Return Of A Gunfighter

This is a sequel to “A Life Lived”

By Helen B

Ben and Joe Cartwright had gone in to Virginia City together. Ben had a meeting to attend while Joe picked up some supplies for Hop Sing and did a few errands. They had agreed to meet at The Silver Dollar saloon for a beer before heading home.

Ben had finished his business first and stood at the bar sipping at a beer while waiting for his youngest son. Things were fairly quiet but there was a card game going on and Ben found himself watching that for want of something better to do. There were four men playing, three of whom Ben recognized but the fourth was a stranger to him.

Roy Coffee walked in the swinging doors, as soon as he saw Ben he walked over to him. “I’ve been looking for you, Ben. I was just about to ride out to the ranch but Ollie Stewart told me you were in town.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Can you come over to my office? I need to talk to you about something.”

Ben nodded, “Sure Roy.” Calling over to the bartender Ben said, “When Joe gets here can you tell him to meet me at the jail.”

As they walked out the door, Roy said, “I didn’t realize Joe was in town. Where is he Ben?”

“What is this about Roy?” asked Ben, noting how agitated the sheriff had become.

Before anymore could be said, Joe crossed the street to them.

“Joe,” Ben said, “I was just going over to Roy’s office, do you want to come with us or will I meet you back here?”

“If you don’t mind Pa I’ll wait for you inside.” Ben smiled as Joe headed for the saloon doors having had no doubt what Joe’s choice was going to be.

Roy grabbed Joe’s arm. He was in a dilemma now. He had wanted to talk to Ben without Joe being there but he certainly didn’t want Joe going into the saloon. “Come with us.”

Joe looked at his father, uncertain what was going on. Ben shrugged. “Let’s go hear what Roy has to say.”

After the three men were seated they sat for a moment in silence until Ben became impatient. “Roy, you asked us here to tell us something so what’s on your mind?”

Glancing at Joe, Roy then turned back to Ben. “I make it my business to check out any strangers in town. Had someone ride in yesterday, he’s in the saloon right now.” Roy looked once more at Joe.

Ben was starting to feel uneasy. “I think I saw who you’re talking about. I didn’t recognize him. Should I have?”

“You wouldn’t know him to look at Ben, but you’ll know his name,” Roy replied.

“Well?” Joe asked, also showing his impatience.“Who is he?”

“Drew Maxwell,” Roy said simply.

Ben felt as if the air had been knocked out of him.  For five years he’d hoped that he would never see the man. He’d prayed that Maxwell was out of their lives for good. The Cartwright’s had heard bits and pieces about Maxwell over the years from newspapers and town gossip. Maxwell had indeed gotten what he was seeking those five years ago, a reputation as a gunfighter.

Ben looked at Joe and saw that the young man was frozen in anger.

Joe tried to pull himself together. “What’s he doing back here?” he asked.

“I don’t know, he hasn’t caused any trouble yet though,” Roy said.

“What are you going to do about him?” Ben asked.

“There’s not much I can do. I’ll keep an eye on him,” Roy replied.

“So he gets to walk around free to do whatever he wants while Tyler’s been lying dead in a grave for five years. You told Tyler he had to leave. Why don’t you at least tell Maxwell the same,” Joe said angrily before turning and reaching for the doorknob.

Ben quickly grabbed Joe’s arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” fear making Ben speak sharply.

“To the saloon,” Joe said simply.

“No, you’re not,” Ben replied.

“Pa, I’m not a child, you can’t tell me what to do anymore.”

“Joseph!” Ben said angrily.

Roy thought it was time he stepped in. “Little Joe, you either go home now or I’ll lock you up.”

“You can’t do that. What for?” Joe snapped.

“I’ll think of something.”

Joe simply stood there glaring at Roy until his father pulled his arm. “Let’s go home Joe.”

“I’ll keep an eye on Maxwell.” Roy said as Ben and Joe walked out.

“Thanks Roy,” Ben said.

Ben and Joe rode home in silence. Ben knew Joe was thinking about what had happened five years ago. Ben’s own mind drifted back to the same thing.

Five years ago a man named Tyler Hudson had saved both Adam and Joe. Tyler had later been killed in the front yard of the Ponderosa Ranch house by a gunfighter named Drew Maxwell. Joe, who had been sixteen at the time, had seen it happen. After Tyler had been killed Ben worried constantly that Joe would break his promise to him and go after Maxwell. Every time they read something about Maxwell in a paper or someone mentioned his name it brought it all back and Ben feared Joe would seek Maxwell out to take that revenge.

Ben knew Joe had never been able to put Tyler’s death behind him but as the years went by, Ben relaxed, relieved that Joe had kept his promise to him and had not sought Maxwell out. But now, with Maxwell in Virginia City that changed everything, Ben was filled with dread at what Joe might do.

          **********

Later that day when Adam and Hoss came in to the house, one look at their father’s face told them something was wrong.

“Pa, what’s wrong?” Adam asked. Looking around the room he asked, “Where’s Joe?”

“Up in his room where he’s been since we got back from town,” Ben replied.

“He ain’t sick is he?” Hoss asked worriedly as he headed for the stairs, intending to check on his brother.

“No Hoss, he’s not sick. He’s avoiding me. Before you talk to Joe though, I want to tell you something.”

Adam and Hoss exchanged glances as they sat down.

“What is it?” Adam asked.

“Drew Maxwell’s in Virginia City.” Ben saw the shock register on the faces of his son’s.

After Ben had told them what had happened in town earlier that day, Hoss asked, “What are we going to do?”

Ben shook his head, “I don’t know. I thought maybe I could send Joe on a trip or up to work at one of the line shacks.”

“Pa,” Adam said, “Joe won’t stand for that. He won’t go.”

“He’ll go where I tell him,” Ben said angrily; worry making his voice rise in anger.

Adam was about to reply when he noticed Joe standing at the top of the stairs, “Joe.”
 
Everyone was silent as Joe came down the stairs, then Ben cleared his throat and said, “Joseph, I’ve just been talking to your brothers. It seems like the line shack on the North section needs some work. I want you to take some supplies and go up there tomorrow.”

Joe shook his head. “No Pa. If it does need doing someone else can go.”

Ben was not accustomed to his sons defying him. “What do you mean, if it needs doing?”

“You know what I mean. You just made that job up because you think sending me up there will keep me away from Maxwell.”

“It could use some work, Joe,” Adam said.

“Then you do it,” Joe snapped. “I’m sick of you all thinking you know what’s best for me. You don’t.”

“There’s no need to take that tone, Joseph. Your brother was just trying to get you to see some sense,” Ben said angrily.

“You mean he was just siding with you like he always does,” Joe shouted.

Hoss, always the peacemaker tried to get them all to calm down. “Come on, let’s sit down and talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Joe said as he headed for the front door.

Hoss snaked his arm out and grabbed his younger brother by the arm. “You ain’t goin’ anywhere little brother.” Joe tried to shake the hand off but it only made Hoss grab him tighter. “Just think for a minute Little Joe, that’s all we’re askin’. We ain’t tryin’ to tell you what to do. We’re just worried about ya.”

Joe nodded reluctantly and when Hoss released his arm he went and sat on the settee. Ben also took a seat.

Looking over at his father, Joe said, “I left town like you wanted but I won’t be sent away like a child who doesn’t know how to take care of himself. I’m a man now Pa and you just have to accept that. I can take care of this on my own.”

“And just how do you intend to take care of it Joseph? With your guns?” Ben asked, anger still very evident in his voice.

“Yes,” Joe said simply.

Ben was on his feet in an instant. “Don’t you dare do this. I want you to stay away from Maxwell.”

“What’s the use of talking, you never listen.” Joe muttered as he stood up and then turned away from his father.

Ben reached out and grabbed Joe’s arm, spinning him back around to face him. “Don’t you turn your back on me. You will have the decency to listen when I am talking to you. I thought I raised you better than this Joseph. Are you going to lower yourself to Maxwell’s level? Does what I have tried to teach you over the years mean so little to you that you could deliberately set out to kill a man. I can’t believe that a son of mine would do that. Do you want your life to turn out like Tyler’s?”

As soon as the words were spoken Ben knew they had been far too harsh. He was struck with guilt at the look of hurt on his sons face. He hadn’t meant to hurt the boy with his words, only convince him to stay. Ben wished with all his heart that he could take the words back.

Joe shrugged his father’s hand off and walked up the stairs.

