From Inside One’s Own Self

By Debbie B

His frightened eyes forced themselves to open. Even that small effort seemed to cause his head to pound and slowly the terrified youth attempted to rise up enough to check his surroundings. The top of his head hit something hard and he groaned. His hand moved to rub the soreness but the arm refused to obey the mind’s command. Joe took a deep breath to steady his breathing, hoping to ward off the rising panic.

“Pa?” he called out softly, tugging at the ropes that held his hands tightly behind his back. He smothered a cry as he tried to turn over, realizing that the space he was in was very confining. Joe raised his head merely inches from the hard surface and leaned with his shoulder to his left and then repeated the move with his right shoulder…the space was barely wide enough to hold his body.

“PA!” screamed Joe as he lost control of his panic.

“PA! PLEASE…WHERE ARE YOU?” cried Joe as he began thrashing about in his frightened attempt to remove himself from his boxed prison.

“Joe?”

“JOE!”

“PA! HELP ME!” the fearful young man squealed. “Pa, I can’t move, I can’t get out…Pa, it feels like I’m in a casket! I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe,” cried Joe.

“Joe, listen to me son…please, you need to calm down, you’re only making matters worse,” advised Ben. “Joe, do as I say!” ordered Ben more ardently.

Joe took several deep breaths and lowered his head to the floor of the wooden casket. He could feel his body being jarred about in a swaying motion and it caused his fear to deepen.

“Pa…are you all right?” Joe called when he had regained a measure of calm.

“Yes, son, I’m just a little sore, from where they hit me. What about you?” Ben asked, more concerned for his youngest son than for himself.

Ben had been paralyzed with fear when he had watched the band of outlaws beat and then tie his son’s hands and feet and then placed him in the wooden casket. His fear had mounted to astronomical heights when one man began hammering the nails into the top of the casket to keep it sealed. He knew Joe’s secret fears of being confined and his terror of the dark. He had had those fears since he had been five, when his mother had died and the boy’s world had suddenly been turned inside out. Ben’s fear for his son’s safety now and his own inability to help the boy ripped his heart into a thousand pieces.

“Pa, are we gonna get outta this mess?” Joe said in a small voice, coated with despair.

“We’re going to try son, but you have to stay calm, Adam and Hoss will find us Joseph, I promise.” Ben swallowed his own rising panic and prayed fervently that his words were truthful.

“Pa, I…I…I’m scare.”

Ben heard the catch in his son’s voice and it tore at his heart. “I know you are Joe, but try not to let it get to you. We’ll be all right, son, just as soon as Adam and Hoss get here.”

Ben felt sure that as long as he was able to talk to Joe, his son would keep his panic at bay. What worried Ben however, was what would happen when the wagon in which their casket prisons were being hauled, stopped. The worried father knew that if the outlaws separated him from his son where Joe could no longer hear his voice, the boy’s fright would be his undoing.

“Pa?” Joe called out again.

“What is it Joe?” Ben responded, trying to keep his voice from sounding over confidant. Ben tried to turn onto his side to relieve some of the soreness in his back from having been forced to lie for so long.

“Did they put you in one of these things too?” Joe asked.

“Yes, after they knocked you out and put you in that one,” Ben answered honestly.

“Where are they taking us Pa? Why did they have to put us in these boxes?”

Ben sighed, “I don’t know where they plan on taking us, son. It must be a good ways from where they jumped us, cause we’ve been on the road for a long time.”

“It’s getting hot in here, I need a drink,” sniffed Joe, tugging once more on the ropes around his wrists. “I…don’t like it in here, Pa!”

Ben heard the fear in his son’s voice and ached to gather the frightened boy into his arms and comfort him. That, however was not to be; the only comfort that the anxious father could render was by talking to his son.

“Joe, why don’t you try resting? Just close your eyes for a little while. Surely they will be stopping before much longer, it’s probably about supper time and they will be getting hungry soon,” suggested Ben.

“I don’t think I can rest, my legs are cramping and I have to…I have to go,” Joe said sadly. “If they don’t let me out of here soon, I’m gonna wet all over myself, Pa…Pa…please, can’t you ask them to stop?” pleaded Joe.

The wagon bumped along over rocks and through the ruts that hampered the trail. It seemed like forever to the two men encased in their wooden boxes for such a long time. Their bodies grew weary as the wagon ambled along at a steady pace. Joe was positive that he would be unable to rest, but to please his father, he had shut his eyes. Without even forcing himself, Joe was soon asleep, much to his father’s relief. Ben knew that they were in grave danger and that Joe would need all of his strength in order to fight for survival. Ben took several deep breaths to fill his lungs and closed his own eyes. He needed rest as well, to preserve his dwindling strength. He had not said anything to his son, but the band of outlaws had beaten him, as well as Joe, before being tossed ungraciously into his wooden casket. Ben’s sides ached from his abuse, breathing hurt his ribs and Ben was sure that more than one had been cracked.

Ben allowed his thoughts to wander. The day had started out to be such a good one. He and Joe had been on the trail for only a short while when the band of four outlaws had stopped them and demanded that they come along with them. Their guns had been taken from their holsters, Joe had tried to resist, but one of the men cuffed him on the chin, knocking him from his saddle. Before Joe could collect his senses, two more of the outlaws assaulted him while he lay defenseless on the ground. After kicking Joe several times in the sides and his back, Joe stopped fighting and lay still. Ben had not been able to help his son. Two guns were pointed at his middle, with promises of sure death, should he interfere. When the men tired of their fun, Joe was hauled unceremoniously to his feet and with hands tied, planted into the seat of his saddle.

They rode for what seemed liked hours before stopping for a rest. Joe was sluggish, his body ached from his abuse and it took every ounce of willpower to remain seated in his saddle. Ben could offer nothing other than soothing words to his son, when opportunity presented itself; the gang of ruffians made sure that they kept the father and son separated and it was not until much later that Ben had a good chance to talk quietly with his son.

“Joe, I don’t want you to try another fool trick like you did this afternoon. Do you understand me?” Ben directed as they sat together under the shade of a large oak tree where they had been tied and forced to sit, back to back.

