THE FIRST ANNUAL SNAKE CREEK CANOE RACE
A WHN after Old
Written by Katja (Ben and Adam) and Lynne (Hoss and
Joe)
“Yeah, Hoss, there’s water in Snake Creek, just in time for the first annual Snake Creek canoe race, and the winner gets $1,000. All we need is to get you in shape, and find us a large canoe, and then we’ll be richer to the tune of one thousand dollars.”
As soon as I had said it, I thought that the words sounded ridiculous, but Hoss looked impressed. He had been ready to pound me into the ground, after my rather debatable, managerial skills had got us the job of dragging a shipment of railroad ties down off the mountain. The creek had run dry, and so we couldn’t float them down. Pa had suggested using Old Sheba, the elephant, but Hoss and me had already slickered Mr Tweedie into taking her back to the circus, and all we got outta the deal was a mangy, old mule. We couldn’t use horses, as there wasn’t a good enough road, and they would have broken their legs; all we had was Hoss power.
Poor Hoss was exhausted, but he’d moved all the ties in time for Mr Ramsay to collect them and so at least Pa was able to fulfil his contract. But then, just as we’d got back to the ranch, it started to rain. Now that wasn’t really my fault, but Adam began to snicker and Hoss saw red, and so I had to come up with a plan to save my hide. Renowned for thinking on my feet, I came up with the canoe race and Hoss fell for it.
He headed off for a good, long soak in the tub, before supper, and I was left with the two doubting Thomases, Pa and Adam. I knew that it wouldn’t be long before they started to ask more questions, neither of them was as gullible as Hoss was. There was no advertising for the race, as I had just made it up, and so they were bound to ask where I had heard about it.
Sure enough, they did. I was very evasive, but said that my friend Petey, who worked in the newspaper office, had heard the editor discussing it with a man, who had visited the office. Nothing was definitely settled, but it was looking good.
Before they could ask any more questions, I unhitched the team from the wagon, and headed off into the barn, to take care of the horses. Pa seemed reasonably satisfied, and returned to the house, but Adam followed me into the barn and I could see that he wasn’t going to let the matter drop.
That kid-brother of mine hadn’t fooled me for one minute. He was lying through his teeth. Of course he played it down a bit by saying he thought he’d heard it, but even that was a lie. Strangely enough pa seemed to have bought the story. I’d have thought the man would have seen right through it, after all the truth was written all over that boy’s face. But pa just nodded and went inside. But to be quite honest I thought the idea of a canoe-race had some appeal to it. It would be great to work together on it. So I followed Joe into the barn. I could see he was a bit apprehensive when he saw me. Inwardly I laughed. So he should be. Lying to pa! And to me and poor Hoss. I don’t know why Hoss always falls for it, but he does. I decided to let Joe sweat for a little and started to interrogate him. Asking more and more details. He started squirming as he tried not to tell more lies without giving himself away. Finally I started laughing out loud. That probably scared him even more. I think he thought I’d lost my mind. And he started to back up a little. I simply looked at him, still grinning and told him it was an excellent idea and that I would like to help organize the race. After all, we needed sponsors for the prize, publicity, participants, Hoss needed training, we needed a canoe and we needed pa off our backs. It finally dawned on him I was serious about it and he started getting excited. We started talking it through, laying out our plan. I already had a plan to get some sponsors and Joe came up with the idea to go to the newspaper for ads and posters. It would be fun to do this together. So we decided that while he took care of the horses I would talk to pa about it and bright and early tomorrow morning we would go to town and get this show on the road.
For a good ten minutes, I did nothing else
but lie in the water, enjoying the chance to get clean and find some relief for
my aching muscles. Dadburn that Little Joe. I don’t know why I listen to him,
as much as I do. He always leads me into trouble. After all, I wrastled for
nearly four weeks, and all I had to show for it, was bruises, and plenty of
strife from
But, that canoe race might help make things
look a mite better. A thousand dollar prize, I could have me a high ole time
with that; mebbe a trip to
I got soaped up and then lay back down again. Havta admit that I ain’t heard about the race, but then I ain’t been in town much, recently. Pa might object, though, if it means more training and time away from chores. Will havta talk it over with Joe. P’raps we can get Adam involved? Now, he does have good skills for organising stuff, and Pa would feel happier about it, if Adam was doing the managing, ‘stead of Little Joe.
Don’t much like the idea of trainin’ agin, but I’m still pretty fit from the wrastlin’, and movin’ the ties, so it shouldn’t take too much work. I ain’t going without my grub, though.
Thinking of food, made me realise it was time to chow down, and so I got out of the bath and was soon dressed.
Sometimes that youngest son of mine can really try a father’s patience. After all this, he actually thinks I believed for one second that there was going to be a canoe-race. A canoe-race of all things. When will that boy learn he cannot lie? It is always written all over his face. A part of me wanted to get to the bottom of it right there and then, which would probably have resulted in a reluctant confession, tears and a well deserved tanning, but another part of me wanted to see where this would lead. He knows it will all come out anyway. Maybe this time I can think of some other way to teach that young scamp a lesson. But that lesson he would learn, one way or another. There was no doubt in my mind about that.
And just when I thought I’d seen it all Adam came in to sweet-talk me. Now that boy has always been much better with straightforward arguments, so actually seeing him trying to butter me up practically had me grinning. But I didn’t let on and let him struggle a fair bit. I just sat back in my chair watching him fidget. He was trying to be really careful with his words. He obviously wasn’t telling me everything, but he wasn’t lying either. My eldest is an expert at that. Learned that at a very young age. But I have learned to watch for the signs and they were all there, the fidgeting, the nervousness, the hand stroking through his hair. Yes, he was definitely not telling me everything. It was almost funny.
Adam wanted me to agree to entering this contest, a contest which up till now only existed in the minds of my sons. He told me it would be good for Joe to do this, for them to do it together, as brothers. It would be good for team spirit, for character building. He must have been really excited about this plan. And suddenly I had an idea and I knew exactly what I would do.
So I told him they could participate in this race as long as the work didn’t suffer. He looked at me, a bit surprised, he obviously hadn’t expected me to be won over this easily. I hadn’t even objected once.
At supper I repeated my condition that the chores were not to suffer. All three of them nodded and convinced me they wouldn’t. I had never heard the word “sir” that many times at the dinner table, when we weren’t having guests. Then I gave my youngest a stern look and told him I knew that betting on races was common practice, but that I didn’t want my 16 year old son involved in this. I couldn’t forbid Adam and Hoss to gamble, even if I didn’t agree with it, but Joseph was a different matter. I promised him he wouldn’t like the consequences if I found out he decided to disobey me on this. I let the threat linger in the air and hoped that would be enough to deter my youngest, who seemed to be drawn into gambling more than either of his brothers ever had been.
I was rather surprised that Pa agreed so readily, to the idea of us taking part in the race. After all, I had lied to them about the existence of such an event. I had been expecting a lecture, at least, but Pa never mentioned my deceit, at all, and I knew that he must have guessed that I was not telling the truth; he always knew when I was lying. This was all to the good, as it meant that Hoss didn’t find out that I had made it up, just to stop him pounding on me.
I had to admit that it was probably down to Adam’s wonderful way with words, that I was still able to sit comfortably. Oh, I know that I often complained when he would start spouting poetry and Shakespeare, but I guess all that learning must be good for something. Him being able to get round Pa, was definitely worth having to put up with his occasional attempts to educate us.
Hoss listened to all that Pa said about the race not interfering with our chores, just like Adam and me did. However, he said nothing, as he was too busy eating. Rations had been a bit basic up on the mountainside and I think that Hoss was trying to cram a week’s worth of missed meals, into one sitting. I knew that I was gonna havta advise him on his eating habits, to get him fit for the race, but now was not a good time. Judging from the look on his face, I could tell that if I tried to get him to eat less, at this precise moment, I was very likely to receive the pounding that I nearly got, earlier.