As Ben sat down in his chair, Adam said, “Don’t worry, he’ll calm down.”

Ben shook his head. “Maybe I went too far.”

          **********

It wasn’t long before Joe came back down the stairs. This time he had his saddlebags with him. There was no doubt in his family’s mind what he intended to do. Joe was leaving.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Where do you think your going?” Adam shouted. “If you want us to treat you like an adult then start acting like one instead of running away from home like a child.”

Hoss stepped in. “Don’t Adam. You’re makin’ it worse. Come on Little Joe, you don’t wanta do this. Can’t we talk?”

Joe shook his head. “There’s nothing more to be said.” Looking sadly over at his father he continued, “I’m sorry I’m a disappointment to you.” Then he turned and headed straight for the front door, grabbing his gun belt on the way.

Ben, Adam and Hoss followed Joe to the barn where he started saddling Cochise. “Joseph, I never said you were a disappointment to me. You know I could never feel that way about you. I’m your father. I’m just worried about you. Can’t you understand that?”

“You have nothing to worry about. I can take care of myself.” With that, Joe swung up on to Cochise and rode away.

Ben started to saddle his horse. Hoss stopped him. “Pa, let me go after him. He’s upset. I don’t think he’s going to listen to you or Adam.”

“Go after him, Hoss. In the mood he’s in there’s no telling what he’s going to do.”

Hoss quickly saddled his horse and set out after Joe. He set a fast pace and it wasn’t long until he caught up with his brother on the road in to Virginia City.

“Did he send you to hold my hand?” Joe asked bitterly.

“You shouldn’t oughta spoke to Pa like that little brother. He’s just worried about ya. He’d make a mighty poor Pa ifin he didn’t try to stop ya from riskin’ your life don’t you think?”

Joe didn’t answer but Hoss knew he was listening. Hoss reached out for Joe’s bridle and pulled his horse to a stop. “Come home Joe.”

“I can’t.”

“You can if you want to. The only thing stopping you is pride.”

Joe gave a slight nod and then looked at Hoss. “My mouth speaks before my brain can think.”

Hoss laughed. “So what’s new. You’ve always had that problem.”

Joe joined in Hoss’ laughter then he said, “I don’t know what to do Hoss.”

“You don’t have to do anything right now. I know how you felt about Tyler but just give yourself time to think before you go doin’ anything.”

Once again Joe nodded. “You’re right. Tell Pa I’ll be home soon, Hoss. I just want to be alone for awhile.”

“Joe,” Hoss said warily.

“I won’t go in to town Hoss. I promise. I just want to be by myself for a while and then I’ll come home.”

Hoss knew his brother’s word was good. If he promised you something, he always kept his word, so Hoss nodded and said, “See you at home.”

          **********

Ben Cartwright made a pretense of reading the newspaper while his two older sons played a game of chess. All three kept listening for a horse, as it had been a few hours since Hoss had returned but Joe had yet to come home.

Ben sighed with relief at the sound of horse’s hooves but his relief soon turned to worry when there was a knock on the door.

Adam walked over and opened the door. “Clem,” Adam said as he stood aside to allow the Deputy sheriff to enter, “What’s happened? Is it Joe?”

“Roy sent me to get you. Drew Maxwell’s dead and Joe’s hurt.”

“How bad is Joseph hurt?” Ben asked.

“It’s bad Mr. Cartwright.”

Ben needed to hear no more. The family immediately went out to saddle their horses to ride in to town.

          **********

The Cartwright’s entered Paul Martin’s office on the run. Finding no one there they immediately headed for the back room. Pushing open the door they found Joe lying on the bed, the red of his blood that covered his chest so vivid against his pale skin. Roy Coffee was leaning over the young man holding cloths on the wound and trying his best to staunch the flow of blood.

Ben was across the room in two strides, taking Roy’s place. He looked around the room. “Where’s Paul?” he shouted.

“Paul’s not here Ben, remember. He went to San Francisco last week. Doctor Phillips is looking after his practice for three weeks while he’s away.”

Ben remembered that Paul had gone to San Francisco to watch some new types of surgeries being carried out; he liked to keep up with advances that were being made. Paul had introduced Doctor Phillips to the Cartwright’s when he had arrived but with all that had happened Ben had forgotten. “Well where’s Phillips then,” He snapped.

“ There was a notice on the door when I brought Joe here. Doc Phillips is at the Miller’s. Martha is having her baby. I’ve sent word that he’s needed here,” Roy said.

Adam grabbed some clean cloths and replaced the one’s on Joe’s wound. Looking at his father he said, “He’ll be here soon, Pa. Joe’ll hold on.” Although looking down at his brother, Adam couldn’t make himself believe his own words. Joe was losing an alarming amount of blood.

The Cartwright’s could do nothing but wait. Adam had taken over from his father in keeping pressure on Joe’s wound, holding it with as much pressure as he could. When his hand started to cramp, Hoss took over. Joe’s breathing was becoming more labored as he fought for every breath he took.

Adam looked over at Sheriff Coffee. “What happened, Roy?”

“I don’t know for sure yet. I heard shots and went to investigate. I found Drew Maxwell dead and Joe had been shot in the chest.”

Hoss couldn’t stop the tears that came to his eyes. “He promised me he wouldn’t come in to town. I wouldn’t have let him go off by himself if I’d known what he was going to do.”

“Hoss,” Adam said, “we don’t know what Joe was planning to do. We don’t know how it happened yet.”

“Right now I don’t care how it happened,’” Ben said, “The only thing that matters is Joe.” Ben held Joe’s hand, constantly talking to him. Hoping that even though his son remained unconscious, he knew that his family was with him.

          **********

“Where is he?” the enraged father asked for what seemed like the hundredth time when there was still no sign of the doctor. Ben feared that death would steal his child away from him before the doctor arrived.

As Adam was about to give the answer he’d given every time Ben had asked, that the doctor would be there soon, they heard the door open.

Ben’s eyes filled with relief when he looked up and saw the doctor. “Help us,” he said simply.

Adam and Hoss stepped aside to allow the doctor room to examine their brother. After quickly checking him over Doctor Phillip’s said, “Everyone out. I need some room in here. I’ll have to operate.”

“No, I want to stay with him,” Ben said.

Adam placed a hand on his father’s arm. “Come on Pa. The doctor knows what he’s doing, we’re only in the way.”

Ben stroked the side of Joe’s face. “I love you Joseph. You hold on for Pa.”

Adam helped his father to his feet and they walked through to the outer office with Hoss.

The wait seemed like an eternity, all eyes stayed locked on the door to the room where Joe lay. When the door finally opened and the doctor came out all the Cartwright’s stood up. The doctor closed the door behind him before the family could get a look at Joe.

“How is he?” Ben asked.

Doctor Phillip’s walked over to Ben, pushing him back in to his chair and took a seat next to him. “I’ve done all I can for him, Mr. Cartwright. I don’t think it will be enough. If I’d been here and operated straight away he may have had a better chance.”

Ben felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. He didn’t want to accept what the doctor was saying. He couldn’t accept it! “But there’s still a chance?” Ben asked, wanting Doctor Phillip’s to give him even the smallest of hope.

Doctor Phillip’s nodded. “He’s still holding on.”

Ben stood up. “I need to be with him.”

Roy Coffee had waited with the family but after hearing this devastating news he just didn’t know what to say to his old friend. There were no words of comfort he could offer. He thought it best to leave the family to their privacy. “ I’ll be going now Ben,” he said sadly, “If you need anything, you know where I am.”

“Thank you, Roy,” Ben replied before following the doctor in to the room where his youngest son lay. Adam and Hoss walked in with their father.

Ben walked shakily over to the bed and sat down in a chair beside it, immediately reaching for Joe’s hand, squeezing it gently. With his other hand he smoothed his sons hair away from his forehead as he said, “Joseph, please hold on. You have to keep fighting.”

The hours passed with no perceivable change in the young man they were all so worried about. Joe’s family stayed with him along with the doctor.

There was a light knock on the door and it opened to reveal Roy Coffee. “How’s Joe?” Roy asked.

“About the same, “ Hoss replied.

Roy came in to the room and said, “I need to tell you something, Ben.”

“What is it?” Ben asked while not taking his eyes off Joe.

“Ben, I know what you’re thinkin’ the boy did. I thought the same thing when I saw them both, him and Maxwell lying in that alley.”

“I’m not concerned about that right now. I don’t care what Joe did.”

“You’ll want to hear this. Joe’s gun hadn’t been fired.”