“I’m sorry Pa, I know it was a dumb thing to do,” Joe told his father.

Ben groaned. Joe heard his father make the annoying sound and leaned back against his father and whispered, “Pa, I said I was sorry. Don’t worry, I won’t try anything else, besides my sides hurt too much.”

Ben turned his head around as much as he could, trying to see his son’s face. He could only catch a sideways glance of the boy’s features, but the large dark bruise on the left side of Joe’s cheek was noticeable.

“Are you okay other than that bruise?” Ben whispered as he glanced at the two men who were approaching them.

“I’m fine Pa. Wonder what those two want now?” whispered Joe.

The two men stopped in front of Ben and Joe, glowering down at them. “Don’t the two of you get any ideas about trying to escape. Especially you kid,” growled the one they called Luke.

Joe cast a sideways glance up at the man but refused to say anything. Luke snarled at Joe and then kicked out at him, catching Joe on the side of the leg. “Ya hear me, kid?” he snapped.

“Yeah, I hear you,” answered Joe, refusing to look up at the man.

“Ya better, Jinx, check their ropes, we don’t want’em to get away, Boss has something special in store for’em.” Luke snickered as he watched Joe’s reaction to his statement. He noted the slight look of fear that flickered across Joe’s face and he laughed again.

“Hope ya ain’t scair’t of the dark, boy,” whispered Luke and then laughed out loud when Joe turned his eyes upward to look the man in the face. “Hey Jinx, lookit here!”

Jinx turned his attention to Luke and then followed his partner’s finger that was pointing at Joe. Jinx studied the anxious expression on Joe’s face, not fully understanding what it was that he was suppose to see.

“What?” grumbled Jinx.

“The kid’s afraid of the dark…and you know what the boss intends to do with’em, don’t ‘cha?” laughed Luke.

Suddenly Jinx’s face broke into a wide grin, showing his yellowed teeth. “That ain’t good,” he snickered softly as he glanced over his shoulder to be sure the Boss was not overhearing him.

“Why?” Joe gulped and Ben could feel the tremors that coursed through his son’s body as Joe pressed himself tightly against his father’s back. “What is he planning to do to us?” Joe asked in a weak voice that threatened to break.

Both Jinx and Luke began to laugh. The sadistic sounds of the men sent shivers of fear racing through Joe’s veins. The sudden realization that he and his father were in more trouble than first anticipated shook him to the core.

“I ain’t tellin’ ya. You’ll just have to be patient and find out for yourselves, come on Jinx, lets get back to the fire,” laughed Luke as he turned from Ben and Joe.

“Wait,” Ben called, stopping both outlaws in their tracks.

“What do you want from us?” asked Ben, hoping that if it were money, he might be able to offer the gang a large enough sum that they would release Joe and himself.

“Did ya hear that, Luke, old man Cartwright wants to know what we want of him. Should we tell’em?” Jinx snickered.

Luke scratched his head and looked at his sidekick. “Naw, Boss might not like it if we did.”

Joe watched the movements of both men. They were as tough as any he had ever seen; both were big men, older than he was and probably older than Hoss. Their dirtied complexions hid most of their features, and with the dark shadows of facial hair, it was hard to determine for sure their ages. But their eyes were what caught Joe’s attention. Luke’s eyes were deep set and close together. He squinted when he looked closely at someone or something, but he seemed to never miss a thing, telling Joe that his eyesight was very keen. The color was a strange shade of gray, and when he looked at you in anger, they appeared to be almost black.

Jinx’s eyes were blue, like Hoss’, only Hoss’ eyes were kind and gentle, like the man himself. Jinx would look at you and the blue lakes would draw you deeply into their depths. They were mesmerizing and they frightened the youngest Cartwright. Joe avoided looking directly into the man’s face when he spoke to him.

“Whatever it is you’re planning, you’ll never get away with it,” he chanced.

“Doesn’t matter, you won’t be around to know,” snapped Jinx, kicking his pointed toe boot at Joe. Joe moved his legs in time to prevent the man’s kick from striking him in the hip.

“Do you really think you can get away with killing us?” asked Ben, using his most authoritative voice possible.

“Now, now old man, did we say anything about killin’ ya?” laughed Luke.

Joe’s head shot upward as he listened to the man’s words.

“I only said that you might not be around to find out what we’re up too. Could be you’d be a far piece from here by the time that we steal that go…” Luke began to laugh, “Oh no ya don’t, ya old coot.” Luke kicked Ben once and when Ben tried to pull his body away, Luke kicked him a second time. Joe tried to twist his body around to use his own feet to kick out at the crazed man and prevent him from further abusing his father.

“You stay out of this!” shouted Luke as he slapped Joe across his face with the back of his hand.

Joe’s head spun to the opposite side and he cried out as his teeth sank into the tender flesh of the insides of his mouth.

“Why don’t you leave him alone?” growled Ben, using his back to support Joe’s weight.

“That kid of yours needs to be taught some manners and I’m just the man to do.” Luke bent down and began to untie Joe’s hands but stopped suddenly when he was lifted from the ground by the scuff of his neck.

“Just what the hell do you think you’re doin’?” shouted a big man, dressed in faded black clothes.

“I’m goin’ to teach the kid here some manners, that’s all,” stammered Luke when he stood nose to nose with his boss.

“Like hell you are. Leave the boy alone, I want him in one piece when we ship him out of here, and that goes for the old man as well. You’ve already taken too much liberty with both of them. Strike either one of them again and you’re a dead man! Now get back over there where you belong!” ordered the leader of the gang, in a voice that left no doubt to his two cohorts that he meant every word that he said.

The boss stood over Ben and Joe and glared at them. “You best make sure this boy of yours behaves himself. I’d hate to have to kill him, he ain’t worth nothing to me dead.” Boss turned and made his way back to the fire.

“What do you think he means by that, Pa?” whispered Joe.

“I don’t know son. But please, try not to antagonize them again. I don’t want them to beat you anymore,” Ben said softly.

