I really, really want to thank my forever friend Leesa for helping me
put this story together, for saving it when my computer crashed, for proofing
it a million times for me when she was at times under the weather. This story
would have been history if not for her. I also want to thank Terri, for she
is the master mind behind my title. Thank you, Sis!
~PECK OF TROUBLE~
by Honeybear :”O)~
Ben Cartwright rode into town that snowy morning to fetch the mail. Stepping
inside the Postal office, he walked up to the counter. “Good morning, Miss
Kelly, is there any mail for me today?”
“Wait just one minute, Mr. Cartwright. I will get yours and the Sergeant’s
too, excuse me.“ Scooting off behind the iron gate barrier, Miss Kelly’s dress
swooshed as the air filled it.
Ben’s eyes scanned the room and fell upon his old friend Sergeant Billings,
who was commander of Fort Dobbs. “Jud! Jud Billings!” Ben boomed out in a
deep voice.
Turning to face the deep voice, the sergeant threw off a wide grin. “Ben!
Is that really you? Why it’s been what? Five years! My how the time flies,”
he said as they walked into a hand shake. “How old are those three little
boys of yours now? No wait! Let me! Little Joe must be what, sixteen now?
And from the looks of your peppered hair, the boy is a handful.” Putting his
hand upon his chin, Jud piped up, “Hmm, now Hoss? Even when he was
young, his size always threw me off with his age. He must be 21? And as big
as a bear by now. Then there’s Adam? We all know the age difference between
them is quite a gap. He’s 27, right?”
“Well, Jud, you were always up on the books, but just don’t go guessing
my age now, will you? Don’t let this snow on the roof fool you. You know
what they say! There might be a little dust on the bottle, but it just keeps
getting sweeter with time. Heck! I could still beat you in a game of
chess.”
“Is that a challenge Ben?”
“Well, it could be. Five years is a long time to go without Hop Sing’s good
cooking. What do you say, for old times sake? Ride back with me to the ranch?
The boys would love to see you again.” Looking outside the window, the snow
was falling down in more of an even pattern, turning into thick, heavy flakes.
“It’s a long ride back to the fort, Jud and this snow doesn’t seem to be letting
up.”
“Well now, come to think of it, a nice home cooked meal does sound inviting
and I could use some of that aged brandy to warm my bones. Okay, Ben, you
talked me into it. Just let me pick up the mail and wire the fort of my whereabouts.
I’m on official business, so to speak.”
“Oh, I see. Well, maybe you can fill me in on this official business and
the two of us can put our heads together in a game of chess, just like old
times.”
“You got yourself a deal, Ben.”
Back at the Ponderosa, the three boys were in the barn doing their daily
chores. Little Joe was lost in thought as he shoveled out Cochise’s stall.
Hoss and Adam stopped pitching hay to jab at their little brother.
Propping his elbow on Adam’s shoulder, Hoss said, “What do you suppose our
little brother has got his head lost up into the clouds for this morning?”
“Oh, come on, Hoss! There is a logical explanation for that. Suzie, at the
Merchandise store, remember yesterday in town? We had to practically pry our
little brother away from the poor girl.”
“Ha!” Hoss piped up.
“Or in other words, Hoss, puppy love.”
“Well! If that ain’t the cutest thing!” Hoss snickered and he couldn’t hold
it in. “Oh Suzie! You look so purtty and all.” Hoss placed the pitch fork
to his lips and said, “You want to hold me, you want to kiss me, you want
to love me!”
Standing back to watch the show, Adam folded his arms and looked on. He
was going to truly enjoy this, for he knew his little brother’s temper and
it was about to unleash.
Snapped back to reality, Little Joe’s face turned red with the thought that
his older brothers could read him so well. ****I’ll fix him,**** he said to
himself. Bending down, Little Joe picked up a big clump of manure and hay
with his shovel. There Hoss was, still chanting, “You want to hold me, you
want to kiss me, you want to love me,” using the handle of the pitch fork
as Suzie.
With his anger propelling the pile, Little Joe slung it with all his might
at his target. “Take that, you big dummy!”
“No! Wait, Little Joe! Ha ha ha!” Hoss ducked just in time, with gut
busting laughter, as the pile flew over his head, landing on top of Adam’s
with a splat!
“Oh! You’re going to get it now, you little tyrant!” Adam shook himself
off and rolled up his sleeves as he walked toward Little Joe, cornering him
into Cochises’ stall.
“Adam? Stop! It was an accident, honest! I meant to get Hoss. How was I
to know he was gonna duck?”
“Oh, Little Brother, if I were you, I’d run for the high hills,” Hoss said,
with a grin on his face.
“Adam? Please!”
Stalking his little brother, Adam looked on with vengeance.
“You’re scaring me, Adam! Stop it!” Little Joe couldn’t stand it any
longer, so he made his move. Dropping to the floor, he rolled under Adam’s
feet, out of the stall, fleeing the scene. Just as he was about to make his
exit, he felt two strong hands grabbing him by the waist, lifting him up into
the air. Adam then flung him over his shoulders as the kicking and screaming
little brother was carried out the door into the cold winter’s air.
“Adam! What are you gonna do with me? Put me down! Hoss! Make him stop!”
“Sorry, Little Joe, you’re on your own with this one.”
Walking toward the pile of snow, Adam dumped his little brother in head
first, leaving no signs of him underneath the snow.
“There! That ought to cool off our little brother!” Adam said. “Now Hoss,
if you will excuse me, I have to get a clean change of clothes. “
“Well, you better hurry Adam, cause here comes Little Joe.”
Jumping out of the pile of cold, sticky, wet snow, Little Joe barreled into
Adam with all his might. Fists were flying as he unleashed his anger. “I hate
you, Adam! You’re so mean.”
“Hold on there, Boy!” Adam grabbed Little Joe’s wrists to try and stop the
assault as they rolled on the ground. “I would much rather have a pile of
snow down my back than a pile of manure, Little Joe, so let’s end this now.”
Just then Hoss looked up as two horses rode into the yard. Kicking Adam’s
side, Hoss yelled out “Oh, hi Pa!”
Taking in the two boys scuffling on the cold, snowy ground, Pa was not too
happy with what he saw. He had just finished telling Jud how close all his
boys were. “What in the name of Pete is going on here? Adam! Let go of your
little brother and get up.” Jumping off his horse, Ben pulled Little Joe to
his feet. Brushing the snow off his body, Pa looked into the deep green eyes
of his youngest, whose teeth were chattering. “Joseph! You get into the house
this instant, you’re chilled to the bone, Boy!”
Wanting to escape the lecture, Little Joe wasted no time. ****Ha! Older
brother Adam’s gonna get it good now,**** he thought, as he walked into the
ranch house. Turning to Adam, he stuck out his tongue to get the last say.
“Pa, wait, I can explain!” Adam busted out. “We were just funnin with the
kid. You know how Little Joe is, Pa. His temper always gets the best of him,
that’s all. He shouldn’t dish it out if he can’t take it.”
“Yes, I know how my son is and for that matter, so should you. You were
suppose to use your better judgment while I was gone, instead of acting younger
then Little Joe. Seems to me you have some energy to unbottle!? Well,
let’s start off by riding down to the south pasture after dinner to check
on the herd of cattle. This snow is coming down pretty heavy and I want to
make sure things are okay over there. Now get! As for you Hoss, do you have
anything to say on this matter?”
“Not me, Sir! No sir!” With that, Hoss walked into the house, with the others
close behind him.
Warming his little posterior by the hearth, Little Joe stood there with
a blanket draped around his shoulders due to Hop Sing’s mothering, with a
cup of hot apple cider warming up his hands.
Hoss walked up next to his little brother and gave him a wink. Little Joe
could never stay mad at Hoss for long; they were that close, but older brother
Adam was just plain too bossy.
Ushering the men in, Hop Sing said, “You come in by the fire, bring hot
apple cider to chase the cold away.”
“Hot diggety! Hot apple cider. Make mine a double, Hop Sing!”
“You already had fill, no drink all Hop Sing’s apples, give you an upset
stomach.”
Little Joe snickered into his cup. “Yeah, Hoss, those skunks out yonder
smell better then you do! P! U!”
“JOSEPH! Hold your tongue, Boy!”
“Hop Sing?” Ben piped up, “Will you put another place setting at the table?
Sergeant Billings from Fort Dobbs will be staying for dinner tonight.”
“Why you not tell Hop Sing this morning!? Hop Sing no like surprises!“
Turning away, no one saw the pleased look on Hop Sing’s face and the delight
in his eyes. He loved to show off his cooking and would have fed the whole
fort if given the chance. Ben knew this and couldn’t be fooled.
Ben, Jud and the boys took in the peaceful warmth of the fire as they spoke
among themselves, sipping on the warm cider.
While Hop Sing readied the dinner table, one by one placing first the glazed
ham and yams, along with the baby peas and the home made buttermilk biscuits.
He worked back and forth until the table was finally set.
Hoss was trying to keep up with the conversation, but the delightful scent
got the best of him as his stomach grumbled loudly.
Pa looked up at Hoss, due to his lack of manners.
“Excuse me, Pa! I can’t help it! Them fixens and all are making me plum
hungry just smelling them.”
Little Joe threw off a fit of laughter as another round of Hoss’ roaring
stomach began to grumble.
Putting his hand up, Pa motioned them both to be quiet.
The Sergeant was explaining to Ben how he was in dire need of some mustangs
after most of them got wiped out due to an attack by the Paiutes.
Ben was all too aware of them on the uprise. The Paiutes were not happy
with the fact that they had to move yet again from their native land.
There was a lot of blood shed among livestock lost in that battle.
Sergeant Billings stressed that he needed to purchase at least a dozen or
more mustangs by the end of the month and was hoping Ben could help him in
the matter. Jud knew Ben and his boys were well known when it came to their
top breed horses and he was willing to pay top dollar for them.
“Well, Jud,” Adam piped up, “the Ponderosa has plenty of healthy horses,
but not a lot of the mustangs that you are stressing.”
That’s when Hoss jumped in and said, “Pa, you know I have had my eyes on
a string of wild horses down by the Truckee strip. Just say the word and I
can rustle up a few men and go after them.”
“Hey! Can I go too, Pa?” Joe asked.
Adam piped up, “Sure you can go, when your name is Daniel Boone.”
Little Joe shot him daggers spitting out of his eyes.
“Nobody said anything about anybody going anywhere and for that matter,
no! You may not, young man! Not while the Indians are still on the war path,
Hoss,” Pa stated.
