Revenge
With bleary eyes Joe stared at the breakfast plate before him. The eggs had been sitting there for so long they were beginning to congeal and the sight caused bile to rise in his throat. Joe pushed his plate away to the side and took a sip of coffee.
“So, exactly what time was it?”
Joe flinched. His father’s loud bass voice seemed to reverberate inside his head.
“Time Pa?”
“Yes. What time did you get home last night?”
“I’m not really sure Pa. It wasn’t late.”
“Must have been pretty late Joe,” Hoss said between mouthfuls. “I never heard you and it was nigh on midnight when I turned in.”
“Is that so?”
Ben threw his young son a questioning look.
Little Joe glared at Hoss, who seemed not to notice.
“Joseph, just where…”
“Come on Joe. If you’ve finished we might as well get started.”
Adam cut his father off mid sentence and winking at Joe he left the table. Little Joe was quick to follow before his father had a chance to question him further. Ben shook his head in exasperation and muttered something under his breath.
When they were a few miles from home Adam split up from Joe, swinging off to the left. Little Joe watched with obvious admiration as his brother rode away. Adam was an excellent horseman and Joe had to admit that Sport was almost as handsome as his own horse. Joe had long ago decided that Adam loved Sport just as much as he loved Cochise.
Adam just doesn’t show his feelings like he should.
He gave a wry smile, remembering that Adam didn’t mind showing his feelings when he got mad, especially if it was his little brother who was bearing the brunt of that particular case of mad. Still, apart from the Shakespeare, Adam seemed to be in a good mood, and Little Joe decided that it was going to be a good few days.
Joe drove to the pasture taking one of the ranch roads that criss-crossed the vast Ponderosa. The fresh air was clearing his head and he began to enjoy the drive, although hunger pangs and loud rumblings from his stomach made him wish now that he had eaten breakfast. Mentally Joe began to organise his morning. First thing he would start a campfire and get some coffee going. Next job would be to unload the wagon and pitch the tent. When Adam arrived they would have coffee and he could eat something before they started in on the work. Joe gave a little nod, satisfied with his plan.
**********
On the edge of Ponderosa land, another camp had been set up. A small fire was burning, the sparse amount of smoke being dispersed through the trees. A middle-aged man was checking his gun as he leant against the trunk of a huge pine tree. His work clothes had seen better days, and his hat, once light in colour, was soiled and greasy. Unshaven and with lank greying hair, his general appearance was dirty and unkempt. A younger man, slightly built and barely out of his teens, was sat on the ground staring morosely into the fire. He was no better dressed, and a haunted look shadowed his face. At the sound of an approaching horse, the older man holstered his gun and picked up a rifle. He watched the trail expectantly. Minutes later a rider came into view. He was as ragged and dirty as the other two men. Deep set eyes stared out from his thin and bony face.
“Well? What d’ya see? What are those high and mighty Cartwrights up to?”
“Got one right where we want him Pa,” the man answered as he dismounted. “Lady Luck sure is smiling on us, yes siree.”
The man grinned and his eyes flashed with a mean cruelty. He squatted by the fire to pour himself some coffee.
Judd Wilson was not a patient man.
“Explain yourself boy.”
“Well I waited near the house just like you said, an’ sure enough two of ‘em came right along by.”
“You sure they was Cartwrights?”
“I’m sure, got a real good look at ‘em. The oldest one was on horseback and after a few miles he rode off by himself. The young’un, the kid, he’s the one on the wagon.”
“Wagon. Is he going to town?
“Nah. Wagon’s all loaded up with posts and the like. He’s gonna be mending fences no more than a half-hour’s ride right from this very spot. And he’s all by himself!”
“Kyle, are you absolutely sure it’s the Cartwright kid?”
“I told ya Pa, I got a real good look. It’s the kid all right.”
“Let’s get this done then.”
Kyle gave a malicious laugh.
“Yes sir Pa. Now to get our hands on some real money.”
He threw down his cup and rubbed his hands together with expectant pleasure.”
“Newt, you liven yourself up boy. You hear what your brother’s been sayin’? We got us work to do.”
Newt stood up, twisting his hat in his hands.
“It ain’t right Pa,” he said quietly, looking down at his feet.
“AIN’T RIGHT! What ain’t right about it? Ain’t right after what happened to your brother Hank. What’s the matter with you boy, you ready to stand by and let em get away with what they did to Hank?”
Newt slowly shook his head as he began to douse the fire. “Hank was guilty, all Cartwright did was tell what he saw in court. It was the judge what sent Hank to prison. I just don’t think…”
Judd Wilson landed a stinging slap on his son’s face.
“I ain’t asking for ya to think, just do as ya told. Git them horses ready.”
Newt rubbed his cheek, and with a sullen look went to the horses. Ten minutes later the three Wilsons were headed towards the pasture where Joe Cartwright was busy setting up camp, Newt leading an extra horse. As they travelled Judd went over his plan.
“We’ll ride in slow an’ friendly like. Get jawin’ with the boy, ask if he knows of any work hereabouts. Get close enough so’s we can grab him. No gun play. I want this done nice and quiet. Ya hear what I’m saying Kyle, no shooting.”
“Sure Pa, I hear ya.”
Kyle rode close to his brother and gave him a shove.
“An’ what about you little brother, you gonna remember no shooting or are you too yella’ to even think about it.”
When Newt ignored him, Kyle let out a mocking laugh.
**********
Little Joe had been busy getting things organised. He had unhitched the horses and picketed them so they could graze. The wagon was unloaded and the coffee was beginning to bubble in the pot on the campfire. Joe stood still for a moment looking about him, his eyes covering the horizon as well as the nearby land. Other than a hawk high in the sky, rising on thermals, Joe was totally alone. All was quiet and peaceful. The sun had driven the chill from the air, and the work had warmed him up. Joe threw his jacket into the back of the wagon then removed his gun belt. The iron weighed heavy and he felt he could work better without it strapped to his leg. He tucked it under the wagon seat next to the rifle. Next he pulled the tent out from its canvas bag. It had been Adam’s decision to camp out until the fence was finished, saving time travelling back and forth to the house.