“Joe, lean back on me and try to get some rest, son, I’m going to watch them for awhile, maybe I can pick up on something they say.”

“I can’t sleep Pa, I’m…” stammered Joe, half-ashamed to voice his fears, even to his father.

“I understand, son, but please, try,” encouraged Ben.

Ben had remained awake for a long time after Joe had fallen to sleep leaning against his back. He was worried, from what he could make out about the gang’s conversation; the outlaws were planning on a holdup. Seems as if they were planning on stealing the gold shipment that was being transported on the stage from Sacramento to Virginia City in two days. What Ben had yet to learn was how he and Joe fit into the men’s plans.

It was late by the time that the band of outlaws settled themselves into their bedrolls for the night. He and Joe had managed to move their bodies so that each of them were fairly comfortable leaning against each other. Ben’s sides throbbed from where the men had kicked at him and he could only guess that his son felt no better than he did.

Joe moaned several times throughout the long night, but Ben was satisfied that no major harm had come to his son. Uncertainty as to what the men had in store for them worried Ben; his son’s safety was foremost in his mind as Ben finally shut his own eyes and drifted off into a troubled sleep.

The next morning Ben and Joe were hauled to their feet and under heavy guard were allowed to tend to their personal needs. Joe was forced to go in one direction and Ben in the opposite. Joe had just emerged from the woods when loud shouting drew his attention to his father.

Ben was on the ground; two men had converged on him and were pounding their fists into his body. Joe cast a quick glance over his shoulder and saw that the two men who were suppose to be guarding him, had turned their attention on the fight as well. Joe saw his chance and without giving a thought to his own welfare, made a dive at the two men who were attacking his father.

Joe sailed through the air as he jumped onto the back of one man. This gave Ben just enough of a reprieve from the pounding fists to get in a couple of his own blows. Joe’s guards came alive then and dove in after Joe, taking him down instantly. The tide slowly turned as Joe and Ben fought a losing battle against their enemies. Joe heard Ben bellow in pain as the larger of Ben’s two opponents drove his massive fist into Ben’s stomach. Ben dropped to his knees, which caused Joe to pause momentarily. Luke doubled up his two fists and struck Joe across the back of his neck, rendering Joe unconscious. Joe fell face down into the dirt at his father’s feet.

“Joseph,” Ben sputtered, crawling toward his son. Jinx and another man, Simon, grabbed Ben by his arms and hauled him to his feet. Ben cringed when Luke kicked out at Joe, making him moan even in his unconscious state of being.

“Leave him alone, you’ve already beaten him half to death,” complained Ben, struggling against the arms that still held him.

Luke stopped, wiped the blood and spittle from his mouth and staggered over to Ben. He stood face to face with his prisoner, and then smiled. Ben studied the man’s face, not caring for the devilish gleam in the man’s eyes.

Luke laughed, and turned. Suddenly his hand made contact with the side of Ben’s face, causing Ben’s head to snap backward. “I warned you about that kid, now he’ll find out who’s in charge here. Tie the old man up,” ordered Luke as he walked back to where Joe was just beginning to come around.

“Simon, you and Max tie the boy up, make sure he can’t get away this time.” Luke walked back to the camp and sat down on a rock next to the Boss.

“Well, you certainly made a mess of things,” Boss smirked. Boss tossed a glance over his shoulder and saw that Jinx, Max and Simon had Joe and Ben subdued and sitting far enough apart from each other that they could not carry on a conversation.

Luke cast his eyes in the direction that the boss was looking and then turned his attention back to the main man. “It’s that kid, he’s trouble, Boss. Let me get rid of him, what’ll we need him for any ways?”

Boss stood to his feet, glaring down at Luke while sipping his coffee. He glanced at Joe who was resting his head against the trunk of the tree where the others had forced him to sit.

“Not yet, he’s our insurance and the old man, too. Cartwright’s other sons won’t hesitate to do what we tell’em to if they think both their old man and the kid are in danger. Besides, the old man wouldn’t give a damn about his own life if’n something happened to his boy over there. No Luke, we’ll just carry through with our plans and wait.” Boss started laughing, “besides, I wanna see the old man’s face when we stuff his

kid in that coffin.”

Jinx and Simon joined their boss and Luke at the fire while Max, Bob and kept a close watch on their prisoners. “When’s Talley suppose to meet us with those coffins anyway?” questioned Jinx as he squatted down in front of the fire and warmed his hands.

“This afternoon, down by the lake. He should be there by the time we get there ourselves and everything should be ready to roll out to that island,” explained Boss.

“Did ya send a note to Cartwright’s other son?” Luke wanted to know, while glancing over at Ben who appeared to be dozing.

“Not yet, I’m sending Max on to the Ponderosa after we get them loaded onto the boats and head out to the island. I wouldn’t want them boys to show up before we got their old man and brother planted in the ground,” snickered Boss, tossing the remainder of his coffee off to the side. “Come on, let’s get going.”

Joe’s hands were kept tied behind his back and it took all of his strength to keep himself from falling out of the saddle. He glanced back occasionally to check on his father. Ben had begun to moan softly though he tried to keep from doing it and Joe was worried that his father might have suffered internal injuries from the beating the outlaws had given him. He wished that he could comfort his father in some way, but there was no chance to speak to him, the men were making sure to keep them as far apart from each other as they could.

Joe soon realized that they were headed for a secluded area around the lake. He had been here himself once before when he and Hoss had been out exploring and they had made mention then that this particular spot would make a good hideout. Joe couldn’t help but wonder what the band of ruffians had in store for them. He was soon to find out, for they stopped at last, and when his eyes spied the two small boats anchored at the water’s edge, his heart skipped a beat.

Jinx and Mac pulled Joe down from his horse and shoved him toward the camp that had been set up by Talley and another man, whose name Joe had yet to learn. He was roughly shoved down on a rock and told to remain where he was, or else.

Joe watched as Luke and Simon pulled Ben from his saddle and cringed when Ben hit the ground with a thud. Joe jumped to his feet but was quickly grabbed by the shoulder by the unidentified man and shoved back down on his backside.