Hoss suddenly knew how Little Joe felt all those times older brother Adam
called him kid. “But Pa? Ifen there’s anybody who knows anything about tracking
wild horses or Indians, it’s me. I have a nose for them. Ain’t no redskin
gonna out smart me.”
“You know Ben, Hoss may have something there, if I might interupt?” Ben
nodded his head for Jud to continue. “What if I provide the men, Ben? I have
plenty of able bodies at the fort, and your boy would be well protected.
As a matter of fact, I have two new recruits that could use a good lesson
in life. They will be meeting me in town tomorrow with a few of my lieutenants.”
Looking into Hoss’ blue eyes, Pa said, “You really want to do this, Son?”
“Yes Sir! I do.”
Ben could read his boys so well and knew Hoss was excited about roping the
wild herd of mustangs grazing on bottom land. He had done nothing but talk
about them for the past week.
“Ben? How’s about for every one your boy catches and breaks, I’ll give you
one hundred dollars a head.”
“Jud, with an offer like that, who could turn it down? Looks like we’ve
got ourselves a deal.”
“Wonderful, Ben! You won’t regret this.”
“We’ll draw up a contract right after dinner, Jud.” The two agreed,
with a handshake to seal it.
Just then, Hop Sing entered the room, “Dinner get cold! You come eat lickitee
split or I will throw away!”
“Hot dog!” Hoss said, as he nearly ran over his little brother.
“Hoss, mind your manners, Boy, have you forgotten we’ve got company?”
“Oh, sorry Pa! After you Jud, Pa, Adam. As for you, Shortshanks, you can
wait!” Hoss said with a playful jab to Joe’s stomach.
“Thanks a lot, Hoss!”
As they all sat around the table filling their plates with the feast, Jud
said, “Well Ben, I see things are still the same. If I may say, food to Hoss
is like girls to Little Joe. Am I right, Ben?”
“Oh boy! You pegged those two on the head, Jud.”
“Yeah Pa, you should’ve seen Little Romeo yesterday. Hoss and I nearly had
to pry our little brother off the poor girl at the merchandise store.”
“Did not! Was just looking, that’s all.”
“All right you two, let’s enjoy our dinner please. And Adam? You better
get going soon here, Son. I want a report on those cattle by morning.”
Taking his last sip of coffee, Adam stood up and said, “Right on it, Pa!”
Hours later, the clock chimed eleven as the night flew by with a few too
many sips of brandy during the chess game, followed by a story from Jud.
Little Joe’s eyes were closing and sleep to him was drawing near.
“Joseph! Son!” Pa tried to break through his sleep.
Little Joe was dreaming of his date tomorrow with Suzie as he was being
shot back to the present.
“Joseph!? Why don’t you head for bed, Son? It’s late, you have had a long
day. Tomorrow you and I will be going into town with the Sergeant and Hoss.
I have papers to document.”
Just then, Little Joe’s eyes popped wide open. “No Pa! You can’t, I mean
I can’t!” All Little Joe had on his mind lately was girls, girls, girls, and
his hormones were taking over his thoughts.
“Oh yes, I can or have you forgotten who your Pa is?”
Showing his displeasure, Little Joe stood up from the settee, crossed his
arms and stomped his boot on the pine floor boards, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Aw Pa! I have a date. I promised her we would go for a ride down by the lake."
Hoss could sense the storm was about to unleash as he nudged his little
brother to be silent. "Hush up, Youngen!"
Ben’s deep voice broke in, “There’s more to running a ranch then traipsing
off to God knows where with a girl. There’s work to be done, Boy and if you
want to live under this roof, to be a Cartwright, you will abide by my rules.”
Looking into his son’s deep green eyes, Pa said, "Joseph, there’s all the
time in the world for you, Boy. Slow down, you’re moving too fast. If this
young girl, Suzie cares about you, she'll understand.”
The next morning, all went into town after a hearty breakfast. Jud
and Ben were in the lawyers office documenting the contract. The boys were
told to wait outside, but Little Joe’s mind was on the little girl in the
Merchandise store. Trying to make his escape, he slid out his words real
fast. “ Hoss, I’ll be right back, see ya!"
Grabbing Little Joe by the elbow, Hoss stopped him in his tracks. “Oh no,
you don't, Bigshorty! Wait just a dad burn minute! Where do you think you’re
going? Pa told us to wait here!”
Little Joe was always a good con-artist in convincing Hoss. With the looks
of a pure angel, Little Joe said, “Why Hoss, I just want to take a look at
those new boots displayed in the store window. I’ll just be a minute.”
“Yeah, okay, Little Joe, but you be careful now, ya here? And if I catch
you in that store bothering little miss Suzie, I’ll yank you out of there
by your britches. If Pa were to catch you, he would be doing a lot worse!"
Little Joe was out of ear shot by then as he walked off toward the center
of town.
Moments later, Hoss turned around as he heard the laughter of his Pa and
Jud coming out of the lawyer’s office.
“Well Hoss, everything is official. We now have ourselves a contract to
meet by the end of the month.” Looking around, Ben’s deep brown eyes searched
the area for Little Joe. “Hoss, where is your young brother!?”
“Oh, sorry Pa, he’s across the street looking at them boots in the window,
but he ain’t fooling me none, Pa. Little brother has got what you call puppy
love.”
“He does, does he? Well not if I have something to say about it. JOSEPH!!
You’ve just two seconds to get your little hide over here.”
Gulping down the lump in his throat as he heard his Pa’s voice, Little Joe
gave once last wink at Suzie through the store window as he turned and scooted
across the street. Not looking where he was going, he almost got clobbered
by four men dressed in uniform riding fast on their horses.
Hoss was quick to grab his brother’s jacket and hoist him out of the way,
just in the nick of time.
Shaking his head, Ben grabbed his boy and made him stand next to him.
“Don’t you move, Young Man! Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes sir!” Little Joe said as he looked down at his boots.
“Ben, don’t look now but I think you just got a few more grays!”
“Ha! Ha! Very funny, Jud.”
Dismounting, the four men approached Jud. The oldest of the bunch piped
up, “Sergeant! Reporting for duty, Sir!”
“At ease, Hank! Ben, I would like you to meet Hank, Jake, Trent and Kull.
Hank and Jake have been with the Fort for several years now and have saved
me from more than one sticky situation.” The two men turned to shake Ben’s
hand as Jud continued on, “As for these two, they’re new recruits. They were
ordered by the district judge in San Francisco to work off their wrong deeds
of the past years. If they don’t toe the line in my outfit, they shall be
sent back to spend quite a few years in the state prison.”
Ben didn’t like the thought of two convicts being recruited to help Hoss,
but deep in his heart he always tried to give everyone a second chance, even
if it involved the biggest of his sons.
“If you don’t mind, Jud, just what did these two men do?”
“Mostly petty theft Ben, breaking up saloons, stealing wallets and stuff.”
Hoss looked the two shady fellows over. He knew right off they were nothing
but trouble. One was a tall, thin man with a curled mustache, the other one
was about the same height but built like a lumberjack. They must not have
done much hard labor over the years, by the looks of things. One clue was
their shiny new gun belts the Fort supplied for them. They were tied very
high above their waistline. They looked out of sorts wearing them. It was
plain to see they had no experience in using a gun and were probably more
dangerous because they didn’t know how to shoot one either. Hoss would just
have to keep an eye on the two for his peace of mind.
Little Joe jumped in, “Hey, Pa? What ya gonna do with all that money?
Woo wee! One hundred dollar a head will come in mighty handy. Can I go too,
Pa? I can work off that new saddle I’ve been asking you for!”
“Joseph! Keep to yourself, Boy!”
“But Pa, I........”
“JOSEPH!” That’s all Ben needed, his boy running his mouth about the contract
in front of two well known petty theft convicts. Ben always tried to give
a person the benefit of the doubt, but things were not leaning in their favor
right at the moment. “You, young man! Get on your horse and ride home. You
will not be involved in this operation, is that clear?”
With anger in his eyes, Little Joe did as he was told and mounted up on
Cochise. Kicking him into a trot, Little Joe vanished from sight around the
corner.
“Ben, if you have any ill feelings about these two men, I can wire the fort
and have them replaced, but I assure you, they will be on their best behavior.”
“Nonsense, Jud! I just don’t think a sixteen year old should be involved
in this. There has been too much blood loss already and my youngest son will
not be among the next. Have your men be at bottom land about one hour from
now.”
“You’ve your orders, men, and from here on out you will be answering to
Hoss. I must get back to the fort, Ben. Someone has to keep it running smoothly.”
Ben Cartwright mounted his horse. Waving to his friend, he headed toward
the ranch.
Out of eye sight, Little Joe didn’t exactly follow his Pa’s orders. His
intentions were good until he spotted his friend Mitch walking up the boardway.
Shouting out, “Hey! Mitch, over here, “ he then bragged to Mitch about how
he was in charge of breaking some horses for Fort Dobbs.
****That would surely impress Suzie if it ever got spread through town,
**** he thought to himself.
Mitch was shocked as he spoke out. “Joe!? Your Pa left you in charge of
all of this? Seems like a bit much to swallow for you, don’t it?”
"Naw! Don’t worry Mitch, somehow I always have one of my babysitters around
to help me out.” They both started to laugh as they watched Hoss step down
from the boardway and into the street, going toward the general store.
Hoss needed to pack up the wagon with the supplies they would be needing for
the job.
Meanwhile, the two men, Trent and Kull, were cunning and slick as they waited
for their next move. Making a fast buck for a living is what they did best
and they didn’t care to be on duty for long as they followed their orders.
Trent piped up, “We might have to bluff it for a bit and do some work for
a change, but if we play our cards right, that kid is as good as ours, or
should I say, that money is a good as ours.”
Kull took another swig from his flask he had hidden inside his shirt and
said, “I’m with you, Trent!” Turning the corner, riding behind the two lieutenants,
Kull spotted the kid Cartwright and looked him up and down. A painted on grin
formed on his face. Elbowing Trent, he said, “This will be like taking candy
from a baby.”
Things were going as planned, that is, until Hoss looked up, only to spot
his little brother still in town. Dropping what he was doing, he walked up
behind him, giving Mitch a fair warning not to say a word. Wrapping his large
fingers around Little Joe’s arm and squeezing it, leaving deep
impression marks, Hoss yanked Little Joe off the boardway and down the street.
“Shortshanks! You’re getting mighty big for your own britches. I just might
have to take you down a peg or two.”
