Night had fallen by the time Ben and Hoss rode into the ranch yard. They were tired and cold but it didn’t dampen their spirits. Hoss got off Chubb and walked to the back of the big horse. A tall Ponderosa Pine spread out behind, covered in a fine dusting of snow.
“Joe’s gonna be so happy ain’t he, Pa?”
“He sure is, Son. Why don’t you go call Joe and Adam? It’s about time we got them to help,” Ben said with a smile.
“Ok, Pa,” Hoss said as he enthusiastically headed for the front door.
Ben smiled at the lumbering giant as he ran. Hoss’s large frame was not made for running especially when it was bundled into an oversized coat.
“Hey, Joe, Adam, come see what Pa and me brought home,” Hoss called as he opened the door.
“What’s all the yelling for?” Hop Sing called as he poked his head out the kitchen door.
“Pa and me got a surprise for little Joe and Adam. Where are they?”
“They not come back with you?”
“Come back with us? What are you talking about, Hop Sing?” Hoss asked and felt a shiver of apprehension flow down his spine.
“Little Joe and Mr. Adam left a couple of hours ago in the buckboard. Little Joe said they were going to bring it to Mr. Ben,” Hop Sing said, his voice tinged with worry.
“Pa, come quick,” Hoss called through the still open door.
“What is it, Son?” Ben asked, knowing in his heart that something was terribly wrong.
“Adam and little Joe left a couple of hours ago,” Hoss said.
“Left? Left for where?” Ben asked. ‘I hope Joe didn’t break his promise not to go into Virginia City,’ he thought.
“Little Joe tell Hop Sing he and brother Adam bring buckboard out to you. I tried to stop him but he wouldn’t listen. All Hop Sing’s fault, never should have let them go,” Hop Sing said worriedly.
“It’s not your fault, Hop Sing. But if it was Joe and Adam then where could they have gone?” Ben asked.
Hoss had a sinking sensation in his stomach when he heard his father’s musings. “Pa, you don’t suppose the attackers came back?” he asked.
“I hope not, Hoss. It’s too dark and cold out there to mount a proper search tonight. We’ll get some of the hands to help with a search at first light if they don’t come home. This is one time I pray to God that Joe did break his promise,” Ben said as he sank into a chair in the dining room.
“Maybe we should go tonight,” Hoss suggested.
“Don’t you think I want to, son? There’s just no way to find them in the dark,” Ben said, shaking his head at Hoss’s downfallen expression. “We’ll go at first light. Will you go out to the bunkhouse and ask for volunteers?”
“Sure, Pa,” Hoss answered as he walked to the door. “Couldn’t we take one of the lanterns and search for tracks?” he asked as he touched the heavy door.
“It’s freezing out there, Hoss. It’s better to wait for the light. We’ll send a man into Virginia City tomorrow to let Roy know. For now there’s nothing we can do,” Ben said once again hating being the voice of reason in an unreasonable situation.
“Yes, Sir,” Hoss agreed, knowing it hurt his father to wait just as much as it hurt him. His father needed him now more than ever. Wherever Joe and Adam were they had each other. He’d have to be strong for his father if Joe and Adam were in the hands of a madman. ‘Please, God, keep my brother’s safe,” he thought as he hurried through the cold to the bunkhouse.
Joe drove the buckboard through the dwindling daylight. He was cold, tired and worried about the unmoving figure in the back. The man sitting next to him had stolen Adam’s coat and Joe hoped he had something else to keep him warm.
Billy Tucker grinned each time Joe looked into the back. “He’ll be fine as long as you cooperate,” Tucker laughed.
“You took his coat,” Joe stated angrily.
“Don’t worry I put mine on him after I struck him in the head. Poor fella dropped like a rock in water. I sure hope he’s got a hard head cause the boss wants both of you alive. I think he’s planning a special Christmas for both of you.”
“Who’s your boss?” Joe asked hoping to catch him off guard.
“Well now that’s something you don’t need to know right now. Pull into that grove of trees yonder,” Tucker ordered.
“What are you going to do?” Joe asked as he once again turned his head and glanced into the back of the buckboard.
“Oh don’t worry, little brother...”
“I’m not your little brother so stop calling me that.”
“Ain’t to friendly, are ya?”
“You’re not my friend,” Joe said flatly.