Ben was unceremoniously hauled to his feet and practically dragged to the rock beside his son. “Sit down old man, and don’t make a move, or else,” ordered Luke, giving both father and son a warning glare.

“Are you okay, Pa?” whispered Joe, watching his father’s facial expressions.

“I’m just sore son, nothing more. What about you?” Ben whispered in rely.

“I’m fine,” said Joe, not wanting his father to know how he really felt. He was somewhat unnerved by all that had happened to them, but mostly, he was worried about his father.

“Shut up over there,” yelled Luke, stepping over to Ben and giving him a hard kick on the leg.

Joe’s eyes danced with fire and he started to get up but stopped when his father’s voice ordered him to be still.

“Ya better listen to ya old man, sonny. Ya try anything, anything at all, and your papa gets it. You got that?” Luke leered.

Joe swallowed his pride; the last thing he wanted was for his father to get hurt because of him. He glanced up at the man who towered over him. “Yeah, I got it,” he mumbled, wishing he had his hands free so that he could knock that sneering expression off the despicable man’s face. Luke laughed and turned away from the pair, returning to sit next to Jinx.

Boss was talking to Talley. Ben could tell that they were finishing with whatever it was they were planning. He didn’t like the expressions on either man’s face and he feared the worst for both Joe and himself.

Talley started laughing and glanced over at the prisoners. Ben and Joe both saw the look and swapped worried glances between themselves. “Wonder what they’re planning Pa?”

“I don’t know son, but I can assure you, it’s not going to be pleasant,” whispered Ben.

Joe cut fearful eyes at his father and opened his mouth to ask just what Ben meant but was stopped by the sudden change of expression that crossed his father’s face. Joe followed his father’s gaze and his heart stopped beating momentarily as his mind registered what his eyes were seeing.

Four of the men emerged from the woods. They were carrying wooden caskets and Joe’s eyes seemed to freeze on the figures as they toted the pine boxes over to the camp. Joe’s heart began to beat rapidly as he watched the four men lower the boxes to the ground.

“Pa?” muttered Joe softly, his voice trembling with fear.

“Shh…be quiet son, and try to stay calm,” ordered his father. Ben would not look at his son, he knew what he would see in the beautiful emerald eyes that had so much of the time sparkled with happiness. The thoughts of what was fixing to take place, and the fear he knew his son would encounter, ripped at his heart.

“Okay, let’s get them loaded up,” ordered the boss.

Luke and Jinx each grabbed Joe by the arms and hauled him to his feet. Simon and Max grabbed Ben. Ben rose willingly to his feet but Joe bulked at the hands that gripped his arms. He dug his heels into the earth to keep from being dragged closer to the pine boxes.

“You’re not going to put me in that thing!” he shouted, twisting and turning in an attempt to free himself from the hands that held him tightly.

It took every ounce of strength for the two men to hold their squirming prisoner. Joe fought like a wild animal caught in a trap, to free himself. When Luke tired of Joe’s struggles he had Jinx place a choke hold around Joe’s neck and facing Joe, Luke drove his fist into Joe’s middle several times. Joe doubled up from the agony of the assault and quickly crumbled to the ground at his captor’s feet. Jinx managed to get in a couple of swift kicks to Joe's ribcage before finally subduing his victim.

Talley tossed a length of rope to the pair and instructed them to tie Joe’s ankles tightly. When that was finished, Luke and Jinx lifted Joe’s unconscious body from the ground and placed him into the casket, face down. Ben watched, fighting tears that threatened to fill his eyes. He turned his head when Luke and Jinx placed the thick wooden top onto the casket and began hammering in the long nails that sealed his son’s fate.

When they finished with Joe, Ben was ordered to lower him self into his own casket. Not wanting to make matters any worse for himself, Ben obliged the men and with one last glance at the box that held his son, stretched himself out in the casket. Ben swallowed his own rising fear and shut his eyes as the men covered his face with the box’s lid. The hammering seemed to last only seconds. Ben noted that for whatever reason, the men had only hammered four nails into his box rather than the dozen or more that he had mentally counted being nailed into his son’s prison. Minutes later, Ben heard the thumping sound that told him that they were being placed onto the back of a wagon. His body lurched forward as the horses began moving. Time passed slowly for Ben, his thoughts constantly on his son. Ben worried about the injuries Joe had received from the beating that had taken place earlier and could only hope that his son had been able to get some rest.

Suddenly the wagon stopped. Ben lay as if paralyzed and listened to the sounds around him. Suddenly Ben’s ears picked up on the scraping sound that told him that Joe’s box was being removed from the back of the wagon.

Ben heard his son calling for him, but before Ben could make a reply, he felt his casket being lifted and knew that the men where carrying him away from the wagons. Minutes later he felt the gentle swaying of a boat as it was being maneuvered out into open water. Ben opened his eyes; it was dark inside his box, and hot. His thoughts turned to his son, knowing Joe’s fears and quite unexpectedly, tears stung the chocolate eyes and slipped silently down the age worn face of the patriarch.

“Pa,” Joe called softly, “do you know where they’re taking us?”

“Shut up in there, kid,” shouted Luke, giving Joe’s box a kick with his foot. Joe felt the rocking of the boat as the sudden movement caused the boat to dip to one side.

Joe swallowed hard forcing himself to remain calm. “Where’s my father? What have you done with him?” Joe shouted back, turning his head just enough so that he could hear the man’s reply.

He heard Luke laugh. “Don’t worry about your ol’ man, kid, he’s taking a little boat ride, too.”

“You better not hurt him, or…” began Joe but stopped when he heard the men in the boat with him start laughing loudly.

“Or what kid? Looks to me like ya ain’t in much of a position to nuthin’,” roared Jinx.

Joe lowered his head to the floor of his box and fought to control his anger, and his fear.