“What!” Adam exclaimed. “Are you sure?”

Roy nodded. “I’m sure. Checked it myself. Drew Maxwell’s gun had been fired once.”

Ben looked at Roy a moment before looking back at Joe. “There must have been someone else there,” he said wonderingly.

“Yes,” Roy agreed, “But who?”

“Another gunfighter do you think?” Hoss asked.

“Maybe,” Roy said, “But I think if that were the case he’d want everyone to know about it. I think he would have called Maxwell out in the street. I don’t think he’d have done it in a deserted alley. Also, that would explain why Maxwell was shot, but why Joe?”

“Someone with a grudge against Maxwell?” Adam asked.

“Or Joe.” Roy said.

“You just said Joe’s gun hadn’t been fired so he obviously didn’t kill Maxwell,” Ben snapped.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Ben. I know now that Joe didn’t kill Maxwell but I don’t know if Maxwell shot Joe or if it was this other person and if it was they could just as easily have been after Joe and not Maxwell.”

Ben nodded. “I’m sorry Roy. I’m not thinking straight. I see what you mean. But I think it was Maxwell they were after.”

“I tend to agree Ben.”

Hoss looked down at Joe and said, “Joe, what did you come in to town for.” Hoss felt so guilty about not staying with his younger brother and stopping him from coming in to Virginia City, he knew how impulsive the young man could be.

“I can answer that,” Doctor Phillips had been standing back while the family talked with Sheriff Coffee. When he had everyone’s attention he continued, “It was Joe who came to tell me that I was needed at the Miller ranch. Joe told me he’d been on his way home when he’d run in to Frank Miller who was coming in to get me. Frank asked if Joe could ride in for me so he could get back to Martha.”

Hoss looked down at his little brother. “I should of known he wouldn’t break a promise to me deliberate like.”

After talking with the family for a while longer, Roy left them once again to their vigil. They continued to sit with Joe through the night.

Doctor Phillips convinced Adam and Hoss to go and get some sleep in the spare room. They were reluctant to leave Joe but as he didn’t seem to be getting any worse they agreed, hoping that once they were rested they could convince their father to lie down for a while before he collapsed from the strain of trying to hold himself together.

As Ben sat beside his son he looked out the window when he heard it start to storm. As the storm intensified, the temperature dropped and Ben felt a correspondingly cold ache in his heart as he held tightly to his son’s hand. Ben didn’t want to believe the doctor’s words. He wanted to believe Joe would recover but with every minute that passed and with an over whelming sense of hopelessness and sorrow, Ben began to fear that the doctor was right…………………. They were going to loose Joe.

Ben continued to talk to his son, he talked about many things. The happiness he’d felt when Joe was born, the many good times they’d spent together, the things Ben had taught him over the years. “Do you remember when I first started to teach you how to ride, Joe?” Ben answered his own question. “No, of course you wouldn’t remember, you were so little. I think from the day you first saw a horse you wanted to ride,” Ben smiled as he remembered Joe’s happy giggle, as he’d put him on a horse that first time. “I remember when we………..”

Ben stopped as he felt a weak squeeze of his hand. “Joseph, can you hear me,” He gently stroked his son’s cheek. “Wake up, come on, you can do it.”

Joe slowly opened his eyes and looked at his father. “Pa,” Joe said faintly as he started to move restlessly.

“Shhh son. It’s alright. Just lie still.”

“Hurts Pa.”

“I know it does. Just hold on and I’ll get the doctor, he’ll give you something,” Ben squeezed Joe’s hand. “I’ll be right back, alright.”

“What happened to me?” Joe struggled to get the words out.

“Don’t you remember, son?”

Joe shook his head. “Feel like I’ve been shot.”

Ben realized that Joe wasn’t aware of what had happened to him. “You were, Joseph. But there’s no need to worry about anything. You’re going to be fine. Now you just lie there and I’ll be straight back.”

Ben quickly went to the doctor’s room and was back in a few minutes with the doctor in tow.

Doctor Phillips went in and sat in the chair beside the bed. “Joe, do you remember me?” At Joe’s nod, the doctor continued, “I’m just going to examine you okay?” Once again Joe nodded.

Joe flinched and started to move when the doctor put his hands on him. “I know how much pain you’re in,” Doctor Phillip’s said, “but you need to lie as still as you can.”

Joe tried to lie still but he couldn’t help from crying out when the doctor touched the area of the wound. Ben squatted down beside the bed on the other side and grabbed his son’s hand and started to talk to him hoping to get Joe to focus on him and not on what the doctor was doing.

Doctor Phillips heard the click of the door behind him and knew without turning to look that Joe’s brothers had just entered the room. Seeing that Joe was awake, Hoss immediately went over and stood next to his father, learning down he lightly brushed his little brother’s arm. “Hey buddy. It’s about time you woke up.”  Looking over at the doctor, Hoss asked, “How’s he doin’?”

Adam was watching Doctor Phillips and saw him quickly cover the look on his face with a smile as he looked at Joe and answered, “He’s doing fine.” He patted Joe’s leg and said, “Hoss, can you stay with Joe for a moment.”

“Sure Doc,” Hoss answered, happy to be able to stay.

The doctor gently took Ben’s arm. “Come on Mr. Cartwright. You need a cup of coffee. Ben was about to refuse to leave his son when he realized the doctor wanted to speak to him away from Joe.

“I won’t be long Joseph,” Ben said as he squeezed Joe’s hand.

As soon as they were outside the room, Ben turned to Doctor Phillip’s and said, “Is there something wrong? He’s getting better.”

“Mr. Cartwright, sit down for a moment.” The doctor tried to steer him to a chair but Ben quickly brushed his hand away.

“What is it?” Ben asked sharply, his heart starting to pound.

“He’s conscious now. That’s a good sign, isn’t it?” Adam asked.

Doctor Phillips shook his head. “He’s conscious, yes, but there’s no other improvement. In fact it’s worse now because at least before he wasn’t feeling any pain. I am sorry but I don’t believe in giving false hope. I’m surprised he’s lived this long. I don’t expect him to live longer than another day or so.”

Ben collapsed into the chair behind him, putting his head in his hands he took a couple of deep breaths. Fighting the nausea that overcame him.

Adam knelt down in front of his father, putting his hand on his father’s arm, he looked up at the doctor and said, “There must be something……….”

The doctor shook his head, cutting him off. “No. The only thing I can do is give Joe something that will keep him asleep. He won’t be in pain or aware of what is happening. He’ll just slip away.”

“No,” Ben said angrily, he felt like shouting but tried to keep his voice down so that Joe wouldn’t hear the conversation. “You don’t know my son. He’s a fighter. He’s not just going to give up and we have to help him. If you can’t do that, then you just stay away from him.”

“I agree with my father,” Adam said, glaring at the doctor. “Do you think the move would hurt Joe if we took him to the hotel?”

“You don’t have to do that, you can stay here,” Doctor Phillips replied.

“My son asked you a question,” Ben said angrily.

“I don’t think the move itself would make his condition worse,” Doctor Phillips said.

“Fine,” Adam replied. “We’ll do that then.”

“Before you go, at least take these.” The doctor went over to a cabinet and returned with some vials. “He’ll need something for the pain. Just give him half a teaspoon every four hours.”

Ben accepted the vials and put them in his pocket and then he and Adam walked in to the back room.

Hoss saw the look of anger the two men wore when they entered. “Pa, what’s wrong?” he asked.

Seeing that Joe was still awake Ben carefully sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed Joe’s hair back. “Nothing’s wrong, Hoss. Everything’s going to be fine. We’re taking Joe to the International Hotel.”

“What?” Hoss said, wondering what his father could possibly be thinking.

“I’ll explain later,” Adam mouthed, only succeeding in making Hoss more confused.

Ben stood, pulling the blankets back and carefully lifting Joe up. Adam pulled the blankets back up so Ben could place Joe on the top one which they wrapped around him.

“I’ll go and get the room,” Adam said.

“Thank you, Adam,” Ben replied. Turning to his middle son he said, “Hoss, can you carry Joseph.”

“Pa, are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Hoss. I’m sure. Let’s go,” Ben replied.

As gently and carefully as he could, Hoss lifted his brother into his arms.

As they were about to leave Doctor Phillips approached them. “If you do need me, just send word.”

Ben nodded crisply.

Adam had the suite arranged and was waiting in the foyer. He quickly led the way, opening the door as Hoss walked straight through to the bedroom. Once they had Joe comfortable, Adam motioned Hoss that he wanted to talk to him in private.