Joe whistled to himself as he worked at putting up the tent. He enjoyed camping out, and when there were just the two of them out on the range, he got along real well with Adam. He was actually looking forward to the next few days. It would be hard work, but in the evening they would sit drinking coffee and ‘chewing the fat’ as old Charlie called it. Joe never could tell if the tales Adam told round a campfire were the honest truth, or if big brother embellished them to make them more exciting or amusing, using all manner of accents in the telling. Ever since his pa had allowed him to camp overnight with his big brothers, Joe had loved the end of the day, sat around the fire; he even had some tales of his own to tell. Funny thing was he could never remember falling asleep. Seemed like one minute he was listening to Adam talking, and next thing Hoss would be shaking him telling him to be up and at ‘em.
**********
When the Wilsons reached a small knoll and could see Joe Cartwright working, Judd stopped, his eyes scanning the surrounding countryside.
“Now what?” Kyle wanted to know.
“Just being careful. I’ve waited too long for anything to go wrong now. All right. Now just ride in real easy like.”
He kicked his horse and rode down the slope towards the man and wagon below.
Lost in his thoughts, Joe was startled by the sound of approaching horses. He was well on Ponderosa land and was surprised to see the horsemen. He squinted into the light, trying to make out who they were. He didn’t recognise the men and had an uneasy feeling as they rode towards him. He walked towards the wagon where he had left his weapons.
“That coffee sure smells good. Be all right if we step down mister?”
Without waiting for a reply the oldest of the men dismounted.
“This is private land. What are you doing here?”
“Well we was just lookin’ for work. Looks like maybe you could do with a hand. You all alone here?” the man asked looking around.
“Look, we’re not hiring right now. It’s best you move on.”
Joe’s eyes darted from one man to another. All wore gun belts and had rifles. Sure that he was in trouble, he gauged his chance of making it to the wagon and his guns. He figured it to be slim. The younger man leading a horse held back, but the third mean looking man was edging his horse closer and closer towards Joe.
“What d’ya think Kyle? He look like he needs help?”
The older Wilson reached up to his saddle and took down a rope. By now Kyle was squarely between Joe and the wagon, climbing down from his horse.
“I reckon so Pa.”
Before Joe could say or do anything, Adam rounded a clump of trees riding at an easy lope. In a split second Kyle had drawn his gun and fired. Adam lurched forward in the saddle, barely holding on. Sport’s ears went back and he tossed his head, prancing nervously he unseated his wounded rider who fell hard to the ground. Sport whinnied in terror and fled, stirrups flying as he raced away.
“ADAM!”
Joe sprinted towards Adam. With lightening speed Judd Wilson sent his rope snaking after Joe, pulling him to a sudden standstill as the loop at the end of the lariat encircled his body, tightening around his chest. Desperate to reach Adam, Joe struggled to get the rope off but it only pulled tighter pinning his arms to his body. He was jerked off his feet and pulled backwards. Still Joe struggled in vain to get to Adam who lay motionless. Kyle Wilson ran to Joe, dragging him to his feet, only to punch him in the stomach. Winded, Joe fell to the ground again, his knees hitting with a jarring crack. Pulling piggin string from his pocket, Kyle first tied Joe’s hands together, then his feet, rendering him helpless. Once more Kyle drew his gun from his holster, and Joe steeled himself to be the next victim. To Joe’s surprise Judd Wilson grabbed the gun from his son’s hand.
“What the hell d’ya think ya doing?”
Kyle indicated Adam’s still form.
“I’m just going to make sure he’s finished.”
“Didn’t I tell ya no shooting. Who knows how many riders there are hereabouts, an’ here you are planning on shooting a dead man.” He showed his displeasure by spitting, the glob just missing Kyle’s shabby boot.
Kyle grabbed his gun back and thrust it into his holster.
“What did ya want, just let him ride on up?”
“You told me the boy was alone. Next thing we’ll have the old man riding in.”
While the two argued, Joe watched Adam praying for some sign of life. As though reading Joe’s mind, Kyle walked over to his victim and peered down at him. First he jiggled Adam with his foot, and when there was no reaction he pushed Adam over on to his back. Two vicious kicks drove into Adam’s body then another snapped Adam’s head to the side. Joe watched in horror as Kyle brutally attacked his brother, his stomach lurching painfully with each ferocious kick, screaming for him to stop. There was no sound or movement from the fallen man. Kyle swaggered back to where his father and brother were waiting, a smug look on his face.
“Just checking. You wouldn’t want to leave a live one would ya? It’d spoil your plan.”
“You watch your mouth boy. We gottta get outta here, no telling who might have heard that shot.”
Judd bent down to cut the rope tying Joe’s feet. Immediately Joe began to kick out at the man who managed to side step away then roughly hauled Joe to his feet.
“You murdering bastards,” Joe yelled at his captors, earning himself a back-hander across the mouth. As he was led away Joe turned back to look forlornly at his brother lying on the ground.
Adam was dead. How could it be?
As the shock of what had happened set in Joe began to shake uncontrollably. His head was spinning, his mouth dry as dust, and waves of nausea passed over him. His knees shook so that he could barely stand.
Adam dead.
He had seen it happen but couldn’t believe it.
Judd forced Joe up on to the horse that Newt was leading, and tied his captive’s hands to the pommel. Next he tied one end of a rope to Joe’s left ankle, and after passing the rope under the horse’s belly, tied the other end to Joe’s right ankle. There would be no escape. Joe turned in the saddle, unable to pull his gaze away from the fallen figure of his brother, lost in the sheer horror of seeing Adam shot down without a chance. They moved out, Newt leading Joe’s horse.
**********
Joe became aware that the pace was quickening. How long they had been riding? It could have been minutes or hours. He shook his head trying to drag his mind away from Adam. The skies had darkened and light rain was falling. Uncontrollable shivering shook Joe’s body .
Got to pull myself together. They’ve killed Adam. Can’t let them get away with it. Have to stay alert, stay alive. Got to stay alive for Adam’s sake. I’m the only one who knows.
Joe tried to take note of the country they were passing through. It looked familiar, but then most of the land around here looked similar, he needed a landmark, and he began to look around, searching for clues as to his whereabouts. Judd Wilson pulled up sharply. Kyle scowled with barely concealed annoyance.