Ben wasn’t sure just how long that they had been rowing, only that his muscles had grown sore and stiff from the lack of movement. He tried stretching his legs out a smidgen further, but to no avail. His space was limited and could do nothing more than groan from his efforts. It was some time later that Ben noticed that the boat had stopped swaying. He could hear the scraping sound on the bottom of the boat that told him that they had reached land. The boat teetered back and forth as the men hauled the boat from the water onto dry land. Minutes later he felt his box being lifted and carried from the boat. He wondered where Joe was and worried about how the boy was coping. Ben felt his casket being lowered to the ground and sighed in relief. He was surprised when he heard one of the men order another to pull out the nails that held the cover in place.

Ben squinted his eyes as the bright sun hit his face. His hand involuntarily reached to cover his eyes from the blinding light but was restrained by the ropes that still held his wrists tied behind his back. Ben was hauled to his feet by rough hands and then forced to sit on the damp ground. When his eyes became accustomed to the light, he looked around at his surrounding, trying to get his bearings as to where he was. Immediately, he spotted his son’s casket. He glanced up at his captors but none of the men seemed to be doing anything about releasing Joe from his boxed prison.

“What about my son? Aren’t you going to let him out?” Ben could not refrain from asking. He knew Joe must have been baking inside of the hot box.

Talley stood before Ben, glaring and shook his head. “No.” He turned from Ben and began speaking with the one they had called Boss. Both men had their heads bent closely together, whispering. Every once in a while Ben noted that they looked his direction and then continued with their conversation.

“Max, you and Simon get over here, you too Luke, Jinx, keep your eye on the old man,” ordered Boss.

When the men had gathered into a tight circle, heads bent together, Ben could no longer make out anything that was being said.

“Max, here’s the note. I want you to go back to the Ponderosa and give it to Cartwright’s oldest son. Make sure he understands exactly what will happen to his father and brother should he not follow my directions perfectly. Simon, you take him inland in one of the boats. You men got that?” Boss asked.

“Yes sir, Boss.”

“Got’cha.”

“Good, now get going, and be careful. I’ll see ya back here no later than tomorrow morning.” Boss turned his attention to Luke and Talley. I want the two of you to help old man Cartwright dig the graves. Make him understand that if he doesn’t do as I say, the boy over there will die.”

“Sure ‘nough Boss. Come on Luke, let’s see what the old man thinks of our plan.” Talley rose to his feet and approached Ben.

“On your feet Cartwright. Jinx, untie his hands. Here’s the deal old man, now listen good,” began Boss.

Jinx untied the ropes from Ben’s wrists and quickly Ben began rubbing the area where the ropes had chaffed his flesh. He felt the tingling sensations as the blood began flowing freely once more through his veins.

“What about my son? He needs some fresh air, and I’m sure he needs to relieve him self,” Ben stated matter-of-factly.

Boss tossed a glance at the other casket that had been placed in the hot sun, and seemed to be considering Ben's request. He turned back to face his prisoner and shook his head.

“Too bad. His fate lies in your hands, and in the hands of your other sons. Cartwright, you’re going to dig a grave, two graves actually. One is for him,” Boss nodded his head toward Joe’s casket, and the other one is yours, should your boys fail to comply with my wishes. After the graves are dug, you are going ashore to meet with your sons, Talley here is going along with you, just make sure you don’t double cross us.” Boss snickered.

“You just remember, the boy’s box in going to be in the ground, if you fail to follow orders, all I have to do is give my men a signal, and the boy is buried alive. Do you understand?”

Ben gulped and hoped that his expression showed none of the fear and dread he felt in his heart. “I understand. Just what is it that you want me to do?”

Talley and Boss smiled at each other, so far so good, they thought. “Max is in the process of taking a note to your sons at the Ponderosa. It tells them that I have you and the kid as my hostages. By tomorrow evening, you will be meeting with them at a selected spot and instruct them that they are to remove the $500,000 gold shipment from Friday’s stage and report back to the spot where I will tell you to instruct them to take the gold. I don’t care how they get the gold, just that if they do not, both you and the boy over there, will die a slow and hideous death. I will not hesitate to bury both of you alive. Do I make myself clear?”

Ben’s eyes were dark with anger and hate. Just the thoughts of what this mad man was suggesting, turned his stomach. He glanced at the box where Joe lay, and felt his stomach knot in fear for his son’s safety.

“I understand. Adam and Hoss will do just as you say, I assure you,” said Ben, fully trusting that his older two sons would not let their brother or their father down.

“Good, now get to work,” ordered Boss as he held his arm out toward Ben. Ben took one look at the shovel the man offered him and wished he could use it to beat the bastard’s head into a bloody pulp. Without a word, Ben grabbed the shovel and followed Luke and Jinx to the designated spot and began digging.

It took several hours before the two graves were dug deep enough to satisfy the man in charge. Once Boss and Talley inspected Ben’s handiwork, the order was given for Joe’s casket to be lowered into the opening. Ben watched in horror as Luke and Jinx picked up the box and not caring how they handled their cargo, carried Joe to the open grave. Straps had been placed across the opening to be used to lower the casket to the bottom. Ben was ordered to take his place on one side and do his share in placing the casket just so on the straps. It galled him to know that he was being forced to do something so horrendous to his own son. The hot liquid bile boiled up into this throat and he was forced to turn his head, emptying his stomach’s contents onto the ground.

His reaction made the others laugh, jabbing one another in the ribs as they watched Ben retch repeatedly. At last he swiped his hand across his mouth and glared at the Boss.

“Can I at least talk to my son for a minute, alone?” inquired Ben, hoping that there might be a thread of compassion in the heart of this intolerable man.

Boss watched the expression on his captor’s face. He saw the inner turmoil behind the dark eyes and he almost relented.

“You’re not going to let him, are you?” Talley jeered. He had been watching both men and saw the slight hesitation in the boss’s eyes and thought it would be a fool-hearty move, to allow Cartwright time to converse with his son.

Boss was jarred from his thoughts and turned, shaking his head at Talley. “What the hell do you take me for, a fool?”

“No way Cartwright, just keep working and keep your mouth shut,” ordered Boss as he nodded his head for the men to begin.

Together the men began to slowly lower the wooden box into the ground. Ben felt his stomach churning as he listened with a broken heart to the screams that reached his ears.