          **********

Adam sat beside his brother with his hand on the big man’s back as Hoss fought to bring his tears under control. Adam had just told him what the doctor had said.

“Hoss, I know it’s hard, but you can’t let Joe see how upset you are. We can’t have him giving up on us.”

Hoss nodded. “If only Doc Martin was here.”

“I know,” Adam agreed. “I’ve been thinking the same thing and I know Pa must be too.”

Just then the door opened and Ben said, “Adam, I want you to go and send wires to all the towns around here, see if you can get a doctor to come here. Tell them money is no object.”

“Yes, Pa,” Adam said and immediately left.

          **********

A couple of hours passed with the family keeping vigil at Joe’s bedside. Adam had left word that if a reply came to a wire, it was to be delivered to them immediately. When there was a knock on the door, Adam went to answer it, he was back in a moment.

“Pa, it’s some reply’s,” Adam called and Ben walked out to join him.

Ben could see by the look on Adam’s face that it wasn’t good news. Reaching for the telegrams he read them himself.  They all said the same thing. No one was able to come. Ben looked at the last one, hating the words he read on the page. ‘I’ve worked with Doctor Phillip’s. He’s a good doctor. I’m sure he’s done all that can be done.’

Handing them back to Adam, Ben turned and walked back in to Joe without saying a word.

Hoss looked up as they came back in and Adam passed him the wires to read, when he had finished he looked up and saw Joe looking up at him. “What is it?” Joe asked.

“Nothin’ for you to worry about, Joe,” Hoss said, pulling himself together. “You just concentrate on getting better.”

Joe moved his head to look over at his father. Ben smiled at him, fighting the tears. “Something’s wrong,” Joe said. “I know it is. I’m not going to get better am I?”

Ben had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could speak. “Of course you’re going to get better. I know it probably doesn’t seem that way to you because you feel so terrible at the moment but you’ll be feeling better in no time, you just have to hold on, Joseph. Promise me you won’t give up.” When Joe didn’t answer, Ben repeated, “Promise me, Joe.”

Joe nodded.

“I want to tell you something,” Joe said quietly.

Ben smiled encouragingly. “Go on. I’m listening.”

Joe wasn’t sure where to start but he knew there were things he wanted to say while there was still time. “You’ve been the best father I could ever have had. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without you. I don’t want to die………” Joe’s voice trailed off.

Fighting tears, Ben squeezed his son’s hand and tried to keep his voice from shaking as he said, “Don’t talk like that, Little Joe. You are going to get better.”

“But just incase, Pa, I want to tell you.”

Ben didn’t want to even consider the possibility that Joe might die and he didn’t want that thought in Joe’s head but he knew his son wasn’t going to rest until he’d said what he wanted.

“Alright Joe.”

“I just want you to know that you gave me the best life I could ever have had. I’ve been so happy. I love you so much. I don’t want to leave you.”

“Then don’t, Joseph. Don’t leave me. I love you more than anything in the world. You know that, you three boys are my life. We need you to fight to say with us.”

“Pa,” Joe said so softly that Ben had to lean over him to hear. “I’m so sorry, please forgive me.”

“Joe. There’s nothing to forgive.”

“The argument, Pa. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to make you so angry. I’m sorry.” Joe turned his head away as the tears he had been fighting came.

“Shhhh,” Ben said, trying to comfort his son. “You need to try and calm down. It’s alright, I promise.” Ben stroked Joe’s hair back from his forehead, worried about how distraught Joe was becoming. “What has you so upset? We’ve had arguments before and   I’m sure we’re going to have lots more.” Ben smiled and gently patted Joe’s arm. “It was as much my fault as yours so why don’t we agree to forgive each other, hmm.”

In truth, Ben thought to himself, it had been weighing heavily on his mind too. The thought that their last words to each other could have been words of anger. Ben tried to shake the thoughts away. He didn’t have to worry about that now, he had a chance to sort everything out with Joe. “Joe, what’s upsetting you? Please tell me. Is it just the argument?”

Joe shook his head. “Tyler’s father never forgave him. Not even after we told him Tyler was dead.”

Ben nodded. Ben had hired someone to find Tyler’s family and when they had been located, Ben and Joe had gone to San Francisco to see them. Tyler’s father had been as unforgiving of his son in death as he had been in life.

“I love you so much Pa. I don’t know what I’d do if you didn’t love me anymore.”

Ben looked at Joe, totally shocked by what he had said. Surely the boy didn’t believe he could ever stop loving him.

“Joseph,” Ben said gently, “I could never stop loving you, not ever. What on earth could possibly make you think something like that?”

“When we argued…………” Joe broke off, unable to continue.

“When we argued, what? Joe, I need you to tell me so we can clear all this up.” Ben ran his hand up and down Joe’s arm, the gesture a familiar one, which always soothed.

“You asked me if I wanted my life to turn out like Tyler’s,” Joe said quietly.

Ben remembered saying the words and he remembered the look on Joe’s face when he heard them. Ben felt as if someone was squeezing his heart.

“Oh Joe, I didn’t mean I would stop loving you, that I would turn you away as Tyler’s father did. There is nothing you could do, nothing, that would ever make me stop loving you.”

“Promise,” Joe asked.

Knowing Joe should lie as still as possible, Ben had to fight the urge to lift the boy to him, he contented himself with leaning down and kissing his son on the forehead. “I promise.”

Joe smiled, the relief evident on his face. Pa never broke a promise.

          **********

The following day Ben was almost sick with exhaustion. Adam and Hoss finally convinced him to lie down after he had made them promise to call him if there was the slightest change in Joe. The family was being meticulous about giving Joe the pain reliever that the doctor had given them, every four hours. They wanted to alleviate as much of the pain as possible and keep Joe as comfortable as they could while not giving him so much that he was allowed to go into a sleep he would never awake from.

Adam and Hoss both sat in chairs beside the bed. Hoss held Joe’s hand. Joe’s eyes slowly fluttered open and he blinked to clear them. Adam smiled at him and gently stroked his arm. “How do you feel Joe, do you need anything?” Adam quietly asked.

“I need to tell you both something.” The words seemed such an effort for Joe to speak. Joe had sorted everything out with his father and now he wanted to make sure his brother’s knew how he felt.  Joe looked at Adam and continued. “I know we’ve fought a lot.”

“Joe, don’t………” Adam tried to interrupt him, not wanting Joe to worry about anything.

Joe shook his head and said, “Adam, want to tell you.” Adam knew that whatever Joe wanted to say, it was important to him.

Joe continued again. “We’ve always fought Adam and I know that’s been mostly my fault. You’ve only wanted to help me……….. keep me out of trouble.”

Adam fought tears as he stroked the hair back from Joe’s forehead. “I love you Joe, so very much.”

Then Joe looked at Hoss who was crying, he’d tried hard not to cry, he hadn’t wanted to upset Joe but Hoss knew that Joe was saying goodbye to them and Hoss could no longer stop the tears.

“Hoss” Joe said, “I couldn’t have had better brothers than the two of you. You helped Pa teach me how to ride and shoot and work the ranch, helped me with my homework.” He gave a tiny smile before continuing, “Let me tag along after you when I was a kid. You’re my brothers but you are also my best friends. I love you both.”

They just held Joe, then, Joe asked, “Can you get Pa for me?”

Hoss got up, “I’ll go get him.”

Hoss walked across to Ben’s room and knocked, he heard his father say yes and opened the door and walked in. Ben had been asleep, exhaustion having caught up with him. When he’d heard the knock he had jumped up and hurried toward the door fearing Joe had…………..he hated to even think the word………..died.

When Hoss entered, Ben was halfway across the floor. “Pa, Joe’s awake and askin’ for you,” Hoss said.

Ben hurried to Joe’s room. Joe looked at Ben when he entered. Adam squeezed his youngest brother’s hand and released it. “We’ll see you later Joe.” Adam put his hand on Ben’s shoulder as he passed him. Ben replaced Adam in the chair and immediately picked up Joe’s hand. Adam and Hoss left the room, leaving Ben and Joe alone.

 “Pa, stay with me, please.”

“I’m not going anywhere Joe. I’m going to be right here with you.”

          **********

Joe continued to worsen through the night. His family could all see that Joe was frightened as he struggled for each breath that he managed to drag in to his starving lungs.

“I…..can’t……breath……Pa…..it’s…..too…..hard.” Joe managed to gasp out.

