t think you need to worry too much, he’s been a lot worse and recovered quickly.”

Ben offered Paul the use of one of the guest rooms and he very willingly accepted, no longer a young man he was tired, but he emphasized they were to call him as soon as there was any change. As Paul left his sons ganged up on Ben, he looked exhausted and must get some rest.  Hoss and Sue were going to do the same and spell Joe later in the night. Ben gave way when Joe came back in with Nita, they would stay with Carole for now with Hoss and Sue taking over about three. None of them even attempted to persuade Carole to leave, Adam needed her and all they could do was give her support and take care of the children.
Nita was horrified by how ill Adam looked and with the swelling so unlike his normal self. She did her best to hide how she felt from Carole but Joe knew her too well and put his arms round her. “Easy love the swelling will go soon go down now Doc’s cleaned him up and Adam’s strong, he’ll sleep off the worst effects by morning.”

Adam was drifting, not really conscious and without the energy to open his eyes or say anything but from time to time he could hear voices and knew his family were there and that he was home in his own bed. He felt as though he was floating the pain in his back and side happening to someone else, the only real thing the grip of his wife’s hand proving he was safe. He heard Joe’s voice as his brother tried to reassure Nita. Joe had managed to instil a confidence in his voice which he didn’t feel, wanting to reassure both women. Adam heard that confidence without being sufficiently aware to know how forced it was and what his brother said seemed to make sense. He trusted Joe and if his brother said he was fine then he was and Joe seemed to have the right idea, go to sleep and let nature do her work. Adam moved his head slightly finding a more comfortable position and then settled to sleep. As he did so his breathing settled and deepened and Carole alert to the smallest change looked up at her brother wondering if she was imagining things. Joe moved over closer to her “Coming out of it, he’s sleeping now.” Relieved Joe poured himself a brandy before settling down with Nita on the far side of the bed from Carole.

Carole had refused brandy, very thankful that her husband was resting more easily and confident that she could deal with any fever that arose. She felt was though she was in suspended animation, waiting not too unpleasantly for Adam to wake up. She was grateful for Joe and Nita’s presence and watched as Joe occasionally moved to wipe his brother’s face or feed him a little water but she barely spoke.

Joe straightened up just before midnight, “I’m going to get some fresh coffee and then I think I’d better get Doc, he did ask to be called at any change.”

Carole looked up alarmed but Joe smiled reassuringly “Easy, I mean no more than I said, just doing as Doc asked. Sure his fever’s rising but it would be a miracle if it wasn’t, we’ll cope.”

Paul had slept for several hours and felt better for it but he was glad of the coffee Joe poured, “Sorry to wake you Doc but you asked to be told of any change. No great urgency but his temperature is rising.”

“Inevitable Joe.”

“I know that but ....”

“Yes I did say call me and I’m glad you did. Just give me five minutes to wake up and I’ll be along.” Joe grinned very fond of the older man whom they had relied on so often and he headed back to his brother. Adam was restless and Carole was having a job to hold him still, Joe moved over swiftly to take over from Nita who had been trying to help. Joe was stronger and maybe Adam recognised the familiar hands, whatever the reason he settled. He was muttering although they couldn’t make out much but it was apparent that Adam thought he was on the west shore and was puzzled that he couldn’t find the lake.

Doc checked his patient and smiled reassuringly “Pulse is much stronger and the fever isn’t too high, he’ll sleep off the worst of it by morning.”

In fact it was Joe’s willingness to go to bed with Nita when Hoss came in that was most reassuring to Carole and she even dozed a little as she sat by her husband, knowing Hoss and Sue would do everything that was needed. By the time Ben came in to check the next morning Adam was resting easily his temperature down and he bullied Carole into going and getting a few hours in bed.

It was nearly ten before Adam finally woke up and most of his family were in his room. Only Hoss was missing, fetching fresh coffee and a morning snack. Adam woke up and put his hand to his aching head, licking dry lips. None of his family crowded in leaving it to Carole to take his hand “Easy my love, you’re home and safe.”

Adam could focus provided he didn’t move his head and he managed a smile. His voice was weak but he was coherent, “Sorry to worry you sweetheart.”

“Don’t try and talk, plenty of time later. Let Joe prop you up and then maybe you can manage some broth.”

“Thirsty.”
“Just a moment and we’ll get you some water.”