“PA! PA! What’s happening? Please PA! Answer me!”

Ben glanced at his tormentors and saw the smiles that spread across their faces. Silently, deep within his heart, Ben made a secret vow that if he got out of this alive he would hunt down each and everyone of them and kill them.

“Please Pa…help me! Help me…help…m..e…”

Joe’s voice had drifted off into silence and Ben knew that Joe had passed out. He silently thanked God and prayed that Joe would not be made to suffer more than what he could bare.

“Well done, old man. Now get something to eat and then you and Talley get some sleep. As soon as Max and Simon get back you will take the boat to the main land and then Talley will take you to the meeting place. As for the kid, he’ll stay right where he is until I have that gold shipment in my hands. It’s up to you and those boys of yours whether or not the kid dies. Remember one thing Cartwright,” the boss paused and studied Ben’s face. “If you are not back by the designated time, we start throwing dirt down the hole.”

“Don’t worry, I plan on being back. You just remember this, if any more harm comes to my boy, there won’t be a rock big enough for you to hide behind. I’ll hunt you down like the animal you are and I’ll kill you.”

Ben turned his back on the man and headed for the fire where hot coffee and beans waited for him. As he sat down, and took the warm coffee into his hands, he felt his stomach churn again and in the dim glow of the fire, brushed his hand through his silver hair, glanced at the opened grave and muttered softly. “I’m sorry Joseph, I’m so sorry.”

“I think we should saddle up Adam and go look for’em. Pa dun said they’d be home before dark, and it’s already eight-thirty,” grumbled Hoss as he paced back and forth in front of the massive fireplace.

Adam glanced up from behind the book he had been reading and watched his brother’s nervous pacing. “I wish you would stop that infernal pacing, Hoss, it’s getting on my nerves. Pa and Joe will be here any minute. I don’t think either of them would take kindly to being searched for like they were a couple of kids, especially Pa.”

Hoss stopped and stared at his older brother, “Well, what about Joe, he is just a kid.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Hoss…” he began.

“Looky Adam, somethin’ ain’t right. I feel it in my bones…I think…” He stopped mid-sentence, interrupted by the loud pounding on the door.

Hop Sing rushed from the kitchen to answer the deafening knocking. As he pulled the heavy, thick oak door opened, a stranger dressed in dusty clothing stepped just inside the room.

“I wanna speak to Adam Cartwright,” he growled at Hop Sing.

Hop Sing twisted his head around to summon Adam but Adam was already half way to the door, Hoss just a step behind him.

“You wanted to see me?” inquired Adam, noting the rough appearance of the man.

“You Adam Cartwright?” he demanded.

Hoss glanced at his brother, a wary look on his face that spoke, without voicing, a word of caution to his older brother.

“That’s right, what can I do for you?” asked Adam, masking the sudden uneasy feeling that had crept into his veins.

“Read this.” Max handed the letter to Adam and waited with bated breath until Adam had extracted the note from its envelope.

“Do just as it says and no harm will come to your father and brother.” Max twirled around and walked quickly out, into the night. He sprang unto his mount and turned the horse about and galloped off into the darkness.

Hop Sing closed the door and stood, waiting as Adam unfolded the paper, scanning the words first before going back and starting at the beginning.

His face darkened with anger as he read the words. Once or twice he glanced up at Hoss and then quickly returned to the paper.

“What’s it say, Adam. What’s wrong? Is it Pa and Little Joe?”

Adam held the paper tightly in his trembling hands and turned to Hoss. “Yes. They’ve been taken hostage by some thugs and are being held at an undisclosed location. We’ve been instructed to meet with Pa and one of the men, tomorrow at 6 p.m. up at the lake, at Marie’s grave. The message says that if we don’t come alone, Joe will be buried alive. It says, he’s already nailed in a coffin and is in the ground, only thing left to do is to fill the grave.” Adam groaned. “Damn the man who hammered those nails in my brother’s coffin. I’ll kill the son of a …Come on Hoss, let’s get our things together. Hop Sing, pack us some grub, please.”

Hoss’ eyes blurred briefly at the thoughts of his brother sealed in a pine box, alive. He shuddered, feeling his younger brother’s fear. Hoss shook his head to rid himself of the images that threatened to break him and hurried to follow Adam out to the barn to prepare their things for the ride to Marie’s grave.

Joe gasped, his stomach growled from the many hours that it had been denied food. He licked his lips in an effort to moisten them, and felt the chapped, rough skin instead. His sides and back ached, his head throbbed and with a sickness in his heart, he felt the dampness of his clothes where his bladder had released itself after too many hours of trying to hold himself. Joe felt the tears sting his eyes. He had heard the loud shouts above him, his father’s voice had rang loud and clear as he warned the outlaws that he would hunt them down and kill them should anything happen to his son. Joe’s body screamed to be allowed to move, but nothing Joe did could bring any measure of relief to his wearied bones. He was not even able to turn onto his side, or his back. He was confined to laying face down on the hard wooden boards.

Joe belched, tasting the unpleasant bile that slipped into his throat, burning the interior as it returned to his stomach. He needed water anything to quench his thirst and wet his dry mouth.

Panic continued to haunt the terrified boy. His only thoughts were on his father and the beating that he had taken. He repeatedly told himself that he had to find a way out, so that he could help his father. Ben needed him; get out Joseph, hurry, hurry, sang his heart. Joe closed his eyes but his father’s face danced before him. Ben’s eyes were begging him to help him, his father’s face was bloodied and in Joe’s twisted dreams he saw his father on his knees, crying, screaming, and wailing.

“LET ME OUT! PLEASE, HE NEEDS ME!”

“PA! PA!”

The laughter above ground never reached Joe’s ears, except for one man, Ben. His heart twisted in agony for his son. Ben knew Joe’s mind was slowly leaving this world of reality into a world of darkness where his senses seemed to float from one distorted image to another. He could only wonder what shape the boy’s mind would be in by the time that he was able to free his son of his prison. Ben shut his mind to the piteous screams that tore at him and tried to sleep, but the ache in his heart for his youngest son prevented sleep from claiming him. When, hours later, the screaming had stopped, Ben dozed, though only briefly until the sounds of the camp waking, brought Ben from his tormented slumber.