Ben gently lifted Joe’s shoulders from the bed and pulled him into an embrace so that Joe rested against him. He slowly moved his hand up and down Joe’s back. “Try to take slow, steady breaths Joe. We’re all right here and we are not going to let anything happen to you.”

“Pa,” Adam said, “maybe we should get Doctor Phillips.”

Ben glared at Adam, fearing what his eldest son was suggesting.

“Just to look at him, Pa. There might be something he can do to help his breathing.”

Ben nodded and Adam headed out at a run, as he opened the door out of the suite he ran head long into Doctor Paul Martin who was about to knock on the door. Grabbing the man by the arm before a word could be spoken, Adam pulled him in to the room where Joe lay. Ben and Hoss looked up in surprise.

“Paul, thank goodness you’re here,” Ben said. “He can hardly breath.”

“Let me at him, Ben.”

Joe was now unconscious as Ben gently lay him down but the worried father kept a hold of his son’s hand. Paul realized he would have to conduct the examination with all of the family in the room. It didn’t take him long to find out what the problem was.

“Ben, I’m going to have to operate, he’s got a slow bleed in to his chest. If I can stop that, we’ll have a chance.” Without giving anyone time to reply, he continued, “I need to operate now. I can do it here. Adam, I’ll need your help. Ben, you and Hoss wait outside.”

Ben shook his head. “No, Paul, I …….”

Paul cut him off. “I don’t have time to argue. I need to do this now, Ben.”

Paul asked Adam to arrange for some boiling water and started to get his instruments ready.

Ben leaned over Joe before leaving him. Gently brushing back his hair, he lightly kissed his forehead. “I love you son.” Ben whispered before leaving the room.

          **********

Ben and Hoss jumped up from their seats when the inner door opened. “Come in, Ben,” Paul said.

Ben walked quickly over to the bed followed by Hoss. As Ben sat down beside his son, he asked Doctor Martin, “How is he?”

“He’s held on this long, Ben. That’s a good sign in my book. He’s still very ill. We’ll just have to watch him and see how he goes.”

          **********

The day after the surgery, his family still sat with Joe, waiting for him to wake. Doctor Martin waited with them.

When Joe started to become restless, everyone leant forward, willing the young man to open his eyes, when they finally did open the first face Joe’s eyes sought was that of his father’s. When their eyes met, Joe whispered, “Pa.”

“Welcome back Joe,” Ben said, as he once again pushed the hair back from Joe’s forehead.

“How do you feel?” Doctor Martin asked.

“Better,” Joe mumbled. “It doesn’t hurt as much as it did before and I can breath a lot better.”

“That’s good. Let’s just take a look.” After Paul had finished his examination, he smiled at Ben. “Everything looks good, Ben.”

“He’s going to be alright?” Ben asked.

Paul nodded. “We still need to keep a close eye on him but I think he’ll be fine.”

“What happened?” Joe asked softly.

Ben sat down on the side of the bed, realizing they hadn’t talked with Joe about what had happened to him.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Ben asked.

Joe thought for a moment. “I was going home and I met Frank Miller. He said Martha needed the doctor and asked me if I could get him.” Joe suddenly remembered something and looked at Hoss. “I know I promised I wouldn’t……….”

Hoss smiled. “Don’t worry about that. It’s okay, Joe.”

“What do you remember after that?” Ben prodded gently.

“I went to get the doc and then when I walked back to Cochise……….” Joe trailed off.

“What is it, Joe? What do you remember?” Adam asked.

“Maxwell.”

Ben rubbed Joe’s arm. “What about Maxwell, son?”

“I heard someone call my name. I turned and saw it was Maxwell.”

Ben smiled encouragingly. “Good boy. I know this is hard but try and remember what happened next.”

“That’s all I remember, Pa. Why can’t I remember what happened after that?” Joe turned his head to look at Paul in frustration.

“Sometimes it’s the minds way of coping with things, Joe. Don’t worry about it. Don’t try and force the memories. Just get some rest and when you start feeling better you’ll probably find that bits and pieces will start coming back to you.”

“Is Maxwell still in town?” Joe asked.

“You don’t have to concern yourself with him,” Ben replied.

“But where is he, Pa? Has he left town?” Joe persisted.

Ben knew he would have to tell Joe soon anyway so it might as well be now. “He’s dead, Joe. Maxwell is dead. He was shot.”

Joe just stared at his father. “Who did it?” he finally asked.

“We don’t know,” Ben replied.

Joe seemed to be considering something and then he asked, “Did I do it?”

“No,” Ben shook his head fiercely. “We don’t know what happened but it wasn’t you.”

The look on his sons face told Ben that Joe wasn’t sure whether to believe his father or not. He patted Joe’s arm reassuringly, “It wasn’t you. We do know that much for sure. You were both found in the alley. You were badly hurt, he was already dead but Roy checked your gun. It hadn’t been fired.”

Joe was confused by his feelings. For years he’d wanted Maxwell dead. He’d wanted to pull the trigger himself but now, now that Maxwell was dead, he felt relief to know that he wasn’t the one who’d killed him. Joe couldn’t understand why he would feel that way.

Ben was quick to notice Joe’s distress. “Enough talking. You need some sleep.”

“I agree,” Doctor Martin said. “I was just going to order that myself.”

“Okay,” Joe mumbled. “I am tired.” Joe’s eyes started to close but they opened again a moment later and he just looked at Ben. His father understood the unasked question in Joe’s eyes and smiled gently as he nodded. “You just go to sleep. I’ll stay right here.”

When Joe’s steady breathing signaled he was asleep, Paul Martin turned to Ben. “Now Ben, I think it’s time you get some sleep yourself.”

“I will later,” Ben replied. “I can’t leave him just yet.”

Paul sighed, knowing there was no use arguing, he wouldn’t win.

          **********

Just on a week later, Joe was well enough to go home. Hoss and Adam had brought the buckboard in to town to take their brother home. In the back was a mattress, pillows and blankets.

Hop Sing had been away visiting relatives in San Francisco. He had returned two days ago and Ben had been on the receiving end of the little mans temper for not having sent word to him that Joe had been hurt. He had spent the last two days in the suite with the family, helping to take care of the young man they all loved so much. Hop Sing had returned to the Ponderosa that morning to make sure that everything would be ready when they brought Joe home.

Adam and Hoss stood talking in the main room of the suite with Paul Martin. Paul hadn’t wanted to move Joe again so he had been treating the young man there. Ben was in the bedroom helping Joe to get dressed.

“I saw Doctor Phillips leave on yesterday’s stage. A poor excuse for a doctor in my opinion,” Adam said bitterly.

“He is a good doctor, Adam,” Paul replied.

“Humph,” Adam grunted. “I don’t know how you can say that. He was just going to let Little Joe die. Hell, more than that, he recommended that we give Joe something to make him go quicker. Like Joe was nothing but an inconvenience to us.”

Paul could feel the anger radiating from Adam and looking at Hoss he could see he was struggling to hold that same anger in. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that. He only wanted to ease the pain for Joe. Joe’s injuries were severe; you know that. He lost a massive amount of blood; he was in shock. It was enough to kill most people.”

“You didn’t give up on him,” Hoss said.

“No, that’s true,” Paul said, “but I have the advantage of knowing Joe’s a fighter and given a chance he can fight back and beat almost anything thrown at him. Plus if I hadn’t just seen a similar operation carried out, I don’t know if I would have been so confident about performing it. There are new techniques being developed all the time, that’s why I like to get to the hospital in San Francisco when time allows so I can see what they are doing,” he smiled, “of course, I didn’t know I’d be putting my new knowledge to work quite so soon.”

“The operation you watched,” Hoss asked, “did the man survive?”

Paul shook his head. “No, he didn’t.”

Adam and Hoss knew how close they’d come to losing their brother, but still, to hear that someone in a better-equipped facility, being operated on by someone who had performed similar operations before, had not survived it, hit them hard. They knew that if Paul Martin had not arrived when he did they would be grieving for Joe, not preparing to take him home.

“Joe would have died if it hadn’t been for you,” Hoss said.

Paul smiled. “I’d like to take all the credit but the truth is, the surgery I performed gave Joe a chance, Joe did the rest.

“Well we sure are thankful that you came home a week early, Doc. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if you hadn’t,” Hoss said.

Just then the door to the bedroom opened and Joe came out, Ben’s arm was wrapped tightly around his sons waist and Joe leaned heavily on him.

