Jarrod arrived in Stockton on November 17, 1866 and rented a horse from the livery stable to ride home on. He was looking forward to seeing Seneca and to see if he was ready to ride. He was now able to climb up and down on a horse and was thrilled about his physical improvements.

As he rode up to the house, he saw Nick out by the barn and decided to stop there first. He dismounted and walked over to his younger brother.

"Nick," he said.

Nick turned around when he heard that familiar voice.

"Jarrod!" he replied loudly and grabbed his brother in a massive bear hug. "Welcome home big brother."

"Thank you," Jarrod said. "How’s Seneca?"

"Growing," Nick told him. "Come on. See for yourself."

He led Jarrod over to the corral. Jarrod took a look and could not believe how much the horse had grown.

"Can he be ridden yet?" Jarrod asked.

"Not yet," Nick answered. "But by the next time you come home, he will."

"Great," Jarrod said.

The two brothers walked into the house and Victoria flew out of her chair when she saw Jarrod.

"Jarrod," she said, "how are you honey?"

"I’m fine Mother," he answered.

"I’m so glad," she said. "Your father is in town. He’ll be back later this evening."

"All right," he replied. "Where are Gene and Audra?"

"Over at Evan Miles’," Victoria told him. "They’ll be home later."

Jarrod took his bag up to his room. He was relieved that nothing was said about the last time he was home. He knew that Dr. Merrar would want to examine him and decided to ride into Stockton in the morning. He was looking forward to enjoying himself this time.

He had a lot to be thankful for.

Jarrod walked back downstairs after he had unpacked and was happy to see his little brother and sister waiting for him.

"Jarrod!" Audra screamed as she ran to him.

"Hello honey," he said.

"Jarrod," Gene replied.

"Gene," Jarrod said.

Jarrod went to the library. Nick and his father were discussing some business.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "come in son. Nick and I were discussing some ranch business. Since you’re studying to become a lawyer you might be interested in learning the business of running this ranch."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and sat down.

"Now," Tom began, "the railroad is trying to drive some two hundred local farmers off of the land they bought at auction seven years ago. Hanibal Jordan is behind it. He’s the big man with the Coastal and Western Railroad. The farmers have come to me for help. I am trying to advise them on the best way to handle this. Jarrod, your friend, Frank Sempleworth and his father, John, are two of the farmers along with Sig Swenson and Abe Wirth."

"Yes I know about Frank," Jarrod replied. "Frank lost a son and he’s buried there. I know Frank doesn’t want to leave."

"That’s right," Tom said. "Well, I’m going to advise the farmers to fight the railroad in court. Hopefully by then, you will be a lawyer."

"Father," Nick remarked, "why does the railroad want the land?"

"Seven years ago these farmers bought the land at auction," Tom began. "The railroad is now claiming that they only leased the land, not sold it."

"I see," Nick said.

"Yes," Tom continued. "These men have put their heart and soul into their farms. They deserve to keep them."

"And they will," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod," Tom replied, "I want you to take over and learn the business of running this ranch so you’ll be able to help your brother and me."

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered.

That night at dinner, Tom asked his sons to do him a favor.

"Jarrod," he said, "Nick, I was wondering if you would do me a favor."

"What?" Nick asked.

"A man named Burton Peters has some breeding stock for sale in Modesto. I was wondering if you two would go up there and look at it. If it’s good stock, buy it and then bring it home."

"Sure," Nick replied. "Jarrod?"

"Fine," Jarrod answered.

"Good," Tom said. "It will also give you two a chance to spend some valuable time together."

"Jarrod," she said, "you take care of yourself and keep warm. It’s cold and I don’t want you getting sick before you have to return to school."

"Yes mother," he replied.

"Nick," she said, "you take care of your brother and both of you come back safe."

"Yes mother," Nick answered.

"Now," Tom said, "here’s everything you’ll need to show Mr. Peters. Nick knows stock so he can tell if they are what we are looking for. Jarrod, you handle the money and the deal itself. I will expect you two back here in five days."

"Yes sir," both boys said together.

The two Barkley brothers rode off and headed for Modesto. It was a cold November morning. The sky was clear but the breeze was cold as the boys buttoned up their coats tight around their necks. Both brothers enjoyed the ride and the company of the other one. They arrived late that evening and got a room at the hotel. The next morning, the two rode out to the Peters’ ranch and looked at the stock.

"Mr. Peters," Jarrod said, "I’m Jarrod Barkley and this is my brother, Nick. Our father, Tom Barkley wanted us to come here and look at some breeding stock you had for sale."

"Yes," Peters replied. "I received a telegram from your father yesterday telling me you would be arriving. If you’ll come this way, I’ll show you the stock."

He led them to a corral behind his farmhouse. Nick looked the animals over and told Jarrod that their father would want them. Jarrod paid Mr. Peters the money and the two brothers left with the horses. They decided to camp outside of town later that afternoon and then get an early start in the morning. That night, several rugged looking men invaded their camp and jerked both boys to their feet.

"What’s going on?" Jarrod asked as two men jerked him to his feet.

Nick was also pulled to his feet.

"Well," one of the men said, "lookie here. We got ourselves two hostages. You Tom Barkley’s boys?"

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "Why?"

"Because boy," the man told him, "you are going to be pawns in a chess game we’re playing with your father."

"What are you talking about?" Nick asked confused.

"It’s very simple," the man said. "Your father is getting involved in something that he doesn’t need to and we are going to keep him out of it by holding you two until your father backs away."

"What has our father done?" Jarrod asked.
"You heard of the Coastal and Western Railroad boy?" he said.

"Yes," Jarrod answered.

"Good," he told him. "The railroad wants your father out of the way so it can start reclaiming the land that was leased to farmers years ago in the San Joaquin Valley. You are our insurance policy. You two are going to be spending some time with us."

"What makes you think we’ll go along with this?" Nick asked getting angry.

"Because if you don’t boy, your brother will die," he told him and held a gun to Jarrod’s head.

Nick looked at his brother’s face and relented. Jarrod was shaking his head but Nick knew these men were mean enough to shoot him.

"All right," Nick said. "What do you want us to do?"

"You will accompany us back to our camp where you will be our guests."

The two boys’ hands were tied and they were put on their horses. Nick and Jarrod knew that their father would never give into these men so they vowed to get out of this mess somehow.

"This piece of paper was stuck to the door," he told her.

"What does it say?" she asked.

Tom opened the paper and read it. His face turned dark and angry. Victoria saw his expression and became worried herself.

"Tom," she said, "what is it?"

"Listen to this Victoria," he told her. "Thomas Barkley. We have your sons. If you don’t stop interfering, your sons will be killed. We will contact you again about your sons and what we want in exchange for their lives."

"Oh Tom," Victoria said. "Not my boys. You can’t let anything happen to Jarrod and Nick."

"I don’t plan to Victoria," Tom replied. "I need to decide how to handle this. They will kill the boys if I don’t stop working with the farmers. Then again, they’ll probably kill them anyway. I’ve got to figure out where they are being held and try to rescue them."

"But Tom," she remarked, "we can’t lose the boys."

"I’m not planning on losing my sons," he told her. "I’ll go talk to Harry Lyman and also John Sempleworth. Maybe we can figure out where the boys are and go get them. I should never have let them go. It’s my fault that this happened. I can’t lose my sons."

"It’s all right Tom," she said. "As long as they think we are complying with their demands the boys will be safe. By then hopefully we can find them and rescue them."

The two of them walked into the parlor and sat down. They were both very quiet. They were worried about the wellbeing of Jarrod and Nick.

"Look," Jarrod said, "I don’t know what this is all about but you can’t hold us here against our will."

"Shut up boy!" one of the men told him.

"I won’t shut up," Jarrod replied. "I demand to know what you’re going to do with us."

"You are in no position to demand anything boy," the man told him. "You either close your mouth or I will close it for you."

"My father won’t let you get..." Jarrod began but was floored by a fist to the side of his face.

"Now I told you boy," the man replied, "keep your mouth shut."

Jarrod couldn’t rub the side of his face because his hands were tied behind his back. He tasted blood in his mouth and knew his lip had been spilt open. Nick moved over closer to him.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered.

"Father will get us out of here," Nick told him.

"I hope so Nick," Jarrod replied. "If he doesn’t, we’re dead."

"I know," Nick said. "Maybe we can figure a way out of here ourselves."

"There’s too many of them," Jarrod told him. "We wouldn’t get very far."

"We’ve got to do something," Nick grumbled.

"I know," Jarrod said. "Let’s just see what happens for a while and we’ll watch for our chance to get out of here."

Nick nodded and the two brothers sat quietly and waited.

"These bully-boys the railroad has hired are holding two of my sons hostage," Tom told them. "If I don’t stop interfering with what the railroad is trying to do to you, they will kill my boys."

"Tom," Harry said, "do you have any idea where the boys are being held?"

"Yes I do," Tom replied. "Jarrod and Nick went to Modesto two days ago to check on some breeding stock for the ranch. They couldn’t have gotten too far. So the boys have to be in that general area somewhere."

"Tom," John asked, "what are you going to do?"

"I’m going to fight the railroad," Tom told them. "I’ve got to get the boys back before they get killed because I won’t back down."

"Well," Harry said, "the first thing we have to do is get in touch with the sheriff in Modesto. He may have an idea where they could be holding your sons. Then we need to decide how to handle this so that Jarrod and Nick won’t get hurt or killed until we can locate them."

"All right Harry," Tom replied. "You send a telegram to the sheriff there and we will meet back here after you get a reply."

"Good," Harry said and left the office.

The other men filed out and John Sempleworth walked over to Tom.

"Don’t worry Tom," he said. "We’ll get your sons back. They know you’re important in the state and if they can get you to back away, they’ve got a clear road to run us off our land."

"Thanks John," Tom replied. "I don’t want anything to happen to my sons. But I can’t stop fighting."

They left the office and Tom headed back for the ranch.

"You ok Jarrod?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered him. "My face hurts."

"I’m glad you’re all right," Nick said relieved. "It looks a lot worse than it is."

About that time, two of the men came over and roughly pulled both boys to their feet. They leered at the two brothers and pulled them over to the table. Both boys were thrown down in chairs. The headman walked over to stand close to the table. He was a big, tall and intimidating man about thirty years old with dark eyes. He was very sure of himself, unemotional and menacing.

"Hello," he said. "My name is Warren Roberts. I am the man who is bound and determined to stop Tom Barkley’s interference in this conflict between the railroad and the farmers in San Joaquin County. You are his sons, is that correct?"

The two brothers just sat there and didn’t answer. Roberts motioned to the two men standing behind the brothers and one of them grabbed Jarrod by his arms and pulled back on them. Jarrod grimaced in pain.

Yes," Nick answered, gritting his teeth and the man loosened his grip on Jarrod slightly.

"Good," Roberts replied. "Would your father try to save you if he could?"

Again the brothers just sat there. Roberts again motioned at the man and he physically lifted Jarrod out of the chair by his arms. The young man grimaced in pain and beads of sweat began to pop up on his forehead.

"Yeah," Nick answered and tried to reach the man holding his brother.

The man behind Nick pulled him back and then backhanded him before throwing him back down in the chair. But this time the man kept holding Jarrod. He was writhing in pain. Nick again tried to stop the man but was again held down in the chair by the other man.

"Now," Roberts said, "you will be cooperative or Phillips will break your brother’s arms."

Jarrod had almost passed out from the pain in his shoulders. He was trying to listen to Roberts but the words were beginning to run together. Nick knew his brother was on the verge of passing out.

"All right," he said gritting his teeth in anger. "Let my brother go. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Just don’t hurt my brother."

"You tell me first and then I’ll release your brother," Roberts replied. "Is your father a man who would try to rescue you?"

"Yes," Nick answered and looked over at Jarrod.

Jarrod’s face was contorted in agony. He wanted to scream but didn’t have the energy to do it. Nick knew that Jarrod couldn’t last much longer.

"Mr. Barkley," Roberts said looking right at Nick with cold, piercing, dark eyes, void of any feeling, "you want me to free your brother?"

"Yes," Nick shot back and tried again to come out of the chair at Roberts but was stopped.

Roberts grinned a sadistic smile and nodded at the man who was holding Jarrod. He released his hold on Jarrod and he fell down in the chair gasping for breath and trying to relax his injured shoulders.

"Now unless you do exactly as I say," Roberts told Nick, "your brother will receive more and far worse punishment. You see I want to stop your father’s interference but I won’t be afraid to harm both of you to achieve that."

Roberts moved around the table closer to Nick.

"Do you understand?" he said in a very threatening voice and leaned right in Nick’s face.

"Yes," Nick told him.

"Good," Roberts said and straightened up. "How many men does your father have working for him on the ranch?"

Nick was seething with anger. He tried to hold it in check but he sneered at Roberts and refused to answer. Roberts nodded at the men. They grabbed Jarrod, untied his arms, and pulled him roughly over to a v-necked post in the mine, one that was a support and threw a rope over the top of it. They tied Jarrod’s wrists to the rope and pulled him up by his arms as tight as they could. The strain on his shoulders was unbearable. Jarrod was pulled where his feet barely touched the floor. Sweat popped out on his forehead and his face was in agony.

"See Mr. Barkley," Roberts said turning his attention back to Nick. "Every time you don’t supply the right answer, your brother pays."

Nick looked at Jarrod. He knew his brother was in real trouble. He had to do something. He shot out of the chair and lunged at the men who had tied his brother. Nick was punched in the ribs and pushed back into the chair.

"All right," he spat. "My father has about thirty hands that work for him. Let my brother go."

"In due time," Roberts said. "In due time. Now, who would your father turn to?"

Nick again looked at his brother. Roberts took the hesitation as a refusal to answer and nodded to the man. The man took another rope and tied Jarrod’s feet together. Then he pulled tightly on the rope and the boy’s feet were pulled down. The strain on his shoulders was even more unbearable. His entire weight was now on his shoulders. Jarrod was closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as the pain in his shoulders got worse. He was about to pass out. The three men just laughed at the agony that the boy was in. Nick was extremely angry and again tried to lunge for the men. He wanted desperately to free his brother but was again backhanded and forced to sit in the chair.

"All right," Nick said. "He would probably talk to some of the farmers and ranchers in the area and maybe the sheriff."

"Good boy," Roberts replied. "Do you want your brother released?"

"Yes," Nick answered. "I do because if you don’t release him I’ll break every bone in your body."

"Oh really," Roberts said. "I don’t think you’re in any position to do anything. Roy, tie young Barkley to his chair where he can get a good look at his brother. We’ll let him watch his brother’s punishment for a while."

Roy turned Nick’s chair around so it faced Jarrod. Nick’s arms were tied to the back of the chair and his feet were tied to the legs of the chair. Nick couldn’t get loose and he saw the agony and suffering on his older brother’s face. He tried to break his bonds to get out of the chair and free his brother but he couldn’t. He looked at his brother’s face and saw the pain in his eyes. Jarrod concentrated on Nick’s face as he saw the determination in Nick’s eyes. He gritted his teeth but didn’t show the pain to Roy or the others.

"Jarrod," he whispered loudly, "hang on. We’ll get out of this somehow."

Jarrod barely nodded but it let his brother know that he had heard him. Nick could tell that Jarrod was having difficulty drawing a breath. He knew that his brother’s ribs were crying out in pain. He tried to break his bonds again but to no avail. After an hour of this torture, Nick was cut loose from the chair and his arms were tied behind his back. He was thrown back in the corner. Jarrod was also cut loose and his arms were also tied behind his back. They hit him right in the ribs and then backhanded him across the face. He was then thrown in the corner with Nick. Jarrod fell to the ground in a semi-conscious state and was dazed. Nick noticed his labored breathing as Jarrod tried to clutch his ribs and laid in a fetal position.

"Jarrod," Nick said softly, "can you hear me?"

"Yeah," Jarrod said weakly. "I’m in a great deal of pain but I’ll be all right."

"Don’t worry big brother," Nick replied. "We’ll get out of here. Try to rest."

Jarrod nodded his head and closed his eyes. Nick knew his brother couldn’t stand any more torture. He vowed to get them both out of this.

"It’s time to continue our little talk," he said with his sadistic smile. "Now, how would your father try to rescue you?"

The two brothers just sat there. Roberts motioned to one of the men and he slapped Jarrod on the face. Nick came out of his chair and was again shoved back down after also being backhanded. Jarrod had tried to stop the man from hitting Nick and was slapped again and held in his chair.

"You see Mr. Barkley," Roberts said, "if you don’t answer my questions your brother will continue to suffer unmercifully. I am not a vindictive man. I only want answers but I will get those answers any way I can. So it’s up to you. You decide Mr. Barkley."