“What now? Let’s just keep going.”
Judd glared at his son, and then once more Joe felt the man’s hand hard across his face.
“What you doing boy? Planning your escape?”
Joe stared defiantly at him for a moment, his jaw tight, anger in his eyes, a red handprint rapidly marking his cheek.
“You won’t get away with it. My pa will track you down like the scum that you are. We’ll find you; you don’t stand a chance. You’ll hang for killing my brother, all of you.”
“We? Seems to me like you ain’t in a position to do anything. And as for your Pa, Ben Cartwright’s gonna suffer a whole lot more ‘fore this is over. Kyle, blindfold him. Any more smart remarks and I’ll gag ya.”
Kyle rode up and tied a dirty bandana around Joe’s eyes. They rode on and on, then began to climb and Joe could hear the horses’ shoes ringing on stony ground.
Hills, but which hills?
If only he had taken notice of which way they had left the pasture, but all he could think of was Adam, lying so still on the ground.
Stop thinking of Adam. Stay alert.
**********
The ranch paperwork was hard going and Ben found himself watching the clock, waiting for it to strike twelve. He had drunk numerous cups of coffee, telling himself it would help him to concentrate, all the time knowing that each cup was just an excuse for a break from the interminable pages of figures. The office work was the part of ranching he liked the least, and was the one chore he would dearly love to pass on to one of his sons, but none wanted the job. Adam often helped out but even he, despite his bookish ways, would rather be riding the range chasing after cantankerous beasts than take on the book keeping. At last he heard the familiar sound that he had subconsciously been listening for. The huge front door burst open, and Hoss shouted out to him.
“Hey Pa. How’s the books coming along?”
“Hoss, about time you got here. Almost ate without you.”
“Aw come on Pa, you knew I’d be here.”
Hoss rounded the wall to the study, looking around the great room.
“Where’s Adam? How come he left Sport loose in the yard?”
“What do you mean? Adam isn’t here. He and Joe took the wagon. They’ll be gone for a couple of days at least.”
“Well Sport’s in the yard, and he’s saddled up.”
Ben pushed aside the ledger and hurried outside to see for himself. True enough, there was Sport, standing at the hitching rail where Hoss had tied him. The horse seemed to be fine, but he was saddled and Adam’s new rifle was in the leather scabbard. Ben patted the horse’s neck and ran his hand over the wet saddle.
“Hoss, did you see your brothers leave this morning?
Hoss shook his head.
“They was still loading the wagon when I left Pa.”
Ben was confused and becoming worried. His mind went back to the conversations that morning. Adam had said he and Joe were going to fix that fence in the north pasture. They were going to camp out. Obviously he had intended going somewhere else, but where?
“He must be in trouble or had an accident, but where on earth is he? We’re going to have to go look for him. Saddle my horse for me would you Hoss.”
“Now come on Pa, you don’t know Adam’s in trouble. I ‘spect Sport just got away from him an come on home.”
“Hoss, when have any of you boys ever just let your horse wander away from you? Just wish I knew where to start looking.”
“Little Joe’ll know. Adam must’ve told him where he was going.”
“You’re right. I’ll go get my coat.”
Within five minutes the two men were on their way to the pasture where Adam and Joe were meant to be working, all thoughts of food forgotten. Ben’s heart was filled with dread as they approached the meadow, fearing an accident had befallen his oldest boy. He was still puzzled as to why Adam had taken Sport, and why he had said nothing at breakfast about doing anything other than working with Joe. The wagon was clearly in sight, the horses grazing under the trees where they had been picketed, and the tent had been pitched. But there was no sign of either Adam or Little Joe.
Hoss shouted to his brothers.
“ADAM! JOE! WHERE ARE YOU?”
Ben dismounted and began to look around. Squatting down, he picked up the coffee-pot which stood in the remnants of a fire.
“Pot’s full!”
“Don’t look like they’ve even made a start on the fence,” Hoss said as he came to stand by his father.
Ben put down the coffee-pot and stood up again, peering around him, searching for some sign of his sons.
“Hoss, over there.”
Ben ran to where he had spied Adam lying on the ground. He knelt down next to his son and took a sharp intake of breath when he saw the bloody wound on Adam’s back. With Hoss’s help Ben gently turned his son over to find a similar wound in his chest.
“Shot. Bullet’s gone right through.”
Desperately Ben began feeling for a pulse.
“Is he breathing?” Hoss asked taking hold of his brother’s hand.
“I don’t know, I can’t find a pulse”
Ben’s voice sounded panicky. Hoss put his head down on to his brother’s chest.
“I’m sure I can hear his heart beat, but he feels cold, he’s soaked through. Look at his face Pa! We gotta get him home.”
Once more Ben’s eyes searched the area.
“Where’s Joe?”
“You tend to Adam, I’ll find him.”
Although Adam’s wounds no longer appeared to be bleeding, his shirt was seeped with blood and soaking from the drizzle that was still falling. With shaking hands Ben took off his own coat using it to cover his son, trying to instil some warmth into his cold body, all the while praying to the Lord to let his son live. He talked to Adam, wanting to let him know he was with him, that he would be all right.
“Pa, I found Joe’s jacket slung in the wagon, his gun belt and rifle too, but there’s no sign of Joe. Looks like there were at least a couple of men here and a few horses. Prints aren’t too clear, rain’s muddied them. No way Joe would have left Adam. Whoever’s done this must have taken Little Joe.”
For the life of him Ben couldn’t comprehend what had happened to his sons. Fear clutched at his heart. He forced himself to think.
“Hoss, bring over the wagon. We’ll get Adam inside, then you ride for the doctor and sheriff.”
Without a word Hoss quickly hitched the horses to the wagon and drove it to the spot where Adam lay. Very carefully they lifted Adam in, covering him as best they could.
“Pa, you sure ya can manage when you get home?”
“I’ll manage, you just get the doctor.”
Ben climbed up on to the wagon seat. He gave a backward glance at his son lying so still, then swivelled round and guided the horses back on to the road and headed for home, driving as fast as he dared.