 Carole moved back and let Joe and Ben help Adam to sit up and push pillows in to support him. It caught the injured muscles and Adam closed his eyes momentarily to try and hide the pain but his family were all too aware. Hoss had just come back in and he put his arm round Carole’s shoulder, “Be fine in a few days, he’s always healed fast.”

Once Adam had had a drink he managed some broth and then looked round at his family “Don’t look so worried.”

 His father smiled “Of course we’re worried but not nearly as much as we were.”

“What’s the damage?” Adam asked and his father was matter of fact “About ten pellets, none deep enough to do permanent damage but dirty and festering. Doc has cleaned them all out so it’s just a case of healing and getting your strength back.”

“I see.”  Ben lent over and very gently pushed Adam’s hair back, “We’ll leave you with
Carole, just rest. Doc will be back this afternoon to change the dressings. You have nothing to worry about but getting better.”

Joe softly murmured “Welcome back brother and then followed the others out. Downstairs he was very restless and after a quick word with Nita he headed home collected Cochise and rode up to the Lake. He was sure that his brother would recover fairly rapidly but he shouldn’t have had to face the ordeal he had. Joe had discounted Troy as a threat and he felt as though he’d let his brother down, that he should have done more to protect him. He had also said that Hearst and Huntingdon wouldn’t act against them yet, maybe he was wrong there too. Joe sat by the lake trying to work out how to protect his brother, a virtually impossible task as Adam when fit would insist, quite rightly, on his ability to look after himself. Joe knew that but still felt responsible Adam had taken enough already and he was still deep in thought when Hoss rode up looking for him.

Hoss had guessed where his brother would be and why, he felt a similar sense of responsibility even though common sense said that neither of them could have guaranteed Adam’s safety, Troy had obviously waited until Adam was alone. Hoss moved over to join Joe and sat down next to him before Joe even noticed his presence. As Joe realised he sat up abruptly, very worried. Hoss grinned “No trouble I was just sent to remind you it’s nearly lunchtime.”

Joe gave a sigh of relief and settled back plucking a grass stem to chew, “We should have protected him, I discounted Troy.”

“We all did, Adam too. Anyways big brother’s pretty good at looking after himself. He won’t let us wrap him in cotton wool, you know that same as me.”

“Then why do I feel so guilty?”

“I do too but it don’t make no sense.”

Joe sighed heavily and Hoss said gently “Come on Joe you’re just overtired. Pa’s got enough on his plate without us making it worse.”

That did make sense to Joe and he got to his feet “Come on then old son lets go home.” The brothers headed back to the house, thankful that Adam was recovering but worried about the future.

Adam was feeling much better and after eating some lunch he was insistent that he wanted to see everyone, Edwin, Jim, Will and Laura. To his surprise Carole didn’t argue just commenting that she thought Jess was downstairs so she’d bring him too.

When Carole told the others they were a little hesitant not sure how fit he was but Ben just shrugged “Best to let him do as he wants, if it tires him he’ll get some more sleep, soon recover. Otherwise he’ll be down here looking for you.”

Joe had already decided that and he collected coffee and took it up to his brother. Adam was glad of it and by the time he drained the cup the others had come up. Nita and Sue both kissed him, glad to see him looking much more himself. Everyone pulled up chairs, Hoss had been busy bringing them in from the other rooms and Joe kept one for his brother up close to Adam. They were all trying to keep it quiet sure Adam couldn’t take too much noise. Edwin and Jess both squeezed his hand but neither said anything, sure Adam knew their feelings.

Adam gratefully took the refilled cup and then grinned at them “Take it easy all of you I’m on the mend.”  Hoss patted his brother’s arm “Sure you are just take it easy.”

“I am but I’d like to know a few things. How did you find me?”

Ben looked at his sons but the question had been asked and knowing Adam wouldn’t let it rest without an answer he said “Blackie came home alone with blood on him. We didn’t know where to look but we knew you had left with Edwin so Joe went to town. Edwin was able to tell us you had gone to check the flume. We went up there and found Troy’s body and the sawn off shotgun.”

“I had no choice.”

“We know that, it was good shooting. He’d taken one right in the heart.”

“I didn’t think he’d have the nerve, he was a coward.”

 Joe sighed “I thought the same; we should have looked after you better.”