With his hands tied behind his back, Ben was hauled to his feet and brought to sit in front of the fire. When his hands were freed, coffee and Johnnycakes were handed to him. He accepted gratefully. He felt guilty, eating, when he knew that it had been more than 24 hours since Joe had taken a bite. Realizing that by not eating, he would only make matters worse on himself, leaving him weak and maybe unable to accomplish the mission that the boss had set for him, Ben indulged himself in his breakfast. He had to keep up his strength in order to help his son, he told himself but it still made his food hard to swallow.

It wasn’t long before Ben was finished with his breakfast and made to crawl into the little boat that had brought him to the island. With one last glance at the silent hole where Joe’s casket lay deeply within the ground, Ben silently vowed to return and rescue his son.

“Get going Cartwright,” ordered Talley, giving Ben a nudge toward the boat.

“Ain’t ya gonna tie his hands?” asked Simon, watching.

Talley looked at Ben, studying his face, and suddenly he smiled. “Naw, he knows what will happen to his boy if he tries anything funny, don’t ya old man?”

Ben was solemn, “Yes, I know,” he said flatly and climbed into the boat. Talley followed and sat on the seat facing his prisoner. Simon followed Talley and standing in the back of the boat, picked up one long oar and shoved off.

It took the three men most of the morning to reach the shoreline. Quickly they gathered their things and began saddling their horses that they had been left hobbled to graze on the lush green grass that bordered around the lake.

It was nearly five by the time that Ben and Talley reached Marie’s gravesite. Ben and Talley slid from their horses and laced the reins around the branches of a nearby tree. Simon had stopped a short distance back to keep watch and stay undercover lest something went wrong.

“Sit down Cartwright, might as well make the most of it for now. Once ya talk to your sons, we have a long ride back.” Talley pointed to a rock and while Ben settled down to wait the arrival of his sons; Talley made himself comfortable nearby. “Remember, nothing funny. You only say what Boss told you to say, nothing more, or else.”

Ben shuddered, ‘or else’, he thought. ‘Or else’ Joseph dies. His mind strayed to his son and Ben prayed that Joseph was managing all right, though Ben doubted his son’s ability to cope with all the mental anguish that had been dumped on him. Joe was young, and strong, braver than most men, in most things, pondered Ben. But with confinement, his fear of the dark and his fear of losing face, Joe tended to…well thought Ben, not be a coward, more like boyish with his childlike fears. They stemmed from the loss of his mother at an early age, Ben understood why Joe had those certain fears, and he had never made his son to feel less than a man about them. They were something, with age and wisdom that Ben hoped Joe would one day outgrow. But at the tender age of nineteen, Joe still needed the security of his father and brothers, though he would never admit that to a living soul, except perhaps his father. Ben smiled, remembering the glow in the hazel eyes when he had asked Joe to accompany him on this business trip. The smile died quickly. ‘This is all my fault, his suffering. If I had not asked him along, he would be safe at home right now.’ Ben dropped his head, sickened by what his youngest son was forced to endure because of him.

The pounding of hooves brought Ben from his melancholy mood and back to the present. Talley jumped to his feet, his pistol in his hand and stepped behind Ben. “I’m warning you Cartwright, one wrong move and the boy’s dead.” With that, Talley slipped behind a large boulder, out of sight of Ben’s approaching sons.

“Stop right there Adam,” Ben called, holding up his hand in a signal.

Adam and Hoss pulled their mounts to a sudden stopped and jumped from their saddles. “Pa, are you okay?” asked Adam as he took another step closer.

“Adam, don’t come any closer, there are guns pointed at us. But to answer your question, yes, I’m fine.” Ben forced a smile and nodded at Hoss. “Hello, son.”

“Hi ya, Pa. Where’s Little Joe? Is he all right?” asked Hoss. “What happened to your face?” he growled after spotting the bruises that darken his father’s features.

“Hoss, please, I don’t have much time. Joe’s being held prisoner; I’m not at liberty to tell you where, not yet. There is something that you boys have to do. I don’t care how you do it, just do it. Joe’s life depends on it,” Ben explained.

“What about yours?” Adam demanded glancing about hoping to find where the guns were that was suppose to be aimed at them.

“Adam, I’m not worried about myself, but I am worried about Joseph. They have him in a pine box, nailed shut, sitting at the bottom of a six-foot hole. Now listen to me…there is a stage due into Virginia City tomorrow afternoon. It’s going to be carrying a gold shipment, $500,000 in gold to be exact. You have to take the gold and get to the west end of the lake, you remember where we had that camping trip a couple years ago?” Ben questioned.

“Yeah, we remember,” Adam confirmed.

“You two have to take the gold there, no later than seven o’clock. And come alone. Once you get there with the gold, one of the men will tell you what to do next,” Ben paused. “Adam, Hoss your brother’s life depends on this working out. He’s been hurt, but I don’t think too badly. I just want him out of that box, and as soon as possible. I’m afraid of what’s happening to his mind.”

“We understand Pa, but are you saying we have to holdup the stage?” Adam asked, shocked at the unusual request being made of Hoss and himself.

“Yes, just make sure you don’t get wounded by one of the guards and try not to get one of them hurt. You know the driver, explain it to him and tell him I’ll stand good for the loss, even if it means selling everything I own, understand?” Ben said.

Ben caught a movement from behind one of the boulders to his son’s back. “I have to go now boys, do your best, and please, be careful.” Ben wished with all of his heart that he could step forward and embrace his two sons, but knew that would be impossible. “God bless you, both,” he called as he turned and disappeared around the huge stones and into the woods.

Hoss and Adam stood several moments, staring at each other. Hoss took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “Well, big brother, what’s say we rob a stage?” He laughed lightly and slung his massive arm about the shoulder of his brother.

“I guess there’s a first time for everything,” muttered Adam, totally disgusted with the ugly task they had been commissioned to perform.