“Ouch! Hoss let go, will ya? That hurts! I was just heading home, honest!”
Spinning his little brother around, Hoss piped up, “Well, ifen I was you,
youngen, I would be riding mighty hard and fast, cause Pa just said his goodbyes
to the Sergeant and is on his way home as we speak, to deal with you.“
Anger started to build up inside Little Joe and his eyes started to sting
as the tears filled them. “Hoss, all I want to do is help and everybody is
telling me no. How am I suppose to prove myself to you, Adam or Pa if you
all won’t let me do anything. I can out ride, out rope and out break those
bronks better then anyone Pa will ever try to hire. You’re acting like older
brother Adam, Hoss. What am I, just a stupid kid in your eyes, too?”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Dadburnit, Joe, I just don’t want
you jumping into things over your head, that's all. I love ya, you’re my little
brother.” Putting his big arm around Little Joe’s shoulder, Hoss choked up
and said, “Awe, forget it for now, Pumpkin, you better ride home and be quick
about it.”
“Hoss! You’re not even listening to what I was saying! Oh, just forget it!”
Grabbing Cochise’s reins, Little Joe vaulted on his back and sped off out
of town, but he had no intention of going home, as he waited for Hoss to pay
the man at the store.
Hoss walked back toward town with his head down low, upset at the outcome
of things, as he disappeared into the store.
Little Joe rode back into town and handed Mitch Cochise, asking him to send
the horse home, as he slipped underneath the canvas covering the supplies
in the back of Hoss’ wagon.
“Little Joe!” Ben yelled from the courtyard, “The least you could do is
take care of your horse.” Shaking his head, he made a mental note to speak
to his boy after he bedded down the horses for the night. Knocking on his
youngest son’s door, Ben had all the intensions of having a little heart
to heart talk with his boy, but as he continued to knock, having no answer
behind the door, Ben decided to soften up just a bit and figured his boy
was tired and he would let it keep till the morning.
There was a thunderous noise as the ground began to shake. From around the
ridge came a raging herd of wild mustangs. Their eyes were wild with fear
as they ran into the canyon, kicking up rocks and dirt as they fled. The leader
of the bunch was a big black. He was throwing his head back, shaking his
long black mane, all the while snorting and telling them danger was about.
Bringing the wagon to a halt, the bigger of the bunch took off his tall
white hat and wiped his brow. He had been riding for almost an hour now and
was well out of reach of the Ponderosa. ****Dad burn it! That sun sure is
beating down like the devil,**** Hoss thought to himself as he took another
swig of his canteen. Just then he noticed a sudden movement from underneath
the canvas. Pulling it back, Little Joe looked up at his big brother with
a sheepish grin. Grabbing him by his jacket, Hoss propelled Little Joe up
over the flatbed and onto the front seat. “Of all the lame brain ideas! You
had every intention of going all along, didn’t you?”
Unable to speak due to the hot sun beating down on him, Hoss passed his
canteen over to his little brother, who was looking mighty parched. Little
Joe wiped his mouth as he gulped it down. Hoss added, “Looks like I got you
now. You better enjoy yourself, Shortshanks, cause when Pa finds out you’re
missing, oh Lordy!“
Reaching bottom land, Hoss and Little Joe rode up to Hank and his men. Hank
looked at Hoss with a puzzled expression on his face after seeing Little Joe.
Hoss added, “It’s a long story! Hank, just know this, my little brother
here will be working by my side the whole time and without any guff. He will
enjoy his time in the saddle cause when our Pa catches up with him, he won’t
be sitting for a long time to come. Now those mustangs just headed
past here less then a half an hour ago, look.” Stepping off the wagon, Hoss
pointed at the tracks the wild mustangs left behind in their wake. Looking
up ahead, Hoss said, “There is no way out for them up ahead. Hank, you head
them off down the path. Jake, you and the boys come up around the sides.
Little Joe and I will ride up the center. We almost got them boxed in.”
"Right Hoss!"
Thunderous noises could still be heard echoing up the sides of Cedar Ridge
Canyon as the wild mustangs were being pushed by the riders from all angles,
deeper within.
Little Joe’s eyes were as big as marbles while taking a swig of the warm
canteen water. “Woo we! Hoss, did you get a load of them tracks? Can’t believe
there are so many.”
“Yeah, well I aim on bringing them back, so let’s get a move on, before
they get an itchen to break out of this here canyon."
Trent and Kull were behind Little Joe on their horses as Hoss noticed one
of them pushing something back inside his shirt. He knew all too well what
Kull was up to. Clearing his throat as he spoke, Hoss said, "You two gonna
participate some time today, or what?"
Kull piped up, "I'm trying to keep up, but I ain’t use to this; my backside
is killing me from riding so fast and long."
Trent jabbed Kull to get his attention. Whispering, he said, "You're gonna
blow it for us, you idiot! And keep that flask hidden, ya hear!?"
"Come on, Joe, we're wasting our time on these two fellows. You two switch
places with us and head back to the corral. I'll deal with you then."
Little Joe gave the two men a sympathetic look as he turned to them and
said, "You better do as he says. I ain't getting between you and my older
brother."
The Cartwright boys rode into the canyon with their lariats flying overhead.
The black led the herd around in circles, trying to dodge the intruders. After
several attempts, Little Joe was the first to lasso the neck of the big,
black mustang. He tightened the lasso just in time, but the mustang was not
giving up without a fight. He reared up in the air and thrashed at the little
man in front of him.
With just inches away, Hoss yelled out, “Hold tight, Little Joe, don’t let
go!” But the black was too strong for Joe to hold. With a twist of the horse’s
broad neck and chest, Little Joe came flying out of his saddle.
Hoss had to act fast as he dropped his lariat and wrapped his brawny arms
around his little brother, pulling him back safely into his saddle, while
grabbing the rope with his other hand. “You okay, Little Joe?”
Settling the butterflies that had stirred in his stomach, he answered in
a shaky voice, “Don’t worry about me, Hoss, I got him.”
“Sure you do! Now let’s tie him in, ready?” With Hoss’ brute strength and
a bit of Little Joe’s, they managed to rope the big black a second time.
Minutes later, Hank and his crew had the rest of the mustangs rounded up,
ready to be escorted out of the canyon.
Hoss led the sparking leader out first, with the others following close
behind, out of the canyon, toward camp. They soon had their hands full as
the big black kicked and fussed throughout his journey, upsetting the rest
as they went.
The two Cartwright brothers took their turns taming down the big black and
as the afternoon passed on, it was plain to see it was taking its toll on
Little Joe. His arms were aching and his whole body was showing the signs
of fatigue, even though he was too stubborn to admit it.
. “Here, Little Joe, let me take him for awhile. You done yourself in, boy.”
Hoss had no intention of giving the mustang back to his little brother as
he reached over and grabbed the reins.
Giving a weak smile, Little Joe didn’t protest as he slouched into his saddle.
Daylight had turned into dusk as they entered the camp site. Hoss watched
the sunset change from orange to red as Trent and Kull rode up to meet their
newly found boss.
Chuckling out loud, Kull spat to Trent, “Will you get a load of the sleeping
beauty in the saddle!? Can’t keep up with the big boys! Ha ha! What a baby!
Better send him packing home to his MAMA ! He looks too wet behind the ears
to be roping mustangs."
Trent was about to shut up Kull, but was cut to the chase by Hoss, as he
looked into his angry blue eyes.
Hoss Cartwright had just about had enough of Kull’s cocky attitude as he
spun around to grab his little brother’s reins, making sure he was safe in
his saddle. Glaring up at Kull, Hoss grabbed him by the collar and said, “Listen
to me very closely, Mister! If I were the both of you, I’d be
toeing the line here. You better keep your dirty, no good comments to yourself!"
Spitting as he spoke on, Hoss said, "If you ever touch my little brother,
I will pound you into sand, like the dirt that you are. Have I made myself
clear? This kid has been eating dust since this morning and as for the likes
of you two, he surely can run circles around ya. In my eyes, three strikes
and you’re out. This is your second one, now get!” With a mighty push, Kull
almost went head over heels out of his saddle. Turning their horses back to
camp, the two grumbled back and forth,
contemplating on what to do next, as the other men herded the wild mustangs
into the corral.
“Why can’t you shut your big mouth, Kull? You’re going to blow this whole
gig for the both of us. From now on, I’ll do all the talking, ya hear?”
Hoss dismounted Chubb and walked around to Cochise. Signaling for Jake to
bed down the horses, he then pulled his little brother out of his saddle.
“Take the saddle and bedroll over by the fire, we’ll be there in a minute.”
“Sure seems tuckered out, Hoss. Need any help?”
“Naw! I can handle this half pint, you just tend to what I asked. And make
dang sure those horses are secured in the corral now, ya hear? Don't want
to do all this hard work for nothing. Joe! We’re here, come on now, you don’t
want me carrying you down into camp, do ya?”
As the words entered his sleep filled head, Little Joe’s eyes popped open.
Pushing his brother away, he looked around the camp site to make sure no one
had seen them. . “Heck no, I don’t! Let me alone, Hoss! I can walk!” At sixteen,
Little Joe was not about to be babied by his big brother.
Grinning a bit, Hoss let go.“ Okay, then let’s get a moving. I want to address
the men. We start first thing in the morning, so why don’t you get your bedroll
and some rest?”
The next morning was very cold; even so, the men rose to start the day,
but Little Joe had other plans of sleeping in, underneath his warm bedroll.
Hoss decided he would wait till after the coffee was brewed before he would
attempt to wake him up. Passing the coffee kettle around to the older men
by the campfire, one by one they filled their cups. Once again, Hoss noticed
Kull pushing something back into his shirt as he bent down to wake up Little
Joe. "Little Brother! You better wake up ifen you want first dibs on those
mustangs. The men are itchen to get started, so let’s move!"
Little Joe shot out his hand to grab the coffee cup Hoss was holding over
his head. Hoss continued on. "I figured these two over here could be good
canteen boys. They better show me some work out of the day."
Trent gulped down his bitter coffee in a gruff, while Kull enjoyed his spiked
brew with a smile.
As the day went on, the men worked hard breaking the horses. Trent and Kull,
even though with empty hearts, did their part, running back and forth with
the canteens.
Hoss made sure the wild mustangs were saddled and cinched real tight.
Hank, his hands, and Little Joe, had managed to break around five mustangs
throughout the day and Hoss was mighty pleased at the pace.