Nick looked over at his older brother. Then he looked back at Roberts with a determined look on his face.

"All right," he agreed.

"Good," Roberts said. "You want to go home don’t you Barkley?"

"Yes," Nick replied.

"Good," Roberts said.

Roy, who was a tall man with a scar on the left side of his face, was standing behind Jarrod. He smiled menacingly down at the boy.

"Now Barkley," Roberts said looking at Nick, "you tell me what I want to know and your brother will not be harmed anymore. You don’t and your brother will be punished. Now, how would your father try to rescue you two?"

Nick looked at his brother. Roberts nodded at Roy who jerked Jarrod’s head up by his hair. Another man came over and Jarrod’s shirt was removed. He was tied to the beam with his back toward Nick and a third man who had a whip in his hand walked up to the boy. He began to whip Jarrod across his bare back. Nick winced every time the whip met Jarrod’s naked skin. Jarrod’s face was contorting in pain and agony. The whip was eating into his flesh. The whipping went on for several minutes. Then the man stopped. Jarrod was untied and his shirt was put back on. He was swaying and staggering. Roy pitched him in the corner and laughed at the boy. Jarrod collapsed and didn’t move. Nick was also thrown beside his brother. He tried to attack Roy but was punched in the face for his effort. Nick knew if they didn’t get out of there soon, Jarrod would die. He knew he had to make his move.

"Jarrod," Nick said softly, "can you hear me?"

"Yeah," Jarrod replied between grunts of pain and spasms of shivering.

"What hurts?" Nick asked.

"Everything," Jarrod answered and winced in pain. "I think I busted some ribs and now my back is on fire."

"Hang in there big brother," Nick said. "I’ll get us out of here."

"What are you going to do?" Jarrod asked. "Be a bull in a china shop."

"Maybe," Nick replied. "But I’m going to get us out of here."

A short time later, Roy and Phillips came over and dragged the two boys back to the table. Nick and Jarrod were slammed hard down in the chairs. Jarrod winced in pain. Roy backhanded him across the face. Nick tried to stop him and was backhanded himself.

"Don’t hurt my brother anymore," Nick spat. "I’ll kill you for what you’ve done to my brother. It may not be now. But you’ll pay for what you’ve done to him."

"Well," Roberts said, "Mr. Barkley, I don’t want to hurt you or your brother but we have learned how to get under your father’s skin. You are the one thing that he is most concerned about. We don’t have to harm him. All we have to do is take it out on you.

Now, I want to ask you a few more questions. If you don’t answer them, well you know what will happen. Would your father go to the law for help in saving you two?"

Nick looked at the man defiantly and didn’t answer. Jarrod was breathing very hard and he was so dizzy, he couldn’t think. When Roberts didn’t receive an answer, he nodded and Phillips again grabbed Jarrod. This time he grabbed him by the shirt and hauled him up. He took the boy over to the post again where the rope was still tied. He tied Jarrod’s wrists to the rope and began to pull with all his might. Jarrod grunted in pain.

"You see Mr. Barkley," Roberts told him. Your brother is just a pawn to me. All I want is information about your father. I don’t care if he lives or dies."

"All right," he said again gritting his teeth in anger. "Father is good friends with the sheriff in Stockton. Let him go."

"In due time, Barkley, in due time," Roberts told him. "I believe I will let Roy have some fun with your brother. After a while, we’ll talk some more. Roy."

Nick watched in horror as Roy began to abuse Jarrod. He opened Jarrod’s shirt and took out a cigar and a match. He lit the match and then lit the cigar. Then he would walk over to Jarrod and touch his chest with the hot cigar. Jarrod gritted his teeth with the pain of being burned. After that, Roy decided to play with his prey some more. He laughed at the pain on the boy’s face.

"Listen boy," Roy said, "I have nothing against you personally. It’s just that I have a job to do."

"You do whatever you have to," Jarrod replied. "I’ll not show you any of my pain so you can gloat about it."

Roy just smiled at him. He reached up and pulled on the boy’s arms. A wave of pain shot through Jarrod’s body. Then Roy had one of the other men come over and hold Jarrod’s shirt back so his chest was uncovered. Roy then measured Jarrod and hit him square in the ribs with a giant fist. All the remaining air flew out of Jarrod’s body. He tried to gasp for breath but couldn’t because of the strain on his shoulders. Roy hit him again and again. Jarrod closed his eyes tight with each blow. Nick again tried to come to his brother’s aide but was backhanded and roughly held in his chair. Jarrod’s head lolled around and after several more blows, Roy stopped and lifted the boy’s head up by his hair. Then he reached up and cut Jarrod’s arms loose. The boy hit the ground with a thud. Roy then looked down at the boy in the dirt. He reached down and picked Jarrod up by the shirt collar. He looked right in the boy’s eyes. Then he punched him right in the face. Jarrod couldn’t scream. He couldn’t do anything. He was in such pain. Finally, Roy let him go and he fell to the ground and didn’t move.

"Now," Roberts said again, "let’s continue our talk Mr. Barkley. Do you want to leave and take your brother with you?"

"Yes," Nick answered. "Jarrod needs medical attention. Let us go."

Roberts paused for a moment.

"I have a proposition for you two. I have decided to let one of you go but the other one will have to stay. Which one will it be?"

"Keep me," Nick begged. "He can’t take anymore."

"That’s a nice gesture Barkley," Roberts said. "But I don’t think I want to let the oldest one leave. You see your brother being the oldest, the heir and a would be lawyer seems more threatening and more of a blow to your father."

"My brother is just as physical as I am," Nick spat, "but he thinks before reacting. I’m impulsive and I react before thinking. So let him go."

"No," Roberts tells him. "He stays. But I will let you have something to remember your brother by."

Roberts nodded and Roy kicked Jarrod right in the ribs. Jarrod grimaced again with pain.

"Remember Barkley, Roberts said, "if your father interferes your brother will die. Blindfold him and take him back where we found him. I will leave you word where you can find your brother after we have finished with him."

Nick was yanked from the chair and blindfolded.

"Jarrod," he said, "I’ll be back with help. Hang in there big brother."

Jarrod nodded and watched as Nick was taken away.

"Now Mr. Barkley," Roberts said, "you and I are going to have a nice visit. "You behave and you won’t be harmed anymore. Resist and you will be punished."

Jarrod was still on the dirt floor holding his ribs and writhing in pain.

"Barkley," Roberts said, "we can do this the hard way or the easy way. You choose."

"All right," Jarrod spit out. "Whatever you want."

"Good," Roberts said. "Sit him in the chair."

The two men pick him up and shoved him back into the chair.

"Now Barkley," Roberts said, "I’m not afraid to kill you. I want you to tell me why your father is helping those farmers."

Jarrod just looked at him. Roberts stared at Jarrod. After several minutes, Roberts motioned to one of the men. Roy pulled his knife out. Jarrrod could feel the cold, sharp steel against his throat. Jarrod looked terrified and Roy smiled at the effect he had on boy.

"Please don’t," he pleaded.

"Certainly son," Roberts said. "When you answer my question."

"I can’t," Jarrod replied and could feel a little more pressure of the knife being applied to his throat.

Oh yes you can," Roberts said. "Roy can keep you in that position indefinitely. It’s up to you."

"All right," Jarrod spit out. "My father is well respected in the valley. The farmers look up to him."

"Good," Roberts said and motioned for Roy to release him.

Roy removed the knife from Jarrod’s throat and he was able to breathe again.

"Now Mr. Barkley," Roberts replied "we are going to take our leave from you. However, you won’t like what is going to happen next. Take him outside where his father can see him and tie him up. Then we’ll meet at the hotel in Modesto."

Roy dragged Jarrod outside to the front of the mine. He threw a rope over the beam at the top of the entrance. He tied Jarrod by his wrists and pulled him so his feet were off the ground. Then he tied the rope off and left him. Jarrod’s shirt had been removed and the bitter cold air was hitting Jarrod. The strain on his shoulders was unbearable. He was shivering from the cold air. Then he passed out.

"Hang in there Jarrod," he said to himself. "Help’s on its way big brother."

Back in Stockton, Tom, Harry, John, Frank, Sig and Abe were devising a way to rescue Jarrod and Nick. The telegraph operator bringing a telegraph in interrupted them.

"Mr. Barkley," he said, "this telegraph just arrived for you. It’s from a man named Roberts."

Tom quickly took the paper and read it.

"Harry," Tom replied, "we’ve got to move fast. This man Roberts says that Jarrod is hurt badly and Nick is free. I’ve got to find my sons."

"Tom," Harry said, "wait."

"I can’t," Tom shot back. "My oldest son is hurt badly. He could die. I need to get to him."

"Tom," John said, "Frank and I will go with you. You’ll need help in getting Jarrod to a doctor."

"Fine," Tom told them. "Let’s go."

They left the office and headed out to bring the Barkley brothers home.

"Nick," he said, "are you all right?"

"Yes sir," Nick answered. "They abused Jarrod for two days. If his ribs are not broken, they’re badly bruised. We’ve got to hurry."

"Nick," he asked, "do you have any idea where Jarrod is?"

"Yes," Nick answered. "We were kept in an old abandoned mine."

"That sounds like the old Jenkins Mine four miles outside of town," the Modesto sheriff told them.

"Can you take us there?" Tom asked.

"Yes," he answered and they left the office.

They rode out to a narrow road that led into the opening of the mine. The sheriff tried to hold Tom back.

"Mr. Barkley," he said, "please wait. It could be a trap of some kind."

"My son’s in there," Tom told him and took off.

As Tom made his way with Nick beside him and the Sempleworths behind them, he looked for any sign of his son. Then as they entered the canyon, he saw him.

"Jarrod!" Tom screamed.

He rushed to his son’s side. Slowly, he cut the ropes that had Jarrod tied. He grabbed a blanket off of his saddle and wrapped him in it. He eased his son up cradling his head.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "can you hear me son?"

Jarrod slowly opened his pain filled, blue eyes and looked up at his father. He tried to smile but the pain in his shoulders, face, back and ribs wouldn’t let him. By then, Nick was at his side. Frank and John were there too.

"Father," Jarrod gurbled, "I tried to be brave because I knew you would come."

"You were son," Tom said, tears running down his face. "I’m very proud of you."

"I knew you would come back Nick," he got out.

"I’m here big brother," Nick said softly. "Just take it easy."

John and Frank looked at each other. They knew the boy was in very bad shape. They had to get him to a doctor soon or he would probably die. Tom made up his mind.

"I’ll mount up," he said. "You hand him up to me. I want to keep Jarrod close to me. I’ll meet you in town."

The other four eased Jarrod up. He screamed out in pain.

"Please stop!" he screamed. "I can’t take anymore!"

They handed him up to his father. Tom rode off as fast as he could. Jarrod screamed with every movement of the horse.

"Oh please!" he cried. "No more! I’ll do anything you want! Please no more pain!"

Nick was right beside his father. Frank and John were in the rear. The sheriff had stayed behind at the mine to see if there were signs any of the kidnappers. Within half an hour, they were in Modesto. Tom rode up in front of the doctor’s office. With Nick’s help, they eased Jarrod off and into Tom’s arms. He carried his son into the office. Nick followed.

"Doctor!" Nick yelled.

The doctor came out of the back room. When he saw Tom holding the young man, he motioned for him to bring the boy into the back room. Nick followed them. The doctor helped Tom lay his son down on the table. Then Tom and Nick backed away so the doctor could examine Jarrod. During the exam, the doctor would shake his head. After nearly an hour, the doctor looked up at Tom and Nick.

"Your son is injured badly," he told them. "He’s got very badly bruised ribs, two dislocated and badly sprained shoulders and whip marks all over the his back plus a badly bruised face."

"Yes," Nick said. "He was whipped and hung up by his wrists for a very long time. Is he going to be all right?"

"I don’t know," he replied. "He’s also running a fever and he might have some internal injuries. Right now I need to bind those ribs."

The doctor wrapped Jarrod’s ribs and then looked up. He put medication on Jarrod’s back to soothe the whip marks. Then he wrapped both of Jarrod’s arms to his sides so he couldn’t use them. That was to allow the dislocated and badly sprained shoulders a chance to heal. He also gave him some medicine to help him rest.

"That’s all I can do for him," the doctor said. "The rest is up to him. Why anyone would do this to a human being is beyond me."

"I know doctor," Tom replied. "The men that did this wanted to teach me a lesson about interfering in their affairs. I will find these men and take care of them after I make sure my son is going to live."

"Father," Nick said, "someone better wire mother. She’ll want to know about Jarrod."

"You’re right Nick," Tom replied. "Would you send a wire to her? I don’t want to leave your brother. Not after what he’s been through."

"Yes sir," Nick answered and left.

"Doctor," Tom asked after Nick was gone, "will he live?"

"I don’t know," he answered. "I’m very worried about the fever. His ribs, back, face and shoulders should heal. That fever, however, is very high. I’ve got to get it down."

"Please do everything you can to save him doctor," Tom begged. "He’s been through so much over the past two years. He’s studying to be a lawyer."

"A lawyer," the doctor replied. "I’ll do everything humanly possible to save him."

"Thank you doctor," Tom said.

Nick returned several minutes later. He walked into the room and looked at his father.

"How is he?" he asked.

"Not good," Tom answered. "He’s running a high fever. Why did they have to hurt him? Why?"

"It’s all right father," Nick replied. "Jarrod’s strong. He’ll come out of this."

"It’s all my fault Nick," Tom said. "I should never have let you boys come here alone. These men were after me and they took advantage of you and Jarrod. I should have never let you come."

"Take it easy father," Nick told him. "No one’s blaming you. We were caught before we had a chance to defend ourselves. They went after Jarrod because he was the oldest and he tried to reason with them and it made them even madder."

Tom walked over to Jarrod and put a hand on his son’s injured shoulder.

"Oh Jarrod," he said, "I’m so sorry. Please forgive me son."

"I don’t blame you," Jarrod mumbled and shivered. "I tried to be brave."

"Take it easy son," Tom told him. "I know you were brave but it’s all my fault Jarrod. I should never have let you and Nick go alone."

"Please father," Jarrod said. "Please don’t blame yourself."

"How do you feel son," Tom asked him.

"I hurt everywhere," Jarrod told him. "Father, I can’t move my arms!"

"Easy son," Tom said and rubbed his forehead. "The doctor has your arms tied down. Both your shoulders were badly damaged. You were whipped too."

"I know," he replied. "I’m sorry fat..."

Jarrod’s eyes closed. Tom looked down concerned. The doctor went over to his patient.

"He’s unconscious again," the doctor said. "He needs rest. But someone needs to stay with him."

"I will," Nick replied.’

"No!" Tom said loudly. "I will stay with my son."

"Nicholas," she said and hurried over to him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," he answered. "It’s Jarrod mother. "They did horrible things to him. Father’s with him. He blames himself for Jarrod and me being caught."

"I figured he might," she said. "At first, I blamed your father, but not now. I want to see your brother."

Nick led his mother back to where his father and brother were. She looked down at her oldest son and gasped at his appearance.

"Oh Jarrod," she said softly. "Mother’s here honey. Mother’s here."

Jarrod’s eyes opened and they were still filled with pain and agony.

"Mother," he mumbled. "Mother."

"Yes honey," she said. "It’s mother. I’m right here beside of you. You just rest and when you wake up you’ll feel much better."

Jarrod’s eyes eased closed and he went to sleep. Victoria looked over at her husband with anger in her eyes.

"Tom," she said, "what happened?"

"We were in Stockton figuring out a way to rescue the boys," he began. "A telegram was delivered to me from a man named Roberts. He said he had freed Nick and that Jarrod was hurt badly. Frank and John Sempleworth came with me and we met Nick at the sheriff’s office. The sheriff was able to figure out from Nick’s description of the mine where Jarrod was. We rode out there and I found Jarrod. He had been tied out front without a shirt or his warm coat. His shoulders are dislocated, badly sprained and he was whipped Victoria. My son was abused."

"Father," Nick replied, "every time Roberts asked me a question and I didn’t answer, Jarrod was punished. At one time, they had me tied to a chair and Jarrod strung up by his wrists. Then his feet were pulled down. He was hanging that way for nearly an hour. He tried to scream but he couldn’t. They went after Jarrod on purpose. I tried to protect him but I couldn’t."

"Nick," Victoria said, "it’s all right honey. You did the best you could. You got help for your brother."

"I want those men," Nick seethed. "I want to tear them apart for what they did to my brother."

"Easy Nick," Tom told him. "We have to let the law take care of them."