**********
Hoss urged Chub on to a full gallop. It was a long hard ride, but the horse seemed to sense his rider’s urgency and raced flat out. At the doctor’s office, Hoss was alarmed to find it locked up. He hammered on the door and shouted for the doctor before he realised that there was a note pinned to the doorframe.
GONE TO THOMPSON FARM
“Dadburnit, I just passed by there,” Hoss muttered to himself.
He climbed back on to his worn out horse and made his way down the muddy street to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Roy Coffee was sat outside the jail, a cup of coffee in his hand. Sheltered from the rain by the porch, he was watching the street.
“Roy!”
“Hoss. Good to see ya! How’s things out at the Ponderosa?”
Hoss dismounted and stepped up on to the boardwalk.
“Roy, Adam’s near dead, shot. And Little Joe’s missing. I just come to get the Doc but he ain’t there.”
Roy jumped to his feet
“I saw Doc Martin leave a while back. He’s gone to check on young Johnny Thompson, he broke his leg the other day. What’s this ‘bout Adam and Little Joe? Hoss, you’d just better tell me what’s been going on.”
“I don’t know what’s been going on. Come on Roy, you coming with me?”
Hoss stepped off the boardwalk.
“Now just hold on Hoss, calm down for a minute will ya. Tell me what’s been happening.”
“”I just told ya Roy, I don’t know. Adam’s horse came home. Me and Pa went looking for Adam, we went to ask Joe if he knew anything. That’s when we found Adam shot and Joe gone.”
“Where exactly was this?”
“North pasture. That’s where Joe should’ve been. There’s tracks on the ground. Whoever shot Adam has taken Joe. I’m riding out to the Thompson’s to get the Doc, then I’m getting the men together and start searching, with or without ya.”
“Now you know I’m gonna be after these fellas. Before you go rushing off Hoss, tell me this. Your brothers having any trouble with anyone? Can you think of any reason why anyone would want to kill Adam, kidnap Little Joe?”
“There ain’t no reason that I know Roy. But I’ll get Joe back and if Adam dies I swear I’ll kill whoever did this.”
Hoss’s usual gentle countenance was grim and determined.
“Roy, I’m wasting time here. I gotta get the Doc to Adam. Then I gotta get back out to the pasture. This rain’s gonna wash them tracks away.”
“All right Hoss, I’ll get my deputy and meet you at the ranch. Wait for me, I need you to show me where this happened. And Hoss, I need for us to work together on this.”
Hoss’s steely blue eyes met the sheriff’s.
“Yes sir, but I aim to get ’em, one way or another.”
“Hoss, I’m sorry son. I hope Adam will be all right, and we’ll find that little brother of yours too.”
Hoss nodded to Roy, then untied Chub’s reins from the hitching rail and led the exhausted horse across to the livery.
“Sam, I need a fresh mount right now. Take care of Chub for me will ya?”
In his haste to get going Hoss chose his own horse, took his saddle off Chub and moments later left town at a gallop.
An hour later he was at the Thompson farm. Relieved to see Paul Martin’s carriage in the yard, he tethered his horse and knocked loudly on the door. Mrs. Thompson opened it.
“Hello. Oh, it’s Mr.Cartwright isn’t it?”
Hoss took off his hat.
“Yes ma’am. Mrs. Thompson, I need the Doc. My brother’s in a real bad way, an if the Doc don’t get there real soon…”
“Come right on in. The doctor was just about to go.”
Hoss followed Mrs. Thompson into the living room where Paul Martin was chatting to a young boy with his leg in a splint.
“Doctor, Mr. Cartwright needs you, it’s an emergency.”
Mrs. Thompson picked up the doctor’s hat from the table and handed it to him.
“Hoss. What’s happened?”
“Doc, Adam’s near dead, you got to get out to the house real fast.”
Hoss took hold of the doctor’s black medical bag from the table and walked towards the door.
“Hoss, now hold on. Tell me what’s happened”
“No time Doc. Adam’s shot. Just get out there now, please.”
“All right. I’m coming. Now Johnny you remember what I told you,” the doctor said, taking his bag from Hoss. The boy nodded.
“Mrs. Thompson, I’ll be back out next week.”
“Thank you doctor. Mr. Cartwright, I do hope your brother will be all right.”
“Thank you ma’am. Real sorry I came bargin’ in like that.”
Mrs. Thompson smiled at him. Hoss followed the doctor outside. Dr. Martin climbed into his buggy and flicked the reins. Hoss mounted his horse and set off at a fast pace towards the Ponderosa ranch house, praying that they wouldn’t be too late.
**********
When Ben arrived back home, Adam was still unconscious. He was a big man, and in his unconscious state was a dead weight. Even with Hop Sing’s help, it was a struggle for Ben to get his son up to his room. Once Adam was laying on his bed, Ben set about trying to help his son as best he could. With care he removed Adam’s wet clothing, talking reassuringly to him all the while. Hop Sing brought warm water, and together they soaked the shirt where the blood had congealed over the chest wound, hoping that fresh bleeding wouldn’t start. Ben cut along the shirtsleeves and the two men managed to roll Adam over on to his stomach. The movement caused the injured man to groan. Much as Ben hated to cause his son pain the sound gave him some hope. Adam was alive and hovering near consciousness. He had been so still and cold that Ben had begun to fear the worst. Once the shirt was soaked away from the wound on Adam’s back, Ben was able to pull it off completely and examine the rest of his son’s body. Deep bruising was forming down Adam’s left side and the area looked swollen. Ben feared that ribs were broken and could only hope that Adam’s lung was undamaged. Very carefully they shifted him on to his back and covered him with blankets and a quilt pulling them up to his chin, anxious to get some warmth into Adam’s body. Ben examined the wounds to Adam’s head. There was a small graze on his right temple. Bruising and swelling ran down the left side of his face and along the cheekbone which looked very nasty, and his left eye was so swollen that Ben doubted that Adam would be able to open it if he were awake.