“That’s right I’m not. I’m your worst nightmare, little brother.”
“You’re not a nightmare. A nightmare is something that scares me. You don’t scare me,” Joe said
“I don’t scare you? Then tell me what I do to you, little brother?”
“You sicken me. You’re a coward who hides behind someone else’s identity. Even now you try to use something that my real brothers use when they call me. You’re nothing and you always will be nothing!” Joe said angrily.
Billy Tucker’s anger was swift as he swung his fist and struck Joe in the mouth.
Joe felt warm blood rise from his split lip and wiped it on his glove, “Coward,” he said softly.
“You’ll pay for that, little brother,” Tucker said and grabbed the reigns from Joe’s gloved hands. He pulled the horses to a stop and Joe immediately attacked him. As soon as he’d made his move he felt and heard a gun being cocked at his head. He ceased his fighting and soon found himself bound and gagged and thrown into a new covered wagon. He felt Adam’s prone figure next to him.
Adam moaned as he turned to Joe. Neither man could speak but the expression in their eyes spoke volumes. They knew they were in deep trouble.
Ben and Hoss waited impatiently for Roy to deputize the posse. As soon as Roy finished they mounted their horses and rode off in the direction of Carson City. Ben was sure that was where they would find his missing sons. Riding single file down the centre of the snow-covered trail the men found it slow going.
“It’s gonna take us a long time to get to Carson City, Ben,” Roy explained as he pulled his horse up next to Bens.
“I know, Roy. I just wish it hadn’t snowed again last night.”
“What makes you think Adam and Joe are there?” Roy asked.
“Remember when you asked about the boys having enemies?” Ben asked.
“Course I do. Is there someone in Carson City you think is behind this?”
“There is,” Ben said.
“Who?”
“A man named Roland Spencer. Have you heard of him?”
“Who hasn’t?” Roy asked. “He inherited the Spencer Lumber Mill after his father died. What makes you think it’s him?”
“Call it a gut feeling, Roy. Adam was supposed to go to Carson City to bid on a contract but couldn’t make it. Joe went in his place. We’re pretty certain Spencer set Joe up so he wouldn’t be able to place his bid,” Ben explained.
“I’ve learned over the years to trust your gut instincts, Ben. I want you and Hoss to give me your word you won’t do anything foolish.”
“Don’t ask me to do that, Roy,” Ben said.
“It’s my job to bring the man in if he is guilty.”
“It’s my job to protect my sons,” Ben told him as he snuggled his chin down into his coat to ward off the encroaching cold wind.
Roy knew there was no way he’d get Ben or Hoss to give their words on this. He’d have to keep an eye on them to make sure they did nothing foolish. Fighting against the bitter wind he made his horse move a little faster.
“Make sure them ropes are good and tight,” Tucker told his two buddies, Mike Wilson and Jerry Stanton, Lila’s brother. “I’m gonna get some wood for the fire.”
“Why don’t ya make one of the Cartwrights get it? It’s mighty cold out there,” Stanton suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea, Jerry,” Tucker said as an evil gleam came to his eyes. “Now which one should I take?” he asked glancing from one Cartwright to the other. “I think I’ll take the kid,” he laughed as he pulled Joe roughly to his feet, “After all his brother probably has a real bad headache.”
Adam’s gag had been removed and he glared angrily at Billy Tucker. “What’s the matter? Can’t handle a full grown man?” he asked.
Joe fought back his own icy retort to his brother. He hated when Adam and Hoss flaunted their age and called him a kid but knew his brother was trying to protect him. “I’ll be fine, Adam,” he said as he met his brother’s eyes.
“Come on, Kid, there’s a whole lot of wood to gather out there and if you try anything your brother’s a dead man. Got it?”
“I got it,” Joe grated out in the same tone Tucker had used.
“One more thing, Kid.” Tucked said.
“What?”
“Take off your coat.”
“What? Why?” Joe asked.
“You can’t make him go out there without a coat. He’ll freeze,” Adam stated angrily.
“Oh, he’ll be warm enough gathering the wood, sides he’ll need the coat to carry the wood in,” Tucker laughed.
“Then let him take my coat,” Adam ordered.
“If you look closely you'll see I’m wearin your coat. Now just be quiet so your brother and I can get some wood,” Tucker said as he roughly shoved the dirty gag back in Adam’s protesting mouth.
