Behind Bars

By BJ Carter

Rated G

It was so early that the birds had not had time to wake up, but the Cartwrights had and were on the move. Pa wasn't taking any griping about anything. Just start something and see what kind of look or reprimand you got for it. "You all insisted on going with me on this trip, so no one complains, got it?" he told them.

It was true the boys could not decide who would get to go with Pa to the area wide auction of breeding stock, and the result was he said they would all go. But they didn't count on being up way before dawn to get the early chores done before they left. The sun had just started to show when they moved back into the house for breakfast before hitting the trail. Hopsing was piling the food high on each of their plates, "Eat, trail will be long and no Hopsing food out there, eat!" he was saying and rushing around the kitchen area.

"Don't see why he can't come too," Hoss was saying between bites, "he is right about the trip and the food."

"Someone has to stay and take care of the place, you know that, Angus will come over with his sons and take care of the stock, but that won't take the place of someone being here." Pa had told him.

"Hopsing will be happy to stay home, have much work to do here with you all gone, maybe get caught up on patching clothes of Little Joe, and trying to make them bigger before he gets back." Hopsing told Hoss.

With breakfast over, the horses saddled, bedrolls packed, they were off to Breaktown, a small mining community that had somehow become the hub of cattle trade. The last time Pa was there it was made up of two quickly built buildings and about four tents. One of the tents was a saloon, the other was for assaying the ore, and the other two filled up with cots for the miners between shifts. The buildings were owned by the two mining companies working out of the area. Some of the cattle buyers from back east had set up pens for the cattle to be collected for shipment both back to the east, and west to the hotels in San Francisco. The added plus to this was the ranchers saw this as a good place to also buy and sell breeding stock without having to travel to several places. Pa included.

They had passed through several small towns, communities really, on the way. The were about three hours out of one of these places when Pa's horse was suddenly spooked by a rattler. The horse moved back so fast it lost its footing in the loose rocks and fell, down came the horse, but also Pa.

Hoss was the first to get to him, the pain was showing on his face. "PA!" are you all right." he yelled as he ran to him.

"Twisted my ankle in the stirrup, and landed on a rock, think I have a broken rib, but I don't know." he answered looking up at Hoss.

By that time Adam and Joe had reached their father, "What can we do Pa?" Joe was asking.

"Check my horse is he ok?" Pa answered. Joe ran to do as he was told. Adam on the other hand was helping Hoss turn his father to check the damage.

"Pa you have a deep gash cut on your side, and you may also have that broken rib, you need a doctor to check this, it may be worse than I can tell from just looking," Hoss was diagnosing as he was looking his Pa over.

"The horse is fine Pa," said Joe, "can you ride?"

"We have to get him back to that last little town,"Adam was saying, "I saw a sign that said they had a doctor." "Come on Hoss let's get a travoy rigged up to Pa's horse and get him back there, Joe you stay here and take care of Pa."

Joe was pleased with his job, he kept asking if Pa needed water, or was there anything he could do. Ben even through his pain, was so proud of the way his boys took charge and knew what to do in this situation.

***

They made it back to the town, found the doctor and moved Pa into his office. It seemed like hours, but it had been only a short time. The doctor, finally came out of the exam room and gave the boys a report on their father. "He will be fine, no broken bones, his ankle will be black and swollen for a week or so, and I sewed up the cut on his back. It will heal quickly it was deep, but more like a puncture than a cut, must have hit a sharp point on a rock. It will be sore, but no permanent damage there either. Your father is a strong healthy man."

"When can he travel, doc?" Hoss asked.

"He should stay still for two or three days, give everything a chance to settle back where it goes, he did take a purty good fall, and that ankle will be to bad to put a boot on for a few days anyway. I have a room he can stay in to heal up in at the back," with that the doctor moved into the next room to give the boys a chance to talk to their pa.

"How you doing Pa?" Joe asked as he moved over to his father.

"Hurts like He...heck," Ben answered, "but the worst part is not being able to travel." "Adam you are going to have to go on to Breaktown and check the stock they have to offer."

"Pa, Hoss knows cattle better than I do, maybe he should go, I can stay here and take care of you and Joe." Adam answered.

"No, as much as I trust Hoss where animals are concerned, he is just too young, the others wouldn't deal with him," Ben answered, "sorry son, but it has to be Adam for a couple a more years anyway." "And I want you to take Little Joe with you, too, you should be back here by the time I can travel."

"What!" Adam said, "Pa how can I deal with the buyers and keep an eye on Joseph at the same time?"

"Call it a learning experience," Pa said trying to smile with his pain.

"Adam, I am not a baby, I can take care of myself, maybe Pa thinks you really aren't big enough to be by yourself, ever thought of that?" Joe said with his best sarcastic voice. "And when did you start calling me Joseph anyhow?"

"ENOUGH," Pa said, and decided not to shout again it hurt too much, "You two will go and you will be civil to each other, Joseph, Adam is in charge, but I expect each of you to take care of the other." "Both of you better listen to me or else. Do I make myself clear?" "In other words, if you two act like naughty children, I will treat you that way when we get home." "Got it?"

Adam looked at Joe, and their eyes met, oh, yeah they understood him loud and clear. "Yes sir," they said in unison.

"Don't worry Pa, I will take care of Adam for you," Joe said. Adam just sighed and then looked at Pa, what have you done to me this time, he thought, but kept his mouth shut.

***

Early the next morning Ben's oldest and youngest set out for Breaktown.

Wow! the town had changed a bunch since last year when they were there. Buildings, streets, and people were every where. Adam was so wide-eyed as he moved through the main street he suddenly realized Joe was not with him. "Joe!"