I did start to outline an exercise program, though, and informed him that he needed to be up an hour earlier, than normal, to fit in a run, before chores. He didn’t look too happy about it, but agreed. I wasn’t pleased, either, as one of us would need to get up at the same time, to ensure that he actually went on the run, and guess who was elected for the job? None other than yours truly, only the worst member of the family at getting up, that’s who!
I said that I would work out some exercises that would strengthen his upper body, for all the rowing he would be doing. Pa suggested plenty of wood chopping and I was quick to approve of that one. As the youngest member of the family, I was the one who did most of the wood chopping on the ranch, and so was happy to let someone else do it.
When Pa mentioned gambling on the outcome of the race, for a brief moment I thought he was going to say that it was okay for me to place a bet. No such luck, he expressly forbade me to do any such thing. He also spent a considerable amount of time, explaining to me the consequences, if I disobeyed him. Pa is almost as good as Adam at painting a picture, with words. By the time he had finished, I could see, only too well, what I was in for, if I didn’t do as he said.
The next morning Little Joe send Hoss on a very long run, after which he would work out on the woodpile. It was really funny seeing that big brother of ours going off for a run. He didn’t look too happy about it, but he went anyway. Joe didn’t even let him have any breakfast, other than an apple! Just goes to show what a little financial incentive can do.
Joe and I took care of the chores as fast as we dared and at breakfast we volunteered to go to town to get the supplies and collect the mail. Well, we did need a reason to go, didn’t we? We couldn’t very well tell pa exactly what we were going to do. That would land little brother in a whole lot of trouble. Not to mention the fact that pa wouldn’t be very happy with me either. So we needed an excuse and the fact that Hop Sing was running low on supplies was just what we needed.
On our way to town I discussed my plan for
a sponsor with Joe. Since we already decided that Founder’s Day would be the
perfect day for the race, I thought I might try to get one of the silver
mine-owners to sponsor our race. After all silver was the reason
Anyway, while I would search for a sponsor, which I didn’t think would take me very long, Joe would collect the mail and we would meet up in Daisy’s Kitchen. He couldn’t very well start making announcements before we were sure we had a sponsor. As soon as we had one, he would make arrangements for the publicity while I took care of the rest of the errands.
Joe dropped me off at Mr. Masterson’s
house, the owner of the largest mine in the area. I was sure he would be more
than willing to sponsor our race. Fortunately he was at home and I was led to
his study, where I explained the reason for my visit over a cup of coffee. I
could tell he needed to be warmed up a bit to the idea at first, but once I
told him about the publicity for his mine through our ads, and the goodwill
towards the people of
How difficult was it to follow one simple instruction, one simple condition? I would have thought they would at least do their best the first day, but one look at the yard and barn told me the chores weren’t properly finished. They had obviously skimped through them in an attempt to keep me off their backs. I wasn’t fooled that easily though. Adam had tried that trick since he was a child, it didn’t work then and it didn’t work now. But since they weren’t here and the chores had to be done I was mucking out the barn, amongst other things, while Hoss was working up a sweat at the woodpile, after his morning run. Suffice to say that neither of us was very happy with Adam and Joseph at that moment.
I had expected them back before lunch, after all how long could it take to get some supplies and the mail? But as time passed by Hoss and I were getting hungry and ended up having lunch together. Hoss didn’t seem to mind that, since it meant that he could at least eat some real food instead of nibbling on an apple.
After lunch I sent Hoss to check up on the hands. Hoss seemed happy to be doing some real work instead of more training and I needed to work on one of our contracts, so forced myself to work on that for a while, before I allowed myself to make a start with my own plan.
It didn’t occur to me how much time had passed, until I heard the clock strike two. I suddenly realized I hadn’t seen Adam and Joe come back yet. Now surely they wouldn’t have dared to stay in town this long. Not after all that I’d said last night. I went outside to look if they were back and at that moment they returned with the wagon. I yelled at them to get off the wagon and over to the porch immediately, which they did with guilty looking faces. Little Joe started making excuses and tried one of his bright smiles and Adam was trying to explain what had taken them that long, but I just held up my hand and gave them a stern look to silence them. I told them this was their last chance. From now on the chores were to be done properly and there was to be no running all over the area while there was work to be done. We didn’t run a training camp here, this was a working ranch.
They had the good grace not to argue with me on this and went back to unload the wagon.
When I returned to the house, in time for supper, I was pleased to see my brothers actually doing some work. It wasn’t enough that they’d slipped off into town, without finishing their morning, yard chores. They hadn’t been home in time to do anything else at all, until mid afternoon, either. The early morning run, on an empty stomach, had done nothing to make me feel well disposed to covering for them.
When I tackled ‘em about it, all I got was how hard they had been working, in town, to sort out the details of the race.
As we began to eat, Joe started outlining some more exercises that he wanted me to try, and I pointed out that the best one would be some actual time spent in a canoe, on the water. He looked a mite surprised at that idea. I thought it was obvious, and I’m supposed to be the dumb one! If I was gonna win a canoe race, I needed to practise in a canoe. I had been in one, many years ago, but it had not been a pleasant experience. It had belonged to Adam, and Joe and I ended up wrecking it, but we were only very young at the time.** Joe said that he was working on getting us one, and Pa reminded him that he was not to neglect his chores while he did so.
Joe turned his attention to what I was eating and said that I needed to watch my intake. I told him that I always watched my food, until I put it in my mouth, but he didn’t seem to find that very funny. I warned him that I wasn’t about to starve, even for a thousand dollars, but, as usual, he ignored me. I swear, once that boy gets a bee in his bonnet, there’s no stopping him.
After supper, he had me in the yard, doing some push ups, not a good idea on a full stomach and I told him so. He reluctantly agreed and said that I could add them to my morning exercise routine. This would mean me getting up even earlier. I started to have grave doubts about the whole idea, but with both my silver tongued brothers involved, it’s hard to say no and so I just nodded and headed for bed.
I almost laughed out loud when Joe send Hoss to bed within minutes after supper, but I managed to keep it down and duck my head to hide the fact that I couldn’t keep a straight face. We could hear Hoss grumbling all the way to his room. Mumbling something about always having to do all the work and silver tongued brothers and I think he mentioned a decent steak, but I’m not sure. He had been right about one thing though: we really needed a canoe by now. But I already had a solution to that problem. This was right up my sleeve.
I gave Joe a signal and told pa we would be bedding down the horses.
Joe followed me to the barn, where I told him about my plan. I was convinced we could make one ourselves. With my education and all the material we needed, it shouldn’t be a problem. I knew we could do this. I was really excited about this. It had been a while since I had a chance to work on such a project. In my head I had already made the drawing. I knew exactly how to make one. Hey, I hadn’t been friends with Young Wolf for years for nothing. He had taught me quite a lot and not just about hunting. There was no doubt about it: I would make this canoe myself.
Joe just looked at me, grinning and asked how long I thought that would take me. He said that the canoe wouldn’t be finished till long after the race. I was a little put out at that remark. What did he take me for? That canoe would be finished in time. And I told him so. It would be a real beauty too.
But Joe kept grinning and repeated his question. Hours? Days? And then it dawned on me. We didn’t have the time to do that. Joe was right, it would cost us a lot of time. Valuable time for Hoss to practice, but also time we needed to spend working. Pa really chewed us out a couple of hours earlier about the half-finished chores. I still can’t believe I was foolish enough to believe I could pull that off. It had never worked before. Most of the time it had cost me even more chores. And pa was right. This is a working ranch. So it wouldn’t do to waste valuable time making our own canoe. Even though it would have been a great project. I tried to put my disappointment aside and put my mind to finding another solution to get our hands on a canoe.
