THE TRADE
Written by Lynne Coulson

Adam and Ben were in the main room of the Ponderosa ranch house when they heard the sound of laughter coming from the yard. It was past supper time and the youngest member of the family, Little Joe, was still not home from town. Ben had sent him to get his haircut, collect the mail, and to pick up some supplies.

"Wonder what's causing Hoss to laugh so much?" said Adam. "He was angry when he went outside, as he was hungry, and Hop Sing wouldn't serve supper until Joe was home."

"I don't know," said Ben. "Only one way to find out, let's go and see," and the two men did just that.

The sight that greeted them soon had them laughing as much as Hoss, once they got over the shock. Joe was in the yard, perched precariously on top of a huge camel. The boy looked as if he was about to be sick, as the camel's rather ungainly gait had the effect of rolling Joe from side to side.

"Instead of cackling like a bunch of hyaenas, can one of you please help me down?" yelled Joe. "I'm gonna throw up, if I don't get off this evil smelling thing very soon. It's taken me hours to get home, as it wouldn't go where I wanted it to go."

The more Joe complained, the more Hoss laughed, but Adam and Ben managed to control themselves and went to Joe's aid. The camel, like Joe, objected to being laughed at, and as it couldn't verbally abuse Hoss, it spat in his eye, instead. This had the effect of silencing Hoss, but it caused Joe to start giggling and this unsettled the camel, who refused to obey Ben's command to kneel down and let Joe off.

Finally, in desperation, Adam said, "Jump Joe, I'll catch you," and Joe did as his brother suggested.

With Joe safely on the ground, Ben demanded to know what was going on.

"As far as I am aware, you left here, earlier this afternoon, on the buckboard, which was being pulled by two horses. Why have you returned on a camel?"

"Well you see, Pa, it's rather a long story," began Joe, but Ben interrupted him.

"If we don't want Hop Sing catching the next boat to China, give us the short version, before the supper is ruined."

"Yes sir, I'll try," said Joe. "You see, the supply wagon was late in, and so after I'd had my haircut and collected the mail, I went to the saloon for a beer. I only had one, honest, and then I was asked to join a poker game. I agreed, as the wagon still wasn't in. Then this man came rushing into the saloon, asking to borrow a buckboard. He said his brother was hurt along the trail and he needed the wagon to bring him into the doctor. He said he'd leave his mount, which was in the livery stable, as security. I said he could borrow ours and he left. Then, a bit later, Mr Cass came in and said the supplies had arrived and he would help me load 'em, if I took the buckboard over to his store. It was then I realised how long the man had been gone. I went outside and there was no sign of him, or our buckboard. Ike came over and said there was a camel in one of his stalls in the livery stable. He hadn't been there when the man left it. That's when I guessed that it must have been the man's mount. A bit more time went by and he still didn't come back, so I went and told Roy all about it and said I would ride the camel home. He said that when the
man returned with our wagon, he'd get him to bring it out to us. Sorry Pa, but I couldn't bring back the supplies without the buckboard."

Hoss had begun laughing, again, but Ben didn't think it was that funny, anymore. He had a strong suspicion that they wouldn't see the horses or the buckboard again.

"Tie it up out here, Hoss," said Ben, as his middle son was holding the animal's reins. "The horses won't like sharing the barn with it, it smells terrible. We'd better go and eat and then decide what to do."

Joe went to wash up and joined the family at the table. No one said much, but Joe knew that his father was angry about him losing the wagon. He tried to make amends.

"I'm sorry, Pa, but the man seemed real genuine, and he was worried about his brother. I could sympathise, I mean I'd feel the same if Adam or Hoss were hurt."

"After supper, we'll head for town and see if we can find out anymore about your mystery man," said Ben. "Did you get his name?"

Joe shook his head "No, sir, but I gave him mine."

Just as they were finishing supper, they heard a wagon arriving in the yard.

"Maybe this is him," said Joe, rushing out the door.

Joe let out a huge sigh of relief when he saw that it was, indeed, the mystery camel owner.

"Hi Joe, one wagon, plus supplies, returned," he said. "Many thanks. My brother is recovering nicely at the hotel, thanks to your generosity. I can see that Clara got you here okay," and he stepped down off the buckboard and went to pet the camel, who seemed pleased to see him.

Hoss, Adam and Ben joined them in the yard and Joe made the introductions.

"This is my father, Ben Cartwright and my brothers, Adam and Hoss."

"Howdy gents, the name is Jim Whittaker and I'm real grateful to young Joe, here. My brother Josh and I were taking Clara to meet up with the circus in Reno. You see, she miscarried a couple of weeks ago and we had to stay behind with her, until she was well enough to travel again. I was riding Clara and Josh was driving our wagon. He was a fair bit ahead of me and one of the horses was spooked by a snake and just took off. Josh lost control of the wagon and was thrown off. The horses bolted and the wagon went over a cliff. When I caught up with him, I found he'd broken his leg, so I had to leave him and head for the nearest town to look for some help. Fortunately, I found Joe, and he lent me your wagon, but by the time I returned with Josh, Joe had left town. Anyway, I'll take Clara and head back now, as Josh might be awake and needing me. Thanks again, Joe," and he shook Joe's hand.

Ben insisted that Jim stayed and had something to eat, before he returned to town. He offered to help in any way that he could, but Jim said he would wire Reno and get someone from the circus to collect Clara, and then he and Josh would join them, once Josh was feeling better.

Jim and Josh ended up staying in Virginia City for a couple of weeks and Joe visited them at the hotel, several times. When they went back to the circus, the Cartwrights went with them and
were given the best seats at a performance. Once again, Clara spat in Hoss' eye, causing the rest of the family to laugh, and this time Hoss joined in, as he'd become rather fond of
the camel, even though her manners left a lot to be desired.

THE END

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