"The law," Nick seethed again. "What can the law do to them. They work for the railroad."

"Mother," Jarrod said writhing in pain. "Please mother, it hurts so bad."

Victoria rushed over to Jarrod. She put her hand on his forehead and looked down at her son.

"Easy honey," she said softly. "I know it hurts. Rest. It’ll get better."

"Oh!" he screamed.

Jarrod tried to get up but couldn’t. Victoria eased his head up in her arms.

"Easy," she said again. "Mother’s here."

Jarrod quieted down and closed his eyes. She looked over at Tom and Nick.

"I want to be alone with my son," she said.

They left her alone and walked out to the waiting room.

"Father," Nick said after they sat down, "mother will have Jarrod laughing in no time."

"I know Nick," he replied. "But your mother blames me. She didn’t want you boys going off by yourself."

"It’s not your fault," Nick told him. "Jarrod doesn’t blame you."

Tom stood up and left the office. John and Frank stood up as well.

"Let me talk to him Nick," John said. "I think I can get through to him."

"I’ll stay with you Nick," Frank replied. "Jarrod’s a good friend of mine."

"Thanks Frank," Nick told him.

John walked outside and found Tom. He walked up and put an arm around Tom’s shoulders.

"He’ll be fine Tom," John told him. "Victoria doesn’t really blame you. She blames the circumstances surrounding what happened to your sons."

"I know John," Tom replied. "But my son is laying in there hurt very badly. I’m like Nick. If I ever get my hands on them, I’ll kill them."

"Victoria," Tom said as he walked into the room, "how is Jarrod?"

"He’s resting," she replied. "He keeps waking up in such agony and pain."

"It’s no wonder," he told her. "The way those men treated him."

"Tom," she said, "I want to apologize. I blamed you at first for my sons being kidnapped. Then I forgave you. And when Jarrod was hurt, I blamed you again. But not any more. You tried to save both our sons. One question though, why did they free Nick?"

"I don’t know Victoria," Tom answered. "The only thing I can think of is that since they had abused Jarrod, they thought I would back off and not help the farmers. I still intend to help those farmers."

"I knew you would," she said. "You won’t let what happened deter you."

"I love my sons Victoria," he replied. "I don’t want any thing to happen to any of them. This will not go without some kind of retribution for those animals that did this to Jarrod."

"I know Tom," she said. "Come over here and see your son."

Tom walked over and stood beside his wife. She put her arm around him and smiled. The two of them stayed there beside the bed. Sometime in the night, Jarrod woke up.

"Mother," he said weakly, "are you still here?"

"I’m right here honey," she replied. "And so is your father."

"Father," he mumbled, "you are here?"

"Yes son," he replied. "I’m right here. How do you feel?"

"Tired," he said, "weak and sore."

"It’s no wonder," his mother agreed. "You were treated very badly."

"I remember," he said cringing at the thought. "The only thing that kept me going was the fact that Nick was there with me and you were going to rescue us father."

"Your brother is very worried about you," Tom told him. "He wishes he could have kept you from suffering at the hands of those men."

"I know father," Jarrod said. "Nick was what kept me fighting to live through all the pain and agony. I would look at his face and then I would smile to myself. I knew that he was feeling everything I was."

"Would you like to see Nick?" Tom asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered.

Tom excused himself and walked out of the room. After he had left, Jarrod tried to move and couldn’t. Victoria calmed him by stroking a hand through his brown hair.

"Take it easy honey," she said. "You can’t start moving around. You will hurt yourself. Just lie quietly and rest."

"Mother," he remarked, "I can’t move my arms."

"The doctor has bound your arms down at your sides," she told him. "Your shoulders were injured. It’s to let them heal."

About that time, Tom and Nick entered the room. Nick walked slowly over to the bed and smiled down at his older brother.

"Well," Nick said, "it’s about time you woke up. You know we’ve got some horses to take home."

"I forgot all about the stock," Jarrod replied. "Are they all right?"

"Yeah," Nick told him. "Nothing to worry about."

"Good," Jarrod replied. "Nick, I want to thank you."

"For what?" Nick asked.

"For helping me deal with all the pain I had while we were in the mine," he replied. "If it hadn’t been for you, I would have given up."

"No you wouldn’t," Nick told him. "Remember boy, you’re a Barkley and Barkleys never give up."

"I remember," Jarrod said.

The four Barkleys spent the rest of the night together. Jarrod would drift off and then awaken from a nightmare. Nick stayed at his side sometimes even holding Jarrod’s hand. The next morning, the doctor arrived to check on his patient.

"Well now," he said as he walked over to the bed, "you’re looking a whole lot better young man. How do you feel?"

"I’m sore and weak sir," Jarrod answered.

"That’s for sure," the doctor agreed. "Let’s see how everything is healing."

The doctor checked Jarrod’s ribs, back, face and shoulders. He unbound his arms and Jarrod tried to flex his arms.

"You’ll be able to go home in a couple of days," he said. "You’ll have to take it easy. If you start overdoing, you could wind up in the bed."

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered.

The doctor propped Jarrod up on several pillows and he smiled at his family.

"He’s going to be fine in several days," the doctor told them. "I’ll give you a bottle of laudanum that I want him to take to help with the pain. He’s going to be sore for a while, I’m afraid. He’s lucky."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

"I’m very dizzy," he said.

"It’s understandable son," Tom replied. "You’ve been through so much. But we’re going home now."

"Mr. Barkley," the doctor said, "when you get home have your doctor look in on the boy. He’ll be sore and weak for a few more days."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

"Good luck son," the doctor replied.

"Thank you sir," Jarrod told him.

The Barkley family left Modesto and took the stage home. The trip was very hard on Jarrod. He was having a hard time holding his head up and his face was contorted in pain. He was also sweating and then having severe chills. Victoria was very worried about him.

"Jarrod," she said, "are you hurting?"

"Yes," he answered. "I think I am going to be sick mother."

"Tom," she said, "stop the stage now."

Nick reached out the window of the stage and got the driver’s attention. He stopped the stage and waited. Jarrod got the door open and tumbled out on the dirt. Victoria shot to his side. Jarrod began to cough and he clutched his ribs.

"Jarrod," she said, "take it easy."

"Mother," he spit out, "I’m dizzy and I’m going to be sick."

Victoria held her oldest son cradling his head in her arms. Jarrod began to experience back pain, difficulty breathing and coughing. Victoria held him while he had these bad coughing spells. Tom was at his son’s side.

"Jarrod," he said, "do you feel like you can go home?"

"I’ll try but I really don’t feel well," Jarrod answered.

"Father," Nick, said, "I don’t think he can make it home."

"Jarrod," Victoria replied softly, "it’s mother honey. Can you hear me?"

"Mother," he mumbled. "Father."

"We’re here," she told him. "It’s going to be all right."

Tom eased his son up and held him in his arms. Jarrod screamed out in pain.

"Oh no!" he screamed. "Please, it hurts so bad! Please make it stop!"

Tom eased his son down on a blanket. Victoria kneeled down beside him. Jarrod coughed again.

"Driver," Tom said, "we won’t be going any further for a while. My son is sick and I won’t dare move him."

"Since you are my only passengers," the driver informed him, "I will be glad to wait till he’s able to travel."

"Thank you," Tom said.

Jarrod was now unconscious. Tom picked him up and eased him back into the stagecoach. Victoria climbed in and held Jarrod’s head in her arms. He motioned for the driver to continue and the family headed toward Stockton. They arrived an hour later. Nick went to Dr. Merrar’s and brought him over to see Jarrod. He looked at him and didn’t like what he saw.

"Let’s get him over to my office," he replied.

Tom carried his son to the doctor’s office. Jarrod was placed on the bed and the doctor examined him.

"It’s bad," he said when he looked up. "Jarrod’s a very sick young man. He’s got a bad case of pneumonia. I don’t know if he will get better. His fever is 102. That’s too high. I’ve got to bring it down. He seems to be living through whatever happened to him over and over. It’s going to be rough for a while."

"Can you help him doctor?" Victoria asked. "The doctor in Modesto thought he was over the worst. What happened?"

"It took a while for the pneumonia to set in," he answered. "I’m going to try to bring that fever down. What in God’s name happened to him?"

"He was taken prisoner," Nick answered. "We both were. If we didn’t answer questions, they would punish Jarrod. He was hung up by his shoulders; he was whipped and he was even left in the hot sun and the bitter cold without any protection."

"My God," the doctor replied. "Those animals. Well, I’ll do everything I can for him."

"Please doc," Nick pleaded. "Don’t let Jarrod die."

"I’m not going to if I can help it," he answered.

The doctor went to work. He worked on Jarrod constantly trying to reduce the fever.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "you should be asleep."

"Doctor," he replied weakly, "I couldn’t rest. I can’t think straight."

"That’s normal," the doctor replied. "You have pneumonia and a high fever."

Jarrod began to cough. The doctor grabbed him and held him while he coughed. The coughing awoke Tom, Victoria and Nick. They flew out of their chairs.

"What happened?" Victoria asked.

"He’s having a coughing spell," the doctor answered. "It’s normal. It’s a good sign. Until we get this fever down he’s going to be a very sick boy."

Victoria walked over to the side of the bed and reached down and rubbed Jarrod’s forehead. He continued to cough. She eased his head out of the doctor’s hands and held him herself.

"Easy honey," she said calmly. "That’s right. Cough it up."

Jarrod continued to cough. Finally he stopped. She eased him back onto the pillows. He looked up at her and barely smiled. She smiled down at him.

"Mother’s right here honey," she told him. "Rest."

Jarrod closed his eyes and Victoria sat on the side of the bed with him.

"Thank you Victoria," the doctor said. "He will have more of these coughing spells until we get that fever down. Someone will have to stay with him."

"I will," she answered.

"We all will," Tom put in. "That’s my son and I’m not leaving him. It’s my fault that he’s in that shape. If I hadn’t offered to help the farmers, Jarrod would be fine."

"Tom," the doctor said, "what happened to Jarrod was bad, but those men would have done it whether or not you were helping those farmers. Hanibal Jordan is a vindictive man. If he goes after someone, he gets them one way or the other. He figured the best way to stop you was to hire men to kidnap your sons. These bullyboys as they are called don’t care what shape their prisoners are in as long as they are alive. Jarrod’s lucky to even be alive. I’ll do everything humanly possible to save him."

"I know you will doc," Tom replied. "I’m just sorry this mess had to spill over to my sons."

"Father," Nick said, "what happened to Jarrod and me was bad but all Roberts wanted was information about you and the ranch. When I wouldn’t give it to him, he would abuse Jarrod."

"What kind of information did he want son?" Tom asked.

"He wanted to know how many men worked on the ranch," Nick told him. If you would go to the sheriff for help and if you would ask the farmers to help."

"My God!" Tom yelled. "They knew everything!"

"Yes," Nick put in. "They even knew that Jarrod was studying to be a lawyer."

"Oh Tom," Victoria said. "They could come after him again."

"No!" Tom spat. "They won’t harm my sons again. Nick, you and I are going to have a talk with Harry. You can tell him about the men that held you and Jarrod. Maybe Harry can arrest them before they can harm anyone else."

"All right father," Nick agreed and the two of them left the doctor’s office.

Victoria looked down at her son again. Jarrod’s face was very pale and his breathing was labored. He slowly opened his pain stricken big, blue eyes and looked up at her.

"Mother," he mumbled, "I don’t feel good."

"It’s all right honey," she told him. "You have pneumonia and a high fever."

"Mother," he began and then began to cough again.

Victoria grabbed him and helped hold him. She kept rubbing his face. She knew he was in such terrible pain. Even far worse than what he had endured last year. Jarrod was coughing so hard that Victoria became concerned.

"Doctor!" she called.

The doctor walked into the room.

"He’s coughing so hard doctor," she said.

The doctor hurried over to the bed and checked Jarrod. He gave him some medicine and laid him back on the pillows. Jarrod’s eyes were closed but his color was not good.

"Victoria," the doctor said, "I’m not going to lie to you. Jarrod’s coughing so much because of all the torture he received. It’s a wonder the boy’s alive. It doesn’t look good for him."

"Oh please doctor," she begged, "don’t let my son die."

"I’m going to do everything in my power to save the boy," he told her.

"Tom," he said, "Nick, when did you get back?"

"Harry," Tom replied, "my son, Jarrod, is at Doc Merrar’s. He’s been abused. He has pneumonia. It doesn’t look good for him."

"Oh Tom," Harry said, "I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?"

"Yes," Tom replied. "Nick was also held prisoner. He can describe what the men looked like so you can arrest them."

"Whoa Tom," Harry said. "They work for the Coastal and Western Railroad. That means Hanibal Jordan. I won’t be able to hold them if I was to arrest them."

"Why not?" Tom asked getting angry.

"Because Jordan’s got too much clout," Harry told him. "He would have these men out walking the streets before the ink dried on the arrest report."

"I’ve got to do something," Tom spit. "My family is in jeopardy. As long as they think I am still helping the farmers, my family could be hurt or killed. They’ve already shown that they won’t hesitate to kill if they have to."

"The only thing I can suggest," Harry told him, "is to appoint guards to protect your family."

"I guess that’s better than nothing," Tom replied.

"All right," Harry said. "Nick, I still want you to describe these men to me. I’ll find a way to hold them if I can even catch them. I’ve known your family for a long time Tom. I’ve watched Nick, Gene and Audra grow up. Jarrod was a small boy when I first took this job. I will do everything in my power to protect your family from any more harm."

"I know you will Harry," Tom replied. "I know you will."

Tom left the sheriff’s office and went back to Dr. Merrar’s. When he walked in, Jarrod was coughing. Watching the agony his oldest son was in made Tom so angry. He went to the other side of the bed and sat down. He talked softly to his son.

"Jarrod," he said softly, "it’s father. I’m right here boy. Come on. You can fight this and win."

Jarrod heard his father’s voice and turned his head slightly. He half smiled at Tom and Tom smiled back.

"Don’t worry sir," Jarrod got out and smiled. "I won’t give up."

Then he collapsed on the pillows completely exhausted. Victoria put a hand on Tom’s arm and smiled at him. Then they went back to taking care of their oldest son.

"Doctor," he asked, "how’s Jarrod this morning?"

"He’s had a pretty rough night," the doctor answered. "He’s still an awfully sick young man."

"Is Tom here?" Harry asked.

"Yes," the doctor replied. "He’s in the back with Jarrod."

"I need to speak to him a moment," Harry said.

"Just a minute," the doctor told him and left.

A few minutes later, Tom walked out of the back.

"Yes Harry," he said as he walked over.

"Tom," Harry replied, "first, how’s Jarrod?"

"He’s still a sick boy," Tom said.

"I’ve got a line on those men that kidnapped your sons," Harry informed him. "They left Modesto and headed toward Sacramento. If they come here, I’ll pick them up."

"Thanks Harry," Tom remarked. "It won’t make my son well. Those animals hurt my son badly and I want their hides."

"Now Tom," Harry said, "take it easy. You won’t help Jarrod if you remain this upset and angry."

"Harry!" Tom spat, "those animals nearly killed my oldest son and you want me to calm down! My son is lying in a bed! He was whipped, burnt, hanged, beaten and left to die. And you want me to calm down!"

"All right Tom," Harry said. "I just meant you don’t need to let Jarrod see how angry you are. It would only upset him."

"You’re right Harry," Tom told him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you."

"That’s all right," Harry replied. "I just hope and pray that Jarrod will be fine."

"Thanks Harry," Tom said and went back to his son.

When Tom walked back into Jarrod’s room, Victoria looked up.

"What did the sheriff want?" she asked.

"To tell me that he had an idea where those men are that held Nick and Jarrod prisoner were," Tom answered.

"Where are they?" she asked.

"Headed toward Sacramento," Tom told her.

"Good," she replied. "At least Jarrod is safe for now. But what about when he goes back to school?"

"I don’t know Victoria," he answered. "I just don’t know."

"Tom," she said, "you need to rest. I’ll stay with Jarrod."

"No!" he shouted. "I can’t leave my boy now. He needs me."

"All right Tom," she agreed. "Just sit down and at least rest in this chair."

He nodded and sat down. He looked over at the bed and his oldest son. Jarrod’s face was bruised. His breathing was somewhat labored. His ribs were bandaged. The more Tom looked at his son’s damaged body, the angrier he became. Victoria saw the expression Tom’s face and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Tom," she said, "he’s going to get well. I just know he is."

"Yes," he agreed. "But how long will it take? Will he be able to finish law school and then become a lawyer? Or will he be like this for the rest of his life?"