Joe had another idea: he suggested he’d go
over to the Paiutes and try to trade that mule we still had in our barn after
that whole circus-fiasco, for a canoe. I had some doubts whether the Paiutes
would consider that enough, but a trade would be perfect. We would get rid of
that blasted, good for nothing animal and in return we’d get a much needed
canoe. Joe said he’d think about what else he could use to trade with and we
decided he would go over to the Paiute camp tomorrow. I agreed to cover for him
with morning chores. It wouldn’t do to get pa riled again, so it was in both
our interests they were all done.
Joe
I must admit to feeling just a bit smug, when I was able to prove my eldest brother wrong; that didn’t happen very often. We didn’t have time to build a canoe, even though I’m sure he would have done a great job, if had he done so.
Our best bet was trading with the Paiutes, although Adam did have a point; that ole mule might not be enough to persuade them to part with a canoe. I went up to my room and had a look around, to see if I had anything worth trading with. It didn’t take me long to realise that I didn’t. Most of my stuff was only worth something to me, for its sentimental value. Why would a Paiute Indian want a marble collection, or a ship in a bottle, or an old stuffed toy?
My most valuable possession was Cochise and I wasn’t about to give her up. Not that the Paiutes would want her; after all, we’d got her from them, in the first place. I had a saddle and a rifle, but needed them. Besides, the Paiutes didn’t use saddles like ours. I’m sure they would have wanted the rifle, but Pa had given it to me, for my 15th birthday, and I couldn’t bear to part with it.
Thinking of Pa gave me an idea. Every year, Pa would go up and meet with Chief Winnemucca and they would talk, and exchange gifts. Adam called it his cultural visit. Pa often gave the chief mementoes, of the time he was at sea, and so I decided to check out Pa’s sea chest, which was in the attic. I wanted to see if there was something in there that I could take, in case the mule wasn’t enough. I know this was stealing, kinda, cos the stuff didn’t belong to me. However, I reasoned it out by telling myself that Pa was likely to give whatever I chose, to the chief, anyway, at some point in the future, and so it was okay for me to do so.
Hoss was already snoring in his room and Pa and Adam were involved in a chess match, and so I sneaked up to the attic. I took a lamp from my room, with me, and went in, wiping away the cobwebs that hit me in the face. Once my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I made my way to the chest. There were several items that looked suitable, but I eventually chose a brass telescope, as I figured that Chief Winnemucca might like it. I took it down to my room, wrapped it up in my bedroll and hid it under my bed. I was planning to leave very early the next morning, before Pa and Hoss were awake. Adam was going to wake me up, as he needed an early start, in order to do my chores, as well as his own.
I returned to the main room, to find Pa and Adam still battling it out on the chess board, and so I told them I was going to bed. Pa was rather surprised and asked if I was feeling all right, but I assured him that all was well, and said goodnight.
True to his word, Adam got me up before dawn, the next day, and helped me hitch up the team. I tied up the mule to the back of the wagon and managed to hide the telescope, still wrapped up in my bedroll, under the seat, without Adam seeing it. I knew that he would not approve of me taking it.
I was soon on my way; it was a pleasant morning and the trip took me through some pretty places. Although, for most of the journey, I was only half awake, and not really aware of my surroundings.
As I approached the Paiute village, I saw the guards watching me from the surrounding hills. I waved and they waved back; I was a fairly frequent visitor and they were happy to see me.
Chief Winnemucca invited me to join him for something to eat and I agreed. Not that I particularly liked their cooking, but I knew that it was rude to refuse their hospitality. Pa had explained all this to me and I knew that before I could start trading, I had to spend some time, socialising.
He asked me how my father and brothers were and I enquired after his family, too, and then we got down to business.
I explained that I wanted to trade for a canoe and I showed them the mule. Chief Winnemucca ran an expert hand over the animal and made some comments, in his native tongue, to the other braves, who had joined us. I could not tell if they were interested, or not, and so just sat, cross legged on the ground and waited to see what would happen. Chief Winnemucca said that the animal was sound enough, but rather old, and not likely to be able to do that much work for them. He was not keen to let me have a canoe, for just the mule.
I went over to the wagon and retrieved the telescope, and the sight of it brought gasps of admiration from the braves. I’m not sure if they knew what it was, but it certainly was a pretty thing. I showed it to Winnemucca, explaining what it was for, and he was very impressed.
In no time at all, I found myself the owner of a canoe, and a couple of the braves helped me load it into the back of the wagon.
I drove home, feeling very pleased with myself, although I was a bit concerned about what Pa was likely to say, once he learned of the loss of his telescope. I consoled myself with the thought, that I could buy Pa a new one, with my share of the prize money. We had already agreed that we were going to split the thousand dollars between the three of us, $400 for Hoss, as he was the one taking part, and $300 each for me and Adam, for helping him to win.
As soon as I returned home, the family gathered round, to admire the canoe. I was hoping that no one would ask how much it had cost and, thankfully, they didn’t. They all assumed that it had been a straight swap for the mule.
We put it in the barn and then I asked Hoss if he had done his morning exercises. He assured me he had, and I said that we would try out the canoe later that day, after promising Pa that all our chores would be done, before we did.
The canoe was a real beauty. Joe had made an excellent trade even though it seemed a bit odd that the Paiutes had been willing to trade this first class piece of craftsmanship for an old mule. I remembered him telling me the night before that he would look for something else to throw in, but I couldn’t imagine what that could be. He certainly hadn’t mentioned anything to me this morning. Now I have to admit that one thing Joe and I have in common is our tendency not to volunteer information. And I did have a sneaky suspicion that there was a little more to this trade. I had half a mind to push for some answers, but realized just in time that those answers might not be something I would like to hear. Or better said, I thought pa wouldn’t like to hear them. And I didn’t want anything to jeopardize this project. So I kept my mouth shut. The truth would come out in the end. It always did. Well, most of the time anyway. I just hoped for Joe’s sake that this time it wouldn’t lead to trouble if it did.
After lunch pa left. He seemed mighty pleased with something. He said he wouldn’t be back until supper and left us with a list of chores for the afternoon. Really, sometimes you’d think we were still teenagers with no idea how to run a ranch. Although Joe might still be one, even he doesn’t need to have his chores spelled out for him. But that’s pa for you.
We worked as hard as we could to finish everything, so that we would have enough time to take the canoe out to the lake to test it out. We were really excited about it. Acting like a couple of schoolboys. Joe was telling us about the trade, impersonating Chief Winnemucca, feeling Hoss’ muscles, commenting on them in some fake Indian speech to an imaginary brave. We were laughing and joking about that old mule and at one point Hoss wondered out loud what the chief wanted with that “dumb ole mule”. Joe stopped laughing for a second and then shrugged, laughing again, saying he didn’t know, but he was just glad we got rid of the animal. To any other observer his reaction might have sounded perfectly normal, but I knew him better. I had been right all along. There was something he was not telling us.
But again I didn’t ask. Perhaps I just didn’t want to know. And we left for the lake. The closer we came the more Hoss began to fidget. I think he was beginning to have second thoughts about all this. He kept making remarks about that canoe being too small and not sturdy enough. Joe and I tried to built up his confidence a bit. It was only natural the guy was feeling a little apprehensive about being in a canoe. His first and only other time hadn’t been very pleasant, but there was nothing to be afraid of.
When we got to the lake, we pushed the canoe into the water and Hoss got in, while I held it in place. The canoe fitted, but only just. I had to admit that. Hoss gave Joe a last pleading look, but Joe handed him the paddle and told him to start practising. And he did. Sort of. It was funny to look at them both. Hoss trying to paddle with all his might and Joe shouting instructions. Left…no now right…left again. Poor Hoss. He didn’t go very fast yet and he didn’t exactly go forward, more like in circles. Of course Joe’s instructions had something to do with that, but the poor guy was looking absolutely ridiculous.