Walking back to the fence after being dumped for the third time, Little
Joe held onto his backside as he spoke, "Woo we! That one sure does have
a kick, even my boots are aching.”
Kull piped up, “Hey! Why don't you take a swig of this here canteen, kid?
It will make you feel better!” Kull had spiked it with rot gut for his own
benefit that morning.
Not giving it a thought, Little Joe thanked the man in front of him and
took a long drink of the canteen. "This tastes funny Kull, are you sure this
is water?"
"Course it is, kid! Maybe the water has been setting too long and you’re
drinking the bottom of the canteen! That could surely change the taste of
the water, it truly can."
"You’re probably right.” Brushing it off, Little Joe said, “How’s
about telling Jake I 'm ready for that mustang again? Ain't no fiery brood
going to get the best of Little Joe Cartwright."
"Oh, this I got to see!" ***Now we’re finally going to have some fun out
of the day,*** Kull thought to himself.
Minutes later, Little Joe was back on top of the wild mustang. "Let her
go, Jake!" She was a beautiful thing, tan, with just a drop of white on her
nose. Her nostrils were flaring as she smelled the stranger upon her back.
In a flash, she took off, swinging and kicking her body with all her might
once again.
Hoss and Hank had just walked up to the fence to watch the show. “Come on,
Little Brother, ride her! Keep a good grip on her now, ya here!”
“Show me what you got, boy!” Hank piped up.
Kull was snickering the whole time as he took a deep swig of the canteen
Little Joe had just drunk out of. “Hey, Trent! Looks like the kid has a bit
of liquid courage in him. He he!"
"Kull, if you’re saying what I think you’re saying, you probably just cooked
our gooses. That older brother of his is on to us and if his kid brother gets
hurt because of you, he will surely take us both up on his threat. Or have
you forgotten about us being pounded into sand?"
"Aw! I ain't afraid of nothing! Let him try. We're the same size, well just
about, and I bet ya I can take him and that little squirt brother of his with
one hand tied behind my back!"
"Let’s hope it don't come down to that. Come on.'' The two stood on the
opposite side of the fencing, watching as Little Joe tried to handle the
bucking mustang. His mind drifted as he pictured Suzie sitting next to him
in a buggy ride. **** How lucky he would be, they will be the talk of the
town. *** He felt kind of funny, light headed, so to speak. Maybe it was
the sun?
Sensing the young man’s leg grip loosening upon her back, the mustang made
her move. With all her might, she bucked the weight off her back, sending
it flying into the fencing with a tremendous crash!
Trent and Kull just stood there without a care, while Hoss and Hank ran
toward his little brother’s side. Whether it was just pure luck or a lot
of pure liquor, Little Joe ended up just knocking himself out for the time
being, with a good knot on his head. He woke up by the campfire hours later,
laying on his bed roll. His head pounded so, as he reached up, touching the
cool cloth upon his forehead, moaning at the slightest movement.
"Just take it easy, Little Brother! You got yourself quite a bump there."
"Oh Hoss! What happened? Did I break her? Did I break the mustang?"
"Yeah, Shortshanks, you sure did; that, along with about a foot of fencing.
And I thought I was the one in the family who had a hard head.” Patting his
little brother on the leg, Hoss said, "Get some rest, Joe! You’re all done
for the day!"
"Hoss? I’m sorry! Please? I don’t want to go home.” Licking his dry lips,
Hoss passed Little Joe the canteen as he went on, “I don't know what happened.
One minute I was talking to Kull, complaining of my backside hurting. Then
the next minute, I was up on the mare. Looking back on it now, that was awful
nice of Kull to give me his canteen of water, but ya know what, Hoss? It tasted
mighty funny like.”
"Yeah, I bet it tasted awful funny!” Hoss was scanning the camp for Trent
and Kull. They were nowhere to be found. Somehow Hoss had a hunch that Kull
was the cause of Little Joe’s accident.
Just around the trees, Kull was complaining about the labor they had done
all day. "I’m through playing water boy, Trent, let’s pick their pockets and
ride out of here. Maybe we can get away with one of those fancy horses, too.
They could bring us a shiny penny."
"You just sit tight! Tonight we will put our plan into action."
Later on that night, Little Joe had awakened with a pounding headache. He
didn’t mean to sleep so much and for the life of him, couldn’t figure out
why he was so tired. Little did he know, it was not just from the fall. He
gathered himself enough so he would not be babied by his brother, Hoss, in
front of all the men at the camp, as he sat up on his bedroll, sliding on
his boots.
Keeping a close eye on Little Joe, Hoss walked up to him. “Little Joe!
I’ll be back in a few! The boys and I are going to water and feed the horses.“
Looking down at Little Joe, Hoss piped up from the little response he gave
him, “You okay, Shortshanks? You still look mighty peaked.”
Waving his hand in response, Little Joe answered his brother. His head pounded
too much for him to speak and he hoped his response satisfied Hoss.
“Okay Joe, but I don’t want to see you up and around, you still look mighty
shaky to me.”
Meanwhile, Trent and Kull were about to put their plan into action. Walking
over to the campfire, the two sat down next to Little Joe. "Hey kid! That
was mighty fancy work you did on that mustang, and you done caught them by
yourself?"
Looking up at Kull, Little Joe said, "Heck me? No! I wish, Mister! My older
brother Hoss and the boys did most of the labor. I just happened to be a bit
faster with a rope, that's all."
"Well now, Trent, I think this calls for a celebration, don't you? Here,
hand me those cups." Kull pulled out a bottle of rot gut from his waist line
and filled the three coffee cups up to the brim. Passing them out, he said,
“Here kid, drink up! A toast to you and your big brother for hiring us on
the job." In one gulp, the two men emptied their cups. "Well? Come on, kid!
Down the hatch!" Kull said, pushing the cup toward Little Joe's mouth, spilling
some onto his lap.
Little Joe didn't have the nerve to tell them that he had never drank before.
He wanted to show them he was man, too. So taking a deep breath, Little Joe
started to gulped down the liquid in the cup. As he paused, he could taste
the nasty liquor and tried to stop, but Kull helped him on. Coughing and gagging,
it burnt as it went down.
Kull started to laugh. "Don't you want to join our party, kid? Looks like
you’re true to your name, ‘LITTLE JOE’!” Drinking one cup full of rot
gut was like drinking a whole bottle for Little Joe and it didn’t take long
for the liquor to set in.
Minutes later, seeing that the kid was starting to feel the effects of the
liquor, both Trent and Kull worked on him. "So kid, just about how much did
you say old Jud was gonna pay your pa? One hundred dollars a head for those
wild horses of yours? And when did he figure on doing this?”
Little Joe looked puzzled. “How did you know?”
“Why, you done told us kid, don’t you remember?”
“Yeah! Sure, that's it,” Trent said, “and you told us you would give us
a bonus in advance, to buy lots of booze, too!"
"Shut up, Kull!" Shaking Little Joe by his shoulders, Trent said, “Hey kid!
Wake up! Are you listening to me? You said your Pa was getting one hundred
dollars a head, now where is it, kid?”
Before Little Joe could gather his senses, his cup was filled up once more,
as they pressed him to drink. He could feel one of them in his jacket pocket,
looking for something, as the other helped him drink the contents in the cup
again. The burning sensation was too much for Little Joe to hold in and this
time he spit out the rot gut, spraying it into the fire, which set off a
flame, causing several bedrolls to catch a blaze. The two men jumped back
just in time. Little Joe tried to get up, but his head felt awfully
fuzzy and his whole world began to spin. Frustrated by the fact that
they almost got burnt and that their plan had backfired, Kull kicked Little
Joe in his side. "Where is it, kid? We ain’t got much time left, out with
it!" Little Joe didn't take the kick to the side too well, as he threw up
the rot rut all over Kull’s boots, which only enraged him even more as he
landed several more kicks to his side.
“The kid ain’t gonna talk, he’s too plastered, Kull. Quit kicking him!”
“I'll get that money if I have to beat it out of him! I ain't eaten a good
day’s meal in who knows when. I’m sick of beans, beans, beans. Hey, maybe
the kid has it in his boot! That's where I would hide stuff." Pulling off
Little Joe's boot, Kull shook it and tapped at the bottom of the boot, only
to come up empty. He threw the boot down in a huff.
“Hurry up, Kull, we ain’t got much time, find it!" Turning his head, Trent
saw the big man in the white hat running toward them. "Holy Cow! Let’s get
out of here now!”
“I'll be back, kid! This ain't over by a long shot." With one last kick
to the side, Kull took off on foot, with Trent leading the way into the woods.
"Hey! What about our horses?"
"Will you just run! Come on!"
Hoss' head snapped around from the noise as he saw the flames licking up
around Little Joe’s bedroll. Being a big man, no one excepted him to take
off like a buck, jumping over the logs near the campfire. Hoss stomped out
the fire on the bedroll and snuffed out the rest with one sweep of his big
boot, before the other men got back to the camp. Kicking the empty liquor
bottle into the woods, Hoss cussed himself for not keeping a closer eye on
the two like he had promised, as he heard the snapping of twigs and broken
tree limbs due to Kull and Trent descending into the woods going AWOL. Turning
around, he knelt down next to Little Joe, putting his hand on
his side. Little Joe started to moan as Hoss pressed down on his aching
body. Hoss
wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth and then gathered his
little brother into his arms. “Pumpkin! Exactly where do you hurt, boy? What
happened?”
Slurring his words, Little Joe tried to talk. “Hossssss! I didn’t tell them,
I wear!"
"Didn't tell them? About what, Pumpkin?"
“Didn’t tell them bout the money, Hosssssssss.” Little Joe was so drunk,
he could hardly talk. He looked up at Hoss and started to laugh. "Ha ha ha!"
“Little Joe, stop that now, ya hear! You’re scaring me. Just what is tickling
your side over this anyhow?”
“I ......... srrrrhhound like Hoop Sing ..............Huss! Ha Ha!” Little
Joe fell into an uncontrollable fit of laughter again, as he heard himself
talk. "No speaky English!"
“Hank, can I put Little Joe in your tent for the night? I think he’s got
some busted ribs, along with a bit too much rot gut.” Not waiting for an answer,
Hoss gathered up his laughing little brother into his arms and walked with
him into the tent. Mumbling to himself, Hoss said, ****Strike three fellers!
You’re out!**** Coming back to his thoughts, Hoss witnessed what rot gut
could do to a young fool kid.
“Wee! I can’t feel my feet, Hussss! I’m floating on air, whoopee! I can
fly!”