"I can’t answer that Tom," she replied. "All I can tell you is put your trust in God and the doctor and if it’s God’s will, Jarrod will get better. If it’s not, we will handle that. Don’t forget you have two more sons and a beautiful daughter."

"I haven’t forgotten about Nick, Gene or Audra," he told her. "But Jarrod was my first born. He was special. A very smart boy who used to ask questions about everything. I wasn’t there when he was born and I regret that but I don’t want my son to be taken from me in this manner Victoria."

"I know Tom," she admitted. "I feel the same way. That night at Wally and Jenny Miles’ when Jarrod was born was the most wonderful moment of my life. He looked up at me with his big, bright, blue eyes and I knew he was going to be someone very special. He was such a quiet baby. You hardly knew that he was in the room. Then as he began to grow and learn, I knew that he wasn’t meant for ranch work. Now that same little boy is lying in that bed fighting to live. It isn’t fair Tom."

"I know," he said. "I know."

At that moment, there was a moan from the bed. Victoria turned her attention back to Jarrod who was beginning to wake up again. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room.

"How did I get here?" he asked confused.

"You were injured very badly honey," Victoria answered. "We brought you here so you can get better."

Jarrod tried to sit up but couldn’t. He fell back on the pillows and gasped with pain.

"Easy boy," Tom said. "You need to rest. They’ll be plenty of time to get up after you’re all healed and at home."

"What happened to me?" Jarrod asked them.

"Don’t you remember?" Victoria asked.

"No," he replied. "I can’t remember anything that has happened in the last two days."

"That’s good son," Tom told him. "If you can’t remember, at least you won’t have any more nightmares."

"Jarrod," his mother said, "you and Nick went to Modesto to buy some stock. You were kidnapped and you were injured."

"Is Nick all right?" he asked, very worried.

"He’s fine," Tom said. "He’s very worried about you."

"He doesn’t need to worry about me," Jarrod told them. "I’ll be fine in a couple of days."

"I’m afraid it will be longer than that young man," the doctor replied as he walked into the room."

"Hello doctor," Victoria said. "How is he?"

The doctor walked to the bed and examined his patient.

"Well," he replied when he was through, "the fever’s down. That’s a good sign. How are your shoulders feeling Jarrod?"

Jarrod tried to move his arms and grunted with pain.

"Not very good," he replied. "I hurt all over."

"No wonder," the doctor said, "after what you’ve been through. Now, I want you to sleep. You need plenty of rest."

With that he gave Jarrod some more laudanum.

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and closed his eyes.

"Doctor?" Victoria asked.

"His fever’s down to 100," the doctor told them. "That’s a very good sign. But he’s still a sick boy. You’re looking at a long recovery. His shoulders are dislocated and very badly sprained, it will take time but he will regain the use of them. The main thing is I want that boy to rest. That’s what he needs more than anything right now."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

"I didn’t do that much for him," the doctor said. "He’s a strong willed boy. That’s what has kept him alive and fighting."

"Doctor," Tom began, "Jarrod is a smart young man. However, he preferred the law as Nick preferred ranching. Not that he can’t do manual labor. He’s more intellectual. I want him to be able to finish his schooling and become a lawyer. After what Jordan did to my son, I now want to help those farmers even more. Jarrod stood up to those men and he paid for it. Now, I’m going to make them pay. If I ever find any one of those men, I’ll make them wish they were never born."

"Tom," Victoria said, "take it easy. Harry will get those men."

"He can’t keep them even if he was to arrest them," Tom told her. "Jordan would have them released in no time. It’s my fault that Jarrod was injured. It’s my fault that my two sons were kidnapped. And it’ll be my fault if I let these men get by with this."

"All right Tom," she said. "Let’s just concentrate on getting Jarrod well enough to go home."

"Father!" Jarrod screamed. "Look out!"

In trying to grab the bale, the boy was pulled out with it. Tom looked up when he heard Jarrod yell saw the bale and the boy coming toward him. He jumped out of the wagon to safety. He looked back to see the bale and Jarrod hit the wagon at the same time. Tom hurried over and picked up his son. Jarrod opened his eyes and looked up at his father.

"Jarrod boy," Tom asked concerned, "are you hurt?"

"I don’t know sir," he answered.

Tom helped Jarrod stand up. Jarrod’s head began to hurt and he became very dizzy. Tom caught him before he hit the wagon bed.

"My head hurts sir," Jarrod replied.

Tom picked his son up and carried him into the house. He put the small boy to bed. The doctor was sent for and when he arrived, he examined the boy.

"Tom," he told him, "Jarrod’s got a bad bump on the head. He’ll be fine in a couple of days. Just keep him quiet."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied.

After the doctor left, Tom sat down beside his son and looked at the small boy.

"Jarrod," he said softly, "thank you son for saving my life."

The boy opened his tired eyes and looked up at his father. He smiled.

"It was the least I could do sir," he replied. "I didn’t want anything to happen to the most important man in my life, my father."

Tom smiled at his young son and sat with him till he fell asleep.

"Tom," she said softly, "are you all right?"

He looked over at her and smiled.

"I’m fine dear," he answered. "I was just remembering something that Jarrod had said to me many years ago."

"What was that Tom?" she asked curious.

"Do you remember when Jarrod was ten and he was helping me unload bales of hay in the barn loft?" he asked her.

"Yes," she answered.

"Do you remember when one of the bales started to fall and Jarrod tried to stop it?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered again.

"Do you remember when he fell and hit his head on the bed of the wagon and I carried him up to his room?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"Well," he told her, "after the doctor had left, I sat with him. He looked up at me and smiled. Then he said ‘it was the least I could do, I didn’t want anything to happen to the most important man in my life, my father.’ It didn’t hit me until right now what he meant by that statement. Victoria, he wanted to follow in my footsteps. He wanted to be just like me."

"Yes Tom," she said. "Jarrod has always admired you. He wasn’t cut out to be a rancher like his father so he decided to have the same political ambitions you had. He told me that someday, he would be attorney general or even governor of this state. Jarrod is proud of his father and you are very proud of your son."

"Oh Victoria," he replied. "I never realized he cared that much about what I had done with my life. I always thought Nick would be the one to pattern his life after mine. But remembering that one statement that a ten-year-old boy said so many years ago, made me so proud right now. I promise Victoria, nothing will happen to that boy and one day he will be attorney general or even governor."

"I know Tom," she said. "I know."

The two of them sat with their oldest son for the rest of the day. Jarrod finally woke up later that evening. He looked around the room and then tried to sit up. He felt gentle hands holding him down and his gaze fell upon his father’s eyes.

"Whoa son," he said. "Where do you think you’re going?"

"I was going to go look at my horse father," he answered.

"Jarrod," Tom asked with concern evident in his tired voice, "do you know where you are?"

"I’m at home in my own room sir," he answered.

"No son," Tom told him, "you’re not. You’re in Stockton at Dr. Merrar’s. You were kidnapped and tortured. You’ve been a very sick boy. You need to rest and build up your strength."

"Kidnapped?" he asked. "By who?"

"Evil men, who worked for the railroad," Tom told him.

Jarrod’s face became very dark as he began to remember. His face was a mask of total terror as the torture he had endured came back to him. Tom grabbed his son and held him.

"It’s all right Jarrod," he said. "You’re all right. Don’t think about it son."

"But father," he replied still remembering the terror, "I tried to be brave like you."

"You were son," he said. "You were."

Jarrod began to shake all over. He tried to move his arms but the pain was almost unbearable.

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "It’s all behind you. Calm down."

Jarrod looked around the room again and his tortured eyes came to rest on Tom’s face. He relaxed and did not take his eyes from his father.

"Father," he said softly, "thank you."

"You’re welcome son," he answered.

Then Jarrod closed his eyes and went to sleep. Victoria rushed into the room when she heard Jarrod scream.

"Tom," she said concerned, "what’s wrong?"

"It’s all right," he told her. "Jarrod woke up and didn’t know where he was. When I told him, he began to remember the terror he endured and cried out. He’s gone back to sleep."

"Oh Tom," she said. "My poor son."

"He’ll be all right," Tom told her. "He’s a Barkley."

"I know he is," she said and smiled. "And Barkleys never give up."

"Hello little brother," he said and barely smiled. "How are you doing?"

"I’m just fine big brother," Nick told him. How are you feeling?"

"Well," Jarrod hesitated. "I’m sore and my shoulders really hurt but otherwise I guess I’ll do."

"Jarrod," Nick began, "when we were being held prisoner in that mine, I never realized just how brave you were. You endured so much and wouldn’t let Roberts enjoy your predicament. I’m proud to have you for a brother."

"Thanks Nick," Jarrod replied. "You know something."

"What?" Nick asked.

"I’m proud to have you for a brother too," he said, "because you tried to lay down your life for mine. And I would have been happy if they had taken you up on it."

He smiled weakly.

"I know what you mean big brother," Nick replied. "You are a Barkley through and through."

"Thanks," Jarrod said.

"Well," Tom replied, "I’m glad to see my two sons smiling. You’ve had us very worried Jarrod. How do you feel son?"

"I am still in pain," he answered. "My shoulders are in such agony that I can’t even move them. My ribs are sore. But I’ll be good as new soon."

"Whoa there son," Tom said. "It’ll take a might longer than that."

The two brothers smiled at each other and Tom hugged both of them. He knew that nothing would happen to either one of them as long as he was there. He would protect his family against the railroad and Hanibal Jordan.

"Now Jarrod," the doctor told him, "I want you to have plenty of rest. Don’t do anything strenuous. And I want you to try to keep your shoulders loose. If you completely stop using them, they will become useless."

"I’ll do the best I can sir," Jarrod replied.

"Don’t worry doctor," Tom said. "Jarrod will do fine."

"Good luck Jarrod," the doctor told him.

"Thanks," Jarrod replied.

Tom and Nick had to help Jarrod out to the buggy. He was swaying and staggering. He kept his arms at his sides and tried not to move them.

Tom eased his son into the buggy. Jarrod was relieved when the pain eased. They rode home in silence. Victoria was sitting in the back beside of Jarrod. His head was falling down on his chest. Victoria reached over and laid his head on her shoulder. Jarrod was asleep. When they arrived at the ranch, Gene and Audra rushed out to meet them. Tom caught both of them when they tried to reach for Jarrod.

"Gene," Tom said, "Audra, you can’t grab or hold your brother. His shoulders are very sore. He’s very weak but he’s at home."

"All right father," Gene replied. "Is Jarrod going to be all right?"

"I hope so," Tom answered. "I hope so."

Victoria reached around and tapped Jarrod lightly on one shoulder. His eyes opened and he looked around.

"Are we home already?" he asked weakly.

"Yes honey," his mother answered. "Let your father help you down."

"All right," he agreed.

Tom gently helped him down and Jarrod was able to walk into the house however Tom was right behind him if he faltered. He went upstairs to his room with his parents right behind him and laid down on the bed. Jarrod’s eyes closed and he was asleep in a short time. Tom and Victoria left their son and went downstairs to see their youngest son and his daughter.

"Father," Gene, asked, "what’s wrong with Jarrod?"

"Well," Tom began, "your brother went to Modesto with Nick to look at some horses a rancher had. They bought the horses and were going to bring them back to Stockton. That night while the boys slept, some mean men came into their camp and took the boys hostage. They were held there for two days. When Nick was asked a question and he didn’t answer, they would punish your brother, Jarrod. He was tortured. He cannot use his shoulders right now. He will get better but it will take a while."

"Oh father," Gene said horrified. "Why would anyone want to hurt Jarrod?"

"It wasn’t Jarrod they were after," he replied. "They wanted to get to me. So they went after your older brothers. Gene, these men are still free. The sheriff is going to post guards and the hands will also be on alert. I won’t let anything more happen to my family."

"Do you think those men would come here?" Gene asked.

"I don’t know," Tom answered. "But I’m not taking any chances."

"It’s all right honey," she said. "Relax and the pain will dull."

Jarrod began to calm and the pain eased a little in his shoulders. Tom helped his son to his feet and guided him to the couch in the parlor. Victoria eased his head down on a pillow and Tom put his feet up. Jarrod smiled weakly at them and then his eyes closed.

"He’s completely exhausted," Tom said. "He can’t use his arms yet. Victoria, what if he never gets any better."

"He’s our son Tom," she told him. "I can handle it and so can you. Just because he’s not the same boy, who arrived home three weeks ago, doesn’t mean that we’re just going to throw him away."

"I know that Victoria," Tom stated. "All I meant was that it hurts so much to see him in such agony every time he tries to use his arms. I wish that I could give him mine."

"I know," she said, "I know."

A short time later Jarrod opened his eyes and looked around. He couldn’t remember coming downstairs. He was alone in the parlor. He tried to sit up without using his arms and he gasped as his injured ribs cried out. Jarrod managed to rise up into a sitting position. He was breathing very hard with the effort it had taken. He swung his legs off the couch and then stood up. He began to sway and stagger. He tried to take a step and nearly fell forward. He slowly regained his balance and tried to walk to the study where his father was. Jarrod started to fall and he automatically put his hands out to break his fall. When he hit the floor on his arms, he gritted his teeth and grimaced with pain. Tom came running out of the study and saw his son lying on the floor in pain. He hurried over to Jarrod and eased him up cradling Jarrod’s head in his arms. Victoria rushed into the foyer where Tom was cradling his injured son. She knelt down beside of Jarrod and stroked her hand through his hair.

"It’s all right honey," she said softly. "Just relax. Let your shoulders relax."

Jarrod tried to relax and felt the severe pain begin to dull. He collapsed in Tom’s arms.

"Jarrod," Tom said worriedly, "son are you all right?"

"He’s passed out from the intense pain," she replied. "Let’s put him to bed."

Tom eased his son up in his arms and carried him to his bed. Victoria covered him up and laid his arms at his sides. They both looked down at their oldest son with tears running down their cheeks. It hurt so much to see Jarrod suffering. Jarrod opened his eyes and looked around.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "just lie still. You had an accident and injured your shoulders again."

"Yes," he replied. "I remember. This is so hard. I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life. How am I going to beat this?"

"You’ll beat it son," Tom told him. "Just remember you’re a Barkley and Barkleys never give up."

"Father," he said, "what will happen to me if I can’t use my arms? I guess I’ll never become a lawyer."

"Now you listen to me son," Tom began. In the first place, you’re not going to think negatively. In the second place, you are going to overcome this. And in the third place, you’re going to be a great lawyer."

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered.

"Now honey," Victoria said, "I want you to rest. Close your eyes and rest."

Victoria gave him some laudanum to ease the pain and help him to sleep. Jarrod let his tired eyes close. Tom and Victoria looked down at their oldest son. Tears were running down Tom’s face and he didn’t try to stop them.

It’s all my fault, he thought. Why did I have to let those men grab my sons and torment Jarrod unmercifully? I should have stayed out of this mess with the railroad and Jordan. Now my oldest son may never be able to use his arms again. I’m sorry Jarrod. I’m so sorry.

Tom came out of his thoughts when he felt an arm on his shoulder. He looked over at his wife and tried to smile but the tears kept running down his face.

"Tom," she said, "I know this is hard on you. It’s hard on me too but we can’t give up. If we do, the railroad has won. Jordan has won. Is that what you want?"

"No, of course not," Tom answered. "But Victoria I can’t stand to see him like this. Jarrod is in such pain and agony and there’s not one thing I can do to stop his suffering."

"I understand that Tom," she told him. "We need to comfort him and love him. Maybe somewhere down the road he will stop hurting. I don’t know. One thing I do know is that I love that boy and nothing will ever stop that."

"Victoria," Tom said, "I love him too. He’s my son. And by grannies I’m going to be there every step until he is well and able to go back to school. I don’t care about the ranch or anything else except being there for my son."

"All right Tom," Victoria replied. "But don’t neglect your other children. They need you too."

"I’m certainly not going to forget about Nick, Gene and Audra but they understand that their brother is a sick boy and needs me," Tom told her. "Victoria, Jarrod may be almost twenty-two but right now he is like a small boy that needs his father very much."

"I feel the same way," she agreed. "He’s like a small boy. He can’t do anything for himself. But when Jarrod is awake, we need to be positive and have a smile on our faces even though it is tearing our insides up to see him in that shape."

"All right," Tom agreed. "The others will be happy when they see him too. Nobody will have an unhappy expression on their face."

"Well now," he said, "I see that you’re awake. How are you feeling?"

"I’ll do I guess," he answered. "Father, if it’s all right with you I don’t want to try using my arms for a couple of days? I feel that if I give them some time they’ll get better on their own."

"Jarrod," he said, "you need to keep trying to use them as much as possible. I know that it’s painful. But if you give up now, you’ll never do anything."