Suddenly he seemed to lose his balance and before we knew it the canoe tipped over. Joe started laughing and I couldn’t help myself either. We had both seen it coming. We were waiting for Hoss to come up, but that didn’t happen. The canoe was making strange moves, as if it were jumping up and down in the water. That was when we both realized there was something wrong and we jumped into the water.
As fast as we could, we swam towards the canoe where we were sure our brother was stuck. I arrived first and dived under water. After that everything went very quick. Hoss was indeed stuck in the canoe and I pulled at him under water, while Joe held the canoe. It worked. We got him out and he came up, splashing and sucking in the air. I got him to the shore and Joe tagged the canoe along, pulling it halfway up the shore.
Once we were out of the water we all sank down to the ground. We were gasping for air. Not just because we were out of breath, but also out of fear of what might have happened.
I was beginning to have grave doubts about this whole idea. I was plumb tuckered out, after all the early morning runs and exercises. I still had my normal chores to do, plus I was covering for my sneaky brothers, who were off in town, or jawing with the Paiutes. Joe kept making noises about me going on a diet, too, but I just ignored him.
When Little Joe brought the canoe home, frankly I was a mite alarmed. It looked so small and flimsy and I was sure it would never hold my weight. I wasn’t as keen on being in the water, as Adam and Little Joe were. I could swim, but not that well and when we’d gone on a holiday to San Francisco and been on a boat in the bay, I was seasick.*** But the two of them could be so persuasive, and I didn’t have the heart to voice my fears.
We worked real hard to get our chores finished. Mebbe not as well as we should’ve, but pretty much up to scratch, to give us some time at the lake, later in the afternoon.
Pa had gone off, without saying where he was going, but that left us the chance to do what we wanted to do, and so we didn’t ask any questions.
I was rather surprised that Little Joe had managed to get the canoe for the mule. Old Tweedie had really slickered us on that one and I couldn’t see what use an ole mule was to the Paiutes. Adam was curious, too, but our little brother wasn’t saying much and, as we needed the canoe, there seemed little point in trying to upset things. Mebbe we would end up losing it, if we delved too much into what had gone on.
By the time we got to the lake, though, I was wishing we could lose it. My only other experience in a canoe was coming back to haunt me and I didn’t like the memory. But Adam and Little Joe were egging me on and, as usual, I got caught up in their enthusiasm. Dang it, the thought of that thousand dollar prize spurred me on, too. After getting nothing for my wrastling skills, I was eager to make something outta this venture.
I stepped into the canoe and all my fears came back, as it dipped down in the water. However, it did bob up again and Little Joe handed me the paddle. I only just managed to fit into it, Paiutes ain’t as big as me. Joe started yelling out instructions, although truth be told, I doubted if he knew anymore than I did, about handling a canoe.
No matter what I did, the dadburned thing kept spinning round in circles and I was getting more than a little dizzy.
In an effort to stop it spinning, I pushed the paddle down into the water, a mite hard. Well, it stopped the circlin’, but tipped the dang thing over, with me trapped inside.
I was well and truly jammed in the seat and try as I might, I couldn’t right it.
Just when I was sure I was gonna die, I felt someone yanking me out. The next thing I knew I was free and gulping in air, instead of water. Adam helped me to the shore and Joe followed, dragging the canoe.
I lay on the shore, spewing out lake water for what seemed like forever, while Adam tended to me and Joe hovered, looking scared.
Eventually, I was able to sit up, very glad to be alive, and not keen to repeat the experience. Joe threw his arms around me and hugged me, saying how glad he was that I was okay. I kinda hoped that was gonna be the last I saw of the canoe, but no such luck.
Joe seemed to think that the only problem was, that I was a little too broad around the middle, and so his solution was to put me on a diet. I nearly die and now he wants to finish me off, by starving me to death! I looked over at Adam, to be the voice of reason, only to find him agreeing with Little Joe. I lay back on the ground and found myself wishing that I had been an only child.
I pretended not to notice the inquiring look Adam gave me when I told the boys I would be out for the afternoon. I was looking forward to executing my plan. So after I made sure there were no questions as to the work that needed to be done, before they went to the lake to practice, I saddled up Buck and left. The previous day I had arranged two head of cattle to be kept aside for me, by one of the hands, and I hurried to collect them. The cattle would slow me down a bit, but I needed them for my plan.
Soon enough I arrived at my destination: the Paiute camp. They were a bit surprised to see a second Cartwright shortly after the first had left, but two braves brought me to chief Winnemucca, who welcomed me as an old friend. Winnemucca and I have known each other for a long time and even though there will always be a distance, we respected each other highly, and in a way could be called friends. We sat down in front of his tent and after one of the women had brought some food, he asked me what he could do for Ben Cartwright. I told him about the canoe-race. I told him all about the lie Joe had told, the organizing I was sure they were doing now. And I told him I needed to show my sons their father was still someone to be reckoned with. Winnemucca said something like “father always must walk ahead of son” and I knew he understood completely.
I told him I needed a canoe too, but I wasn’t looking for a fancy canoe like Joe had picked, I was only interested in speed. I needed a lean, fast canoe. Winnemucca had just the right one for me. The cattle was more than enough for the trade and the chief left me alone for a while, to arrange for two braves to bring the canoe to the lake for me and hide it there. While I was waiting, I noticed a little boy watching me. It wasn’t as much the fact that he was watching me that caught my interest, as that happened often, when we visited. No, it was the fact that he was watching me through a telescope that had me baffled. It couldn’t be….but it was. It really was my telescope. The one I had bought on one of my voyages at sea. But how….no, it was perfectly clear how. There was only one person who could have brought it to the Paiute camp. I knew the mule hadn’t been enough. It couldn’t have been. But the chief did like trinkets and mementoes. Most of the time not for himself, but for the women and children in the camp. My temper started to rise when I thought of my youngest son actually stealing from me. I had never thought he would have the audacity to do that. But the proof was right here in front of me.
I had to be totally sure, though, and when Winnemucca returned, I asked him about the trade Joe had made that morning. I asked him specifically what Joe had used to trade with. The chief must have seen the anger in my face, because he immediately understood I was talking about the telescope. He also understood my son had not asked my permission to take it. He offered to give it back to me, saying the cattle would more than cover it, especially since I would be returning the canoe after the race, but I had a lesson to teach my son. I told him my son would be bringing him his rifle to replace the telescope. But only after the race. The chief agreed; I hid the telescope in my saddlebag and we parted.
It was a good thing it took me some time to get back to the ranch, because my first impulse had been to drag Joseph all the way from the lake to the barn and have a long “discussion” with him on honesty and theft. A discussion that would leave him standing for days. But that wouldn’t be enough to teach him the lesson I wanted him to learn. The loss of his rifle, although equally painful, would be only a part of his punishment though, I vowed to myself. But I would hold off the confrontation until after the race.
It was hard to keep quiet about it, though, at supper. The boys were all chatting about the training-session. Apparently, it had gone well, although I got the distinct feeling there was something they were leaving out. I had enough on my mind, so I didn’t push for answers. I merely listened to them, every once in a while glancing at Joseph, trying hard to keep my temper in check. He acted as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Well, that would soon change.
The next morning I got up before dawn and went to the lake. I found the canoe at the expected place and started my own training-session. It went very well, if I may say so myself. I was confident, that with a couple more sessions, I would be ready to take on not only Hoss, but the entire town.
When I was finished I hid the canoe at the same place and went back to the ranch. I made sure I was back in time for breakfast, so I wouldn’t be missed.
Looking back, I guess we should have known that Pa was up to something. He had that look about him, like the cat who’s been at the cream, but we were all too wrapped up in our own plans to pay him much mind.