While he was tending his son Ben had been able to keep his mind on the job at hand, but now that he had done all he could, he was filled with fear for the lives of both Adam and Joe. He sat at Adam’s bedside, praying for both of his sons. The wait for the doctor seemed interminable. Then just when Ben was beginning to think that maybe something had happened to Hoss too, he heard the sound of a carriage in the yard. Moments later the front door opened with a bang and hurrying footsteps sounded on the stairs. Hoss entered Adam’s room closely followed by Dr. Paul Martin.
“Paul, I thought you would never get here,” Ben said, fear and worry evident in his eyes.
The doctor gave Adam’s wounds a cursory look.
“Ben, I want to give Adam a complete examination, and I need to cleanse that bullet wound thoroughly. I would prefer it if you and Hoss waited downstairs.”
“No, I want to stay with him. Paul, it’s been hours since he was hurt.”
Hoss took his father by the arm, gently pulling him towards the door
“Come on Pa, let’s leave the Doc to do his work, nothing more you can do here. Sheriff’s on his way an I wanna to get the men together so’s we can go look for Little Joe.”
“Yes, all right.”
Ben gave his injured son a lingering look and followed Hoss out of the room quietly closing the door. Downstairs Ben sat down, then almost immediately stood up. He paced back and forth in front of the fireplace.
“Pa, Adam’ll be okay, and there ain’t no-one better than Doc Martin,” Hoss said, but his worried expression belied his words.
With a sigh Ben stopped his pacing and looked at Hoss.
“It’s not just that bullet wound. That’s bad enough, looks infected to me. He’s lost a lot of blood Hoss. He’s got bruises and swellings on his side and his face.”
“Yeah I know. Looks like someone hit him real hard don’t it.”
“Someone has beaten him. Why? Why, when he was shot, probably lying helpless? Why? Or maybe he was beaten first. Who would shoot a man so badly beaten?
Hoss was silent for a few moments.
“I promise you this Pa. I’ll find Little Joe and I’ll find the varmints who did this to Adam, and they’ll pay. I promise you they will.”
Ben sank down into his chair. He felt completely helpless. Two of his sons were in danger and he was doing nothing, nothing at all, to help them. Hoss’s voice broke into his thoughts.
“Pa? Pa?”
At last Ben looked up.
“Has Adam come to at all? Has he said anything?”
“No, he just moaned when we were moving him.”
“Roy asked if Adam and Joe were having trouble with anyone? I can’t think of anyone. Can you?”
Ben shook his head.
“No. I’ve been wondering the same thing, but I can’t think of any reason for this.”
Ben rose from his chair and once more began pacing around the room. From outside came the sound of horses in the yard and the two men went out on to the porch. Sheriff Coffee and his deputy Johnny Murray were dismounting.
“Glad you’re still here Hoss. Ben! How’s Adam doing?”
Ben and Roy shook hands.
“He’s in a bad way Roy, Paul’s with him now.”
“I’m sorry, real sorry. I think a lot of Adam, you know that. I truly hope he will be all right.”
Ben gave a tight smile and nodded his acknowledgement of Roy’s concern.
“Ben, you got any idea who would have done this? Your boys had a run in with anyone recently?”
“No, none that I know of. If either of them were having any trouble they would have told us. What possible reason could anyone have for doing this?”
“Ben, I’ve been thinking on just that point on the way out here. It’s possible that someone is after money, holding Little Joe for ransom. After all, it’s no secret that you’re a wealthy man. I reckon it’s more than likely that you’ll get a note asking for money in exchange for Joe’s safe return.”
For a moment Ben considered Roy’s take on the situation.
“I don’t know Roy. If that is the case, then why shoot Adam? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Maybe to show they mean business.”
Hoss had been standing quietly, listening to the older men speak.
“Well if you’re aiming to sit around waiting for a note, I ain’t. I’m getting the men together and I’m gonna go look for Joe.”
“Well of course I’m not gonna to sit around and wait. Hoss, all I’m saying is they’ve taken Joe. Must be a reason for that. Seems to me that if you can’t think of any other, then it’s likely to be for money.”
Hoss looked at his father who shrugged his shoulders.
“Perhaps Roy is right, I just don’t know.”
The sheriff walked back to his horse.
“Let’s get out to the place where it happened and see if we can’t pick up some tracks. The rain’s stopped. It’s not been real heavy, so there might still be some signs. Come on Hoss let’s get going. Not too much daylight left.”
Hoss’s attention turned to a couple of ranch hands who rode into the yard, finished with their work for the day.
“Be right with ya sheriff. I’ll just let these fellas know what’s happened.”
Hoss hurried over to the bunkhouse where the men were climbing down from their horses. After a brief conversation, the men mounted up again and rode out.
“Okay Roy. They’ll round up the rest of the men and meet us down there.”
As Hoss climbed up on to his horse, Hop Sing came out of the barn leading a packhorse. He handed the lead rein to Hoss.
“Mr. Hoss, you find Li’l Joe. You need take food for trip. Men all get hungry. Don worry, Mr. Adam be okay.”
“Yeah, thanks Hop Sing. Look after my Pa will ya.”
After the men had left, Ben and Hop Sing went back inside, Hop Sing to the kitchen and Ben to the living room to resume his pacing and worrying, waiting for news of his boys.
**********
Joe sat hunched in the saddle. He was cold. The light rain had soaked through his shirt and the cool breeze sent shivers through his body. He had lost all track of time and had no idea how long they had been travelling. The Wilsons pulled up and Joe felt the rope tying his feet being undone and then the rope tying his hands to the pommel, and he was dragged from the saddle. Although his hands were still tied together and the dirty cloth covered his eyes, he once more he took the chance to strike out at his captors. His legs were immediately kicked from under him and he felt a boot in his ribs.
“Any more of that kid an’ I’ll kill you right off, ya hear? Get him inside.”
Judd Wilson had been his attacker but it was Kyle Wilson who roughly grabbed him and pushed him ahead.
“Don’t mess with me boy or ya’ll get the same as I give ya big brother.”
Joe stumbled as he blindly tripped over a step. Yet again he was hauled to his feet. The bandana was snatched from his eyes and Joe blinked in the sudden light. He was in the doorway of a dilapidated wooden shack.
“Get in there.”
Judd Wilson shoved him from behind. The sparsely furnished room was dirty and smelled stale. Joe felt a rifle barrel poke into his back.