“Sure you can and so will Trent and Kull, when I get my hands on them.”
Trying to settle Little Joe down on the cot was not an easy task for Hoss.
He was wiry as a pole cat. Little Joe was so drunk, those broken ribs of
his never even bothered him as he slipped away from Hoss’ grip. Little Joe
started to hallucinate. Putting his finger up to his mouth, he whispered,
"Shhhh, Husssss! Shadows on the tent! They’re back for the money. Let’s smash
them!" Just as Little Joe was about to dash out of the tent, he noticed that
he only had on one boot. His expression turned from happy to sad as he piped
up, "Hey, Huss? They took my boot! My sock is all dirty!” Snickering, out
loud, Little Joe said, “................. No ticky!.....................No
laundry!"
Hoss put his arm around Little Joe’s shoulder and turned him around. "I
think that's about enough for the day, Little Buddy. I’ll be glad to smash
them for you later, now time for bed!" Setting him back down on the cot,
Little Joe yelled out, “Whoopee!” as Hoss took off his other boot, he then
made Little Joe lay down. "Now, Shortshanks! I don't want no more nonsense
out of you. Let me tend to your ribs, so you can get some rest."
Looking up at Hoss, Little Joe grabbed his sleeve. Gripping it tight, he
said, "Don’t let them get in Hussss! They're tricky, they have liquor!” As
his eyes began to close, Little Joe's last words were, “Huss? The room is
spinning, make it stop! Please make it go away!"
Finally Hoss was able to tend to his little brother's ribs. Alarmed, he
found several broken ones from the beating. He wrapped them tight with one
of Hank’s clean shirts he had ripped up. Hoss' stomach just about turned
over as he saw how badly scratched and bruised Little Joe was from the numerous
kicks to the stomach. Instead of tears filling his eyes, rage took its place.
Walking over to the foot of the cot, he covered his little brother’s bare
chest with the thick, warm blanket. Squeezing his shoulder, Hoss said, “I
should’ve pegged them fellers from the start, Little Joe. Can’t hardly blame
this on you, heck you’re just a youngen with a poor sense of direction, that’s
all.” As he pushed back his untamed curls, Hoss felt the rage building up
in him, almost to the boiling point, at the thought of anyone harming his
little brother in such a way.
Stoking the fire with a big stick, Hoss’ thoughts were elsewhere that night.
Hank was whittling next to him by the campfire as he spoke out, "Hoss?!
You gonna roast us alive tonight, or what?"
"Don't know about that, but I do know one thing’s for dang sure. I will
be roasting two varmints once I get my hands on them. I’ve always been afraid
what these will do, ifen I loose control of my senses,” Hoss said, as he held
up his big hands. “Some how Hank, none of that seems to matter right about
now . Them varmints have hurt Little Joe bad, real bad. They have to come
back sooner or later for their horses and when they do, they're mine." Hoss
then smashed his fist into the palm of his hand.
The rest of the men didn’t dare make a sound as they rolled over facing
the campfire, not wanting to invite the brunt of his anger. All went quiet
after some time.
Peering through the trees in the darkness of the night, Kull was itching
to make his move, but Trent said otherwise.
“No, you idiot! Can’t you see they’ll be waiting for us? Just hold tight
for a few more hours; once they’re asleep, then we’ll stow into the camp and
get the kid and our horses.”
“Yeah and don’t forget, I ain’t riding out on that old nag of mine either!
I aim on getting me one of those fancy looking horses. As soon as we’re into
camp, I’m saddling me up one.”
“Sure you are, now will you keep quiet and let me rest till then?”
Hours later, the two tried to creep into the camp. Stepping on a dry limb,
it made a snapping noise. Kull’s face froze in fear.
“Shhhhh! You lunkhead! What are you trying to do? Get us shot?”
“Sorry Trent, but hello? I can’t see in the dark!”
“Oh will you just pipe down? Look, you go saddle up our horses and I’ll
find the kid.”
“Look inside his other boot! I just know he stashed it in there.”
Waving him back, Trent uttered “Shhhhhh!”
All looked too peaceful as the men slept near the campfire. Trent wondered
if this was a set up as he tiptoed past the sleeping men one by one, searching
for Little Joe, but still not a stir was about. He thought to himself
**** Where was Little Joe? And for that matter, where was his
brother? He would surely stand out by now, with not only being so darn big,
but with that white hat of his.****
Scanning the area, he came upon Hank’s tent. With one last glance
back at the corral, Trent had to shake his head at Kull, for he was having
no luck trying to saddle one of the newly broken mustangs. In a low voice
he said, “Kull! Just saddle up our own horses, will ya? Get a move on it!”
Peeking his head into the tent, Trent’s eyes tried to adjust to the darkness
as he crept inside, fumbling about. He found the cot and Little Joe, who was
passed out cold. Tiptoeing next to the boy, Trent found it hard to gather
the boy up in the dark. Stretching his hands out, he found a table next to
the little cot, with a lantern sitting upon it. For a minute there, he argued
whether to light it or not. With the devil getting the best of him, it was
lit, throwing off a soft glow. Trent adjusted the wick. There, standing in
front of him was..... the kid’s gigantic brother, Hoss!
In a flash, it happened so fast, as Trent threw the lantern at Hoss, making
his escape out into the darkness.
Hoss’ fast reactions tried to catch the lantern as it danced in between
his hands, only to have it crashing onto the side walls of the tent. The
flames flickered up the material in a matter of seconds. Hoss had to act
fast if his little brother and himself were to get out alive. Choking and
gagging from the smoke that had now filled the small area, Hoss grabbed the
blanket, wrapping Little Joe up inside. He had by now awakened from the thick
smoky air that was gagging his senses, too. Hoss then hoisted him up over
his shoulders, fleeing the blazing inferno by the skin of their teeth.
Just outside the tent, Hank and his crew were trying to shake the sleep
out of their eyes. They grabbed anything they could get their hands on to
put out the now spreading fire. Looking up at the black smudged faces, Hank
said, “Hoss, Little Joe, what happened? Are you two all right?”
“I’ll explain later ,Hank.” Setting his coughing little brother down, Hoss
wasted no time in going after the two men as he spoke, “Hank, will you take
over? This won’t take long! Little Joe, you stay put!” Hoss headed down toward
the corral. Spotting the two riding out into the darkness,
Hoss wasted little time as he grabbed the rope from around the big black
mustang Kull had tried to saddle. Sliding on his back, he felt as light as
his little brother.
Hoss rode out of the corral like a blazing saddle, with Jake shutting the
fence close behind him. Hoss’ anger was stoked to the boiling point as he
untied the rope around the mustang, gathering it up into his hands as he rode
into the darkness after the two.
Looking behind him, Kull was getting nervous, for their beat up old nags
were no match for the mustang that was gaining on them. “Trent, what are we
gonna do? That big brute is almost on our backsides!”
“You got a gun! Shoot him!”
“You know I ain’t never used a gun before.”
“Use it! Now!”
While Kull was fumbling with his thoughts as to how to shoot a gun, Hoss
had rigged up a lasso from the piece of rope. With his left hand, Hoss held
onto the stallion with his mighty grip and with his right hand he flung the
lasso over his head, making a zinging noise, as he sped toward the two rough
looking men.
Kull pointed the gun at Hoss with his shaky hand, trying to shoot his target.
The gun went off, ricocheting on a rock just above Hoss’ head.
That was the last straw for Hoss! It was time to take down these two splinters.
With a mighty whirl of the lasso, Kull was snagged and thrown off his horse,
sending his gun flying. Hoss then jumped down off the mustang and landed a
blow that would knock anyone out cold. He then hog tied him in two seconds
flat. Even though Kull was knocked out, Hoss still had to let off some steam
as he spoke, “I told you I’d pound you into sand, like the dirt that you are!
You’re gonna pay for messing with my little brother, but only after I catch
me that other splinter in my side!” With that, Hoss mounted the black,
once again taking off like a blazing saddle.
Trent had dismounted his horse by then. Hiding behind some rocks,
he pulled out his gun; squinting his eyes, he tried shooting at Hoss. The
bullets zung by him, one by one, but didn’t hit their mark. Frustrated, Trent
opened his gun. He had one more bullet left. Aiming the gun, Trent pulled
the trigger for the last time. From the results of poor aim, the bullet ricocheted
off the rocks in front of him, ending his life.
Shaking his head at the dead man in front of him, Hoss said to himself,
**** You got out of this too easy feller. I done said you two would be more
dangerous with those guns cause you don’t know how to shoot them!****
Turning the mustang around, Hoss rode back to pick up Kull.
“What did you do with Trent? And what are you gonna do with me?!” Kull yelled
out, in fear for his life, as he walked behind the horse with his hands tied
tight in front of him. “You can’t expect me to walk all the way back to camp
like this! Come on!”
“Well now , Mister, I see it two ways. One, you can go conscious, or two,
unconscious. You decide!”
With that, Kull shut his mouth and tried to keep up with the long trudge
back to camp. His body was already protesting from the fall he took off of
his horse.
In the early morning sun rising over the camp site, all looked to be lost.
As the smoke rose from the ground, Hoss dismounted. His moon shaped face showed
the horror that he saw. The tent was burnt to a crisp, along with the chuck
wagon that was next to it. It looked like something the Paiutes would’ve
done. Trying to settle the knot in his stomach, Hoss prayed that wasn’t the
case here, as he went in search of his little brother. Nothing else seemed
to matter right at that point. Not even the fact that the mustangs were gone.
****Hank had to set them free in the heat of the
moment, fearing for their lives,**** he thought.
Then, Hoss’ eyes lit upon a sight that turned his sad expression to a big
wide grin. For there in the distance, moving slowly but steadily, was his
little brother walking up to him with a blanket draped around his thin shoulders.
“Hoss! It’s gone! It’s all gone!” Little Joe put his hands up to his face
and started to cry. “Pa’s gonna skin me alive!”
Hoss was so mixed up with emotions at that point, he just wrapped his brawny
arms around his little brother and let him sob. Wiping his little brother’s
tear stained face, Hoss said, “Don’t matter none, Shortshanks! All this
can be replaced, you can’t! Pa will understand. Trent didn’t make it, Little
Joe! Kull’s back there hog tied, he ain’t going nowhere for awhile.” Pushing
him back just a bit, Hoss said, “How you feeling?”