“I’ll be fine, Adam,” Joe said as his hands were untied and his coat removed. Together with Tucker he left the cabin and went out into the cold.
Adam waited anxiously for his brother to return. He worried about Joe and his bouts with pneumonia. He prayed that this was one time Joe would be able to stay healthy in spite of his lack of protection from the elements. Finally the door opened and his brother stepped through, his arms laden down with wood as he shivered against the cold. Their eye’s met and Joe smiled through chattering teeth.
“Bring that over here,” Wilson ordered.
Joe dumped the load of wood on the floor next to Wilson and began putting his coat back on.
“That’s not enough for the night, kid. Let’s go get some more,” Tucker said as he opened the door admitting a bitterly cold wind.
Joe stood on aching legs and once again stepped through the door. Once outside he headed to the stockpile of wood and began to load up his coat. The snow around the woodpile was high and as Joe stepped up to the stack he felt some of it get into his boots. Finally he lifted the full coat and headed back to the door.
Tucker stood by the door and opened it for Joe to bring in his burden. Once again he dropped the bundle next to the fireplace and without a word headed out the door. Tucker made him make two more trips and finally told him he could put his coat back on. Joe glanced down at his gloves and saw they were ripped to shreds from pulling the frozen logs off the pile. His coat was also torn but it was better than nothing. He reached down to dump the snow from his boots and found he was to late as it had melted and his socks were soaked through. Slowly he put his boots back on against the cold of the cabin and then pulled on his damaged coat. Finally he stood as straight and tall as he could and glared angrily at Tucker.
“Tie him up, Jerry,” Tucker ordered as he walked to the warm fire Wilson had blazing in the pit.
“Where do you want him now?” Stanton asked once he finished tying Joe up.
“Put him next to his brother,” Tucker said. “That way we can keep an eye on the two of them.”
Stanton did as he was told and joined his partners at the fire, “You gonna cook something, Mike?” he asked.
“Got some meat left from that deer I shot, so I’m gonna make some stew,” Wilson said as he placed an old, beat-up, black cauldron over the fire. The snow he’d filled the pot with began to melt instantly and he sent Stanton outside to get more.
Tucker walked towards his prisoners and stood over them menacingly, “You ain’t so high and mighty now, are you?” he asked as he removed their gags.
“Who are you?” Adam asked, curious as to who the man with his face was.
“The names Billy Tucker,” he said as he sized up the other mans familiar face. “You and me could be brothers,” he said.
“Never!” Adam said vehemently.
“You’re probably right. Less of course your Pa was runnin round on your Ma,” Tucker laughed as Adam and Joe fought against their ropes. Both men felt anger at this mans insult towards their father. They knew Ben Cartwright would never have had an affair. He loved each of his wives too much for that.
“My father would never have sired an animal like you,” Adam grated out through clenched teeth. He was immediately rewarded with a strong backhand to the face.
“Shut up,” Tucker ordered, the anger evident in his cold, blue eyes.
Adam felt the trickle of blood from his split lip and was ready to say something else but was stopped by his brother’s words.
“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Joe said.
Adam watched helplessly as Tucker pulled Joe to his feet and held a gun to his head. “You’re a dead man!” he exclaimed as he pulled the trigger.
“No!” Adam screamed and watched as his brother slumped to the floor. It took a minute before he realized there had only been the sound of a hammer but no gunshot. There was also no sign of blood.
Suddenly the room was filled with hideous laughter, “Hey, Billy, did you pull that old empty revolver trick on the poor kid?” Wilson asked.
Tucker grinned down at Adam and his unconscious brother, “I sure did,” he laughed.
“Musta scared the kid half to death,” Stanton laughed as he stood next to Tucker.
“Probably. He’s also gonna have a mighty fine headache just like his brother there. The hand is quicker than the eye,” Tucker said as he glared at Adam. “While you only had eyes for the gun I hit your brother from behind. Scared you into believing he’d been shot, didn’t I?” Ticker asked.
“Who’s paying you to do this?” Adam asked as he watched Joe’s chest rise and fall.
“That’s none of your business,” Tucker told him.
“I can get you enough money to make Spencer look poor,” Adam tried.
“Mr. Spencer pays us just fine,” Stanton said from behind Tucker.