Adam and Hoss swung into their saddles and turned the horses in the direction that the stage would be coming. “Might as well get there and get ready,” he muttered to Hoss.

“Ya got a plan, Adam? I mean, we ain’t never robbed a stage before. I ain’t got no idey where to begin…I remember the time Little Joe and I robbed the bank, but…well…this is different,” Hoss mused, pushing his big tall hat back on his head and casting a sideways glance at his brother.

Inspite of himself, Adam had to laugh. “Hoss, how could you think of that bank robbery at a time like this?”

Hoss giggled, “I dunno Adam, ya know how that kid brother of ours is forever gettin’ one or both of us into some kind of trouble, it just sorta popped into my head, supposin’.”

“Well, looks like he’s done it again, doesn’t it?” Adam snapped.

“Aw…shucks Adam, this tweren’t Joe’s fault no more’n it was Pa’s,” Hoss said protectively.

Adam gave Hoss a serious look, his expression dead serious, “I know that Hoss, and I’m afraid for Little Joe. I don’t even want to think about what he could be going through, sealed in that pine box. You know as well as I do, what happens to Joe in those types of situations. And I’ll tell you this much, if they so much as harm a hair of those unruly locks of his, I’ll kill them with my bare hands. Now, enough jawin’, let’s get to the forks.” Adam said nothing more, but spurred his mount into a gallop; Hoss followed suit, bringing his mount up beside Adam’s as they rode along.

Ben sat silently, as if he were a statue in the boat as Talley and Simon rowed the boat out to the island. He was lost in thoughts, wondering just how Adam and Hoss would be able to pull off the robbery and whether or not someone would be injured or worse, killed. And then there was Joe; Ben feared the worst for his youngest son. He could only imagine what was going through the boy’s mind, and he worried that the outlaws would not keep their word once they had the gold in their possession. Would they kill him and Joe, would they do as they had threatened and bury both of them alive? Or worse, bury Joe and make him watch, or even help them cover the grave. Ben felt his body tremble and he glanced at the two men, hate filling the dark depths of his eyes.

“Pa? Oh…someone…please? Adam…Hoss…help me!” Joe muttered incoherently. No one could hear him, no one even cared that he was scared, or hungry, or wet. Joe was almost passed caring himself. His reserve was nearly gone, his body was in agony, and his hands were without feeling and were burning from the ropes that had held his wrists for hours behind his back. In his befuddled mind, his pa was gone, maybe even dead and the only thing that the troubled mind could hold on too, was that his Pa needed his help.

“Papa…hold on,” whispered the inaudible voice in Joe’s head. “I’ll find a way out of this, and I swear…I’ll help you.”

Once back at the camp, Ben was ordered into his box. He cast an anxious glance at the hole where he had helped to lower his son’s body into the ground. He gave a sigh of relief at seeing the grave had not been filled with the rich, dark dirt that remained piled high near the opening.

“Hurry it up ole man,” ordered Luke, giving a shove with his hand, to Ben’s back. “And don’t worry about the kid, I ain’t heard a word from him in hours. Probably dead by now,” laughed Luke, wickedly.

Ben cast angry eyes at the man standing behind him. “You better hope he isn’t. Cause if he is, I’ll hunt you down and kill you with my bare hands,” Ben growled.

“Aw…shut up and get in the box. You ain’t gonna kill no one, lest of all me!” Luke snapped in return, though he did make note of the dark eyes that did nothing to conceal the hatred the older man was feeling. Luke gulped, “Hurry up!”

Ben did as ordered and stretched out the best he could. At least this time the men had not tied his hands, and for that small consideration, Ben was grateful, though he felt guilty knowing that Joe was bound hand and foot.

Adam and Hoss hid behind the thick grove of trees and waited for the stage to arrive. They had decided not to cover their faces, there was no sense in doing so, the driver would probably recognize them right off any ways. Instead, they would meet the stage head on, on foot. They would explain to the driver their predicament and hopefully the driver would be understanding and just hand over the gold shipment to them. Adam had taken the time to write out an IOU in his father’s name, promising the bank that he would stand good for the gold, should it not be retrieved later on. He also wrote out a note to Roy Coffee, sheriff of Virginia City, explaining why they were holding up the stage.

“I hope this works Adam,” Hoss said, glancing down the road in hopes of seeing the stage.

“We better pray it does,” Adam answered, following his brother’s gaze.

Hoss turned to study his brother’s expression. “What are we gonna do if’n if don’t?

“It will Hoss,” Adam turned to look into the crystal blue eyes that studied his face. “Even if we have to take it by force, we will not leave here without that gold.”

Hoss was just about ready to open his mouth and comment, when his attention was drawn to the sound of the approaching stage.

“Come on Hoss, this is it,” said Adam, stepping out into the middle of the road. Hoss hurried to join his brother, a worried frown on his face.

Adam held his hands up, signaling the stage coach driver to pull to a stop.

“Whoa…” he heard the man say to the teams of horses. The guard immediately pointed his double-barreled shotgun at them.

“Take it easy, ole timer,” cautioned Adam approaching the side of the stage. “Hello Mark,” smiled Adam, hoping to defuse any doubts as to why he and Hoss might be stopping the stage.

The stage door suddenly swung opened; Clem Foster, Roy’s deputy stepped down.

“Adam, Hoss, what the blazes are you doing here?” he asked, surprised to see two of the town’s most important men standing in the middle of the dusty road.

“Lost your horses?” he laughed teasingly.

“No, we’re here to rob the stage,” said Adam silently, so that only Clem could hear him.

“What? What are you talking about, Adam?” Clem almost shouted and then quickly lowered his voice.

“Listen Clem, we don’t have much time, I’ll explain it all to you and Roy later. Right now there are some men holding Pa and Joe as their hostages and will bury them alive if we don’t get them this gold shipment by 7 p.m. tonight. We can’t waste anymore time. Now, please, give us the gold,” Adam said with urgency.

“Now, Adam, you know darn well I can’t do that, why Roy would have my…”

Hoss stepped up nose to nose to Clem and glared down at him