"But father," Jarrod began, "please. It hurts so much to use them."

Jarrod was almost in tears pleading with his father. Tom looked into the young man’s eyes and smiled.

"Listen son," Tom said, "if you want to give up trying that’s fine but you’ll never accomplish anything else in life. I know that you are not a quitter. You are a young man in a lot of discomfort and pain right now. Do you want those men who did this to you to win the battle or do you want to show them what you’re made of? I’m not fussing at you son. I’m just telling you that if you give in now, you’ll be giving in for the rest of your life."

Jarrod looked at his father as the words began to sink in. He considered what his father had just said and smiled weakly.

"I’ll do it," he announced. "I’ll use them if it kills me and when I’m better and can go back to college, I’ll show Hanibal Jordan that he didn’t break me. Roberts thought that he hadn’t broken my spirit but he didn’t even though I screamed out when the pain was so bad. I’ll win this battle if it’s the last thing I ever do."

Tom looked down at his oldest son with pride at what he had just said. Tom smiled and hugged his son.

"Jarrod," he said, "you’ll not be alone in your fight to get better. I’ll be there every step of the way. And when you stumble, I’ll be there to catch you. That’s a promise from a father to his son."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied and began to close his eyes.

"Son," Tom said, "rest. We’ll talk later."

Jarrod nodded and his eyes closed. Tom was still angry at what those men had done to his son.

"Tom," Victoria said, "is anything wrong?"

"No," Tom replied. "Jarrod woke up for a few minutes and we talked. He’s asleep now. He wanted to give up using his arms for a while but I talked him out of it."

"Tom," she exploded, "you let him do what he can! He’s in pain! He needs time to heal! If Jarrod pushes too hard, he might damage himself worse! Do you hear me?"

"Yes," Tom answered. "But he can’t give up."

"I don’t want Jarrod to give up," she shot back. "I want him to heal and if you keep pushing him too hard, he won’t be able to do that."

Jarrod opened his eyes when he heard his parents arguing about him.

"Please!" he screamed. "I’m tired and I want the pain and the memories of what I went through to stop but I don’t know how and I feel so vulnerable."

Both Tom and Victoria stopped talking and looked down at the bed.

"Honey," she said softly, "you are going to stop hurting and the memories will go away."

"That’s right boy," Tom agreed. "You will get better. I promise you."

Jarrod looked at both of them. Tears began to run down his bruised face. He didn’t try to stop them. He turned his face away from them.

"Oh Jarrod," Victoria said, "it’s all right honey. I know you’re in pain and agony. Let it out. Come on."

She reached over and hugged him tightly. Jarrod began to cry more. Tom got on the other side of the bed and held him too.

"Son," he said, "you’re going to get through this. Just hang in there."

After a few minutes Victoria sensed Jarrod go limp in her arms. Horrified, she laid him back on the pillow. Tom had also felt it. They looked at his face and didn’t like what they saw. Tom checked his son and realized he was having a lot of difficulty breathing.

"Oh my God!" he screamed. "My son!"

He propped Jarrod up on pillows.

"Victoria, have Nick go for the doctor now!" he screamed. "Something’s wrong. His breathing is very labored."

Victoria flew out of the room and went to find Nick. When she found him in his room, her expression told him everything he needed to know.

"What’s wrong with Jarrod mother?" he asked.

"His breathing is very labored and he collapsed in my arms," she answered. "Go get the doctor Nick and hurry."

Nick rushed out of his room and out of the house. He quickly saddled one of the horses and took off toward town. Victoria rushed back to Jarrod’s room.

"Anything?" she asked.

"Nothing," he answered.

They sat with their son until Nick returned with the doctor.

hapter 23      The doctor arrived an hour and a half later. Jarrod was still unconscious. The doctor examined him and gave him some laudanum. Then he looked up at Tom and Victoria.

"Tom," he began, "Victoria, Jarrod’s worse. A whole lot worse. His system is rebelling against what was done to it. His fever is back, he’s burning up one minute, freezing the next and he’s having a great deal of trouble breathing. I’m going to have to watch him very closely."

"Doc," Tom said, "what happened?"

"I’m not positive," the doctor replied. "The pneumonia is still in his system. He has evidentially tried to do too much. I’m going to keep him quiet and try to get this fever down."

"Will he be all right?" his mother asked.

"I can’t answer that right now," the doctor replied. "He’s going to be sick again. So you better prepare yourselves."

About that time, Jarrod began to cough. The doctor grabbed him and held him while he coughed. He grunted with pain each time he coughed. The doctor stayed right at his side. After thirty minutes of coughing, Jarrod finally stopped. The doctor eased him back onto the pillow.

"Doctor," Victoria said, "I don’t understand. What’s wrong with him?"

"Jarrod has a very bad virus," he answered her. "His system cannot take the strain and that’s why he passed out. I’ve given him some laudanum but he’ll probably have several more spells of coughing until the medicine takes effect. He might even have internal injuries from the abuse he sustained."

"Doc," Tom said, "are you telling me that the pneumonia came back?"

"No," the doctor answered. "What I’m telling you is that his system still has the germ and that it has attacked again. He’s a very sick boy."

"No!" Tom screamed. "Not my son!"

"Tom," the doctor replied, "listen to me. Jarrod can get better but with everything he has endured, he cannot fight the infection. He’s in for a rough time. Until his system can fight back on it’s own; this infection is going to run rampant. I don’t know if or when he can fight this infection but until he does, your son is going to be very ill."

Tom and Victoria nodded and looked down at their oldest son. His face was devoid of color and his breathing was ragged. Tom walked over to the bed and sat down. He reached over and picked up Jarrod’s hand.

"Jarrod boy," he said with tears running down his tired face, "you fight son. You fight this with everything you’ve got. I’m here with you through it all."

The doctor was watching Jarrod’s face. He noticed the boy’s eyes were opening.

"Father," he mumbled, "don’t worry sir. I’ll win."

He smiled a faint smile and then his eyes closed. Tom knew his son would be all right but it would be a difficult battle.

hapter 24      Over the next few hours, Jarrod would wake up coughing. By the time he had stopped, his insides were raw and very sore. He tried to talk but his throat was also raw. The doctor gave him some more laudanum and he drifted off to sleep.

"Finally," the doctor said, "he’s asleep. His whole body is given completely out. His fever is down. He’s still a sick boy but he will get better. But not for a while."

"That’s a relief," Tom replied. "At least he will get better. Doc, how bad is he?"

"Jarrod has dislocated and badly sprained shoulders, broken and bruised ribs; he has pneumonia; he’s running a fever; his throat is raw and sore; his insides are raw and possibly damaged. It’s a wonder the young man is even alive."

"Oh my," Victoria said in shock. "Doctor while you’re here, would you check Nick? Since he was also held captive, I want to make sure he’s all right."

"Certainly," the doctor told them. "Someone will have to stay with Jarrod all the time for the next few days. He’s going to need round the clock care."

"That’s not a problem doctor," Tom answered. "Any one of us or all of us will be available for him."

"Good," he replied. "I’ll check back in a couple of days. If he gets any worse, please send for me."

"We will," Victoria said. "Thank you for coming."

The doctor left. Tom and Victoria both sat beside the bed with Jarrod. He slept for the rest of the night. Early the next morning, he began to awaken. Jarrod moaned and groaned then finally opened his pain stricken eyes. He looked around. When his gaze fell on his parents he tried to smile.

"Mother," he whispered, "what happened?"

"Jarrod," she said, "don’t try to talk honey. You’ve been very sick and your throat is raw and sore. Just rest. Close your eyes and rest."

hapter 25      She began to stroke her hand through his hair and Jarrod slowly closed his eyes. His breathing was better but his fever was still there. Victoria kept talking softly to him until she was sure he was asleep. After Jarrod was asleep, Tom and Victoria both left his room to check on the other children.

The bedroom window flew open and Roy climbed inside. He looked around the room and spotted Jarrod asleep in the bed. He walked over and grabbed the boy by the front of his shirt. Jarrod’s eyes flew open and he recognized Roy immediately. His pain-laden eyes were full of terror as he stared into the face of the man who abused him while he was held prisoner. Roy smiled at him.

"Well boy," he said, "I see you’re still alive. You should never have told the sheriff boy. Now you will pay."

Roy turned Jarrod around and began to pull with all his might on the already damaged shoulders. Sweat popped out on Jarrod’s forehead and his face was in total agony. But he couldn’t scream because his throat was raw. Roy pulled on his arms so hard Jarrod thought they would come completely out of the sockets. Roy kept pulling for several minutes. Jarrod couldn’t take much more of this. As Jarrod’s arms were being torn from his shoulders, Tom walked back into the room and saw Roy pulling back on his son’s already damaged arms. Tom flew into a rage and attacked Roy. Roy dropped his hold on Jarrod and he fell to the floor trying to cradle his aching arms. Tom began to pummel Roy.

"Don’t you ever touch my son!" Tom cried. "You are going to pay for what you did to my sons!"

Jarrod tried to crawl over and stop his father but he couldn’t. He couldn’t even yell at him to stop. Tom continued to pummel Roy. Victoria and Nick rushed into the room. Nick recognized Roy and tried to get his hands on him too. Victoria stopped Nick.

"Nick," she asked, "what is it?"

"That’s the man who hurt Jarrod," Nick told her.

"Oh no," she replied. "Nick stop your father.

"Why should I stop him?" Nick asked. "He’s the one who kept hurting my brother."

"Because if you don’t stop him," she began, "your father will spend the rest of his life in prison. Is that what you want?"

"No," he answered. "But mother he hurt Jarrod."

"Stop your father Nicholas!" she said loudly.

Nick rushed over and pulled his father off of Roy. Both men stood there looking down at the man who had severely injured Jarrod. Victoria had rushed over to Jarrod’s side. He was writhing in pain.

"Mother," he croaked, "that’s the man who..."

Jarrod passed out from the pain. Victoria cradled his head in her arms.

"Son," Tom seethed, "why did you stop me?"

"Mother," he said, "made me."

"Your mother’s right," Tom replied. "We’ll turn him over to the law. Nick have one of the hands ride into Stockton and bring the sheriff."

"Yes sir," he answered and left the room.

Tom dragged Roy up and ushered him out of the room. He took him down to the parlor where he got two of his hands to tie Roy up and watch him. Then Tom hurried back upstairs to check on Jarrod. When he entered his son’s room, Jarrod was still on the floor unconscious from the vicious attack. He rushed over to his wife and son.

"How is he?" he asked concerned.

"He passed out from the pain," she answered.

Tom picked his son up and carried him to the bed. He laid Jarrod down on the bed and Victoria covered him with a blanket. They knew he was in agony.

"Tom," she said, "now we know they would kill Jarrod if they had the chance."

"Yes," he agreed. "We need to post guards and Jarrod is not to be left alone again for any reason."

"Oh Tom," she replied with tears running down her face, "why did this have to happen to Jarrod. He didn’t ask for this. He’s a good boy. Why did that man have to re-injure his shoulders again?"

"I’m not sure," Tom said. "The only thing I can figure out is that they knew we had found Jarrod and had brought him home. Then when the warrants were issued for the capture of those men, one of them found the house and sneaked in here. Maybe he didn’t know whose room it was but when he saw Jarrod and recognized him, he knew he had to try and kill him."

The sheriff arrived during their conversation.

"Tom," he said, "Victoria, how’s Jarrod?"

"He’s unconscious again Harry," Tom replied.

"How did he get in?" Harry asked.

"That’s what we were trying to figure out," Tom told him.

"He must have climbed in through the window," Harry said. "Then he looked over at the bed and recognized Jarrod’s face. He went to the bed and dragged the boy out and began to attack him again."

"That’s about the size of it Harry," Tom told him. "Jarrod has to have protection. I want to know my son is safe."

"All right Tom," Harry replied. "I’ll post guards around the house and and two inside until further notice."

About that time, Jarrod woke up screaming.

"Oh no!" he cried in a loud whisper. "Please stop it! No!"

Tom rushed to his son’s side.

"Easy son," he said. "You’re having a nightmare."

"No father," Jarrod replied in a hoarse voice. "He was in my room. He grabbed my arms and began to pull with all his might. Oh, my arms hurt. Please make it stop."

Easy honey," his mother said. "Calm down and your arms will relax. I know he hurt you again. Relax."

Jarrod began to calm down and the pain dulled but Jarrod’s face still showed the terror of Roy’s attack. Finally, his eyes closed and he drifted off. Victoria stayed by his side.

"Harry," Tom said, "my boy has to be protected."

"I agree Tom," Harry answered.

"Well do it," Tom told him.

Harry nodded and left the house. Tom went over to the bed and looked down at his injured son.

hapter 26      The next morning, Tom and Victoria were still by Jarrod’s bedside. Jarrod began to come around. He opened his pain-ridden, blue eyes and looked around. He saw his parents looking down at him and he tried to smile.

"How do you feel son?" Tom asked.

"My arms are in an awful lot of pain," he mumbled hoarsely. "What happened?"

"You were attacked again by one of the men who had kidnapped you," his father told him.

"Yes," Jarrod said, "I remember now. Roy came in through the window and grabbed me by the front of my shirt. He pulled me from the bed and told me that I was going to pay for going to the sheriff. Then he began to pull hard on my arms."

"It’s all right honey," his mother soothed. "Don’t think about it. Just rest."

"I can’t help but think about what he did," Jarrod shot back. "I have to live with the pain he caused every minute. I want to kill him."

"Easy son," Tom said. "That man is in jail. Harry locked him up last night."

"There were more of them," Jarrod replied. "As long as I’m alive, I’m a threat to them. Oh my arms hurt."

"You will have protection honey," his mother told him. "The sheriff has posted guards and you won’t be left alone for a minute."

"What about when I go back to school?" Jarrod asked.

"I have already thought about that," Tom replied. "I’m going to contact Bob Hodges and see if he can get some help to protect you. You don’t have to worry Jarrod, you will be protected."

"Nick and I can identify them," Jarrod said. "They work for Hanibal Jordan."

"I know son," Tom replied. "Hanibal Jordan wants me out of the way. He hired those men to kidnap you to stop me. But it won’t work."

"Father," Jarrod said, "I’m going back to school whether I can use my arms or not. I want to get my law degree and no one will stop me."

"I know that son," Tom replied. "You will. But first we need to take each day and get you to feeling better."

"All right," Jarrod relented.

"Jarrod honey," his mother said, "I want you to rest. Close your eyes and rest."

Jarrod’s eyes had begun to get heavy and soon he was out.

"That’s right sweetheart," she said softly, "rest."

hapter 27      Later that day, Jarrod woke up again. He tried to move and grimaced with the pain in his shoulders. Nick was sitting beside the bed and he looked over at his brother and smiled.

"It’s about time you woke up," he said. "I thought you were going to sleep the day away."

"I’m just so tired and in so much pain from my shoulders," Jarrod replied. "I’m sorry that I can’t stay awake."

"Don’t apologize big brother," Nick told him. "You went through a terrible ordeal in the mine. I’m surprised at how alert you are after what you endured."

"You know me," Jarrod said. "I’m a Barkley."

"And Barkleys never give up," Nick finished. "You are a brave man Jarrod. I’m proud to have you for a brother."

"Thanks Nick," Jarrod replied. "I’m proud to have you for a brother too."

Victoria walked in to check on Jarrod. She walked over to stand behind Nick who was sitting on the side of the bed.

"Honey," she said, "how do you feel?"

"I’m very sore and in a great deal of pain," he answered. "But I’ll be all right."

"Jarrod," she asked, "do you think you can eat some broth?"

"I can try," he replied.

"Good," she told him. "I’ll bring you some. Nick, you stay with your brother and don’t leave him alone."

"I won’t," Nick replied.

"Your father wants someone with Jarrod around the clock until those other men are caught," she stated.

"Mother," Jarrod asked, "do you think they will come back to kill me?"

"I don’t know," she answered. "But your father and I don’t want to take any chances. We are not going to lose any of our children to a man like Hanibal Jordan. He is an evil man and he wants your father to stop aiding the farmers."

"Yes," Nick picked up. "And he won’t stop until father is out of the way."

"That’s right," she said. "Your father is a respected man in this state and his word carries a lot of clout. Jordan cannot stand for anyone to stop what he wants to do. So, if he can’t stop Tom by words, he’ll stop him by trying to take something that means a great deal to your father, his children. Your father will stop at nothing to protect his family."

"Yes mother," Nick replied. "We both know that father will stop at nothing to protect us. He proved that last night when he went after Roy and nearly killed him."