“Let’s say I’ve seen better days!” Little Joe wrapped his arms around his
chest to cradle his ribs, while pushing the sand around the ground with the
toe of his boot. He sputtered out in embarrassment, “Thanks for doctoring
me, Hoss! I’m sorry for not doing as I was told, for sneaking out here with
you and letting those men get the best of me.“
“Aw, you didn’t know any better, Little Joe. Those men are good con-artists,
they could’ve buffaloed any one of us. Just what was it they were looking
for anyways?”
Little Joe’s eyes popped wide open as the night before entered his foggy
mind. “Oh no, Hoss! They were looking for the money.“ Patting his jacket pocket,
he spoke up in panic, “They took my wallet, Hoss! Trent and Kull took it
from my jacket pocket last night. They must have it!”
Just then Hoss started to laugh. “Ho ho, Joseph! Calm down!” Putting his
hand inside his shirt, Hoss pulled out his little brother’s wallet. “Kull
had it on him, Little Brother. Ain’t got nothing in it anyways; here you can
have it back.” Clapping his little brother gently on the back, Hoss said,
“Come on, Little Joe! I think we could both use a cup of coffee.”
Later on by the campfire, there was talk about going after the mustangs
one last time. Hank and the boys had agreed to give it one more shot; seeing
that they were partly tamed, they just might have a better shot at it a second
time around. A pleased looked came across Hoss’ face. He still had the big
black and he too thought they had a good shot at baiting the mustangs in with
one of their own.
Little Joe had no idea what was yet to come. He figured that he could ride;
his ribs were bound tight, he was part of the crew and he was going with them.
That was that.
Hoss had other things tugging at his thoughts. He had no intentions of his
little brother going with those busted up ribs, nor for that matter, dealing
with Pa’s wrath if he gave in to Little Joe. Plus, Little Joe was too far
from the ranch to risk the ride home, but he also didn’t want him
staying behind with Kull, who was a captive, or deal with any redskins if
they were in the area. After giving it some heavy thought, Hoss was
in a dilemma. He knew Pa was counting on him to bring back a profit and he
needed every able body available for the job. Sighing, he had to make the
most difficult decision of his life. Standing up, Hoss walked over to his
little brother and broke the news. Little Joe would stay behind and keep an
eye on Kull. Hoss didn’t like this plan, but this was the only way to keep
his little brother’s temper down. He would just have to make dang
sure Kull was tied up real good before the men and him left, for Hoss’ peace
of mind. **** All should go well with Little Joe holding a gun on him,****
Hoss thought.
Hoss made sure Kull was tied around a big tree just off the side from the
campsite. He checked the ropes once, he checked them twice, as Kull yelled
out in protest, “You’re gonna cut off my circulation, you’re tying the rope
too tight!”
“Keep to yourself, Mister, or I just might give you a few kicks, you know,
the ones like you landed on my little brother?”
Kull scrunched up in fear as Hoss walked past him, satisfied with his work.
Hoss made sure Little Joe could still keep his eyes upon Kull, but have peace
of mind and relax by the fire on his bedroll.
Everything was at an easy access to Little Joe before they left. “Now, Little
Brother, you just take it easy and pay no attention to big mouth over there.
Ifen he gives you any trouble, just gag him. Unfortunately, we have to see
to the likes of him till our job is done here. Then we shall turn him over
to Jud. You okay with this, Little Brother?”
Little Joe saw the beat up face of Kull and felt a bit sorry for the man
tied to the tree. “Yeah Hoss, no need to worry, everything is fine on
my end.”
“You sure you don’t want me to stay with ya? It’s a long ride back to the
canyon and back, Joe!” Hoss was having second thoughts about this whole idea.
Chuckling a bit, Little Joe shook his head. “No, Older Brother, I think
I can handle it from here. I’ve caused you enough trouble. What possibly
could go wrong with a gun in my hand and him hog tied to a tree?”
Hoss and the crew mounted their horses, but just before they turned to leave,
Hoss piped up, “Little Brother, do you really want me to answer that?”
Picking up the nearest thing next to Little Joe, he threw a tin cup, hitting
Hoss square on the head with a ping!
“Ouch!” Came out of Hoss’ mouth. “You gone and done it, I just may have
to lie right down here for awhile. I feel faint and all."
"Go on, you big lunk head and get out of here, Hoss, you're fine." Little
Joe chuckled at his brother as he watched them ride off toward the canyon.
“Hey, Hoss?" Hank piped up, "Did you get a look at what you did to the tin
cup your little brother threw at your head? You nearly caved it in!”
“Keep it up, Hank! Keep it up!”
As the day pressed on, Little Joe tried as best he could to keep from being
bored. He stoked the fire and kept it lit, tended to the horses, but
there was not a whole lot he could do with his busted up ribs and his guard
was well down due to Kull being restrained. Looking up into the sky, Little
Joe saw something that alarmed him, for it was smoke signals coming off the
mountains overhead. ****Oh, this is not good at all. Hoss? Where are you?****
Coming back to his senses, he heard Kull yell out.
“Hey, Kid? You gonna let me die of thirst over here or what?”
“Oh, sorry!” Scooting over, Little Joe pressed the canteen to Kull’s lips
and let him drink his fill.
Moments later, Kull piped up again, “What does a guy have to do around here
to get some relief?”
With a worried look on his face, Little Joe got up once more and walked
over to Kull. “You ain’t serious, Mister?”
“No kid! Just untie me! I can do it on my own, thank you!”
“Okay, but no funny stuff now; unlike you, I can use this here gun.” After
all was said and done, Little Joe tied Kull back up to the tree without any
problems. Looking up towards the sky, he noticed the signals were gone. ****Maybe
he was seeing things?**** With nothing else to do, Little Joe started to pull
a can of beans out of his saddlebag and a satchel filled with beef jerky.
Not that he was hungry, no, he could go with one square meal a day if Pa would
let him get away with it. But it was past high noon and Kull must be
hungry by now.
Trying to keep up a general conversation with Kull, Little Joe spoke up,
“Looks like we’ve beans and beef jerky for lunch, you hungry?”
“Now what good will that do me with these here hands tied behind my back
again?”
“Well, I could feed you ,Mister.” Little Joe stepped up to hand him a piece
of beef jerky as Kull let out a deep moan, “ I can’t feel my arms, my hands,
the rope’s cutting into them too tight! Please untie me!?“
Panic set in Little Joe’s heart as he fought with his thoughts on whether
to loosen the rope or not. ****Heck, I have the gun, I’ll just loosen them
a bit****
“Okay, Mister, but no funny stuff now, you hear, or I’ll fill you full of
lead!”
“Scouts honor, I promise!” Bending over, Little Joe untied the knot, which
let out some slack around his arms and wrists. Stopping there, he then tied
the knot once again.
“Hey! I thought you were gonna untie me!”
“Heck no, Mister, I wasn’t born yesterday! Now, you want a piece of jerky
or what?”
Letting Little Joe think he had one up on him was just what Kull wanted,
for he had another ace still up his sleeve as he took the jerky from the kid,
waiting for his next move.
Satisfied that Kull had had his fill, Little Joe got up to eat his own lunch,
that is until Kull made himself choke in order to fool the kid into getting
him some water. “Kid! I got jerky stuck in my throat, I can’t breath!
Need water!!!” Kull put his play into action by choking and gagging all the
more.
With everything happening so fast, Little Joe had never seen anyone choke
before and it scared him as he dropped his gun. Running to his bed roll, spotting
the canteen, he sped back to Kull. “Here Mister, drink this!”
“No! Untie me, please! I don’t want to die like this! Not to a tree, please?”
Without thinking, Little Joe ran around the back of the tree; taking out
his knife from his boot, he sliced the rope with one quick cut, sending Kull
to the ground. Little Joe feared the worst, that the man in front of him had
choked to death. His heart always got the best of him, but as he
started to turn him over, Kull put his play into action. With one swift,
sweep of his boot, he sent Little Joe tumbling down to the ground in a heap
of pain. Standing over Little Joe, Kull snickered at his victim, “So you weren't
born yesterday, huh Kid? Ha ha ha! Well, you could’ve fooled me!”
Bending over, Kull dragged Little Joe to the tree and tied him up with the
cut up pieces of rope. “Oh, what’s the matter, you gonna cry now? Well, cry
all you want, cause that big, ugly brother of yours can’t save ya now! I told
you it wasn’t over by a long shot and I aim to get rich, Kid, one way or
another. Just not sure which way it’s gonna be! Now, who’s got the money,
Kid, you or your big brother?”
Little Joe knew either way he was gonna get a licken, so why even bother
telling him his pa had it.
“Boy, you’re trying me. How’s about another busted rib?” Slam went Kull’s
boot into Little Joe’s side once again.
Little Joe braced himself for the blows, but nothing could’ve prepared him
for this. All was going black as he heard Kull cussing himself for not getting
the information he wanted.
Dusk was about an hour away. Hoss and the men finally tracked down the mustangs.
With the help of the big black, they fastened him up to an old apple tree
in hopes the others would soon join him, and it worked. Out from nowhere they
came, grazing on the grass and the apples next to him. “It’s now or
never boys,” Hank said as he drew his lasso, galloping down the hill. The
mustangs took off in all directions, but they were soon snagged one by one.
“Hoss!? Do you want us to set up camp here?” Hank said.
“No, just the same, if it’s all right with you fellers, I would like to
get back to camp. I’ve had an uneasy feeling all day about leaving my little
brother with that varmint.” Looking up toward the sky, Hoss hoped and
prayed those were not smoke signals he was seeing and that everything
went well back at the camp.
Kull put his plan into action as he nailed the ransom note to the tree.
"Kid, you're my ticket to fame and fortune," Kull said, while turning around
sitting up on the buckboard, staring back at Little Joe. He was having a
hard time of it, laying in the back. He was in no shape to ride. Kull didn't
even bother to tie him up after what he called a real work over; he figured
the kid wouldn't get very far, even if he tried. Kicking the horses forward,
Kull rode off with Little Joe to their destination.
Hoss was getting antsy. Just outside the camp, he noticed that the fire
was not kept up and that was just not like Little Joe to let it burn out.
No, something terrible had gone wrong. Drawing his gun, the click of his
chamber caught everyone's attention. Signaling the men to move with caution,
they spread out. There was not a soul to be found, as the men searched for
any clues of a struggle.
“You think it was redskins, Hoss?” Hank hated to ask the question, but they
would find out sooner or later if so.
“Don’t think so, Hank. There’s no sign of moccasin tracks anywhere.”