I was having the devil of a time, trying to keep Hoss to his diet. Not only did I havta watch him at mealtimes, but he kept trying to sneak off from his chores and head for the kitchen. Now Hop Sing don’t like my big brother paying visits to his domain, cos it usually ends up with something going missing. Therefore, he did a pretty good job of stopping Hoss from eating too much, but he wasn’t always there, and so I was having to skip chores to keep an eye on Hoss.
Then I had to get to town to sort out Glory’s Pocahontas costume. Tried to get Pa to let me do a supply run, but he said we didn’t need anything til the end of the week, and besides, he don’t like me going to town alone. I get the feeling he don’t trust me, can’t think why!
So, that meant sneaking into town, when I should’ve been searching for strays, darn it. I didn’t think that Pa would be too impressed with my plans to be getting a saloon girl to parade through the streets of the town, wearing next to nothing.
I arrived outside the Bucket of Blood and tied up Cochise. I went in, and Bruno told me that Glory wasn’t working. As the place is open nearly all the time, because of the miners and their shift system, the girls work shifts, too, and so she was likely to be sleeping. I ordered a beer and caught the eye of Peggy, one of Glory’s friends. Because the girls know Adam and Hoss, they allow me to hang around and chat to them, when they are not busy.
I called her over to a table, at the back of the room. Bruno don’t mind me being in there, but don’t like me drawing attention to myself. He knows that Pa don’t let me go in alone; I have to have a minder with me, in the shape of Adam or Hoss.
Peggy already knew that I’d asked Glory to advertise the race for us, and she was a bit cross that I hadn’t asked her, as she could’ve done with the money. I knew that she was handy with a needle and thread, as I’d heard her talking to the other gals about making dresses for them, and so I asked her to make Glory’s costume. I was able to pay her, as we had the expenses money from Mr Masterson. I explained that I wanted it to be a very tight fitting costume, one that would show off Glory’s ample charms and found myself blushing, as I said this. Peggy understood and, as she and Glory are about the same size, she said she would go ahead and make it, without consulting Glory. I think this was a case of sour grapes; she was planning to make it very revealing, as she was hoping to get the job of wearing it, instead of Glory. I think she hoped that Glory might back out when she saw it. I didn’t much mind who wore it; they were both very pretty gals, and so went along with the plan. I gave her the money for the material and we agreed a price for making it. As this was my idea, I wasn’t sure what I was gonna tell Adam and Hoss, when they asked what I’d used the money for. I hoped they would just accept my vague explanation that the money had been spent on advertising, cos it had.
It was very pleasant, sitting in the saloon, sipping a beer and having a pretty gal sat with you, and I could’ve stayed there all day. However, I knew that I had to at least find one dadblamed stray to take home with me, or else Pa would begin to smell a rat, and so I had to leave. Peggy said that the costume would be ready in a couple of days and so I arranged to go and see her, then. Another illicit trip to town, oh well, it was for a good cause, one thousand of ‘em, actually.
Before I left, though, I did manage to get a few of the Bucket of Blood customers to make some bets. Now that the event had been advertised in the paper, we had a list of participants, and Bruno had it posted up in the saloon. Even after the scare of Hoss capsizing, I was still confident of him winning, especially when I checked out the competition, and so I made some pretty bold statements. By the time I left the saloon, I reckoned that, after the race, I would be around $200 better off, and that was before we split the prize money. I did have a bit of trouble getting some of the men to agree to gamble with me, after all I am only a kid, but they figured that I had Cartwright money behind me, and so accepted the wager. I didn’t let on that Pa, Adam and Hoss would never have let me use the ranch money to make bets with; I can be very persuasive, when I wanna be.
I hightailed it back to the ranch and did manage to find a couple of the lost cattle, before supper time, and so Pa was none the wiser about my trip to town.
Poor Hoss really had drawn the short straw on this one. He was having a hard time. Joe put him on a diet, had him exercising all day, training in the canoe…I don’t know how he managed to talk him into getting in that thing again, because I was sure he would never set foot in it, anymore. But somehow Joe knows exactly what to say to get him to do anything he wants. Well, almost that is. Anyway, Hoss did get back in the canoe and he started to practice. So it was high time I went to town to check up on the advertising and make the final arrangements. Hoss and I had a little talk last night and he was really keen on taking on some bets. It’s not that I wasn’t keen on the idea, no matter what pa says, there’s nothing wrong with a little extra money, but I wanted to be sure of the competition first.
Which left me with the problem of how to get to town on a workday without pa finding out. He sure was loading up the chores. He had exempted Hoss from chores to practice as long as Joe and I made sure everything was done. I think pa was having a lot of fun at our expense on this one. He kept grinning when he thought we weren’t watching. Made me feel a little uneasy.
Fortunately this morning he sent Joe to search for strays. The boy had the audacity to “volunteer” to get supplies. We’d only just gotten the supplies for a week, so I was sure the boy was up to something. I was going to keep an eye on him for the next couple of days. I wanted to make sure he didn’t do anything to get us all in trouble or jeopardize the whole thing.
My job didn’t give me the opportunity to go to town until after lunch, but at least I wasn’t searching for strays and was able to go through with the organising, without skipping chores. Well, not much anyway.
It was around two when I finally arrived in
town. First stop was the Territorial Enterprise to check up on the ads. Joe
really had done a good job on them. After that I walked around town for a bit.
Everywhere I saw posters, even
Well, it was time to find out if we actually had contestants. Somehow, that had
been my biggest doubt about all this. I knew Joe and Hoss would do this, but
wouldn’t other people have reservations about this, considering the prejudice
against the Indians? So with some trepidation I entered the general store. Mr.
Cass had been nice enough to be in charge of signing up contestants. He gave me
the list and to my surprise there were actually 11 entrants. I looked at the
names and was relieved to see that there was no real competition. I mean you
can’t expect a 60 year old to beat Hoss and there was actually a woman on the
list. I know we never said women couldn’t enter, but I didn’t think they would
go for this kind of thing. Didn’t matter though, she wouldn’t be able to
compete successfully in this race. There were some younger men on the list, but
no one with the physical condition of my brother. No, Hoss would have a very
good chance at winning this. So I felt confident enough to go over to The
Bucket of Blood and try to get some of the men to wager on the outcome. I
thanked Mr.Cass and went over to The
Bucket of Blood.
Bruno was behind the bar and I went over to order a beer. There was nothing like a nice beer on a hot day. We started talking a bit and he told me there was something going on between Glory and Peggy. Some sort of rivalry. If it didn’t stop soon, he’d have to do something about it. It wasn’t affecting business yet, but that could happen any day. Both girls were working and I could see what he meant. They didn’t look angry or anything, but something was bothering Peggy. Well, I didn’t want to get involved. Glory was still a bit of a sensitive subject for me, even after all these years. So I took my beer over to one of the tables and started talking to some of the men about the race. People seemed very interested, had already checked out the list of contestants that was hanging behind the bar for reference, and they didn’t need much prompting to speculate on the outcome. Before I knew it I had placed bets running up to 500 dollars. When I realized how much I’d been betting, I started to back out a little. Sure as I was about Hoss winning this race, this kind of money was more than enough for Hoss and me. It was high time I got back to the ranch. I was already running late for the evening chores, wouldn’t want to be late for dinner
After my near death experience with that dadburned canoe, I was not that keen on getting back in it, but my brothers talked me round. Two agin one and both of them loaded with all that charm; I didn’t stand a chance.
At least they were helping me out with my chores and so I didn’t havta work so hard, but I was still real tired, most of the time. The exercise schedule, which my little brother prepared for me, was enough to finish off most people. When I wasn’t out running, I was lifting weights, well, sacks of grain, doing push ups and sit ups and, in my spare time, chopping wood. Joe was trying to get me to eat less, too. Normally I’d have kicked up a fuss, but a lot of the time I was too tired to eat much anyway. I even fell asleep at the dinner table a couple of nights ago, something that only my little brother has ever done before.