“In there.”
Joe walked through a second doorway, into small dim room.
“Sit.”
Joe sat on the rickety straight back chair that was set in the centre of the room, and glared at his captors.
“I don’t know who you are, but you won’t get away with this.”
The old man grinned showing a mouth of brown rotting teeth.
“Well then, I’ll tell ya just who I am. I’m Judd Wilson, and these here are my boys, Kyle and the runt there, Newt. My remaining boys that is. My other boy is dead. Your Pa’s doin’. Sent him to prison. He died in that hell hole. Well now the mighty Ben Cartwright’s got a dead son, and soon he’ll have two dead sons.”
Joe said nothing, but continued to watch the man with distaste. His obvious contempt riled the man even further.
“What’s the matter little rich boy don’t ya like your new home? Not quite the Ponderosa is it, but probably better’n what my boy had.”
While his father was talking, Newt Wilson stood watching Joe with doleful eyes. Kyle Wilson went into the main room and returned with a bottle of whisky. He pulled out the cork with his teeth and took a long swig, then grinned inanely at Joe.
“We got ya now kid, we sure as hell got ya now. Easy money.”
“Shut up Kyle.”
Judd moved closer to Joe.
“There ain’t no way outta here boy,” he said waving the rifle in Joe’s face.
In a futile show of defiance, Joe leapt up from the chair and threw himself at Judd Wilson, knocking him to the ground, only to be struck across the head by Kyle, followed by another kick to the ribs as he sprawled on the floor.
Judd Wilson’s face turned purple with anger.
“You are sorely trying my patience boy!” he yelled.
Kyle Wilson grabbed hold of Joe’s hair pushing his face close to Joe’s, his stinking whisky breath pouring over Joe, making him gag.
“Let’s kill him now, I don’t see why you want to keep him alive?”
“Because, Kyle, he’s gonna suffer just like your brother did, an his old man is gonna know that he suffered, that’s why.”
“Seems like we’re takin’ risks we don’t have to. Kill the kid, get the money and let’s get outta here.”
“NO! I’m running this outfit and I’m telling you he’s gonna stay here an he’s gonna stay alive...for now. Now the both of ya GET OUT.”
He waved his rifle towards the door. Kyle let Joe’s head drop back to the floor and left. Newt slunk out after him. Judd turned back to look at Joe who was scrambling to his feet, then abruptly turned and left. The door was slammed shut and Joe could hear it being barred on the outside.
Joe closed his eyes for a moment, recovering from his rough treatment. Then his thoughts were of escape. His bound hands were a hindrance he needed to remove; he needed something to cut the ropes. If he was lucky, and if the Wilsons had been careless, there might be something lying around that he could use. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light he began to examine his surroundings. Apart from the rickety chair, there was a filthy mattress pushed into one corner of the room and a small wooden table. The one window was high up and boarded over on the outside letting in sparse light. The only door was the one through which he had entered. Joe sat down on the chair and began to twist and turn his hands and wrists in an attempt to loosen the rope, but succeeded only in making his wrists sore from the chafing. He cussed to himself, mad that his pocket knife was in his jacket pocket, and that was on the back of the wagon. He berated himself even more for the fact that he had removed his gun belt and allowed these poor excuses for men to take him, and kill Adam. He shook his head in an attempt to removed Adam’s face from his mind. But dwelling on his own foolishness wasn’t going to help him now and it couldn’t help poor Adam. He squeezed his eyes tight shut to prevent the tears that suddenly threatened.
Purposefully he turned his mind back to thoughts of escape. Surely there was something he could use to cut these ropes. In the dim light he scoured the room for some old tool or something sharp that would cut through the bindings, but the room appeared to be bare and eventually he gave up. Wilson’s taunt of “there ain’t now way outta here boy” rang in his ears. His ribs were hurting and he felt sick again. He couldn’t bring himself to lay down on the filthy mattress which looked like it would be home to lice and fleas. Instead he dragged the chair close to the table and sat down. Putting his arms on the table top he rested his head on the pillow they formed. As he lay there the vision of Adam lying on ground came back into his mind and this time he couldn’t make it go away. Adam was dead and soon he would be too. What of his father, what would become of him and Hoss too? How could they bear all of this? While Joe sat in the darkness that had descended silent tears ran down his face. He rubbed them away on his arms. He felt utterly desolate. Finally sleep came and with it relief from his torment.
***********
Ben sat in his chair staring into the fire, lost in thought. He gave a start when a hand was laid on his shoulder.
“Paul! How’s he doing?”
Ben stood up looking anxiously at the doctor.
“Ben, let’s sit down. Do you think that Hop Sing has any fresh coffee? This has been a long day.”
Ben called to Hop Sing who immediately brought in the coffee he had ready and waiting. While Hop Sing poured the beverage, Ben could hardly contain himself.
“Paul?”
Paul Martin took a drink then with precise care he replaced the cup on to its saucer.
“Ben, I’m going to speak plain to you. Adam’s condition is serious. The bullet went straight through as you know, and has missed his lung thank goodness. I’ve cleaned the wound but infection could already have set in. He has a couple of cracked ribs, along with some bad bruising down his side. I’m hoping that there is no serious internal injury. The wounds to his head are worrying. The one on his right temple was probably caused when he fell. I am assuming that he was on his horse when he was shot, the bullet wound indicates that whoever shot him was shooting upwards at an angle. It’s slightly lower down in his chest, the exit wound in his back is higher up. So this temple wound was probably caused when he hit the ground, and I’m concerned about concussion. The bruising to his face and eye, and to his ribs, is indicative of a beating. It looks to me as though Adam was viciously kicked as he lay on the ground. There may well be broken bones in his face, cheek bone or jaw.”
Ben had kept his eyes firmly fixed on the doctor while he was speaking. He was trying to take in all Paul was telling him; waiting for Paul to tell him that in spite of all of this, Adam would be fine.
“But he will be all right won’t he?”
“Ben I just don’t know. I wish I could say he will be, but I just don’t know.”
Ben began to feel panicky again. The same feeling of shock that he had experienced when he had discovered Adam in the meadow. Paul’s voice was beginning to sound far away.