Adam turned to look at his brother and shook his head, “I can look after myself Joe. Anyway he’d obviously waited until I was alone.” His voice was beginning to fade a little and Ben signalled Hoss to pour his brother a brandy, Adam sipped it gratefully.

Ben agreed with his eldest son, Joe was blaming himself needlessly. However much Troy had plucked up his courage he wouldn’t have moved until Adam was alone.
Adam was frowning trying to think “The flume?”

Ben nodded “Yes if you remember Peter Curtis had been complaining about an intermittent fault.”

“The main flume?”

Joe nodded as his brother looked at him for confirmation and then suddenly he realised “You thought you were on the West Shore?”

Adam nodded “I ... I don’t know why.”

“No wonder you headed in such an odd direction, you were making for the lake.”

“Yeah.” Adam was thinking hard visualizing the terrain on the East shore in the direction he’d taken with out any apparent reason “How did you find me?”

Ben smiled “Unfortunately it took a while. You headed south east which was sensible if you were on the west shore but it was away from help and even water so we wasted a lot of time checking other directions.”

Joe went on “We’d found blood knew you were hurt but the ground was bone hard and you didn’t leave a trail so we could only search. Then Hoss remembered how we found Jamie when he was lost and we checked along the stream and cut your sign and we set out again from there. We had lots of help, not only our own hands but Jess and his men and people from town.”

Ben came in “In fact it was Leslie Harwood who found the next sign searching out from his place. In a gully where you’d rested for some time.”

Adam said slowly “I stayed over night but I couldn’t climb out had to follow it until it flattened out.”

Ben nodded “We know we found the sign, after that you can thank your little brother, Jess and José.”

Adam frowned not really understanding and looked round at Joe but it was Hoss who explained, “Inevitably the search was slow. Joe took a chance, he guessed what you’d do. You always taught us that if you’re lost you pick a marker on the horizon and head for it. He reckoned that weak and injured you’d do exactly that.”

Joe said “I had a lot of help, we found some blood on a tree but then it wasn’t obvious which way until Jess spotted some vultures. When we got close enough to see you and found a good strong pulse I ....” Joe broke off unable to explain his relief. It wasn’t necessary anyway so clear on his face. Adam gripped his hand “Thank you Joe, yet again.” Then he looked over at Jess, “I ....”

Jess moved over and gently took his uninjured right hand “No need Adam, like Joe I was just mighty relieved to find you alive.”

Ben intervened not wanting his son to get too emotional and asked “Did Troy say anything?”

Adam looked up at Ben almost in surprise, he’d about forgotten Troy. “No I heard a movement, a horse brushing against bushes, sort of furtive so I went for my gun instinctively. He fired and the gun was sort of heavy but I got one shot off I think and then I don’t remember much else.” He was quiet for a minute and then went on. “I saw the flume and was so sure I was on the west bank and I headed for the lake. I don’t remember much else.”

Ben smiled “Probably a good thing. Anyway you’re home safe now; just have to get your strength back.”

Adam firmly changed the subject and talked generally with Edwin, Will and the others for a few minutes. None of them needed Ben’s signal to realise that he was tiring and after about ten minutes Ben stood up. “Get some sleep Doc will be back in a couple of hours to change your dressings and then we can get you some dinner.”

“Not broth!” Adam insisted and Hoss grinned “I’ll get Kam Su to cook you up something more interesting brother.”

Downstairs the atmosphere was much better, everyone very relieved to see Adam so much brighter, even if they knew him well enough to realise part of it was an act. Jess excused himself fairly quickly; he had a wife at home waiting and a ranch to run. He asked Joe to tell Adam that he’d be by for a chat in a few days.

Will and Laura took all the children apart from the babies out for a picnic while Edwin and Jim both settled down with books.  Hoss was in the kitchen scrounging a cookie and telling Kam Su what his brother wanted. Ben gravitated over to his youngest son who was staring up at the painting of the lake in Adam’s study, and gripped his shoulder feeling the tension there. Joe said pensively “I was so scared we’d only find him after it was too late to do anything but bury him up there.”

“That thought crossed my mind too Joseph.”

“We should have kept him safe, guessed Troy ....”