The two of ‘em were still disappearing into
town, regularly, and being very mysterious about what they were doing,
particularly Little Joe. Considering they were supposed to be doing my chores,
as well as their own, they didn’t seem to be spending much time on the
Ponderosa. Pa was growling a bit, but strangely enough, was not making that
much fuss. That should’ve made us suspicious, as he’d been very clear, from the
start, that we weren’t to neglect our work. However, I think we were all too
wrapped up in what we were doing, to take that much notice of
As I was out on my early morning run, I found myself thinking, not for the first time, why I allowed myself to be dragged into Little Joe’s schemes. I chuckled to myself, even though I didn’t really think I had much to laugh about. Joe had been able to twist me round his little finger, since he’d been born. Although he infuriated me beyond belief, sometimes, and I knew that most of his plans were likely to lead me into trouble, I could hardly ever refuse him. Adam says I’m gullible, but I guess I just love the little guy too much to let him down. When he turns on that puppy dog look, well, what’s a man to do? Adam says I should just say no and kick his sorry tail for him, but he ain’t as immune to Joe, as he likes to pretend he is. Looking out for Little Joe is a way of life to us, and neither of us could stop, even if we wanted to. Getting involved in his schemes at least means that we can check on what he’s up to, well that’s the idea, anyway.
We went out to the lake, as often as we could, and things began to get better. At least I managed to go in a straight line, occasionally, instead of round in circles!
I still don’t think that Joe knew what he was on about, but he spent a lot of time, running up and down the shore, yelling out encouraging words to me. Adam talked a great deal about weight ratio and stuff that didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but he was happy and so I left him to it.
I was pleased to hear about the other contestants, and that Adam had got some bets riding on the outcome of the race. Didn’t sound like the competition was likely to cause me many problems. There was an old man and a lady, plus several business men, who hardly ever got out from behind their desks, taking part; this was gonna be a cinch race.
I wonder if they really thought they were getting away with skipping chores, unauthorized trips to town and being at the lake supporting Hoss, when there was work to be done. Did they think I was getting old? But for now it served my own purposes. Sometimes it seemed they weren’t even aware of the fact I was around. Which was perfect, because it also meant they didn’t notice I was out a lot, when I was practising myself. It was getting hard to find time between Hoss’ training sessions, but I managed. A couple of times I stayed around for a while, hidden from view, and watched Hoss practice. He was doing alright, but not great. He had the strength, but keeping a straight line was still difficult for him. I was sure I was able to beat him in the race. That would teach those sons of mine not to take me for a fool and more so it would show them what a man my age was still capable of. I wasn’t ready to hand over the reins yet.
One time I even surprised them and came over to the lake with some lunch Hop Sing had prepared. Hoss was happy to see me, but Adam and Joe paled a little. And so they should. They were supposed to be on the other side of the ranch. They obviously expected me to yell at them, lecturing them about the responsibilities of running a ranch. So when I simply asked them how Hoss was doing and started unpacking lunch, it threw them off completely. I was being very amiable and even gave Hoss a couple of pointers. All through lunch, though, his brothers kept throwing me sideward glances and they were very cautious of their words. I was having a great time. The yelling would wait until after the race. But yell I would; I would yell so hard their teeth would rattle.
That night I broke my own record again and felt
confident to enter myself in the race. So I asked Paul Martin to sign me up as
Ben Carter, from
Pa was being very decent, considering the fact that none of us were pulling our weight on the ranch. I kept expecting the axe to fall, but he never said a word, and so I think we got kinda careless.
Adam said he would go and supervise Hoss’ practise session on the water, and I decided to go into town and check on the progress of the Pocahontas costume. I had managed to keep this a secret from my brothers. I wanted them to be impressed with my ingenuity, when they saw Glory wearing it.
I arrived at the Bucket of Blood and Bruno said that Peggy was in her room and I could go up and see her. Now, despite the fact that I like to think of myself as being a ladies’ man, I had never been to any of the upstairs rooms in the saloon. I have to admit, I was rather scared. Mainly, in case anyone saw me going and told Pa about it. This was the trouble when you live in a town where your family is well known; everyone seems to think they havta be responsible for keeping an eye on you.
Fortunately, the saloon wasn’t very busy and no one took much notice of me. I knocked on the door and Peggy told me to go in. When I did, she was hidden from view, by a screen, which divided off part of the room. As I waited for her, I looked around the room. It wasn’t very big and a huge bed dominated most of the space. It was very warm and the air was heavily scented with some rather cheap perfume.
When she emerged, the sight that greeted me, about fried my eyes. She was wearing the costume and it exceeded my wildest dreams and, believe me, a boy of my age does have pretty wild dreams! It was cut low in all the right places and cut high in others, and it fitted like a second skin.
When I was able to speak, I asked her if Glory had seen it, and Peggy said that she had. They had decided that they would both wear it; Peggy on the day before the race and Glory on the actual day. I was happy with that arrangement, as it meant twice as much publicity. I handed over the money we had agreed, for her making the costume, and promised her the fee for the job, after the event. She was happy with this and gave me a kiss, causing me to blush, and making her laugh. I made my excuses and left, as I was rather embarrassed that I had acted like a silly kid.
I checked the list of competitors, in the saloon, before I went home. There was another entrant, a Ben Carter, but I wasn’t bothered. I was still very confident that big brother Hoss would be able to beat anyone.
When I got back to the ranch, Hoss and Adam were working in the yard. The training session had gone well and so we were all pleased with the way our afternoon had been spent. Adam asked me what I had been doing, but I just muttered something about publicity and he was satisfied with that.
I was sure there was more to Joe’s trip to town than simple publicity; he wouldn’t have been that vague about it if that was all. But he was obviously not telling us, so there was little point in pressing for answers. It was always only a matter of time with my little brother.
Fact of the matter is I was really a bit annoyed that Hoss and I had been doing all the work, but I couldn’t very well say that out loud, knowing that I too had done my fair share of skipping chores lately. It was a miracle pa hadn’t said a word about it, which was a little unsettling. I like things predictable. And I would have thought he would have come down on us days before, at least. I nearly jumped out of my skin when he suddenly showed up at practice the other day. Was already bracing myself for a thundering lecture, but nothing of the kind. He just wanted a nice lunch with his sons. Or so he said.
Well, it couldn’t be helped, the day before the race I had to go to town again. I had to make a final check on the entrance list and I needed to talk to Mr. Masterson. He was the sponsor after all and he needed to know when and where he would be needed. So instead of mending fences, I found myself on my way to Mr. Masterson.
As soon as I went up to the house, I knew there was something wrong. The windows were covered with blinds and there was this atmosphere around the house that told me something had happened. Mrs. Masterson opened the door. She was wearing a black dress and she obviously had been crying. She looked very tired. She informed me her husband had been killed in an accident, two days earlier, and his cousin had taken over the business. If I had any business-matters to discuss I should go see him at the office. The news hit me in the stomach. I barely managed to offer my condolences. I knew Mr. Masterson’s cousin. He was a very arrogant man and frankly he wasn’t known as a generous one. He didn’t even donate money for the church fund. I was starting to feel sick. I didn’t have a written contract, a handshake was more than enough, usually. I knew I had very little chance of convincing this cousin to honour Mr. Masterson’s agreement, but I also knew I had to try, so with lead in my shoes I went over to the office.