Then all of a sudden, Jake shouted out, "Over here, Mr. Cartwright! I found
something." Bending down next to Jake, Hoss noticed that there had been a
scuffle, as he picked up several cut up pieces of rope. "Somehow, some way,
that varmint got to my little brother. I should've finished him off, just
like Trent, whiles I had the chance." As Hoss stood up, his eyes lit upon
the ransom note that was nailed to the tree. Ripping it off, he read it out
loud:
"DONE TOLD TRENT THIS WOULD BE LIKE TAKEN CANDY FROM A BABY! SEEING SINCE
HE AIN'T HERE, I'LL JUST HAVE TO TAKE HIS CUT, TOO. OH, I FIGURE TEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CURLY HEAD BROTHER OF YOURS SHOULD DO QUITE NICELY,
IFEN YOU WANT TO EVER SEE HIM ALIVE AGAIN! YOU BETTER GET A MOVE ON IT AND
BRING ME THAT THERE MONEY TO WHERE THE TRUCKEE STRIP MEETS THE DESERT. THERE
YOU SHALL SEE AN OLD HOLLOW CACTUS. PUT THE MONEY INSIDE. I WILL GIVE YOU
TILL SUNDOWN TOMORROW. MIND YOU, IF YOU PULL ANY FAST STUFF, I'LL BE PICKING
MY TEETH WITH YOUR LITTLE BROTHER'S BUSTED UP RIBS.
KULL
Crumpling the note up in his large hand, Hoss’ temper was so hot he could
easily have caught the note on fire as it sizzled in his hand.
Cold drops of rain fell upon Little Joe’s face, which brought him to his
senses that cold morning as he shivered and shook, along with the pain that
shot up his side. Blinking his eyes, he found himself tied to a large boulder
just on the outskirts of the desert. Straining his eyes for Kull, he was nowhere
in sight as he pulled on the ropes that bound him so tight.
Sipping on a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee, Ben Cartwright unfolded the
International express Charlie had just brought him from town. Setting it down
on the table, his eyes popping out of his head with alarm, Ben read the headlines
out loud., “Several wagon trains were attacked heading toward Cedar Ridge
Canyon just on the outskirts of the desert, no survivors. Redskins
on the warpath......Fort Dobbs will need every able body available; report
to the sheriff at once to sign up.”
Rattling his coffee cup into the saucer, Ben sat there in shock, before
coming to his senses, “Hop Sing!”
“What you shout for? Hop Sing not deaf! Can hear velly well!”
Passing the paper over, Hop Sing read the headline as it turned his face
whiter then a ghost. “Oh, not good, Mr. Hoss in area! No have time to waste,
Hop Sing get cleaver, let’s go!”
Just then, Adam walked in, slamming the door in a hurry. “Pa! It’s all over
town, did you hear the news?” Just as the question came out of his mouth,
he saw the paper in Hop Sing’s hands. “Pa, Hoss is out there, we have to find
him.“
Pushing himself up and away from the table, Ben walked over to the front
door as he spoke, “Adam! Go wake up Little Joe for me, please, but don’t let
on to what has been said.” Pausing, he choked down the fear. ****Hoss and
the boy are so close. Little Joe would just worry himself to a frazzle if
he found out.**** “I’ll get the horses saddled and meet you in the barn in
ten.”
“Right Pa!” Climbing the stairs two by two, Adam rounded the corner to his
little brother’s room. Knocking once, he opened it and peeked in.
Moments later, Ben turned as he heard Adam descending the stairs quite fast.
“Pa! Little Joe’s not in his room! He must be in the barn, I’ll go get him.”
Adam’s stalling was not going to fool his pa, as he said, “Adam! Come
clean, son, you and I both know where the little scamp is.” Walking over to
the settee, Ben sat down and put his hands over his face, trying to make sense
of all of this. “Not the boy, too!”
“Pa! Hoss is more than capable of defending himself against those Indians
and if Little Joe is with him, you know he will be in the best of hands!”
“Adam, the boy has just learnt how to use a gun. What chance will he have
out there?” Pa seemed to be in a state of shock as he sat there dwelling on
the facts.
“One good chance, Pa! HOSS! Hop Sing! You stay here in case they show up
and need any help with the mustangs. Pa, you’re not doing them a bit of good
by just sitting there. LITTLE JOE NEEDS YOU!!!! PA!”
Hearing those words sent a thousand volts of energy rushing through Ben’s
veins. “Let’s ride, Adam!”
Rushing into town, the two oldest Cartwrights came to a halt in front of
Roy Coffee’s office. Dashing past the armed men on horses, inside they met
up with Roy and Jud, who were going over the details of the mission.
Walking up to Ben, Jud looked at him with sympathetic eyes. Searching his
face, Jud knew Ben had heard. “Ben, I feel terrible. I’ll do everything in
my power to see that your son is brought back safe and sound.”
“My youngest boy is out there, too, Jud!” Just as Jud was about to question
the remark, Ben cut him off. “Time’s very precious, as my boys are to me,
Jud, and it’s a wasting; if you’re coming with me, you better mount up now!
Come on, Adam!”
Mounting their horses, Sergeant Billings and his troops followed in Ben
and Adam’s wake, riding through the dust filled air toward Cedar Ridge Canyon.
Throwing the note on the ground, Hoss walked on to inspect the area for
any more clues as to where Kull had ridden off with his little brother. Noticing
the buckboard was gone, Hoss said, “Hank, it won’t be hard to follow their
tracks; you and the men ride back to the ranch with the mustangs, I’m gonna
track down Little Joe.”
“But what about the ransom note, Hoss? And the money? You’re taking quite
a risk.”
“The way I see it, Hank, I have no choice. It will take too long to rustle
up the money, and with them Piautes out and about, Little Joe is in twice
the danger. No, I’ll take my chances by going after them now. I’ll be careful,
don’t you worry about that. I know the area pretty good and there
ain’t a whole lot of places Kull can hide his low down stinking carcass.
It’s just a matter of which rock he’s hiding under. You be careful now, ya
hear!?” With that, Hoss mounted Chubb and waved good luck to Hank and his
men. He rode off, tracking the buckboard as he went.
Little Joe felt the sharp edges of the boulder behind him. It was
now or never, if he was ever gonna get out of this alive. Biting back the
pain from his broken ribs, Little Joe began to saw at the rope, pressing
down with all his might on the sharp edges of the rock. Thinking to himself,
**** Kull must be watching and waiting for Hoss to drop off the money, for
he was gone for some time now. Greed must have gotten the best of him****
After about a half an hour of sawing, Little Joe was about to give up from
fatigue, when the first sign of the rope cutting loose gave way. His heart
pounded with excitement as he sawed harder and faster, till one by one, the
strands of the rope came undone. Shaking them off, he rubbed his wrists
to get the circulation back into them. Jumping to his feet, he found his
legs shaky and weak, but onward he walked.
Kull had taken the buckboard, which meant he would be going without water
until he caught up with him. After what seemed like an eternity walking in
the hot desert sun, Little Joe spotted Kull and the buckboard just off in
the distance. Something didn’t set right. Little Joe kept in mind what his
pa had taught him as he approached with caution. Scooting down behind the
wheels, he crept slowly up toward the front. ****Kull must be sleeping,****
thought Little Joe, as he slid his head up around the seat. But to his
horror, it was not to be so, for embedded into Kull’s chest was a Piaute’s
arrow. His head rested on his chest, as the blood dripped down his shirt.
“NO!” Little Joe cried out! As he slid behind the buckboard, bringing his
knees up to his chest, he let the tears spill down his pants as he rocked
back and forth. “Oh Pa, I need you so right now. What am I to do? Please
tell me?” Searching to the sky for his Pa’s reply, he didn’t like what he
saw, as the smoke signals rose from the sky. He was like a sitting duck no
matter where he turned. Coming to his senses, Little Joe heard his Pa’s voice,
“Stand up, Boy! Climb aboard the buckboard.” Pulling himself up to his feet,
Little Joe did as he was told. Looking down at Kull, Little Joe felt he was
going to be sick, as he reached down and took off the new holster and gun
Kull was wearing. Being left handed hampered the use of the holster, so he
threw it down and clicked open the gun. It had three bullets left inside as
he snapped it shut. With his hands shaking, he said, “Sorry, Mister, but I
have no choice.” Bending over, Little Joe pushed Kull out of the buckboard
seat, sending him to the ground with a thud. Looking over his shoulders, Little
Joe tucked the gun inside the front of his pants and sent the team of horses
on its way.
Hoss had made up for lost time as he followed the tracks. It was plain to
see this guy was not too bright, leaving a trail behind him. Always being
aware of his surroundings, Hoss kept up the pace in search of his little brother.
There were still no Indians in sight.
Reaching the camp site an hour away from Cedar Ridge Canyon, Ben, Adam,
Jud and the troops dismounted and walked the camp. There they found the remains
of Hank’s tent and the chuck wagon burnt to the ground, along with a make
shift corral. “Looks like the work of Piautes, Ben!” Jud piped up.
The men found several horse prints in the sand as their search went on.
“It could be Piautes, hard to tell, Sir. It could also be Hank’s and the troops’.”
Walking the area, Adam came upon what looked like pieces of cut up rope.
“This is strange, Pa, take a look at this. What do you make of it?”
“Let me see that, Adam.” Bending down, Ben inspected the rope. Scanning
the area, his eyes spotted something else that alarmed him. “Adam, look,
it’s Little Joe’s pocket knife.”
Scooping it up into his hand, Adam tried to piece what happened together.
“It don’t make sense, Pa. Why would Little Joe cut up pieces of rope and then
leave his knife behind? I can’t make heads nor tails out of it.”
Just then, Jud yelled, “Over here, Ben, Adam!”
Running to his side, Jud unfolded the crinkled paper from his hand. Snatching
it up, Ben read the note, with Adam over his shoulder doing the same. All
the clues finally came together.
“Let’s find Little Joe and Hoss, Adam!”
“Mount up!” Jud yelled to his men, as they followed Ben and Adam. They were
now on the trail of the buckboard.
Racing through the desert, Little Joe’s luck would be changing, for company
was hiding around the ledges up ahead as their feathers stood up from behind
the rocks. Their painted on faces meant war! Passing through the area, the
Indians made their move as they shouted and kicked up their pintos, taking
off after Little Joe, screaming at the top of their lungs.
Thrashing at the horses, Little Joe raced them at top speed, causing the
horses to foam at the mouth as they continued on. All Little Joe could do
was hold on for the ride of his life. He thought about shooting at the Indians,
but if he did, he would surely lose control of the rig as he sped on.