“Infection can be a killer Ben, you know that.”
Ben took a deep breath and braced himself. He had to know.
“You’re saying he might …”
Ben stopped. He couldn’t bring himself to speak of Adam’s possible death, instead he pleaded with his eyes for the doctor to allay his fears.
Paul nodded.
“Ben, Adam might die. Or he might recover but have permanent damage to his brain. Or he might make a complete recovery. What I am saying is, that at this stage, I have no way of knowing. And…”
Ben waited for Paul to continue.
“And what?”
“A man as badly injured as Adam, laying out there in the cold and wet for so long.”
The doctor shook his head.
Ben’s gaze returned to the flames while he contemplated Paul’s words.
“He’s not going to die. Not my Adam. He’s a fighter, a survivor. He’ll be all right.”
“I hope so Ben. He’s a strong man, let’s hope he’s strong enough. You know that I’ll do everything I can. Any infection that might already have got into his bloodstream Adam will have to fight himself. I can treat the wounds and give him pain relief. More than that, well we’ll just have to wait and see. Chances are he’ll be fine. We’ll know more when he comes round. He has a slight fever at the moment, which is to be expected. It will likely get much worse. I’ll stay the night and keep a close watch on him.”
The men sat in silence for a few minutes, Paul drinking his coffee.
“Ben, there was no point in my telling you Adam was fine, when he obviously isn’t. But now that I have told you the bad news, we have to be positive.”
He paused for a moment.
“Although Adam appears to be unconscious, it is possible that he is aware of what is going on around him. I think if you talk to him, tell him he is doing fine, just let him know that you are close, it might help, give him something to hold on to. He needs to fight not give up, he needs encouragement.”
Ben sat for a while deep in thought before speaking.
“I can’t lose two of my boys. Adam maybe dying; and Joseph missing, maybe dead. I can’t just sit here and do nothing. If you are staying with Adam, then maybe I should go search for Joe? Yes, that’s what I must do, go find Joe.”
Ben stood up and took a couple of steps towards the door.
“Come on now Ben. Hoss, Roy and the others are doing everything they can to find Little Joe. You know that. Nothing more you can do, you’d just be one more man. I’ve just told you, you need to be here with Adam.”
“But I can’t do anything for Adam. I can help Little Joe. I can search for him.”
“Ben, listen to me. Adam is teetering on the edge of an abyss. If you are not there, if there’s nothing for him to hold on to, he may just feel it’s not worth the effort. He might just let himself go.”
Paul’s words struck home and Ben walked back to the fireplace.
“Just feel so helpless. A father should be able to help his children when they are in trouble.”
“You can help. You can help Adam. Just because his eyes are closed it doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t know you’re there. Encourage him. Talk to him positively. Believe me it will help.”
Ben looked at the doctor’s earnest face, then nodded.
“You’re right. I just can’t think straight. Joe will be back and like you said, Adam is a strong young man, he won’t give up either, he’ll be just fine. I’m going back up to sit with him now.”
“Good, I’ll just have a little more coffee then I’ll be up.”
************
Hoss led Sheriff Coffee and his deputy to the pasture where Joe and Adam should have been working. Carefully they looked around for signs of what had happened. Despite the rain that had fallen they were able to pick out tracks on the ground.
“See here Roy, this is where the horses milled around. Kinda difficult to tell how many. And look at these footprints.”
“Well, I gotta agree with ya Hoss. Two maybe three men I’d say.”
Ponderosa ranch hands began arriving in the meadow. Hoss explained to the first group what had happened. He left one man to wait for the rest of the hands with instructions to follow on when everyone had arrived. Hoss, Roy and the rest of the men moved out straight away to begin the search for Little Joe Cartwright.
The trail was easy to follow and Hoss felt confident that it was only a matter of time before they caught up with the kidnappers. But his hopes were thwarted when the tracks suddenly veered off on to stony ground and were lost. Roy pulled up his horse and the men gathered round.
“Okay everyone, dismount and rest your horses.”
After a long day on the range the men were ready to take the opportunity to stretch stiff and aching limbs. It was natural too for them to discuss the shooting of their boss Adam Cartwright and the disappearance of Little Joe. The general consensus seemed to be that the kidnappers were after money and they were going to have a devil of a time finding them in these rocky hills. Roy went over to Hoss who was searching the ground, desperately looking for a sign of some kind to indicate the direction that the men had taken.
“Hoss when the remainder of your men arrive, I’m going to split them into small groups, each one taking a different section. We’ll meet back at nightfall and see if anyone has come up with anything.”
“And what if we don’t find anything Roy?”
“Now you know there’s nothing we can do in the dark, we’ll start out again at first light.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Hoss why don’t you go back home, see if your Pa’s heard anything. Give you a chance to see how Adam’s doing. Meet us in the morning.”
Hoss shook his head, reluctant to leave the search.
“Come on now Hoss, there’s scarcely more than an hour’s daylight left. Nothin’ we can do in the dark. Even with torches we wouldn’t be able to pick up a trail, all we would do would be to let those kidnappers know where we was. But if they’ve communicated with your Pa in any way, I sure would like to know about it.”
“All right Roy. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea at that. I’ll go let Charlie know what’s happening.”
Hoss found the foreman chatting with a couple of the hands, and Hoss took him to one side.
“Charlie, I’m gonna go back home. See how Adam’s doing and if Pa’s had any note or anything. Roy plans on getting started again when the rest of the hands catch up. Keep em at it until its dark will ya Charlie? We don’t know how much time we got.”
“We’ll stick at it, don’t you go fretting now Hoss, we’re gonna find Little Joe. Knowing that kid the way I do he won’t just be sittin’ around either, he’ll be figuring a way to escape.”
“Yeah Charlie, that’s another worry. Just hope he don’t do nothin’ foolish and get himself killed.”
“Young Joe’s a smart kid. He’ll be okay. You’d best get going Hoss. Sure hope Adam’s doing okay. We’ll see ya tomorrow. Tell your Pa we won’t give up ’til we find Little Joe.”
With the worrying thought of Little Joe trying to escape, Hoss mounted up for the ride home.