At first I didn’t register what I was seeing, but suddenly I woke up out of my nightmare for a bit, only to land in another one. There, walking down the road with a poster for the race, was Peggy from the saloon, in an outfit I don’t even want to begin to describe. Well, maybe…it did look good on her. You could see all her curves and….oh no, no, there was only one person who could be responsible for that. There was no question about it. Just how had he been able to convince her to do this? And another thought hit me: he must have gone to the saloon to even begin trying to convince her. I could only hope he had stayed downstairs. If pa caught wind of this, the boy was dead. Absolutely, irrevocably dead. Well, figuratively speaking that is. In reality he wouldn’t be able to sit his horse for a month. Alright, even that might be a slight exaggeration. Anyway, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. I really wanted to go over and ask Peggy a couple of questions, not to mention haul her back to the saloon, but I had more urgent business to attend to for the moment.
Mr. Masterson’s cousin, Mr. Sweeney, made it quite clear he wasn’t interested in the race and as long as I couldn’t produce a signed contract, he had no business with me. I couldn’t believe I had been as stupid not to draw up a contract, but I’d known Mr. Masterson for years and I knew he had always been a man of his word. Still, I should have known better.
I had no idea what to do now. There wasn’t enough time to find another sponsor and there was no way we could cover that kind of money ourselves. Joe certainly didn’t have money lying around, neither had Hoss and even though I had some money saved, it wasn’t nearly enough. If Hoss didn’t win, we were toast.
When I got back home I pulled Joe aside to the barn. I closed the door. First, of course, I interrogated him about Peggy. It seemed he actually thought I would have been impressed by his idea. Well I wasn’t and I told him so, in no uncertain terms. He looked so disappointed I almost felt sorry for him. I promised him I wouldn’t tell pa, but he’d better start praying pa wouldn’t be in town for a couple of weeks, because if he found out, there would be hell to pay. There was something in his eyes then, I didn’t know what, but I was sure I was missing something. But he just looked down and thanked me for not telling pa. Then I told him the bad news about Mr. Masterson. He was as shocked as I was. But when we went over the other contestants, we felt sure Hoss would win the race. Since there was nothing we could do at the time, we decided there wasn’t really anything to worry about.
Founder’s Day finally arrived and it was a beautiful morning. Mind you, that passed me by a bit, cos all I could think of was the canoe race and that $1,000 prize that I was aiming to win.
Joe would’ve been proud of me, if’n he’d been at the table to see it, cos I hardly ate any breakfast; I was too darned nervous.
Pa had already left; Hop Sing gave us a message to say he would see us in town. We got the morning chores outta the way and loaded up the wagon with the canoe and the picnic hamper.
Both Adam and Little Joe appeared to be rather on edge, but I was, too, and so I didn’t put much store by it. I felt that I was as ready as I was ever gonna be and just wanted to get the race over with.
We rode out to the creek first and left the canoe with the others, and then went to town to join in the celebrations.
As I parked up the wagon, I nearly ended up falling off the seat, as a wonderful sight came into view. It was Glory, from the Bucket of Blood, and she was wearing the least that I’ve ever seen anyone wear in public, before. I think she was supposed to be an Indian squaw and she was carrying a placard, advertising the canoe race. As she walked along the boardwalk, she was causing quite a stir, and several ladies were seen to nearly faint from the shock. Most of the men folk, however, were enjoying the sight, like I was. Adam surprised me, though, as he looked rather mad and I saw him grab Joe’s arm and lead him down the nearest alleyway. Mebbe he thought that it was a mite too risqué for our little brother, although I bet that Joe didn’t think like that.
Anyway, they returned after a couple of minutes, by which time Glory had moved on.
We spent the morning visiting the various stalls, that had set out their wares to celebrate Founder’s Day. I wasn’t able to do ‘em justice, as I was still nervous about the race, and I was glad that it was gonna take place just before lunch time.
Pa joined us, but never said why he had left so early, and we didn’t ask, as we had enough secrets of our own to keep. He seemed in good spirits and very generously funded Little Joe, when he wanted to try some of the games of chance.
Joe snuck off a couple of times, without saying where he was going, as did Adam. I guessed that Adam might be sorting out some last minute betting, or having a word with the sponsor, but didn’t know what Joe was up to. He did tell me that he’d been the one who had persuaded Glory to wear the Pocahontas costume. However, he didn’t mention it in front of Pa, who had seen her and was very angry about it. I think that Pa thought it was a bit too revealing at a family event. If he had known that it was Joe’s idea, then I’m sure my little brother would’ve been in for an unpleasant time of it.
Eventually, it was time for the race and so we climbed aboard the wagon and headed out to Snake Creek. There were now 12 contestants taking part and we all began to sort out our canoes. Imagine our surprise, when we saw Pa carrying a canoe over to the creek. At first we thought that he was helping one of the contestants, but then we realised that he was actually taking part. He just smiled and waved at us and we waved back, too shocked to say anything.
I shook hands with Adam and Joe gave me a hug, for good luck, and then I got myself into position. We were certainly a mixed bag, ranging from a couple of quite elderly men, through a young lady and down to a lad, who looked about Joe’s age. I was still pretty confident, though, and waited for the starter to fire his gun.
Once we were on the way, I forgot about my nerves and really began to enjoy myself. I was in the lead, pretty much from the start, but the others weren’t that far behind and so I had to keep my wits about me. The course was a fairly straight one, but there was a nasty bend, just before the end of the race and I knew I had to be careful, as I approached it. If you came in too fast, then you were likely to hit the rocks. We all appeared to still be fairly close and Pa was right on my tail, meaning that I didn’t have much room to manoeuvre. I pushed down hard with the paddle, trying to break away from him. I think I must have put too much effort into it, as I slammed into the rocks, shattering the front end of the canoe. Pa zoomed past me and was declared the winner, and I ended up in the water.
We all went over to congratulate Pa, but none of us were really very sincere about it, I’m afraid. Of course, I knew that Adam and Little Joe were likely to be disappointed, but I didn’t expect ‘em to be as upset, as they were. They both looked like they were just about to throw up, and they hadn’t been the ones to swallow gallons of creek water, like I had. I tried to find out what was the matter, but it was hard to talk, as Pa was sticking very close to us.
Once all the contestants had finished the race and were safely outta the water, they all gathered around to see the presentation of the prize. I was surprised that Mr Masterson wasn’t there, as I knew he had asked for plenty of publicity. Nothing happened, for several minutes, and then Adam called for quiet and dropped his bombshell. Adam told us that Mr Masterson was dead and his heir refused to honour the sponsorship deal. All three of us looked over at Pa and waited for the explosion.
When I watched Adam asking for silence, I noticed he looked as if he would be sick at any moment. Then, as the words came out, I understood why. Judging by Hoss’ face, he was as surprised as I was, but both Adam and Joe had known before the race. That was quite obvious. And it was also obvious they had been hoping Hoss would win. Well, he didn’t win and now they had to pay up. And pay they would. One way or another. It’s not that I needed the money, but I’ve always told them to keep their word and if that lesson needed to be reinforced, it would be.
I didn’t get the chance to speak to them though, because as soon as the words came out, things got pretty fired up. Some people were saying the race was rigged, but it also seemed all my sons owed a lot of people money, from placing bets, and they came collecting. My temper was already starting to rise at the thought of Adam and Hoss having Joe participating in gambling, when those two saloon girls, one of them barely dressed, came up to Joe. It was bad enough Glory was parading around town on a day like this, but what in the world could they want from my youngest? Joe saw me approaching and the mere thought of my presence seemed to make him very nervous. I suddenly understood. It was so obvious I almost kicked myself for not having seen it, earlier. My suspicions were confirmed when both of them told him, in high pitched voices, that he better pay up for their two day’s work, or suffer the consequences. He glanced side wards at me and tried to hush them down. Oh, I’d show him consequences alright.
It was high time I got my sons home, where I could start to get to the bottom of this in the privacy of my own home. I told the crowd all debts would be taken care of, then I looked at my boys and told them to get their tails on their horses, go home, get their backsides on the settee and wait for me. Joseph opened his mouth to protest, but before he or I could say anything, Hoss had placed his hand over his mouth and dragged him over to Cochise.