Doctor Martin patted Joe on the arm and said, “Now remember young man, I’m only letting you go home on the condition that you rest and take it easy. We all put a lot of time and effort into getting you on the road to recovery and we aim to keep you on there so you’ll do as I say, alright.”

 
Joe nodded and Hoss said, “We’ll make sure he does as he’s supposed ta, doc.”

Paul Martin knew he couldn’t rely on Joe to follow orders but he knew Joe’s family would make sure he didn’t over do it.

As they made their way slowly through the room, Joe looked over at his brothers and asked, “Did you bring Cochise?”

“We brought the buckboard, you for sure ain’t ridin.’” Hoss sputtered.

The doctor stared at Joe in amazement and Ben said, “Joseph, you don’t seriously think that you are in any condition to ride home do you?”

Joe grinned. “I was only joking.”

“With you Joseph, one never knows,” Ben said and the others all laughed.

          **********

A week later Roy Coffee rode out to see the Cartwright’s, after knocking, Roy was shown in by Ben.

Walking past the settee Roy saw that Joe was curled up, sound asleep. Motioning towards Joe, he said, “He looks comfortable.”

“All he seems to do is sleep. Paul says it’s to be expected.”

“Has he remembered any more about what happened?” Roy asked.

“No,” Ben replied. “He’s woken a few times from a nightmare. I don’t know if the dreams are connected to Maxwell, I can only guess that they are. Joe can’t remember the dream when he wakes up. Have you found out any more?”

“Not a thing, Ben. No one saw anything.”

Both men’s eyes were drawn to movement on the settee. Ben quickly walked over and helped Joe to sit up. When Joe noticed their visitor he asked Roy, “What are you doing here? Do you have some news? Do you know who shot me or Maxwell?”

“No, I’m sorry, Joe. I was hoping you might have remembered something.”

Joe shook his head and Roy said, “Your Pa told me that you hadn’t.”

Joe brought his hand down and punched the seat. “Why can’t I remember?”

Ben sat down beside Joe and put his hand over that of his sons. “Come on, Joe. Paul said not to worry about it.”

“I know but I can’t help it. I just wish I could remember what happened.”

Roy stood up. “I’d better be heading back. I’ll let you know if I find out anymore.”

Ben nodded his thanks as Roy left.

          **********

As the weeks went by, Joe slowly recovered. Six weeks after the shooting Ben allowed him to go in to town with his brothers while they picked up some supplies. Joe rode with Hoss in the buckboard. Adam rode beside them on his horse. They were all in a good mood, laughing and joking with each other. The concern of who had shot Joe was still there, naturally, but they were trying not to dwell on it.

As they went past the mouth of the alley where Joe had been shot, Hoss heard Joe suck in his breath. Glancing over at him, Hoss saw that his brother’s face had drained of all color. Hoss quickly pulled the horses to a stop.

Seeing that something was wrong, Adam dismounted and quickly went to stand next to Joe.

Hoss had his hand on Joe’s knee and was shaking it. “Little Joe, what’s wrong? Talk to me.” Hoss looked worriedly at Adam.

Adam put his hand on Joe’s back. “Joe buddy, what is it? Do you remember something?”

“Johnny Chapman,” Joe whispered.

“What Joe? What are you talking about? What about Johnny Chapman?”

“I saw him Adam.” Joe grabbed his brother’s arm. “I remember seeing him at the mouth of the alley.”

“Are you sure it was him?” Hoss asked.

Joe nodded. “It was him. I only saw him for a moment but I’m sure it was him.”

“Did he shoot you?” Hoss asked.

When there was no answer, Adam gently shook Joe. Was it him who shot you?” he repeated.

Joe nodded. “Yes.”

Adam patted Joe’s arm and looked over at Hoss. “Let’s go and talk to Roy.”

Roy Coffee was sitting behind his desk when the Cartwright brothers walked in. “Hello boys. What can I do for you?” He watched as Adam pushed Joe in to a chair.

“Joe’s remembered something,” Hoss said.

Roy stood up and walked around his desk, sitting on the edge of it. “What is it, Joe?”

Joe took a deep breath. “I remember who shot me. It was Johnny Chapman.”

“Johnny Chapman.” Roy repeated. That was a name he hadn’t heard in a while. Johnny Chapman and Joe had been friends for years, good friends. Then a man named Al Mooney had come in to town and made a fool out of Johnny. Johnny didn’t know how to handle a gun and asked Joe to teach him. Johnny learned his lessons well and he had ended up killing Al Mooney, although it had been ruled self defense. Then Johnny Chapman became a bounty hunter. He and Joe had fallen out and Johnny had forced Joe to draw against him. Joe had been faster and he wounded Johnny in the arm. The last Roy had heard of Johnny Chapman, he’d left town with his girlfriend, Olive.

“Are you sure it was him?” Roy asked.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Joe snapped. “Yes, I’m sure it was him.”

“I haven’t seen him around town,” Roy said.

“Doesn’t mean he’s not here,” Hoss said. “You ain’t had a reason to be lookin’ out for him. He could be holed up anywhere.”

“Hoss is right,” Adam said. “He might not even be in town, he could be hiding out anywhere around here.”

Roy nodded. “Or, if it was him, he could have moved on.”

“What do you mean, if?” Joe snapped. “I just told you that I’m sure it was him.”

Hoss reached out and placed a hand on his younger brothers arm in a gesture of reassurance.

“Tell me exactly what you remember,” Roy said. Do you remember how you came to be in the alley with Maxwell?”

Adam and Hoss looked at their younger brother, waiting for him to answer.

Joe started talking slowly, as if he was actually seeing again the events of that day. “ I went to Doc. Martin’s office. Doctor Phillips was there. I told him he was needed out at the Miller’s. I was walking back to my horse when I heard someone behind me call my name, I turned and saw it was Maxwell.” Joe stopped and looked at his brother’s. “I wasn’t even thinking about him being in town. I didn’t know what he wanted. I started to reach for my gun but he stopped me, he said he only wanted to talk. He nodded towards the alley. I didn’t know whether to believe him or not but there wasn’t much else I could do.”

Joe stopped talking and Adam patted his brother’s back. “It’s alright. Keep going, your doing fine.”

“He said,” Joe took a deep breath and tried to get his thoughts clear before continuing, “He said he’d been hired to come back here, to do anything he needed to do to get me to draw against him.”

Adam and Hoss drew their breaths in, in shock. “What!” Hoss shouted. “Who was it?  Who would want to do something like that?”

“Johnny Chapman,” Adam said.

Joe nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking now but back then, at the time, Maxwell didn’t have a chance to tell me who it was.”

“Go on,” Roy said. “What happened next?”

“I asked Maxwell who had hired him but he said he couldn’t tell me until we’d reached an agreement. I asked him, what kind of agreement.”

Joe got up and started to pace the floor, watched by the other three men, Adam got up and guided his brother back to his chair, squatting down in front of him, Adam urged Joe to continue. “We need you to tell us everything you remember.”

“Maxwell said he had heard I was fast.” Joe couldn’t help but grin at his brothers, even with the seriousness of it all. “Don’t tell Pa I said that, it’d make him mad.” The others grinned in agreement.  “Maxwell said that he’d been wounded a while back in his gun arm, it damaged some muscle and he’d lost some of his speed. He said he didn’t think that he could beat me and that if I was willing to double the offer, he’d tell me who had hired him and leave town. I heard a noise and started to turn, there was a shot, it hit me and I saw Johnny Chapman at the mouth of the alley as I fell.” Joe shook his head. “That’s all I remember.”

“You don’t know what happened after that?” Roy asked.

Joe shook his head, “No.”

Adam jumped to his feet. “Obviously Chapman killed Maxwell,” He said angrily to Roy.

“Yes,” Roy agreed. “But what’s happened to Chapman? There was no blood anywhere other than where Joe and Maxwell were so I think the bullet Maxwell fired missed Chapman. He might be waiting for another chance to get Joe.”

Adam and Hoss looked worriedly at Joe. Could Johnny Chapman still want Joe dead? Adam reached down and pulled Joe to his feet. “Come on little brother, we’re going home.”

As they headed out of town Joe turned to Hoss. “What about the supplies?”

“Don’t worry about them. We’ll send someone in for them later.”

          **********

Once back at the ranch, the brother’s left their horses to be put up by a ranch hand and went inside to tell their father what Joe had remembered. Ben was shocked to learn what Johnny Chapman’s plans had been. Once he had heard it all, Ben said, “And Roy has no idea where Chapman could be holed up?”