Victoria left the room and headed downstairs to have Silas to prepare some broth for Jarrod. Meanwhile up in Jarrod’s room, he and Nick are talking.

"Nick," Jarrod said, "I’m scared about those men coming back to kill me."

"It’s all right Jarrod," Nick replied. "I’m scared too. I can also identify them. They could come after both of us."

hapter 28      Tom Barkley had decided to take a short trip to San Francisco to talk to Bob Hodges about protecting Jarrod when he went back to school. He arrived in San Francisco late that afternoon. He rented a horse at the livery and rode out to see Hodges. When he arrived, he walked up to the huge, white door and knocked. William opened the door.

"Good afternoon Mr. Barkley," he said.

"Good afternoon William," Tom replied. "Is the colonel at home?"

"Yes he is," William answered. "Won’t you come in?"

Tom walked into the house and William led him to the study.

"If you will wait here Mr. Barkley," he said. "I will tell Colonel Hodges you are here."

He left the room and Tom sat down. A few minutes later Bob Hodges walked into the room.

"Tom," he said, "what a pleasant surprise."

"I wish it was pleasant," Tom replied. "Bob, I need your help."

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"You’ve heard about the dispute between some two hundred farmers and the Coastal and Western Railroad?"

"Yes," Bob answered.

"The farmers turned to me for help against Hanibal Jordan and the railroad," Tom began. When Jarrod returned home from school on break a month ago, I asked him and Nick to ride to Modesto to look at some stock. After they had purchased the horses and were camped outside of town for an early start home, several men who worked for Jordan awakened them in the night. They were kidnapped Bob and taken to an abandoned mine near Modesto. Nick was questioned and if he didn’t answer the questions, Jarrod was punished. They hung my son up by his arms for over an hour. We managed to rescue the boys but Jarrod had been hurt very badly. His shoulders were dislocated and badly sprained, his ribs were badly bruised, he was whipped, and he was left to die when those men took off."

"Oh how terrible Tom," Bob said.

"That’s not all," Tom continued. "We brought Jarrod home after he spent a week at Dr. Merrar’s. He also had pneumonia and a high fever. Then last night, Jarrod was asleep in his bed when one of the men who had kidnapped him, came in through the window. He grabbed Jarrod out of the bed and told him he was going to pay for bringing the sheriff in. Jarrod tried to fight but he grabbed Jarrod by his injured arms and began to pull with all his might. I just happened to walk in and I beat the living daylights out of him. The man was jailed but Jordan will have him out in no time."

"Oh Tom," Hodges replied. "How is Jarrod?"

"He’s in pretty bad shape," Tom answered. "He’s been very sick."

"Will he be able to return to school?" Bob asked concerned.

"Yes," Tom answered. "Anyway, I came here to ask for your help."

"Certainly," Bob told him. "What can I do?"

"You know the local authorities," Tom said. "I was hoping you could set up some kind of protection for my son while he is in school."

"I would be happy to," Bob replied. "In fact, I have an idea. Why not have Jarrod stay here instead of in his dorm room. Maureen and I can help him with whatever he needs. And he can be protected better here."

"I appreciate the offer," Tom said. "But I don’t want to put you and your family in jeopardy."

"You won’t," Bob told him. "We would love to have Jarrod stay here."

"All right Bob," Tom said. "You have a deal."

"Don’t worry Tom," Bob replied. "Jarrod will be fine. I’ll see to that."

"Thanks Bob," Tom told him. "I had better get back to the ranch."

"Tell Jarrod I’m thinking about him," Bob said.

"I will," Tom replied. "Thanks again."

Tom left and headed back to Stockton and his son. Bob Hodges was standing in the study thinking about what Tom had told him. Maureen walked into the room.

"Bob," she asked, "who was at the door?"

"Tom Barkley," Bob answered.

"What did he want?" she asked.

"To ask me a favor," Bob replied.

"What kind of a favor?" she asked.

"Maureen," he began, "one month ago when Jarrod went home for the term break, Tom asked him and Nick to ride to Modesto to look at some horses. They were heading back to Stockton with the horses when a group of men took them hostage; they worked for Hanibal Jordan and the Coastal and Western Railroad. The two boys were taken to an abandoned mine and held for two days. They were questioned and when Nick didn’t answer, they punished his brother, Jarrod. Tom said they eventually freed Nick but they kept Jarrod. When Tom and Nick finally located him, he had been abused. Jarrod had badly bruised ribs, a bruised face, whip marks on his back and two badly sprained and dislocated shoulders. He also had a bad case of pneumonia. Anyway, Jarrod is slowly improving. Tom asked me to set up protection from Jordan when he returns to school. I agreed and I told Tom that Jarrod could stay with us."

"Oh Bob," she said, "that’s terrible. Of course, that boy can stay here. I’ll do everything I can to help him."

"I knew you would," he replied and smiled.

"When is he coming?" she asked.

"It’ll be several weeks," Bob told her.

Maureen and Bob set everything in motion for the guest they would be having and were looking forward to seeing Jarrod again.

Tom arrived at the ranch late that night. The first thing he did when he walked in the door was go upstairs to Jarrod’s room. When he opened the door and walked in, Nick looked up at him.

"How’s Jarrod?" he asked.

"He’s asleep," Nick answered. "He’s still in an awful lot of pain."

"I know he is son," Tom said. "I’ve got protection lined up for when Jarrod goes back to law school."

"What kind of protection?" Nick asked.

"I went to see Bob Hodges," Tom began. "He is going to let Jarrod stay at his home while he goes to school and he is going to provide protection for him. You realize your brother’s shoulders will not be healed by the time he goes back to school. So Bob and Maureen are going to help Jarrod with whatever he can’t do."

"That’s good to know," Nick told him. "Mother at least won’t be as worried about him."

"I know," Tom replied. "But I’m afraid your mother and I will still be worried about Jarrod even though he’ll be well taken care of. It won’t be the same as if he were at home."

"I know father," Nick said. "I’m worried about Jarrod and myself. I can identify those men too."

"I know that son," Tom told him. "But I’ll be here to protect you. I won’t be with your brother."

hapter 29      Over the next few days Jarrod’s fever went away and he began to feel better. His ribs and face were also healing nicely. However, his arms were still hurting. He still had to rest an awful lot because his strength had not built back up yet. But Jarrod was improving. Finally at the end of the week he was allowed to get up and get dressed. He was thrilled. He still needed help to dress and shave. Jarrod still had a couple of weeks before he was to head back to school. He was looking forward to getting back to his studies. He missed Brett and Nat. Jarrod slowly walked down stairs to the gunroom.

Tom was sitting at the desk working on some papers when Jarrod walked in.

"Jarrod," he said, "what are you doing up?"

"The doctor did tell me I could get up and start moving around," Jarrod replied.

"Yes he did," Tom said. "How do you feel son?"

"I’m better except for my shoulders," Jarrod told him.

"Come here and sit down son," Tom told him.

Jarrod was grateful for the chance to rest. He was exhausted from the effort it took to get from his room to the study.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I have everything set up for when you return to school. You will be staying with Colonel Hodges and his family. Bob is also going to set up round the clock protection for you."

"Thank you father," Jarrod replied. "I don’t want to be an imposition to the Hodges."

"You won’t," Tom told him. "It was Bob’s idea."

"All right," Jarrod said.

Nick walked into the room and was surprised to see his older brother.

"Well," Nick said, "look who’s up and moving around. Hello big brother."

"Hello little brother," Jarrod shot back.

"Seriously," Nick asked, "how are you feeling Jarrod?"

"I’ll do," Jarrod replied.

Victoria walked into the study to talk to Tom and was very surprised to find Jarrod there.

"Jarrod," she said, "what are you doing out of bed young man?"

"Well," he answered, "the doctor did say that I could get up and start moving around."

"I know that," she replied. "But I also remember him saying for you to take it easy and rest."

"Yes," he answered. "But I was getting so tired of my bed mother. I just had to get up and move around."

"All right," she said. "But you are going to rest. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma’am," Jarrod replied.

"Good," she said and left the room.

"Jarrod," Tom remarked, "you better do what your mother says. She is just worried about you the same as I am. You do need the rest son."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I will."

Jarrod stood up to leave and then sat back down.

"Father," he asked, "there is something I am curious about."

"What’s that son?" Tom wanted to know.

"Well," he began, "this situation with the railroad and Jordan, how come the farmers came to you for help instead of going to the sheriff?"

"The railroad and Hanibal Jordan are very powerful," Tom replied. "Harry couldn’t really do anything unless they broke the law and so far they haven’t up until they kidnapped you and Nick. The farmers were up against a stone wall. They were told that all the land they had worked and tilled the land they had raised their families on and grown crops on was no longer theirs. They were told that they had to pay for the land or lose it. These men didn’t want to lose what they already had so they came to me to ask for guidance. I realized what Jordan was planning on doing and tried to stop him. When Jordan learned that I had gotten involved in this, he decided to take drastic measures to try and stop me. That’s why you and Nick were kidnapped. He felt that if my family were in jeopardy, I would back down. But it didn’t work. I am even more compelled to help those farmers now. I’m only sorry that you had to be severely injured on account of it."

"I’m not mad at you," he said. "I don’t blame you either for what happened to me. I only wish that Jordan wasn’t an evil man. That this could be solved peaceably."

"It might could have been," Tom replied, "before you were injured. Now, no way. I want Jordan and the railroad to pay for what those men did to Nick and to you. I mean that son."

"I know you do sir," Jarrod told him. "I’m sorry that I couldn’t have done more while they were holding us to stop this from escalating into a war."

"Jarrod," Tom said, "you had nothing to do with it. They took you. They hurt you. Now they are going to pay."

Jarrod nodded and walked out of the room. After Jarrod had left, Nick looked over at his father.

"That’s my big brother," he said. "Always trying to reason everything out. He is not one to barrel his way into anything without looking at it from every angle possible."

"Yes Nick," Tom replied. "Your brother is a very special young man. When he becomes a lawyer, that ability will be very helpful to him in trying to defend his clients. And I want him to have an opportunity to become a lawyer. Hanibal Jordan is not going to stop me or my sons from doing what is right."

hapter 30      The first day of August came and it was time for Jarrod to head back to school. His father was going to drive him to the station and have a word with the conductor about helping his son so Jarrod wouldn’t have to do any more damage to his shoulders. He said goodbye to his family.

"Jarrod," his mother said, "you take care of yourself and be sure to thank the Hodges for letting you stay with them. Keep doing your arm exercises so you can build up the strength in them."

"Yes ma’am," Jarrod answered.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "Seneca will be ready to ride when you come home for the summer."

"Great," Jarrod replied. "I can’t wait."

"Jarrod," Gene said, "I love you and will miss you."

"I’ll miss you too," Jarrod told him.

"Jarrod," Audra said, "you be careful."

"I will," he told her.

Tom and Jarrod left the house and Tom helped his son into the buggy. He drove into Stockton to the train station. Tom unloaded Jarrod’s bags and put them on the train. Then he spoke to the conductor. He promised Tom that he would keep an eye on the boy till he arrived in San Francisco where Colonel Hodges would meet him.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "good luck and I’ll see you in May."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and smiled broadly. "Don’t worry."

Jarrod boarded the train and was on his way back to school. When he arrived at the San Francisco train station, Colonel Hodges met him and picked up his bags.

"Jarrod," he said, "I’m glad you’re going to be staying with us."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied.

The two of them got into his buggy and rode to his home. Maureen and Rachel met them at the door.

"Jarrod," Maureen said, "how was your trip?"

"Tiring," he answered.

"Well," she said, "Bob will show you to your room. You can rest until dinner. Then in the morning Bob and your guard will take you to class where he will stay in the back of the room until you are finished. You’ll like him. His name is Chase Walker. He’s looking forward to meeting you."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied.

Bob Hodges took Jarrod upstairs and showed him to his room. He helped Jarrod get settled then left him alone to rest. He walked back downstairs where his wife met him.

"Did you get him settled?" she asked.

"Yes," Bob answered. "He’s resting until dinner."

"Father," Rachel asked, "what’s wrong with Jarrod?"

"Jarrod was injured during his break from class," Bob told her. "His shoulders are very sore and he can’t use them much. So I told his father he could stay with us while he was going to school this term."

"I see," she said and smiled. "I wanted to see more of him and now I have my wish."

"Rachel," her father replied, "you leave him alone. He’ll be studying and won’t have time to spend with you."

hapter 31      The next morning, the colonel was up early and so was Jarrod. He helped the boy shave. Then the family gathered for breakfast. Then it was time for Jarrod to leave for class. The colonel introduced Jarrod to his bodyguard, Chase Walker.

"Jarrod Barkley," he said, "this is Chase Walker. Chase this is Jarrod Barkley."

"Jarrod," Chase replied and stuck out his hand.

"Chase," Jarrod said and stuck out his hand.

Luckily, Chase didn’t grip it or shake it hard. Jarrod breathed a sigh of relief. The three left the house and headed for the college. Jarrod and Chase got out and the colonel left. Chase walked right behind the young man. When Brett saw Jarrod, he was surprised.

"Jarrod," he said, "where have you been?"

"I’m sorry Brett," Jarrod answered him. "I had some trouble while I was at home and I injured my shoulders. I can’t use them very well now so the Hodges asked me to stay with them."

"What the devil happened?" Brett asked concerned.

"It’s a long story," Jarrod told him.

"I’ve got plenty of time," Brett shot back.

"All right," Jarrod said. "My father asked my brother, Nick, and me to go look at some horses in Modesto. We did. While we were bedded down that night, several men invaded our camp. Nick and I were dragged to our feet. We were taken at gunpoint to an abandoned mine and kept there. After a short period of time, we were introduced to the leader of these men; a man named Warren Roberts. He was a very sadistic man. All he wanted was information from us. He and his men were working for the Coastal and Western Railroad and Hanibal Jordan. Anyway, Roberts would ask us questions and when we didn’t answer, they would punish me. They hung me up by my arms, they whipped me, they punched me and literally abused me. Anyway, they freed Nick and left me hanging at the front of the mine without my coat or shirt. I contracted pneumonia and was very sick. Then after I began to improve, I was asleep in my bed when one of the men, broke into my room and pulled me from my bed. He began to crank on my shoulders again. My father walked in and attacked him. He was later arrested but was released when his bail was paid. I now have to have a guard at all times. This is Chase Walker. Chase this is my roommate Brett Schyler."

"Brett," he said, "I’m happy to meet you."

"Same here," Brett replied. "Jarrod, that’s terrible."

The boys went to class and Professor Hamilton nodded at Jarrod. He handed the young man some notes of what the class discussed and Jarrod smiled at him. At the end of the day, Chase and Jarrod headed for the buggy that the colonel was driving. They headed to the Hodges’ home.

hapter 32      Everything went fine for the next couple of months. Then in late March, trouble hit. Chase and Jarrod were on their way to the school when the men attacked. Chase tried to protect Jarrod and was shot by one of the men. He was left to die on the street. The men grabbed Jarrod and tied him up. His shoulders were still tender and when they were tied, he grunted in pain.

"Shut up boy," one of them said. "You won’t live long if you don’t keep your mouth shut."

"Easy Walt," another one replied. "You know Roberts doesn’t want him killed. He’s bait for his old man."

Jarrod knew he was in trouble. When he heard them talking about that sadistic man, Warren Roberts, Jarrod’s skin began to crawl. He remembered all the things that man had done to him in the mine and cringed. He had to figure a way out of this. His mouth was gagged and he was taken to an old abandoned warehouse type building somewhere in San Francisco. He was put in a chair and Roberts walked into the room.

"Well," he said, "hello Mr. Barkley. I bet you didn’t think you would ever see me again. Take his gag off Willy."

Willy took the gag out of Jarrod’s mouth. Jarrod just looked at the man who had kidnapped him once before.

"I was hoping you would be in prison by now," Jarrod told him. "Too bad because you’ll certainly will end up there after this."

"Now that we have you," he said, "I suppose you’re wondering what we are going to do with you."

"Not especially," Jarrod defiantly shot back.

"That’s not very nice Barkley," he replied and motioned at Walt.

Walt backhanded Jarrod. He suddenly tasted blood in his mouth.

"You see," Roberts told him, "I haven’t forgotten what we did to you Barkley. You know I will rip your arms from your shoulders if you don’t cooperate."

"All right," Jarrod gasped. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want," he sneered. "I want your father to back off."

"It’ll never happen," Jarrod shot back. "He’ll never stop."

"Barkley," Roberts stated, "you had better hope he backs off because you’re the one who will pay. Lock him up."