************
Joe stirred and became aware of shouting coming from the other side of the door. Judd and Kyle Wilson were arguing again. He got up and sat on the floor, his back against the door, straining to hear what was being said.
“You crazy old man. Revenge, revenge. That’s all you think about. Well I want the money. I say we kill the kid now, we get the money off Cartwright and light out.”
“I said NO, not yet. We don’t kill the kid yet, we let him suffer first just like Hank did all those years locked up.”
“Hank. That’s all you ever talk about. Hank’s gone, old man. We gotta look out for ourselves. We get that money from Cartwright and we got it made.”
Then Joe recognised Newt’s voice.
“You already killed one, you don’t need to kill this one, just get the money and go.”
Kyle was shouting again.
“As well as being yella ya just plain stupid. We gotta kill him ‘cos he knows who we are. You’re in this just like us, and if the law catches up with us you’ll hang same as us.”
“SHUT UP the both of ya. Kyle go look to the horses. Newt, rustle up some grub.”
Joe heard the outer door slam and all was quiet again. He pushed himself upright then walked up and down, exercising legs that had grown stiff while he had slept on the chair. There was no way he was going to get through the barred door, that much was clear. He looked again at the window. It was high, the boards looked solid. Even if he managed to break the glass quietly enough not to be heard, he was sure he would never dislodge the boards. He returned to his seat anxious to figure a way out. He stared longingly at the window but dismissed it as an escape route. It was going to have to be the door, and he was going to have to wait until one of them opened it. He figured someone was bound to come in to check on him at some point. All he had to do was overpower whoever it was and get their gun. Once he had a gun he could handle the others. He really needed either Kyle or the old man to be out of the shack. He didn’t think he needed to worry too much about Newt. Before he could do anything else though, he had to get his hands free. The day was drawing to a close and he could see very little inside the room, but he could feel. Joe got up and began to walk round the small room, moving his hands over the walls, searching with his finger tips…for what? He didn’t know, but he couldn’t just sit and await his fate.
A scraping noise sounded from the other side of the door as the bar was moved. Joe quickly sat back down at the table. The door opened to reveal Kyle Wilson, gun in hand, and Newt carrying a plate and mug. Kyle waved his gun at Joe.
“Get to the back of the room Cartwright.”
Slowly Joe stood and backed up.
“Right up against the wall.”
Joe moved further away, all the time keeping his eyes on Kyle and his gun. Newt placed the plate and mug on the table then left.
“That’s ya supper Cartwright, though to me seems like a waste of good grub.”
Kyle backed out of the room, and closed the door. Joe heard the bar being put back in place. He walked over to the table. It was difficult to make out what was on the plate but the smell turned his stomach. Joe couldn’t face eating the sloppy mess that Kyle Wilson had referred to as good grub. Even the spoon was of no use to him. It was made from wood. But he was thirsty and greedily drank down the mug of water.
He resumed his search of the room, first crawling on the floor searching for anything, then once more walking round the room moving his hands over the wall. He was ready to give up when suddenly there it was. A spike firmly embedded into the wall at head height. Joe silently thanked whomever it was who had seen fit to hang something on the wall. He hooked his hands over the spike and began moving them back and forth so that the rope rubbed on the nail. He was tired, his body ached from the beatings he had taken, his arms ached from the position he had to hold them in, but he kept on rubbing and rubbing. Now he had hope. He would escape and he would see the Wilsons pay for killing his brother. As he worked methodically he couldn’t keep his thoughts off Adam.
Hope he knew how much I loved him. Too late to tell him now.
Memories came flooding into Joe’s mind. How Adam always looked after him, got him out of trouble more times than he could recall. Joe smiled to himself. Facing Adam sometimes was as bad as facing up to Pa. He sure could get angry when he had a mind to. But no matter what, Joe knew he could always trust Adam. Adam always knew what to do, always tried to do the right thing. That time when Vannie Johnson was murdered. They’d both been coerced into joining the posse that turned into a lynch mob. But even after the last remaining suspect had admitted the murder Adam wouldn’t hand him over to the mob. Joe had suggested that maybe they should but Adam wouldn’t budge. The man would hang, but it would be done legally. Adam had been right of course. The man went back for trial.
Well Adam, for you I’ll do this legally - if I can.
Joe had to take frequent rests, but he kept going back to the spike and eventually his industry paid off. First one strand of the rope snapped, then another and then Joe felt the rest of the strands loosen, and the rope was off. He worked his hands and wrists, getting the circulation back into them, then with hope in his heart he returned to the table and chair to try to sleep for the few hours. Come morning he would escape and Kyle Wilson would hang for murder.
************
Despite the fading light Hoss had a relatively easy ride home. By the time it was difficult to see he had reached the ranch road, and arrived home a little after ten o’clock. He took care of his horse and then made his way to the house to be greeted at the door by Hop Sing, anxious for news.
“You find Lil Joe?”
“Not yet Hop Sing, but we will. How’s Adam doing?”
Hop Sing shook his head.
“Mr. Adam vely sick”, he said quietly and went back towards the kitchen.
“Hop Sing fix food, you tell Mr. Cartlight must eat.”
Hoss made his way upstairs and quietly entered Adam’s room. Adam lay unconscious on the bed, bandages covering almost all of his chest and shoulder. Hoss was horrified by the sight of his brother’s face battered. Adam’s left eye looked to be even more swollen and blackened, and dark bruising and swelling ran down the entire left side of his face. He was moaning and moving his head restlessly. The doctor was listening to Adam’s chest with a stethoscope and his father was rinsing a cloth in a bowl of water in which there stood a large chunk of ice. Both men had looked toward the door when Hoss entered.
“Hoss?” Ben asked expectantly.
Hoss drew his eyes from his brother’s face and shook his head.
“No news Pa. How’s Adam doing?”
Ben put down the cloth and walked over to Hoss and took hold of an arm leading him out of the room and closing the door behind him.
“Not so good Hoss. Paul thinks it’s possible that he may be able to hear us so best not to talk in there.”
“Just how bad is he? He’s gonna’ make it ain’t he?”
“I don’t know Hoss, I just don’t know.”