Adam shook his head. “No.”

Looking at Joe, Ben said, “I know you are not going to like this son but for now I want you to stay around the ranch and make sure you are not alone.”

Joe nodded and Ben was surprised to get no argument from him, he could see Joe was upset and looked at Adam and Hoss as he said, “Can you leave us alone please.”

Adam and Hoss nodded their understanding and went upstairs both patting Joe on the arm when they went past him.

“What’s troubling you, Joseph? I know this is an awful thing to be happening but now we know who’s behind it, we can deal with it. There’s something more on your mind, isn’t there.”

Joe nodded slowly.

“Joe, I can’t help you if you won’t talk to me about it.”

“Are you angry at me?”

Ben couldn’t understand why Joe would be thinking that. He walked over to Joe, sitting on the table in front of him he placed his hand on Joe’s leg. “Why would I be angry at you? This isn’t your fault.”

Joe looked away but not before Ben saw the tears in his eyes. “Yes, it is.”

Ben gently turned his son’s face to look him in the eyes. “Why do you think it’s your fault?”

“I was friend’s with Johnny. He wasn’t a killer. I taught him how to use a gun. It’s my fault that he’s done the things he has.”

“Joseph, we’ve talked about this. Yes, you taught him how to use a gun but I also know that you did all that you could to make him understand the responsibilities that he was taking on when he learned how to shoot. You did all you could. I know that and so do you. Your responsibility ended there. What Johnny Chapman did after that was up to him. He chose the path in life that he took; no one forced him, it was his choice. Just the same way Tyler made his.”

Joe looked away.

“I know you are thinking about him too, aren’t you?” Ben asked and Joe nodded.

“I’m all mixed up Pa. I don’t know how I feel.”

Ben encouraged Joe to go on. “Tell me.”

Joe looked down as he spoke. “When you told me Maxwell was dead, I was glad. I’ve wanted him dead for five years and I was glad to hear he was dead. I’ve dreamed of doing it. Of standing in front of him and shooting him down, just like he did to Tyler.

Joe looked up at his father to see if his face showed anger or disappointment, but he saw neither.

“It’s natural to have those feelings, Joseph. But there’s more, isn’t there.” Ben waited for Joe to go on.

“When you said I hadn’t done it, I was relieved. I don’t know why. I………….” Joe broke off.

“I  know why,” Ben said. “Because you’re not a killer, Joseph. I know Tyler tried to change his ways and I respect him for that. But I can’t understand how a man takes up that kind of life in the first place. I don’t understand a man who finds it so easy to kill another for a reputation or money. It was in Tyler and Maxwell to be that type of person and it’s in Johnny Chapman. It’s not in you. You don’t enjoy killing, it’s a last resort for you.”

“How do you know?” Joe asked softly. “I’ll never know if given the opportunity, if I would have killed Maxwell myself.”

“I know, because if you were that type of person, you wouldn’t have been relieved when I told you that it wasn’t you who had killed Maxwell.”

Joe gave his father a faint smile as he stood up and said, “I’m tired, Pa. I think I’ll go up to bed.”

“Alright, son. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When Joe reached the bottom of the stairs, Ben called, “Joseph.” When Joe stopped and turned around to face him, Ben continued, “You are not like them.”

This time Ben saw the smile reach Joe’s eyes and Ben hoped that finally, Joe had made peace with all that had happened. “Thanks Pa, Night.”

Adam and Hoss heard the door to their young brother’s room close and guessed that Joe had escaped to the solace of his room to think things through. They quietly went downstairs to speak to their father.

Ben smiled when his two older sons joined him. “We had a good talk. I think Joe’s feeling a lot better about things now. If only we could find Johnny Chapman and put an end to all of it.”

          **********

A week went by with still no sign of Johnny Chapman. Joe was chaffing under the restraint of having to be with either his father or one of his brothers constantly but he knew his father would not allow it any other way at the moment.

Roy had sent out some telegrams but hadn’t had any success in discovering the whereabouts of either Johnny Chapman or Olive.

Friday morning was the day everything came to a head. Ben and Hoss had left with the hands to start the branding. Hop Sing had gone with them as they were hoping to get a lot done and eating there would save time. Adam and Joe were taking the buckboard. Paul Martin still wasn’t allowing Joe to ride and although he couldn’t do much other than heat the iron, to Joe’s way of thinking at least he was getting out of the house.

“Ready to go?” Adam asked.

“Yep,” Joe replied, as he was about to climb up in to the buckboard. A move behind him made Joe turn. Standing behind him was Johnny Chapman. Looking down Joe saw Adam, unconscious on the ground. He immediately started to go to him.

“Stop right there,” Chapman said as he pulled the hammer back on his gun. Stepping forward Chapman removed Joe’s gun and then Adam’s. Nodding at Adam, Chapman said, “Tie him up.” Joe tied Adam’s hands together and when Adam started to come around, Joe helped his brother to sit up.

Anger flared in Adam’s eyes at the sight of Chapman. “What do you think you are doing? You can’t blame Joe for what happened. You asked him to teach you how to use a gun.”

Johnny laughed bitterly, “I don’t blame Joe for that. For that, at least, I thank him.” Johnny looked at Joe. “I blame you for taking it away from me. Things weren’t the same for me after you shot me. I lost confidence in myself, but no more. I’m going to show you that I’m faster than you.”

“Where’s Olive?” Adam asked.

“Shut up! I don’t want you to mention her. It’s none of your business where she is.”

“She’s left you hasn’t she,” Adam continued. “She saw what you were really like and she didn’t like it.”

“I said, shut up!” Chapman drew his foot back to kick him.

“Stop it,” Joe yelled, moving forward.

Chapman seemed to pull himself together. Looking at Joe he said, “Tie him to the hitching post.”

Joe helped Adam to stand and did as Chapman had said.

When Joe had finished tying Adam up, he stood beside his brother while they both looked over at Chapman.

“You taught me well Joe, but now I’m the one who’s going to do the teaching and it’s the last lesson you’ll ever learn,” Chapman said.

Adam pulled against the ropes. “You do this Chapman and I promise you that it’ll be the last thing you do. My family will hunt you down like the mad dog you are.”

As Joe looked around he was struck by how similar this seemed to the day Drew Maxwell had killed Joe’s friend Tyler Hudson, right there in the yard. What was it Adam had told him those kinds of feelings were called, Deja vue, that was it.

Joe was still standing next to his oldest brother, would this be the last time he saw him, the last time he had a chance to talk to him? ‘No,’ Joe told himself. ‘I can’t afford to think like that.’ Joe tried to shake the morbid feelings away, he didn’t want to dwell on what might happen, but still, there was something he had to make sure Pa knew.

“Adam, tell Pa that I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this but I have no choice.”

Adam knew Joe had to concentrate on what he was about to do, he didn’t want Joe to worry about what Pa might think. Adam knew exactly the way Pa would feel about this because Adam himself felt the same way and he told his brother the truth. “It’s alright, Joe. Pa will understand. I promise.”

“Enough talking,” Chapman said as he put Joe’s gun down on the seat of the buckboard and moved away. “Let’s get this over with.”

Keeping his voice low so only Joe could hear, Adam said, “Come on Kid, you can beat him. You’re faster than he is, you can do this, just concentrate, don’t think about anything else, just keep your eyes on him.”

Joe nodded, stepped away from Adam and started to walk towards the buckboard and the gun that lay waiting on the seat.

Joe was wearing his black gloves, he’d put them on that morning in preparation for the work he was intending to do at the branding pen. As he walked he lifted his left hand up to his mouth and tugged the glove off with his teeth, repeating the move with his other hand. When Joe reached the buckboard he dropped his gloves on the seat and glanced over at Chapman who stood carefully watching him.

Chapman had his gun pointing at Joe. “Put it in your holster,” he called.

Joe slowly picked the gun up. “I’m going to check it’s loaded,” he said.

Johnny Chapman laughed. “What’s the matter, don’t you trust me.”

Joe merely looked at him and Chapman said, “Go ahead.”

Joe spun the chamber and checked the bullets. Seeing that everything was as it should be. It wasn’t the fact that he didn’t trust Johnny, although it was true that he didn’t, that  made him check his gun. It was prompted by lessons drummed in to him by his father and two older brothers; if possible always check your gun before you use it.

Adam had been about to call out to Joe to tell him to do exactly that. It eased his mind a fraction that at least his brother was thinking clearly.