Tucker heard the condemning words and turned on Stanton. He held him by the shirt and hit him over and over. “You stupid little fool. Can’t you tell when someone’s fishing for information. Why I oughta take you outside and shoot you and leave your body for the wolves.
“You’ll kill him, Billy,” Wilson said as he placed a restraining hand on Tucker’s shoulder.
Tucker dropped his prize and turned on the newcomer. Before he could hit his friend Wilson pulled his gun.
“Stop it right now, Billy. Remember what Mr. Spencer said. He needs Jerry Stanton to keep Lila in line. If you kill him, Miss Stanton will go to the sheriff,” Wilson said calmly.
“The stupid fool told. Don’t you understand they know who’s paying for this,” Tucker said angrily.
“What difference does it make they’re dead men anyway, right?”
Tucker’s face filled with dawning realization. “I almost forgot about that,” he said. “Get that mess out of the middle of the floor,” he ordered.
“Where should I put him?”
“I don’t care! You can throw him out in the snow if you like,” Tucker said as he poured himself a cup of coffee from the new pot Wilson had brewed.
Wilson helped Stanton over to a small cot and dropped him unceremoniously onto it. He then joined Tucker at the table for a coffee.
Adam waited anxiously for his brother’s eyes to open. When they finally did he breathed a sigh of relief. “Joe,” Adam said quietly.
“Am I dead, Adam?” Joe asked painfully.
“No, Joe, there were no bullets in the gun,” Adam explained.
“Did I faint?” Joe asked weakly.
“No. He hit you at the same time he pulled the trigger.”
“No wonder my head hurts,” Joe said as he pulled himself up beside his brother. He closed his eyes and rested his head against Adam’s shoulder.
Adam felt Joe’s head hit his shoulder and tried not to jostle him. Joe had been through so much over the past month or so and he wanted him to rest for a while. Soon his own heavy-lidded eyes closed and he slept as well.
“Let me talk to him, Ben,” Roy said as the posse pulled to a stop in front of the Carson City Sheriff’s office.
“I’m coming with you, Roy,” Ben stated.
“Me too,” Hoss said as he dismounted.
Shaking his head Roy led the way into the small jailhouse. A rather large obnoxious looking man sat behind the desk. Roy could tell the man was lazy and probably didn’t do much for the office.
“What can I do for you fellas?” he asked as crumbs from his sandwich dripped onto his already dirty shirt.
“We’re looking for the Sheriff,” Roy told him.
“You’re looking at him. Names Paul Shafer and as I said before what can I do for you?”
“Sheriff, I’m looking for my sons,” Ben said, hiding his disgust over the mans behaviour and manners.
“I’m afraid I can’t help ya,” Shafer said.
“What do you mean you can’t help me?” Ben asked.
“Haven’t seen em,” Shafer said as he swallowed a mouthful of beer from a grimy glass.
“We haven’t even told you what they look like,” Roy said angrily.
“Who are you?” Shafer asked curiously as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
“Roy Coffee, and I am the Sheriff in Virginia City. This is Ben Cartwright and his son Hoss,” Coffee told him contemptuously.
“A fellow lawman,” Shafer said and rose from his untidy desk. “Pleased to meet you.”
Roy looked at the dirty hand offered to him. He placed his hand in other mans cold greasy one and pulled it back immediately. “Are you gonna help us?” he asked.
“Told ya I never saw em.”
Hoss pushed his way to the front and stood before the sheriff, “Are you sure you’re the Sheriff cause you sure don’t seem like a real Sheriff,” he said as his anger boiled over.
“I don’t have to take this from you. I’d advise you to keep quiet or you’ll find yourself as a guest in my jail.”
“Quiet, Hoss,” Roy told him before he could say anything else. “Look, Sheriff Shafer, is it ok with you if we look around your city?”
“Look all you want but I tell you they ain’t here.”
“Can you tell me where I can find Roland Spencer?” Roy asked.
“Mr. Spencer is a busy man. What do you want to see him for?”
“We just want to ask him a few questions,” Roy said impatiently.
“He’s not here.”