Ben interrupted “That’s just foolishness. Your brother is more capable of looking after himself than almost any man alive and everything we’ve ever known about Troy pointed away from any personal try. He was a physical coward and very scared of Adam. I can only imagine his predicament had finally sent him mad.”

“I wondered if he thought killing Adam might get Hearst and Huntingdon off his back.”

“Could be, I’m sure they would both love to see Adam dead.”

“Will they try Pa?”

“I don’t know Joe it’s something we’ve all lived with for many years. Sure we have some powerful enemies but we’re still all here. When you start getting morbid and fretting it usually means you’re well over tired. Plenty of us here to get anything Adam needs, why don’t you take Nita and your son home and relax?”

Looking over at his pregnant wife who was sitting doing some embroidery Joe could see the attractions of that idea and he went over to Nita. She smiled up at him and Ben was content that his daughter would soon have his youngest more relaxed.

Doc arrived late in the afternoon and he was pleased with his patient’s progress, most of the swelling had gone down and as he redressed the wounds all seemed healthy, except for one which he had to clean again. Luckily it only took a moment before he found a fragment of cloth and pulling it out released the pus round it. He swabbed the wound out and then stood back to let Adam relax. Once Adam’s breathing had settled again and Sue had finished rebandaging her brother, Adam said “Thanks feels much better.”
“You’re lucky all beginning to heal.” Doc said “Now tell me just how you feel in yourself and I’d like the truth for once.” Adam smiled “Rather sore and weak as a kitten.”

“You must rest Adam. Bed for at least a week and that takes into account the fact that you always recover faster than I expect.” Adam looked mulish “I’ll stay put for a day or so.”

Doc pressed “A week Adam You have overdone things every way this year, got really rundown and this was the last straw. Get up too soon and you’ll be prey to every infection going. You’ve scared your wife and the rest of your family half to death, to say nothing of your friends. For all our sakes will you do as I ask and rest for a week, give your body a chance to recover.”

“I hate staying in bed.”

“Your Pa and Carole have both had worries enough, do it for their sake.”

“I’m not making any promises Doc I’ll see how I feel but I won’t push myself into getting up if I don’t feel up to it.”  Doc accepted that it was more than he’d expected and anyway a too obedient son would probably worry his old friend even more. He left Adam with Sue while he went down able to give optimistic reports on his progress to his family and friends.
Edwin listened in silence and then went out into the yard. He had seen Adam before when he was recovering, sometimes from far worse injuries but he had never been so immediately involved before. He knew violence touched his friends lives much more immediately than it did his own except on rare and frightening occasions but he found it hard to accept the fact so lightly as the others seemed to do. Joe wandered out after Edwin, he had known the actor as a close friend of his brother’s since his early teens and had over the years become very fond of Edwin himself. He found Edwin staring up at the mountains leaning on the corral fence, “Cheer up Edwin he’s well on the mend and for once promising to be sensible.”

Edwin tried rather unsuccessfully to match his light tone “That in itself is enough to worry me, it’s so out of character.”

Joe grinned “Oh he’ll just obey long enough not to worry Pa or Carole, then he’ll go his own way like usual. What’s really worrying you Edwin?”

“Just not so used to this sort of thing as you all seem to be. Usually it’s all over when I hear, I’m not left waiting around for hours worrying with no news. I don’t think I’d really understood just how hard it was. I thought I could imagine but.... How do you cope Joe? Even earlier this year it was weeks.”

Joe shrugged “No real answer to that Edwin. We each find our own way to survive. We have one advantage though, call it telepathy or what you like but we can reach each other even over hundreds of miles. Nothing precise but enough to know someone is alive.”

“Yeah I guess that would help but from what Adam has said at times you’re also too aware if someone is in pain.”

Joe smiled “Sure it has disadvantages but when Adam cut it off this year it was as though my lifeline had been cut. I was conscious the whole time that something was missing, found it hard to settle.”

Edwin had become very used to his old friend’s closeness to his family but they seldom spoke of it and the mere fact Joe had done so spoke volumes about how upset he was about his brother even with Adam home in his own bed. He owed them all far too much for their unstinting support after Lincoln’s assassination to make matters worse so he smiled “Let’s go get some coffee.”

For the next three days Adam did as he’d promised, staying in bed doing his best to eat the meals Carole concocted to tempt him, even though he wasn’t very hungry and dozing when he felt like it. He caught up on some of the light reading that Johnny Sutherland had brought him from England and had plenty of visitors when he was awake.