Joe put the gun in his holster, took two steps away from the wagon and stood facing the man he had once called a friend.

Adam watched his young brother and the fear grew in his heart. The kid was fast Adam knew that but Joe still wasn’t fully recovered. Adam knew Joe had been doing some practicing since he’d been shot. But Adam didn’t know if it would be enough, he wasn’t sure if Joe had gained all his speed back yet.

Adam glanced at Chapman and then back to his brother. Joe stood still the only movement being the fingers of his left hand that he flexed seemingly to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

“This is your last chance Johnny. You can still walk away,” Joe said.

Johnny Chapman laughed. “I’m not walking anywhere. We finish this here and now. Then maybe I can get my life back to the way it was. I was a nobody till I learnt how to use a gun and then people looked up to me. But you took it all away from me when you shot me in that street. You made a fool of me.”

“You did that all by yourself. You didn’t need me to make you look like a fool,” Joe said.

Johnny Chapman glared coldly at Joe.

“What about Olive?” Adam asked again. “What does she think about what you are doing?”

“I told you to shut up about her. I’m sick of talking. Let’s get this over with. I’m glad Maxwell tried to double cross me. I suspected he would. It’s better this way. Take a look at your fancy home over there Joe,” Chapman nodded towards the house that Joe had been born and raised in, “because you’ll never be walking through that front door again, while your at it take a good look around you ‘cause this is the last day you’re going to see.” He put his gun in his holster.

Joe stood, his eyes fixed on Johnny Chapman, watching for the slightest movement that the other man was going for his gun and then it came.

As Adam watched, it seemed to him that time stood still. He saw Johnny Chapman go for his gun and then he saw Joe make his move. In one fluent move Joe’s hand was on his gun, pulling it out and pulling the trigger as if it was all one movement.

The sound of two guns being fired cracked through the silence of the yard. For a moment both men just stood there. With horror Adam saw the blood on his brothers shoulder. Then he saw Johnny Chapman collapse to the ground as his legs gave way beneath him, his gun dropping to the ground beside him. Walking over to him, Joe kicked the gun away. Joe dropped to his knees. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.

“I thought I could beat you,” Johnny Chapman said with his last breath.

Joe sat there with his head bowed, making no attempt to stand. “Joe,” Adam called. “Come here.”

Joe looked over at his older brother and Adam said gently, “Come over here. I need your help to get untied.”

Joe stood up and walked slowly over to Adam, kneeling down at Adam’s side.

“I only meant to wound him. My aim was off.”

“Forget him Joe, he’s not worth it. Are you okay?” Adam asked, looking at his brother and noticing the blood spreading on his sleeve.

Joe nodded and reached for the knife in his boot, cutting the ropes that bound Adam.

Adam rubbed his wrists to get the circulation back and then helped Joe to his feet. “Come on. I need to have a look at your arm.”

“What about him?” Joe nodded at the body that lay on the ground.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him later. It’s you I’m worried about now, come on.” With that Adam led Joe inside and up to his room.

Taking Joe’s jacket and shirt off, he saw the wound wasn’t too bad. But Joe was going to need a doctor. Retrieving some bandages and water, he cleaned and dressed the wound. Talking to Joe throughout he tried to keep his brother from dwelling on what had just taken place.

When he’d done all he could, Adam said, “Joe will you be alright here by yourself for a bit?”

“Where are you going?”

“To go and tell Pa what’s happened and then I’ll get Paul.”

“I don’t need doc, I’m fine.”

“Yeah well, I’m not leaving it up to you, Joe. I won’t be long, alright?”

“Okay.”

Joe closed his eyes and fell asleep but it didn’t seem like more than a few moments later that he woke to the familiar feeling of someone stroking his hair back off his forehead. Opening his eyes he saw his father bending over him. “Pa, how did you get here so fast?”

“We were on our way back here to find out what was taking you and Adam so long.”

Looking over his fathers shoulder, Joe saw Hoss who grinned at him and said, “Hey buddy. How you doin’?”

“I’m okay,” Joe said, “I told Adam I don’t need no doctor.”

Ben sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the bandages away so he could get a look at the wound. “Your going to need stitches so you just lay still till Paul gets here.”

“I killed him, Pa.” Joe said. Needing his father to understand.

“Adam told us what happened, Joseph,” Ben said gently. “You did all you could to avoid it. You did the only thing you could. You defended yourself. You did nothing wrong. I’m proud of you, Joseph.”

Joe smiled as sleep claimed him. And Ben knew Joe had finally accepted that he was not to blame for how another man chose to live his life.

          **********

Joe was up and around within two days and Ben hoped that things could return to normal. The Cartwright’s were sitting at the table eating their mid day meal when there was a knock on the door. Joe smirked at his brothers, knowing that it was usually him that had to get up and answer the door, but for a while longer at least, it was a chore passed to them. With a glare to Joe, Adam got up.

Adam opened the door, admitting Roy Coffee.

Ben stood up. “Roy, come in. What brings you out here?”

Roy sat down at the table as Hoss poured him a cup of coffee.

“Got a letter for Joe actually, Ben.” He handed the letter to Joe.

Joe looked at the envelope. It was addressed to him but had no senders name or return address. “Who’s it from?”

“Johnny Chapman’s girlfriend, Olive,” Roy replied.

“Olive?” Joe tore the envelope open and read the contents, then he reread the letter aloud.

Dear Joe

I am writing to you because I fear I must warn you. In the time we have been away from Virginia City, Johnny has grown more and more bitter. He hasn’t been able to hold a job down and is obsessed with becoming a bounty hunter again. He says though, that you took his confidence away and he needs to see you beaten to get it back again. I’m afraid for you, Joe. Afraid of what Johnny is planning. I am leaving him. I see no other choice. He is not the man I fell in love with. He grows more bitter and hateful with each passing day. I am leaving him in the hope of a better life. Please be assured that I don’t blame you in any way for what Johnny has become. You taught him a skill; he learnt how to use a gun from you. You didn’t teach him how to love the killing or a love of earning money from those killings. Johnny taught himself that. The misery he has wrought clings to him like a veil, destroying his soul. You tried to help me Joe but I returned to Johnny, that too, was my choice. Just like the decision I have made now is my choice. I am going to be free. Please don’t think badly of me, Joe.

With Love
Olive  

“Where is she, do you know?” Joe asked Roy.

“Joe, I’m sorry son, but Olive’s dead.”

Joe stared at Roy, unable to say anything.

“How did she die?” Ben asked.

“She killed herself. No one was there to find her this time. All her things were packed up. Obviously, the letter was meant to be sent to Joe but it just got put aside. When I started making enquiries about her, the sheriff in Mason City remembered her. Her belongings were still in storage. Johnny had disappeared and no one knew what to do with her things. The sheriff went through them and found the letter, he sent it on to me with a note telling me what had happened to her.

Roy could see the shock written plainly on Joe’s face and decided it would be best to leave the young man to talk about it in private with his family. “I’ll be getting back to town, I’ll see you later.”

Ben saw Roy out. “Thanks for bringing the letter out, Roy.”

“No problem, Ben,” Roy said as he left.

Ben walked back to the table, retaking his seat.

“Why did she do it? She could have come to me. I’d have helped her,” Joe said.

Reaching over, Ben placed a hand on Joe’s arm. “She knew that, Joseph. She didn’t want to be helped. I think she just gave up on life. When Johnny Chapman shot you in that Virginia City alley, Doctor Phillips told us that you were going to die,” Ben glanced at his two older sons before continuing, “but we knew better than that. When it would have been so easy for you to slip away, you fought so hard to stay with us. That’s because you value life. That’s why you have such deep feelings about having to take a life. It’s what makes you the person you are. The person I am so proud of. Olive didn’t have your strength. She lacked the courage to be able to face a life on her own without Johnny Chapman. She just gave up.”

“She had no one in her life other than Johnny, not really. I tried to be her friend but she  had no family. I have all of you.” Joe looked at his family sitting around the table with him. “It makes it so much easier to fight to stay when there’s so much to stay for.” Joe looked down, embarrassed that he had revealed so much of how he felt.

Ben stood from his chair, pulling his youngest son to his feet Ben hugged him tightly. “I thank God you feel like that, Joseph. I feel exactly the same way.” Looking at his two older sons Ben could see they had the same feelings. Ben Cartwright knew he was a very lucky man.


The End

January 2003

**** The characters of Johnny Chapman and Olive are from the episode titled “Invention of A Gunfighter.”  


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