Willy and Walt grabbed Jarrod by the arms and dragged him to a small room in the back of the building. They threw him in and locked the door. Jarrod was completely alone. He hoped he could stand whatever they did to him until he could be rescued or escape on his own.

hapter 33      At the Barkley ranch, a telegram was delivered to Tom. He opened it and read it. He became very angry.

"Tom," Victoria asked, "what is it?"

"It’s from that man Roberts," Tom told her. "He’s got Jarrod again."

"What!" she screamed. "How can they have him?"

"According to Roberts," Tom informed her, "they killed Jarrod’s bodyguard and they will kill him if I don’t back down."

"Tom," she said, "what are we going to do?"

"I have no choice," he said. "I’m going to have to back down."

"No!" she cried. "If you do, they’ll probably kill him. You can’t."

"All right," he replied. "I’ll contact Bob Hodges. Maybe he has some idea where they’re holding Jarrod."

Tom and Victoria both left the ranch and headed for San Francisco to see about the safety of their oldest son. Meanwhile, back in the warehouse, Roberts had ordered Jarrod to be brought out to him. The two men dragged the young man out and forcefully sat him in the chair.

"Barkley," he said, "I don’t want any information from you this time. I just want your hide for going to the sheriff and issuing warrants for our arrests. "Willy, you and Walt hold him up."

Walt and Willy both grabbed one of Jarrod’s arms. Roberts walked over. Roberts punched Jarrod right in the ribcage. The breath flew out of the young man’s body. He gasped for air.

"Walt," Roberts said, "tie him up."

Walt hauled Jarrod over to some pipe. He threw the rope over the pipe and tied Jarrod’s hands to the pipe. He had Willy punch Jarrod over and over in the ribs. After several blows, Jarrod’s ribs were on fire. He was gasping for breath. He couldn’t cradle his ribs because he was tied.

"Now Barkley," Roberts told him, "you will spend the rest of the time tied up here and used for a punching bag."

They kept on hitting him. Jarrod finally collapsed unconscious. He couldn’t fall to the ground because he was still tied. Roberts just left him there. After an hour, he began to come around. His ribs were still on fire and his shoulders were aching from the pain they still had and were having because of his weight being held up by them. Pain etched his face and he was having difficulty breathing. Roberts just smiled at him.

hapter 34      Tom and Victoria arrived in San Francisco a couple of hours later. Bob and Maureen Hodges met them at the station.

"Bob," Tom said, "what happened?"

"I’m not sure Tom," Bob answered. "Chase Walker was going with Jarrod to class and they were attacked. He tried to protect the boy and was shot. He died two hours later. I don’t have any idea where they could be. But we’ll find him."

"You’re darn right we’ll find my son," Tom said flatly.

They headed off for the Marshall’s office. Meanwhile, Jarrod was in a great deal of pain. His ribs were on fire and his shoulders had begun to ache. He was also shivering because of the cold draft coming through the building. Roberts walked over to him and sneered at him. He motioned for Walt and he turned Jarrod to face him.

"Well Barkley," he said sarcastically, "I see you are still with us."

"I am," Jarrod replied roughly. "And I plan to still be here when you are carted off to jail."

"Oh Barkley," he shot back, "you shouldn’t have said that. Now you will pay."

He motioned and Walt walked over to Jarrod. He looked the young man right in the eyes. Jarrod stared right back at him. Walt yanked real hard on Jarrod’s arms. Waves of excruciating pain went through Jarrod. He tried not to scream but he did.

"See I told you Barkley," Roberts said. "You don’t want to mess with me."

"All right," Jarrod replied with gritted teeth. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to do absolutely nothing," Roberts told him. "You are just bait to lure your father into a trap."

"No!" Jarrod shouted. "You won’t hurt my father."

"You are in no position to stop me boy," Roberts told him.

He nodded at Walt again and he punched Jarrod right in the face. His nose began to bleed. Walt hit him again and again. His ribs were injured, his nose was bleeding and his shoulders were in terrible pain. He didn’t know if he would be able to take anymore.

The Barkleys and the Hodges went to the Marshall’s office.

"Clive," Bob said, "this is Tom and Victoria Barkley. This is Clive Jones, the marshal. Tom’s oldest son, Jarrod, was kidnapped yesterday and his bodyguard killed. Do you have any leads?"

"No," Clive said. "I still have men checking vacant buildings for any sign of the men or the boy."

"Marshall," Tom replied, "my son has already spent time with these men. They nearly killed him then. They won’t hesitate to kill him now."

Just then one of the marshal’s deputies came in.

"Marshal," he said, "we’ve got a line on where those men are."

"Good Watkins," Clive answered. "Where are they?"

"There’s something going on in an old abandoned building on Decker Street," he answered.

"All right let’s go," Clive said.

The group left the office and headed for Decker Street. Back in the abandoned building, Jarrod was in a lot of pain. His nose was bleeding badly, his ribs were on fire and his shoulders were in pain because of the strain of holding him up. He was also having some difficulty breathing especially with his nose bleeding. Roberts walked over to him and pulled on his arms again.

"I know it hurts boy," Roberts told him. "You can’t hide the pain you’re in. You’re just a pawn in my plans to end Tom Barkley’s helping the farmers in San Joaquin County."

"Please!" Jarrod said again. "Don’t hurt my father!"

"Oh I won’t hurt him," Roberts said. "No, I’ll kill him."

Jarrod looked at the man with terror in his face. He had to stop the man. He had to protect his father. Jarrod tried something he knew he would regret. He braced himself and took all the weight on his shoulders and kicked out with his feet. He hit Roberts in the stomach. The air rushed out of him and he fell to his knees. Jarrod managed to get his feet back under him and took the weight off his shoulders. Roberts came up to his feet like a wild animal.

"Barkley!" he screamed. "You’ll pay for that! Walt! Willy! Hold him.

The two men each grabbed one of Jarrod’s tied arms. Roberts picked up a two by four and measured Jarrod’s unprotected ribs. Then he swung it as hard as he could. The force of the wood hitting his chest caused Jarrod to scream in agony. Jarrod couldn’t feel anything except excruciating pain in his chest. He fell limp in Walt’s and Willy’s arms.

The marshal arrived thirty minutes later with the Hodges and the Barkleys. Tom was forbidden from going inside until they took care of those men. With the other officers there, they rushed into the building. Shots were fired and all the kidnappers were killed. The officers were able to protect the young man from being injured or even killed. Tom was finally allowed to go inside. When he walked in, he saw his son.

"Jarrod!" he screamed as he ran to his son.

One of the officers was untying the boy. Tom eased his son down to the floor. Jarrod’s face was bloody and his chest was badly injured where the board had hit him. He wasn’t awake. Tom could tell the boy was busted up inside the way Jarrod was breathing. Tom picked his son up and carried him out. Victoria came running when she saw Tom walking back. She looked down at her son. Victoria gasped when she saw how bloody he was and how hard it was for him to take a breath.

"Jarrod honey," she said, "can you hear me? Just take it easy. Help’s on its way."

They took him out and loaded him into the buggy. Then Bob drove to the nearest hospital. Tom eased his battered son’s body out and carried him inside. The doctor motioned for him to bring Jarrod back to the examination room. He laid the boy on the table. Then he explained what had already happened to Jarrod. The doctor nodded and began to work on the young man. Tom waited in the outside waiting room with Victoria and the Hodges. Finally, the doctor walked out. Tom and Victoria rose to their feet.

"Your son has broken and bruised ribs," the doctor told them "The broken ribs are almost shattered. I’m going to have to go in and see if I can fix the damage that board did to the boy. He also has a bruised face because they almost broke his nose and he’s reinjured his shoulders. I’ll let you know when I’m finished."

He left them and went back to the examination room. Tom sat down heavily. Victoria went to his side.

"Tom," she said, "are you all right?"

"No!" he shouted. "My oldest son is lying on a bed with his ribs caved in. I couldn’t protect him. I had promised him that nothing would happen to him as long as I was here. I broke my promise to that boy Victoria. Now, he may die."

"Tom," Bob Hodges said, "your son is a fighter. I’ve seen it for myself while we were in Washington. Jarrod will come out of this. You have to believe that."

"Thanks Bob," Tom replied. "He’s my oldest son and I love him. I didn’t want any of this mess to spill over to my family. Now one of my children may die."

About that time, the doctor walked back out. Tom and Victoria rose to their feet.

"Jarrod’s right side is badly damaged but he is alive. I’ve wrapped him tightly so that the ribs on that side can begin to heal. He’s having a lot of difficulty breathing between the broken and bruised ribs along with his badly beaten nose. His shoulders are severely sprained. I’ve done all I can for him. The rest is up to Jarrod."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said. "Can we see him?"

"Certainly," the doctor answered. "Follow me."

He led them back to one of the bedrooms where Jarrod was laying. His chest was completely bandaged, his face was black and blue and his breathing was very labored. As his parents walked into the room, Jarrod opened his pain-laden blue eyes and looked up at them.

"Jarrod son," Tom said, "how are you doing?"

"I’m so sore and I hurt really bad," he answered cringing with every breath. "I got in one good lick on Roberts but he hit me with a board and I went out."

"It’s all right honey," his mother told him. "You need to rest. It’s all over. Those men will never bother you again. They’re dead."

"All of them?" Jarrod asked.

"All of them son," Tom told him.

Jarrod nodded and his eyes began to close.

"Son," Tom said, "rest. You just rest and you’ll feel better very soon."

Jarrod nodded again and his eyes closed. Tom and Victoria sat right by his bed. Victoria ran a hand through his hair. Both of them were visibly shaken at the sight of their oldest son but they weren’t going to show Jarrod. He had enough to contend with just getting well. They stayed with him the rest of the night.

hapter 35      The next morning, Jarrod woke up. He cringed every time he moved. His ribs were still on fire and his shoulders were still damaged. He tried to get up but felt hands holding him back down.

"Easy there young man," the doctor said. "You don’t need to be moving around. Your ribs are badly damaged. You need to rest."

"Where are my parents," he replied through clenched teeth.

"Right here honey," Victoria said. "We’re both right here."

"Good," he told them. "I’m sorry father. I didn’t mean to get caught again. I didn’t mean to cause the death of that nice young man."

"You’re not to blame son," Tom said. "Those men were after me. They thought if they took you captive, I would back down. Well I didn’t and I don’t plan to either. You were brave trying to stand up to those men. But right now you need to rest."

The doctor gave him an injection to ease the pain and to help him sleep.

"Yes sir," he replied and closed his eyes.

Tom looked away from his son with tears in his blue eyes. It hurt him so much to see his son in that condition. He still blamed himself for what had happened to Jarrod. He wondered how he would ever make it up to that boy. He continued to stay right by his son’s side.

"Tom," Victoria said, "you can’t keep blaming yourself for what happened to Jarrod. You had no way of knowing that those men would kidnap him again."

"Victoria," Tom replied, "I made a promise to that boy that I would keep him safe and I broke that promise."

"Jarrod doesn’t blame you," she told him. "He loves you."

"I blame me," he said. "I couldn’t protect him and keep him safe. Now he’s in a bed all broken up because of a situation I caused in the first place. If I had just stayed out of the mess with the railroad and the farmers, Jarrod and Nick wouldn’t have been kidnapped. And Jarrod wouldn’t be lying in that bed in so much pain."

"Tom," she replied, "listen to me. You are a wonderful father to your children and a wonderful husband. You’ve given your children so much. Now we have to go on. Jarrod will get better. He will finish law school and he will be a fine lawyer. Now, stop feeling sorry for yourself and start living again."

"All right," he finally agreed. "Victoria, I’m not going back to Stockton until Jarrod comes home for the summer. I want to make sure he’s all right. If you want to go home that’s fine."

"No," she said. "I had planned on staying with him anyway. He needs me right now."

At that moment, there was a moan from the bed. Tom and Victoria both turned their attention back to their son. He was beginning to come around.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "can you hear me son?"

"Yes," Jarrod mumbled. "Oh it hurts. I can’t take a breath without pain."

"Take it easy honey," Victoria replied. "You’re going to be all right. Just rest."

"How bad am I hurt?" he asked.

Tom and Victoria exchanged glances.

"Son," Tom began, "you are busted up pretty bad. You have broken and bruised ribs, your nose was nearly broken and you re-injured your shoulders. You need to rest and take it easy for a while."

"I remember now," Jarrod said. "I couldn’t defend myself because they had me tied. But I did get a good lick in on Roberts. He retaliated. But I guess I got the last laugh."

"You did fine honey," his mother replied. "You need to concentrate on getting better. Rest is what you need now."

"I can’t rest mother," he told her. "I hurt everywhere and I can’t seem to catch my breath."

"Well," Tom said, "that’s because of your ribs and nose son. You won’t be able to breathe too well for a while I’m afraid. But your mother’s right. You need to rest and build up your strength."

"All right," Jarrod agreed. "I’ll try."

He closed his eyes. Tom couldn’t look at his son without wanting to scream. Jarrod looked so helpless. He wanted to make the boy’s pain go away but he knew he couldn’t. Victoria saw his expression and put her arm around him.

"Tom," she said, "he’s going to be all right. We have to think positively."

"I know," he replied. "I know."

hapter 36      Over the next couple of weeks, Jarrod slowly improved. His shoulders were still useless and his ribs were still very tender. But he was allowed to leave the hospital. The Hodges insisted that Jarrod come and stay at their home. They also told Tom and Victoria to stay there with him.

"Look Tom," Bob said, "you want to be near Jarrod. Well, you are welcome to stay with us. We have plenty of room. You can still have your privacy and we can enjoy each other’s company too."

"All right Bob," Tom replied. "If you’re sure it’s no imposition."

"I’m sure," Bob told him.

The three Barkleys moved into the Hodges’ home. Jarrod continued to improve but he still couldn’t use his shoulders much. He was able to return to class after missing three weeks. He was glad to get back to work.

"Jarrod," Brett said, "how are you doing?"

"I’ll do," he answered.

"I’m glad you’re ok," Brett replied. "We heard what happened. I’m glad it’s all over."

"No more than I am," Jarrod told him.

The last month and a half of the term, Jarrod worked very hard. He kept his grades up and was relieved when he was finished. After the last of his exams were taken, he and his parents were ready to head back to Stockton for the summer.

"Bob," Tom said, "I want to thank you and Maureen for everything you’ve done for my son."

"It’s was the least we could do," Bob answered.

The Barkleys arrived back in Stockton in late May 1867. Jarrod was halfway through with law school. He was thrilled to be home again. Nick, Gene and Audra met them when they walked through the door.

"Jarrod!" Audra screamed and ran toward him but stopped short. "I’m glad you’re home."

"I’m glad to be home," he told them.

"Jarrod," Gene said.

"Gene," Jarrod replied.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "how are you doing big brother?"

"I still can’t use my shoulders a whole lot but I’m doing good," he told Nick.

"How’s my horse?" he asked.

"Just about ready for you to ride," Nick told him.

"Great," Jarrod said.

Victoria walked into the room.

"Jarrod," she said, "you need to go up to your room and rest."

"But mother," he replied.

"No buts young man," she told him. "Now go."

"Yes mother," he said dejected and walked upstairs to his room.

Victoria watched him go. Tom walked in and saw Jarrod walking upstairs.

"You sent him to rest didn’t you?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered. "He had a long trip home and he’s been through so much. I felt like he needed to rest."

"You’re coddling him again Victoria," Tom said.

"No I am not," she told him. "Tom, he nearly died. I’m am just making sure he gets enough rest until he’s completely healed."

hapter 37      Over the next few weeks, everyone got back into his or her normal routines. Jarrod continued to improve. Finally, he was able to start using his shoulders. They were so weak that he had to strain to get them to operate efficiently. But he was determined to beat this. Jarrod walked outside one morning in June. He loved to see the ranch in the morning. Everything smelled so fresh and clean. Jarrod was walking and taking in the beauty. He didn’t notice that he wasn’t alone. He had a shadow trailing him. As Jarrod walked farther and farther away from the ranch, the shadow crept closer to him. All of a sudden Jarrod felt something hit him. He fell to the ground. He started to get up but he was being held down. He looked up and right into the evil eyes of Roy, the other man who had worked for Roberts and Jordan. He smiled his sadistic smile. He pulled Jarrod to his feet.

"Hello boy," he said. "I bet you thought you were free didn’t you? Well, I heard what happened in San Francisco boy. Now you’re mine."

"What are you going to do to me?" Jarrod asked with terror showing in his face.

"I’m going to teach you a lesson boy," Roy shot back.

"You can’t hurt me anymore," Jarrod told him.

"Oh no boy," Roy said.