Only once did he disturb his family and Ben came in hearing his son moaning. Scared Adam was feverish he touched his son’s forehead and Adam awoke abruptly but it was just a nightmare. “Easy Son just a dream.”

Adam rubbed his aching eyes and asked his father to put the light on. Ben did so and passed Adam some water and then poured him a brandy “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Just memories I guess Pa, I was so puzzled that I couldn’t find the lake and then I couldn’t get up, I just ....” He sighed heavily "So stupid if only I’d headed for the sawmill or home, even stayed put I’d be up and around by now. How could I mistake the main flume for the one on the west shore?”

 “You were badly hurt, doubtless in shock. It’s a bit harsh to call it stupid when you don’t think too rationally under those circumstances.”

“Maybe but it made it far harder on all of you.”

“That doesn’t’ matter you’re going to be fine. You might try staying out of trouble for a while though.”

“I wish I hadn’t killed Troy, he was our one chance to get at Hearst and Huntingdon.” Adam became pensive “Unless....”

Ben waited for his son to go on but when it became apparent that Adam wasn’t going to he asked “What do you mean?”

“Well Troy wasn’t their only partner, Grandison was too and from all I heard he got rather more than he bargained go and was running scared. He might be a way to them if only I could think of a way to get to him without involving or hurting Michelle.”

Ben shook his head “I doubt there is one. Look you did a superb job on your own and we all understood why you handled it that way but please don’t move against either Hearst or Huntingdon on your own. They are too powerful.”

“I promise Pa. I’ll discuss it if I ever come up with a realistic idea which doesn’t seem too likely at the moment. I didn’t enjoy acting alone we’ve always done well as a team.” Adam relaxed and as he was yawning Ben helped him settle down again.

The next morning Adam woke late but when Hoss came in Adam insisted his brother help him to get up and dressed. Hoss made a token protest but he’d just begun to worry about his brother’s uncharacteristic obedience, so he quickly gave way. Adam did find his injuries catching as Hoss helped him into his shirt but he felt a lot stronger in himself and Hoss gave him a couple of minutes to regain control with a reassuring hand on his brother’s arm. Only then did he help Adam down to sit by the fire. Adam didn’t attempt to do anything but sit quietly and chat to his friends knowing Will and Laura were already overdue to return home and Edwin would be heading out the next day. They were all pleased to see him up and around although obviously still weak. The children in particular were glad to see Daddy downstairs and as so often before Adam seemed to gain strength from them.

Joe had been up to the sawmill and he was tired and hungry by the time he got back in the late afternoon but he soon forgot all that when he saw his eldest brother sitting chatting by the fire. Joe went straight over grinning hugely, “Feeling better?”

“Much. You look as though you could do with a drink though.”

“Mmm, coffee anyway.” Joe scanned his brother’s face seeing signs of pain and weakness despite Adam’s attempts to hide them but at least he was looking more himself. Joe relaxed and enjoyed the general conversation.

The next day Will and Laura had to go back to San Francisco and Ben wouldn’t hear of Adam going into town to see them off, he would go in with Hoss to do that. Laura kissed him before she left “Please try and stay out of trouble. Look after yourself and I’ll trust Carole to look after you.”

“I’m fine Laura, just sorry I interrupted your holiday.”

“Don’t be stupid.” Will intervened, “Just as long as you’re alright it doesn’t matter.” He took his cousin’s hand firmly “Take care Adam”

“I’m planning on being in Frisco end of August on business, I’ll see you then.”

“Great, you know where to find a bed.” Adam watched them leave, glad they could go without worrying. He went back in, glad to be able to sit down and sat chatting to Edwin who was going back east on the afternoon train. They had already completed their packing and were happy to relax with Adam and Carole. Edwin wasn’t sure when he would be touring west again, he had a show lined up for New York. He queried if Adam was likely to be coming East in the near future. Adam shook his head “Not at the moment, it’s possible I’ll have to go to Boston eventually but I don’t know when. Either way how about booking yourself a holiday for Christmas and joining us.”

Edwin grinned “That’s one offer I won’t refuse.” He looked over at Carole and winked, “Your wife is much too good a hostess. Think you can stay out of trouble until then.”