Roy watched as the sheriff bit into his sandwich as if he were dismissing them. He was disgusted with this man for even wearing a sheriff’s badge. The man looked as if he needed to soak in a creek for a week. Shaking his head he reached across the desk and pulled Shafer up by his collar, “You are a disgrace to this office and I’m gonna see that the governor hears about this. You’d better clean up your act and tell me where to find Roland Spencer. Then you’d better go take a bath,” Roy said dropping his hands from the man’s collar and flipping a coin into his lap.
Shafer shook in his chair. He’d been given this job by Roland Spencer, not by the town and knew if Roy Coffee went to the governor he’d be out on his tail. This was a job he’d always dreamed of, one where he didn’t have to work. If trouble came to town Spencer and his men took care of it. Now he was facing three men he didn’t know and he was terrified. He reached for his gun but was stopped as a massive hand clamped over his wrist.
“I wouldn’t,” Hoss said, his voice dangerously quiet.
“You’d better get your hands off me, boy,” he said trying to put some authority into his voice but failing miserably.
“Where’s Spencer?” Hoss asked.
“I told ya he’s outta town, now get your hands off me or I’ll throw you in my jail,” Shafer said.
“Let him go, Hoss,” Ben said. “He’s not worth it. Roy won’t be the only one reporting to the governor.”
Hoss released Shafer’s shirt and watched as he dropped unceremoniously into the chair. “Guess you’re right, Pa.”
“Get outta my jail and outta Carson City, or I’ll have to arrest ya,” Shafer said.
“Don’t threaten me, Shafer,” Roy said. “I don’t know how you got this job but you won’t hold it for long. Come on, Ben, Hoss, I want to make a stop at the telegraph office.”
Shafer wanted to stop the three men but knew there was nothing he could do. The people of Carson City hated him and wanted him out of office. If they found out he had locked up not only Virginia Cities Sheriff but also two of its wealthiest citizens he’d be thrown into his own cell. As soon as the door closed behind them he grabbed his coat and hurried out of his office.
“You were right, Pa, here he comes now,” Hoss said as he watched the so-called Sheriff hurry towards the hotel.
“Let’s follow him,” Ben said and the two men hurried after Shafer.
Shafer entered the hotel and hurried up the stairs. He stopped in front of a door and knocked nervously.
“Come.”
He opened the door and saw Roland Spencer sitting at a large wooden desk. He hurriedly closed the door behind him and shuffled over to the desk, “The Sheriff from Virginia City is here and he brought the Cartwrights,” he gasped breathlessly.
Spencer glared at Shafer angrily, “You fool, why did you come here? You led them straight to me!”
“I came to warn you. I thought you’d need to know.”
“I don’t pay you to think. I pay you to keep people away from here. Go back and sit in your office till I need you.”
“Yes, Sir,” Shafer said fearfully.
“Pa, He just came out of the last room,” Hoss whispered as they watched Shafer leave the room.
“Let’s see who’s in there,” Ben said and walked up to the door. Without knocking he shoved the door open to reveal a middle-aged man sitting at a desk.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Spencer asked angrily.
“Roland Spencer?” Ben asked.
“That’s right and who are you?”
“Ben Cartwright, this is my son, Hoss. I believe you know my other sons, Adam and Joe?”
“Why yes, I think I do. We’ve bid on a few of the same contracts,” Spencer explained.
Ben was somewhat taken aback by Spencer’s quick admission and then realized he’d have to admit to knowing them because of the contract negotiations. “Where are they?” he asked angrily.
“Now, Mr. Cartwright, if you can’t keep tabs on your own sons how do you expect me to?” Spencer asked.
“My sons have been kidnapped, Spencer,” Ben said deliberately leaving off the Mr. “And I think you had something to do with it.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re just like your father,” Ben said harshly and saw the flicker of anger that flashed in Spencer’s eyes. “He was a vindictive man when he was alive.”
“You have no right to talk about my father,” Spencer told him angrily. “Get out of my office or I’ll have you arrested.”
“By that no-good Sheriff of yours?” Hoss laughed.
“No,” Spencer said snidely. “By my own hand-picked deputies. Boys escort these men to jail.”
Ben and Hoss turned in time to see two men carrying guns enter the room, “You heard Mr. Spencer. Remove those guns and let’s go,” the taller of the two ordered.
Ben and Hoss stared down the muzzle of the gun pointed at him and knew they had no choice. Slowly they removed their guns and dropped them to the floor.
“Thank you, gentlemen, this way,” the shorter man ordered.
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