Off in the distance, Hoss squinted his eyes. **** Must be a sand storm approaching,****
he thought to himself, but as the cloud got near, Hoss’ heart just about leaped
out of his chest as he saw his little brother being chased by a dozen or
more redskins. Kicking Chubb’s side, he yelled “Heya!” Chubb took the
command, as he bolted off into the desert.
Arrows were flying past Little Joe one at a time, missing their mark, as
he ducked and lost his hat. The only chance Little Joe had was the cluster
of rocks up ahead. With no time to stop, he took his chances and jumped from
the wagon, pushing himself off with all his might to clear the wheels, he
rolled onto the ground as rocks and cacti slammed into his body.
****This was it!**** Little Joe thought, as he laid there in pain, gasping
for air, waiting for the Indians to scalp him. **** So sorry, Pa, for not
listening to you. You’re so wise and I’m a young fool.**** His mind drifted
as the pain took over his body.
Speeding to a stop, Hoss jumped off of Chubb, running over to Little Joe.
Kneeling down next to him, there was no time to waste as he picked his little
brother up into his muscle bound arms and ran for cover behind the clusters
of rock.
The Indians circled them from all around, shouting in their native tongue,
sending arrows into the rock formation as they rode by.
Hoss sent a few to their death as he hit his mark. Looking down at his little
brother, he told him to stay down as his big hand stopped him from getting
up.
“What took you so long?” Little Joe moaned in a weak voice, sliding back
down onto the ground, with the pain painted on his face . He wanted to help,
but was of no use.
After what seemed like forever, the Indians disappeared into the desert.
Hoss killed about half of them. “Hoss! You did it! They’re gone!”
“Don’t be so sure, Little Brother. It’s getting close to dark and if you
remember correctly, Piautes don’t like to raid after dark. It’s an old medicine
man’s myth. Brings them bad luck or something. Here, let me help you sit up.”
Reaching underneath his little brother’s arms, Hoss pulled him up into a
sitting position, keeping in mind his busted up ribs. Sliding the canteen
off of Chubb’s neck, Hoss handed it to Little Joe, who drank his fill.
“Thanks, Hoss! So what do we do now?”
“We take our chances and make a run for it, Little Brother. We’re as good
as dead if we stay here. They’ll be back with the morning sun. Think you can
hang on for me?”
All Little Joe wanted to do is sink down into the warm desert sand and fall
asleep. “Don’t know, Hoss, but I can try.”
“I’ll do all the work, Shortshanks, you just lean on me. Figuring we should
take Chubb. He’s a strong horse, Little Brother. Heck, he won’t even feel
you on his back.”
Giving Hoss a weak smile was all Little Joe could do.
“Here, take another swig before we go.” Pressing the canteen up to Joe’s
lips, he drank a bit more before turning his head away. Swigging off it one
last time, Hoss draped it over the saddle horn. “Okay, Little Joe, on the
count of three, I’m gonna lift you up. Ready? One......two.....thr.........”
“Hoss, wait! Look! Up ahead, it’s Pahh! Oh, Pah!” Little Joe’s eyes filled
up with salty drops of tears, until they spilled out over his dirty cheeks.
Both boys watched the horses ride past the rock formation.
Hoss had tears of joy himself. “Well, ain’t that the prettiest sight you
ever saw, I mean, seen, Little Brother?”
“Yeah, it sure is Hoss, it sure is.” Bringing up his sleeve, Little Joe
wiped his wet nose and face.
Jumping off from Buck, Ben ran in between the rocks, “JOSEPH! HOSS! Are
you all right, Boys?!”
“I’m fine, Pa! It’s little brother who need you and a doctor right about
now.”
Sliding down to his knees, Pa wrapped his arms around his boy. “Joseph!
Of all the lame brain stunts to pull.“
Burying his face into his Pa’s soft leather coat, Little Joe wept, taking
in the sweet smell of peppermint and tobacco. “Oh Pa! I was so afraid!
Afraid I would never get the chance to tell you how sorry I was for not obeying
you, for not understanding your reasons for wanting me to stay home and not
go with Hoss.”
Pa felt the warm tears that were now soaking his coat as he drew his boy
even closer in a gentle hug. Pushing him back, he said, “Now what seems to
be the problem here? Where do you hurt, Boy?”
Hoss piped up, “Pa, it’s his ribs. He got himself busted up real good, Pa.”
“Adam! Go inside your saddle bag and bring me one of your clean shirts.”
Pressing lightly on the boy’s ribs, Ben felt the same broken ribs Hoss bandaged
up just a day ago, at the camp.
“Here you go, Pa. My best shirt, too!”
Looking up at Adam, Pa threw him a look as he ripped the shirt into strips
and began wrapping them around his boy’s chest. “Take a deep breath, Son,
it will be over within a moment.” Tying the pieces off, Ben took off his leather
coat and slid it on little Joe, pulling his arms through both sleeves, buttoning
it to the top notch. “Adam, Hoss, help me get your little brother up on Buck.”
“Right ,Pa!” Hoss said, as he brushed Adam off. “Won’t be needing your help,
Adam; used to carrying this feather weight.”
Little Joe had no more life left in him as he felt Hoss lift him up and
into his Pa’s arms upon Buck. Drifting off into a peaceful sleep, he leant
against his Pa.
They rode into the desert night. Sergeant Billings led the way as the men
formed a circle around Ben and his youngest boy. The men could feel eyes upon
them as they rode on. Just up ahead was the hollow cactus shooting out from
the darkness. One by one, they all passed it, as Hoss brought up the rear.
At last they had covered the out skirts of the desert, entering the Truckee
Strip. They still had a long way to go as they rode single file down the
trail. Distant howling could be heard as the night came alive. Piping up,
one trooper said, “Holy smokes! Will you get a load of those coyotes? They’re
barking up a storm.”
“Mister, those ain’t coyotes you’re hearing, them are Piautes.”
“Yes, and by the sounds of them, there is more then one communication amongst
themselves. Pa, what do you make of it?”
Just then, an arrow came flying by Adam, landing in a tree in front of him
with a wind whipping thud!
“Keep moving, boys! This is just a warning sign to get off their land.
Trust me when I say, if they wanted to hit us, they could.”
“I don’t like this one bit, Pa! This is the most creepiest feeling I ever
had.”
“Remember what I told you about the Indian’s myths, Hoss?”
“Yeah, Pa, I do! Just the same, I don’t like it!
With that, the men continued to ride on into the night. Little Joe slept
on in his Pa’s arms, unaware of the danger that lurked.
The morning sun was now rising as the light reflected off of Lake Tahoe,
warming the dew on her banks.
“We should be back at the ranch in about a half an hour, men,” Jud said,
as he rode back to check on the situation. “Ben, why don’t you let one of
your boys take Little Joe for you? Your whole body must be asleep by now.“
“Now Jud, what was that I said about there might be a little dust on the
bottle?”
“Okay, Ben, I get the message, you win!”
On the ride home, Hoss had a somber look on his face and Pa noticed the
change. “What’s ailing you, boy?”
“Aw Pa, I feel plum bad for Hank and Jake. Don’t think they made it, or
the mustangs, for that matter.”
“You can’t change things, son, what’s past is past, what will be, will be.”
Placing his hand on his son’s large frame, Ben let out a heavy sigh as he
looked into Hoss’ sad, blank face, trying to put things in a different perspective.
“Hoss, son you have always put others in front of you, sacrificing your own
safety at times.” Looking down at the injured boy sleeping close to him in
the saddle, Ben knew if it were not for Hoss, he would have lost his youngest
that day; just the thought sent a single tear sliding down his face and Ben
wiped it away.
Hoss shook his head in defeat as he spoke, "But Pa! The contract, all that
money........." Hoss drifted off again in deep thought.
“Hoss, a contract is just a plain, cold piece of paper to me; it means nothing,
nor the money, if I lose sons in the process. You did what you felt was right
deep down inside your heart, something you chose a long time ago, and that
was protecting your younger brother here. Yes, there was danger involved,
but that’s why we chose Hank and Jake. Those men were trained, but also it
was their duty son, they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. As for this
young lad here, well, he is just that young and foolish, and still in need
of a lot of guidance. In time, he too shall learn and grow, son, just like
yourself. Come on, son, let’s go home."
Hoss seemed to snap out of it because of his Pa’s warm words, as he spoke,
“Pa! Somehow, some way, I feel that they made it. I can’t explain this Pa,
it’s just a gut feeling and all. And Little Joe and me Pa, well...........”
Hoss didn’t have to finish his sentence. Pa knew what he was trying to say,
as they turned their horses toward home.
“Pa, Hoss, look!” There, up ahead in the Ponderosa pasture, was the big
black and the mustangs. Hank and Jake were sitting on top of the corral fencing,
watching on as the men worked with them.
“Yippee!!” Hoss hollered out. “They did it!”
Chiming in, Ben said, “No, son, we did it!
Epilogue:
The contract between Jud Billings and Ben Cartwright was fulfilled.
Within the next two weeks, the mustangs were delivered to Fort Dobbs.
Unfortunately for Little Joe, he was in bed those last two weeks and couldn’t
witness the outcome. ****What better punishment was that,**** Pa thought to
himself, as he made sure his youngest followed through on the doctor’s orders.
He was given strict orders from Doctor Martin not to get out of bed.
Little Joe was very lucky that he didn’t sustain further injuries from the
fall off the buckboard and the ride home. For that matter, luck was on his
backside, that he did have more then one busted up rib, for Pa would
have surely given him the tanning of his life for disobeying his Pa’s authority.
This is truly a good lesson of growing pains!
The End!
Honeybear :”O)~
Treaties and reservations created:
In 1866, General Crook was appointed to the area to squash the resistance
of the Paiute bands and to force them onto a reservation. For the next two
years, he carried out a devastating and relentless campaign. He broke their
usual circular migration pattern and harassed and killed them during the winter,
their usual season of rest. By spring of 1868, the Indians had suffered a
terrible winter, losing half their total population to starvation, freezing
and fighting. General Crook then made an offer of "Peace or Death." That year
Paiute Chief We-You-We-Wa, Gsha-Nee, signed a
treaty guaranteeing them a reservation in their homeland. Included were
promises that raiding and hostilities toward the Whites would cease in return
for army protection from the hostile, encroaching settlers. Unfortunately,
the cutoff date for signing Indian treaties was passed
before the treaty went before Congress, therefore, Congress never ratified
this treaty.
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