Adam laughed “More than six months until Christmas, I doubt we can stay out of trouble that long!”

Edwin shook his head in disapproval but however lightly Adam took it there was an element of truth in his comment. At least for now his friend was on the mend and the Cartwrights had a knack of getting themselves out of trouble. After an early lunch the friends had to say goodbye and Joe drove Edwin and Jim into the station for his brother.

Two other interested parties had been kept informed of affairs in Virginia City since word came of the search for Adam. They had heard when Troy’s body arrived in town and both had men ready to find out all the details. Hearst had taken refuge in Denver after the fiasco of the court case. He had business interests in Colorado and it had seemed a suitable time to pay them some attention. He had always invested in information and in those centres where he had interests or where there was a powerful group he had someone who for $10 a month plus expenses sent him a news bulletin once a month and extra information if anything of likely interest occurred. In Virginia City an ex-cowboy, Thad Bartram, eked out a living serving several businessmen with information. He had been crippled in a stampede and had plenty of time to study the papers and listen to the gossip. Bartram had sent three detailed reports the first announcing Adam was missing a search in progress. The second telling of Troy’s body arriving in town and the final one with details of Adam’s return home, with what were being described as superficial injuries.

Hearst had been eagerly awaiting more information since the first telegram. He wasn’t sorry to hear that Troy was dead; it severed the link between him and Sauvinet so he felt safer. For a while he lived in hope that Troy might have eliminated his arch enemy, as he had come to consider Adam. Despite his hopes Hearst wasn’t surprised to hear Adam was safely home with only minor injuries. He was very used to Adam’s ability to slide out of trouble and Troy had always been a bungler. Even though he wasn’t surprised Hearst was furious and again put his mind to find a way to eliminate the most troublesome Cartwright.

Hearst wasn’t the only one thinking along those lines. His erstwhile partner was busy picking up the pieces. Huntingdon had taken refuge in New York where he had a great deal of local power, just in case his name was connected to the case. He had been relieved to hear of Troy’s death and he was sure that Hearst was in too deep to betray him. The remaining weak link to his mind was Grandison and he sent word to his blond killer to arrange an accident. He had a far greater respect for Adam than Hearst and was sure that Adam knew exactly who was behind the case even if he didn’t have the proof for a court. Huntingdon was more worried by Adam than by any other opponent he’d ever had and when he heard of Adam’s return he decided to go to Denver and discuss the whole affair with Hearst. Maybe they could take advantage of it even though Troy had muffed his chance.

Hearst was surprised and worried when he got the message asking for his presence in Huntingdon’s private railcar. It might have been worded as an invitation but Hearst knew it was an order from one of the few men in the world that he feared enough to obey. Furious but scared enough to hide it, he joined Huntingdon for dinner a meal just for the two of them. At first as they were served by two padding negroes Huntingdon kept the conversation to generalities but once sitting over coffee and brandy, Huntingdon came to the point. “I assume you have informants in Virginia City too?”

“Yes I know all about Troy’s death and his failure to get Adam Cartwright.”

“Precisely, a state of affairs I feel we ought to attempt to rectify.”

“No argument there but it’s easier said than done, that guy has more lives than ten cats!”

“I wish I knew where he obtained his information and just how much he did know about that case.”

“Far too much, he played us for suckers right down the line.”

“True but I wonder whether it was just coincidence that all the children travelled with the, to did he know our plans for them?”

Hearst shrugged “I don’t know and I don’t really see that it matters.”

“Oh it matters. If he knew maybe that was one of the reasons for his elaborate charade.”
“So what?”

Huntingdon shook his head at his colleague’s obtuseness. “It has always been difficult to get at him. Adam Cartwright is too good with a gun to face and very adept at covering his back. Now with one attempt on him everyone on the Ponderosa will be rallying round and the place will be a fortress.”

“So we have to wait until they calm down and forget.”

“Adam won’t forget and I don’t want to leave him time to move against us. He’s not just a gunman he’s an excellent lawyer and financier, he’s proved that.”

“He’s got too many contacts for my liking, all over the place.” Hearst complained.

“That as well. Just maybe if we can’t get to him he can be persuaded to come to us.”

“How?” Hearst said in tones of utter disbelief.

Huntingdon smile coldly “I believe he acted as he did to protect the women and children. If so that is his Achilles’ heel.”