I made arrangements for the payments, made sure the canoes, well mine, actually, since the other one was beyond salvation and couldn’t be returned to the Paiutes, would be brought to the ranch, and then I decided to take the long way home. I needed to cool down before I dealt with them. I also needed to go over things in my head, to make sure I didn’t forget anything.
By the time I arrived at the house my fury had subsided to mere anger. I entered the house and saw my sons sitting on the settee next to each other. For once they had actually done as they were told. I hung up my hat, took off my gun belt and went over. I stood with my back to the fireplace, hands on my hips and gave them all a long, hard look. Hoss seemed absolutely miserable, Adam looked more embarrassed and Joseph was a picture of guilt. I started interrogating them. It took me a while. Hoss obviously didn’t know much and Adam and Joe are masters at avoiding questions, at not volunteering information. But after half an hour I had pulled the whole sordid tale out of them.
There was no end to the list. I already knew, or suspected, Joseph had been lying about the race, which meant Adam had been lying, too. I actually had to remind my oldest that hiding the truth was just as much a lie. He had the courtesy to look ashamed. Hoss had been exempted from chores, but Joseph and Adam had been skipping them regularly over the last week. They didn’t look surprised that I knew that. I also got the story about that “Pocahontas-outfit”, as Joseph kept calling it. He admitted where he had talked to them, even that he had gone upstairs in the saloon. That little piece of information made my temper rise again. I started lecturing him about that, when I thought of another thing, the gambling. How could Adam and Hoss have let him participate in that, knowing I had forbidden him to do it? I could understand Hoss giving in, but to my knowledge he hadn’t left the ranch. So I looked accusingly at Adam. He started protesting hotly, of course he wouldn’t. And Joe admitted he had done so, without his brother’s knowledge or approval. Well, since I had explicitly told him not to place bets, that was yet another infraction he would have to be punished for. He looked at me, with apprehension.
I turned my back to them and faced the fireplace. I had to do something, not just about Joseph, but Adam and Hoss too. It took all my strength to remain relatively calm. I turned around again and put my hands at my belt buckle, knowing the kind of reaction that gesture would cause, especially with Joseph. He paled as I did it. His bottom lip started to tremble a bit.
The prize-money would be paid off with their wages, which would take them a long time. The gambling money had to be covered with their savings or, in Joseph’s case, by working it off. Joseph was starting to look sick at the thought of going without money for months. Adam and Joseph would be doing the dirtiest, hardest and most detested jobs on the ranch, to make up for all those skipped chores.
For Joseph this was only the start though. The hardest part was yet to come. Even though I was still very angry, I didn’t look forward to doing this. I retrieved the telescope from my desk and asked Joseph if he would explain why I had found it in the Paiute camp. He looked like he would bolt out of the room, but instead his eyes just filled with tears. He didn’t answer my question, just looked at his boots and said he was sorry. I still couldn’t believe my son had actually stolen from me. Since he couldn’t return the canoe to the Indians I told him he would have to make it up to Chief Winnemucca by giving him the rifle I had given him for his 15th birthday. He opened his mouth to object, but closed it again and just nodded
There was nothing more to say so I told my youngest, as sternly as possible, to wait for me in the barn for a long, hard discussion about lying, disobedience and stealing.
His eyes became as big as saucers and he nearly fled out of the room. Adam and Hoss tried to make me change my mind about this, but I simply informed them that this was not their decision to make.
I followed my youngest out to the barn, mentally preparing myself for what I had to do. This part of my fatherly duty had never given me any pleasure, but it had to be done. This time Joseph had more than crossed the line. I couldn’t let this go with just a restriction. I didn’t waste much words, I took off my belt, pointed to a bale of hay, told him to bend over it, which he did after throwing me a pleading look, and I administered a tanning that would leave him standing for days.
My initial reaction, after Pa tanned me, was one of anger. As far as I was concerned, I had done no worse than my brothers. Yet, in addition to all the extra chores and working for no wages that we were all gonna havta do, I got a tanning. That seemed like out and out discrimination, just cos I’m the youngest.
Because I was so mad, I just let Pa return to the house and shunned his attempts to make it up with me. He could see that I needed a breathing space and so left, saying that he would be ready to talk, when I was.
I stood up and gently rubbed the seat of my pants. Boy, was I hurting and I must admit that I shed a few tears. I walked over to Cochise; she whinnied at me, sensing I was upset, and I buried my face in her neck and cried some more.
After a little while, I felt slightly better and began to think things through, a bit more rationally. I had to own up, if only to myself, that my crimes were worse than my brothers were.
First of all, I had lied about there being
a race, in order to protect my hide, when Hoss was angry with me. Then I had
made bets on the outcome of that race, knowing full well that Pa had forbidden
me from doing so. To make those bets, meant that I had spent time in a saloon,
somewhere I am not allowed to go, alone. I had also been skipping chores, to
enable me to have the time to go to town, another no no, according to
By the time I had got to the end of my
catalogue of crimes, I felt like crying again, as I was really ashamed of
myself, for being cross with
I was just about to go back to the house and ask for Pa’s forgiveness, when Adam and Hoss joined me. They looked upset, knowing what had taken place in the barn. Both of them had been on the receiving end of several of Pa’s ‘necessary talkings to’ and so sympathised with me, even though they knew I had deserved it.
Hoss engulfed me in a bear hug; he had obviously forgiven me for making him take part in the race, even though there was no prize to be had. Then Adam hugged me, too, and he rubbed my back and said that he was sorry for making me a party to something dishonest.
I told him that I was a big boy, now, quite able to make up my own mind, and that I knew what I was letting myself in for. Therefore, I had to accept the consequences, when I got found out. Pa had been fair; he had warned me what would happen, if I disobeyed him, but I did it, anyway.
We all knew that we faced a miserable few months, working hard, with no pay and very little time off, and the prospect filled us with gloom. However, we couldn’t really be mad with Pa about it. He had trained for the race, taken part and won, and so was well within his rights, in expecting his prize money. As we couldn’t deliver the cash, we had to pay it to him, in other ways.
None of us felt much like eating, not even Hoss, but it was supper time and so we made our way to the house, not wanting to anger Hop Sing. We had already annoyed enough people, in one day, without bringing down the wrath of Hop Sing upon us, as well.
As we entered the room, Pa stood up and walked towards me. I ran over to him and we hugged. I was glad to have his strong arms around me and to know that I was on the first rung of the ladder of forgiveness. Pa began to say that he was sorry he’d had to tan me, but I stopped him, and told him that he had nothing to be sorry for. I had messed up, royally, and had deserved my punishment. So, he just hugged me, again, and kissed me on the top of my head.
By now, Hop Sing was getting agitated and
threatening to return to
Pa gave the blessing and we began to eat. The conversation remained on neutral subjects, mainly matters concerning the ranch; nobody mentioned the race. I managed to eat a little, as my appetite had begun to return, now that I’d made up with Pa and my brothers.
Suddenly, I had an idea, and I dropped my fork and clicked my fingers. The family all stared at me, and I decided to strike while the iron was hot, as I had a captive audience. Why didn’t we open up the Ponderosa as a training camp for athletes? They could pay to stay with us, and do all our extra chores, as they prepared for whatever sporting event they competed in. That way, we would make some money to give to Pa, and be able to take some time off, as well.
Instead of the enthusiastic response I had hoped for, all I got was derisory laughter from Adam and Hoss. Pa stood up and put his hands on his buckle, as if he was about to remove his belt. I slumped down in my chair, in an attempt to hide from his stern gaze. I just had to face it, I was the only member of this family with an ounce of entrepreneurial spirit. Maybe one day, they would wake up and recognise that they had a genius in their midst, but this was not going to be that day.
THE
END