He grabbed Jarrod’s shirt and pulled the boy over to a nearby tree. Jarrod pulled away from Roy. He grabbed Jarrod again and threw him up against the tree. Then he stood Jarrod up in front of it. Roy looked right into his face. Jarrod was extremely angry at the face of the man who abused him. Roy clipped him on the jaw and knocked Jarrod out. Roy then tied him and pushed him up against the tree as Jarrod began to come to.

"Boy," he sneered, "you’re gonna pay for what you’ve done. I’m going to make you suffer worse than you suffered in that mine."

Roy pulled out a knife and brought it up to Jarrod’s face. Then he brought it down to the boy’s throat. Jarrod managed to bite him on the hand, which made Roy even madder. Roy backhanded Jarrod and then grabbed him by the throat, smiled his sadistic smile and laughed at him as Jarrod gasped for air. Roy then grabbed the front of Jarrod’s shirt while he pushed him with all his weight up against the tree and ripped open the front of his shirt to expose his chest. He then ran the knife along his chest scratching him. Jarrod tried to struggle to get free but Roy then took the knife and stuck it into Jarrod’s left leg. The boy gritted his teeth when he felt the pain and tried not to show it on his face. Roy walked over and stuck the knife into Jarrod’s right leg. He grimaced again. Blood began to flow down his legs from the two knife wounds. Jarrod could barely stand up. He knew he could bleed to death if he didn’t get the bleeding to stop. Roy just kept looking at him. Then he took the knife and stuck it into Jarrod’s left arm. He gritted his teeth again at the pain from the three wounds. Then he stuck it in his right arm. Jarrod couldn’t stop the bleeding. He could feel himself getting weaker by the minute. He had to stop the bleeding or he would surely die. Roy just smiled at him.

"Now boy," he said, "you will die a slow and horrible death out here all alone. You will not be saved this time by your father."

"You won’t get away with this," Jarrod told him.

Roy walked over and looked him right in the eyes. Then he punched him again in the ribs. Jarrod’s ribs ached. Blood continued to flow out of the four knife wounds. Roy started to leave when a shot rang out. Roy looked around and then fell to the ground. Jarrod looked around. He didn’t see anyone. He slid to the ground and laid still.

"Help!" he screamed. "Please help me!"

Just then he heard someone riding a horse approaching him. He looked around and saw his father riding toward him. Tom arrived a few minutes later. He turned Jarrod over where he could see the four stab wounds. He wrapped all four wounds to cut off the flow of blood. Jarrod looked up at him and smiled.

"Jarrod boy," he said, "I’m here. Roy’s dead. I’m glad I decided to check on you. I remembered that Roy was out and knew he might come looking for you. That’s why I decided to follow you."

"Thank you father," Jarrod said weakly.

Tom eased his son up on the horse and then climbed up behind him. They rode off toward the ranch and help. Tom jumped off the horse when they arrived back at the house. He helped Jarrod off and aided him into the house. Nick met them at the door.

"Nick," Tom told him, "ride to Stockton and bring the doctor. You’re brother’s been stabbed four times. Hurry."

Nick took off out the door. Tom took Jarrod into the study and sat him down on the couch. He cut the pants legs around the two stab wounds and looked at them. Luckily, Roy had not cut an artery. He then looked at the two arm wounds. The right arm was deeper than the left. Tom made Jarrod as comfortable as possible. Victoria came into the room and when she saw her son she hurried over.

"Tom," she asked, "what happened to Jarrod?"

"The one man who had tried to kill him before came back," Tom told her. "He had Jarrod tied and he stabbed him four times in each leg and each arm. I happened to remember that he was free and I went out to see what Jarrod was doing. I saw them and as the guy turned, I shot him. Then I hurried to my son and untied him. He’s weak from blood loss but he’ll be ok."

Victoria looked at the four wounds and nodded her head. Jarrod was very weak but he was awake. They worked hard to try to get the blood to stop flowing. Jarrod was getting weaker. He was beginning to pass out. He tried to keep his eyes open but he couldn’t.

Nick arrived with the doctor a short time later. Dr. Merrar came into the study and looked at his young patient.

"Somebody did a number on your son again Tom," he said. I’m going to have to check these wounds and then bind them. Jarrod will have to be kept quiet."

"Doc," Tom replied, "he lost an awful lot of blood. Is he going to be all right."

"I can tell you more after I examine him."

The doctor went to work. He wrapped each wound carefully. Jarrod was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. He was so weak. His shoulders were hurting again as was his ribs. The doctor finally looked up.

"Jarrod’s lost a great deal of blood," he said. "I need to give him a transfusion."

"I’ll do it doc," Nick replied.

He rolled up his shirtsleeve and the doctor went to work. He set everything up and Nick gave his brother blood. Jarrod was unconscious now. His face was ashen and his lips were white. The doctor was concerned.

"Until he wakes up I won’t know how bad he’s hurt," the doctor told them.

"Doc," Tom said, "when I found Jarrod he was tied up on the ground. His ribs looked like they were damaged."

"I’ll check them," he told them.

The doctor checked the boy’s shoulders and ribs. Then he bound Jarrod’s ribs again. He looked down at the young man’s face. His color was beginning to come back but he was still awfully weak.

"Tom," the doctor said, "if you hadn’t got to him when you did he would be dead. He’ll be all right. But right now he needs rest. Those wounds need a chance to heal. He needs a chance to build up his strength. He’s a lucky boy. If you hadn’t come by when you did Tom, you would be planning a funeral right now. He just needs plenty of rest and no moving around for at least a week."

"All right doctor," Victoria replied. "Thank you for coming."

The doctor left and Tom carried Jarrod up to his room and put him to bed. Jarrod had still not woken up. Tom was a little worried but tried not to show it.

hapter 38      Jarrod began to come around late that afternoon. He tried to get up but was too weak and in too much pain. His head lolled on the pillow. Tom looked down at his son.

"Jarrod," he said, "it’s all right son. You’re going to be fine."

"I hurt all over," Jarrod mumbled.

"It’s no wonder," he replied. "You were stabbed four times. You need to rest and no moving around for at least a week."

Jarrod nodded and closed his eyes. Tom looked down at his son lying in that bed again. He was so angry. Again he had failed to protect the boy. He had failed on three different occasions to protect his son from harm. Victoria saw the expression on her husband’s face and walked over to him.

"Tom," she said, "you can’t continue to blame yourself for what’s happened to Jarrod. It’s not your fault."

"Oh yes it is my fault," he shot back. "I’m the one who had to be Mr. Helpful and try to help those farmers stand up to the railroad. I almost got my sons killed. Jarrod has paid a heavy price for my helpfulness. Victoria, even though that boy has your mannerisms, I still have a lot of pride and love for him. He’s got my ambitions and I want him to be able to reach them if it’s the last thing I do. I never meant for any member of my family to suffer. Hanibal Jordan made it personal when he had Nick and Jarrod kidnapped. Now all I want is his hide."

"Tom," she said softly, "you have to calm down. You can’t go after Jordan. He’s too powerful."

"I’m not going after him," he told her. "I’m going to help those farmers beat him at his own game."

Along about then Jarrod moaned. Tom and Victoria turned their attention to their son. Jarrod’s eyes slowly opened and he looked around the room. His eyes were still pain-laden. His face was still in agony but he was awake.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "can you hear me son?"

"Yes sir," he replied weakly.

"How do you feel?" Tom asked.

"Weak," he said. "I’m so tired and I’m in quite a bit of pain. I can’t seem to hold my head up."

"Honey," his mother replied, "you were injured again. You can’t move around until your four stab wounds heal. You had to have a blood transfusion from Nick."

"I remember now," he mumbled. "Roy caught me again. He tried to kill me."

"He’s dead," Tom told him. "No one will ever bother you again. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to you son. I’m so sorry you had to endure so much pain. It’s all my fault."

"No it isn’t sir," he said weakly and his face contorted in agony.

"Jarrod," Tom replied, "what’s wrong son?"

"I don’t feel well," he told them.

Tom felt his forehead and it was hot.

"Nick," he said as he entered the room, "ride to town and get the doctor. Your brother has a fever and he’s shivering."

"Yes sir," Nick replied and left the room.

hapter 39      The doctor arrived thirty minutes later. He gave Jarrod some medicine to help the fever and the chills.

"Jarrod," he said, "is a sick boy. He is running a fever from being stabbed. I’ve given him some medicine."

Jarrod was still in a great deal of pain. His head fell against the pillow.

"Jarrod," he said, "will be all right. I am worried about the fever. He’s going to have to be closely watched. He’s got an infection probably in one of his wounds. I’m going to check each one."

He started to check each stab wound. When he opened up the one in his right arm, it was blood red around it. The doctor worked for over an hour trying to clean it up. Finally, he wrapped it up again and looked at Tom and Victoria.

"He’s going to be without the use of his right arm for several weeks," he told them. "That wound is deep and it’s become badly infected."

"What can we do?" Victoria asked.

"Keep him quiet," the doctor answered. "Give him two tablespoons of this laudanum every four hours. And do not, I repeat do not let him move around. He’s got to let these wounds begin to heal."

"Thank you doctor," Tom told him.

The doctor left. Tom and Victoria stayed beside of Jarrod’s bed. He looked so vulnerable in that bed. Tom began to cry as he looked down at his oldest son.

"Jarrod," he said, "please fight this. You can beat this son. Fight."

Victoria knew what her husband was feeling. She knew he was blaming himself for their son’s injuries. Jarrod stirred. His face was devoid of all color. His fever was still high. Tom couldn’t stand it anymore and walked out the door. Victoria watched him leave.

hapter 40      Nick watched his father walk down the stairs and go out the door. He decided to follow him and maybe talk to him. He had never seen his father in so much pain. Tom walked out to the corral fence and just stood there. Nick walked over to him and put his hand on his father’s shoulder.

"Father," he said, "are you all right?"

"No I’m not," Tom replied.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Nick asked.

"Nick," he began, "your brother is laying in his room in that bed. He has a fever and his right arm stab wound is badly infected. And it’s all because of me."

"No sir," Nick told him. "You were just trying to help people you know well from losing the land they love to the stinking railroad."

"I’m not talking about the farmers Nick," Tom said. "I’m talking about what Jordan did to you and your brother. If I hadn’t agreed to help, you and Jarrod wouldn’t have been kidnapped and Jarrod wouldn’t be hurt. I promised him that he would never get hurt again. I’ve failed him three times. I can’t even protect my family."

"Father," Nick began, "you are a special man. What happened to Jarrod is terrible but it’s not your fault. Jarrod’s a tough boy. He’ll be all right in time. You have to believe that."

"Look son," Tom replied, "I appreciate what you are trying to do but if you don’t mind I’d like to be left alone."

Nick nodded and left his father standing there. Nick walked back in the house and he went up to Jarrod’s room. Jarrod had begun to vomit. Victoria was cradling his head in her arms. He couldn’t believe how terrible Jarrod looked. As he walked over to the bed and his mother, he vowed to do everything he could to help his brother to get well.

"How is he mother?" Nick asked.

"He’ a very sick boy Nick," she answered. "He’s had a bad reaction to the pain medicine and that’s what’s made him vomit. He’s got a high fever too."

"Mother," Nick replied, "I just came from trying to talk to father. He’s so bitter and angry because of what’s happened to Jarrod. He blames himself for all of it."

"I know son," she said. "I know."

Again, Jarrod became sick and started to vomit. Victoria again held his head in her hands. Finally, Jarrod stopped. She eased his head back on the pillow. She felt his forehead. He was burning up.

"Nick," she said, "go get me some cold water in a bowl and a towel. Bring it up here as quickly as you can."

"Yes mother," he replied. "What’s wrong?"

"Your brother is burning up," she told him. "I’ve got to get this fever down. Now go."

Nick left. Jarrod began to vomit again. She knew he was raw inside. Nick came back with the pan of water and set it down on the table beside his bed. Victoria took the towel and dipped it in the water. Then she rung it out and rubbed it on Jarrod’s hot face. The boy moaned but didn’t open his eyes. Nick was very worried. His brother looked so small in that bed. He sat down beside his mother and held his brother’s left hand.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "come on boy. Come back to us. You can do it."

Victoria put her arm around her younger son. Together they worked to save Jarrod’s life.

hapter 41      Tom calmed down and walked slowly back inside the house. He saw Gene and Audra in the parlor and walked in to see them.

"Father," Gene, said, "is anything wrong?"

"Yes," Tom answered him. "Your brother, Jarrod, has been very sick. He’s got a very high fever. Your mother is with him."

"I hope he will be all right," Audra replied. "He’s a wonderful big brother."

"He’ll be fine," Tom told them. It’ll just take some time."

He left them and slowly walked upstairs to Jarrod’s bedroom. He opened the door and walked in. He saw Victoria and Nick sitting beside the bed. Jarrod was still unconscious. As Tom neared the bed, Victoria turned.

"Tom," she said, "Jarrod is burning up. I can’t seem to get the fever down. He’s stopped vomiting for the moment but I’m very worried about the fever."

"Do you think we should send for the doctor?" he asked.

"No," she told him. "He couldn’t do any more for him. Maybe if you sit down and talk to him, he’ll respond to you."

Tom sat down in the chair beside the bed. He looked down at his oldest son. He composed himself.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "can you hear me son?"

Slowly Jarrod’s tormented face began to move. He moaned every time he moved. Victoria put her hands on him to keep him from moving and causing more damage.

"Jarrod son," Tom replied, "come on boy. Wake up."

Jarrod’s eyes began to open. He tried to look around but he was so sick.

"Father," he barely said above a whisper, "is that you?"

"Yes son," Tom replied. "It’s all right. You’re going to be fine."

"What happened?" he managed to get out.

"You were stabbed four times by that man, Roy," Tom told him. "You can’t move around. Doctor’s orders. How do you feel?"

"I’m in so much pain," he got out again. "I’m still sick and I’m so hot."

"You’re running a high fever," Tom replied. "You need to rest. Can I get you anything?"

"No," Jarrod said.

Then he started to vomit again. Victoria grabbed his head and held it in her hands. He was so weak. Tom was cringing every time his son got sick. He knew the boy was in bad shape.

"Jarrod," he said softly, "it’s all right son. You’re going to be all right. Fight son. You can do it."

Victoria, who had been holding Jarrod’s head, was watching him as Tom spoke. She noticed Jarrod get a determined look in his pain-laden eyes. She knew he had heard what his father had said and was trying to fight this. He just couldn’t stop vomiting. Finally, he stopped. She eased his head back onto the pillow. He was so weak. He could barely hold his eyes open. He tried to talk but nothing would come out.

"Take it easy boy," Tom said. "Don’t try to talk. You just rest. I’ll be right here. I’m not leaving."

Jarrod barely nodded and his eyes closed. His breathing was labored because of the infection, the vomiting and the rib shots he took. He was asleep. Tom sat there talking to him. Victoria sat back and watched as Tom kept talking to Jarrod. She knew the boy was hearing every word his father told him. She was proud of her husband and her son.

hapter 41      Over the next few hours, Jarrod finally stopped vomiting. His fever went down and he began to try to move more. Tom on several occasions had to physically hold him down to stop any damage to his wounds. Jarrod was very weak and sore all over. He had lost quite a bit of weight because of his sickness. Victoria was determined to fatten her son back up. She started giving him some broth and he was able to eat it all and luckily, it stayed down. She had to feed it to him because he could not use his right arm at all until it healed. Jarrod was still having a hard time talking. His throat was so raw and sore. Tom stayed right by his son’s bedside and then the doctor came for his weekly checkup.

He examined Jarrod’s wounds and smiled.

"Son," he said, "you can start moving around. They are healing very nicely. I would still advise on not overdoing for a while yet. But I see no reason you can’t get up and start walking."

"Thanks doc," Jarrod replied.

The doctor left and Jarrod got up and dressed. He walked slowly downstairs and went outside to get some fresh air. He was happy to be normal again. He took in the beauty of the Barkley Ranch.

By the end of June, Jarrod was completely healed and was looking forward to returning to school in another month. He hadn’t been able to ride Seneca yet but he knew the next time he came home he would.

For the next month, Jarrod helped his father and brother around the ranch. Tom taught him more of the business side of running the ranch and he even helped Nick out on the ranch itself. Jarrod really enjoyed the time he spent with his father and his brother. Then it was time to leave for his third year of school.

"Jarrod," his mother said, "you take good care of yourself and study hard."

"I will mother," he told her as she hugged him.

"Son," his father said, "you learn all you can so you can help me here on the ranch."

"Yes sir I will," he answered.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I’ll miss you."

"I’ll miss you little brother," Jarrod told him.

He kissed Audra and patted Gene on the head. Then his father drove him to Stockton so he could catch the train for San Francisco.