Joe had stopped away back and was watching some "ladies" hanging out of the second story hotel window, waiving at the men on the street. They were inviting the men to join them.

"You have to stay with me, you get lost and I might never find you," he was saying, but thinking Pa would kill me, just kill me dead if I lost you. Joe didn't answer, but stayed closer to Adam as they made their way down the street to what Adam though might be a better place to stay.

"What can I do for you?" the manager behind the desk asked.

"We need a room for a couple of nights," Adam answered and started to sign the register.

Adam and Joseph Cartwright, Eagle Station, Ponderosa Ranch the manager read after turning the book back when Adam was finished writing. "Very well, Mr. Cartwright, Room 14 at the top of the stairs, do you need help with luggage?"

"No, we can manage, can you tell me when the auction will start for the breeding stock that has been brought in?" Adam asked politely.

"Day after tomorrow, if all goes well, at about 8 am."

Damn, he though we could have stayed another day with Pa and Hoss, now that just gives us more time to kill sitting around here. Oh, well he turned and looked for Joe. No Joe.

Panic came over him, his eyes searched each side of the lobby, and then up the staircase. There perched on the edge of the rail looking down was Joe smiling down and his big brother. The look on Adam's face, changed that smile quickly. By the time Adam got to the top of the stairs, Joe was standing in front of their room. "If I have to tell you one more time to stay with me, I will swat that backside of yours and you will have to defend yourself to Pa when we get home!"

"Quit being so, so, I don't know, grownup acting Adam, I kept you in sight, and I knew you could see me if you just looked up, besides, Pa said he would get both sides of any story, you might be the one defendin' yourself," Joe countered.

Adam just opened the door to the room, and went inside. The room was clean enough, one big bed in the middle, a blue bedspread on it...a night stand by the bed with a lamp...a chest with wash stand on it...and finally a small crocheted rug by the bed. Worth the money, Adam thought. He had told Pa they could get by sleeping in their bedrolls near town, or at the livery to save money, but Pa wouldn't hear of it, "You get a place for the two of you if one is available, I don't want Little Joe on the ground to many nights, the weather is unpredictable this time of year, there could always be a sudden down pour."

Little Joe could not wait to get down to look over the town, "Hurry up Adam, it is getting late, I'm hungry."

They left their room and started down the stairs. Adam went over to ask the manager where the best place to eat would be. The answer had been the saloon. "They have the best and cheapest in town, you can take him with you, as long as you aren't drinking, the sheriff won't mind you two kids being in there."

Joe could not hold back the giggle at the look on Adam's face when the manager called him a kid, too. Adam shot him a look equal to Pa's when he was angry. Joe just ducked behind him, "Let's go I am starving!"

As they entered the saloon, Adam was looking for a table, a young girl came over and with no warning, kissed Adam right on the mouth. She whispered something in his ear. "No, thank you madam, I am here with my brother." Joe had never seen Adam so red, even when Pa would catch him doing something he was too big to be doing, like sticking his tongue out at him when they were fighting.

They moved over to a table, Adam ordered for the two of them, and ask if they had milk for Joe, he would take a beer. The waiter left to get the meals. "Pa will skin you for drinking, didn't you learn anything from the last time?" Joe asked.

"I can drink a beer if I want to, it is none of your business, and I don't need my little brother telling me what to do, I am in charge, remember?"

"Oh yeah, well remember that when your explaining everything when we get back to Pa, ok?" Joe shot back.

The man was right, they did have a good supper, and it didn't cost that much, in fact the milk and beer was almost as much as the meal.

After they had finished, Adam told Joe it was time to turn in for the evening. "What, we haven't even looked over the town yet." Joe complained.

"Plenty of time for that tomorrow during daylight, we still have a whole day before the auction, now let's go to our room." Adam insisted.

Adam got his book out and started to read. Joe was bored. He moved over to the window, opened it and hung out as far as he could to see all the excitement down on the street. Finally he wore himself out pacing and looking outside. The truth be known he was kind of tired after the ride anyway. He got over on the bed and fell asleep. Then it was Adam's turn to be bored. He kept talking it over to himself, finally he decided. Joe was out for the night, safe in their room, he could lock the door. Then he would go out for just a little while and check out the other buyers, prices, and stock, without Little Joe under foot. Sure it was a good idea. Why not! Quietly he got his boots and went out the door.

Adam woke up with the sun in his eyes, at least one of his eyes, the other was swollen almost shut. He was trying desperately to remember what had taken place that evening. Why was he looking at the world so differently and why were there bars on the window where the sun was coming in on him?

Oh, now it was coming back to him. He had left Little Joe asleep, oh Lord let him be ok, he had gone out on the street and walked to the saloon where he had just finished supper a few hours ago. He saw some of the ranchers he and his father had talked to last year. He went over and started to talk to them, all right so far. His head was hurting just like it had such a short time ago after a party at Tess's. Oh yeah, next they had gone into the saloon and a Mr. Thacker had bought him a drink. In fact as he recalled every man he talked to bought him a drink. The same young lady he had seen earlier came back over, "Don't have your little brother with you this time?" she observed.

She stayed with him and was holding on to his arm. Some other young miner had said something about her being "his girl", Adam said take her, and the guy hit him. There must be more to it, but that at the moment was all he could recall.

"'Bout time you was a waking up, thought I hit you too hard last night, only way I could stop you though," the sheriff was saying standing on the other side of the bars. "You had enough money in your pockets for your fine, but I figured you better just stay here and sleep some of that whiskey off before I turned you lose."

About that time a small tornado hit the door yelling, "Sheriff I can't find my brother any where."

Adam and Joe were walking back to the hotel, "What do you think Pa will say when he sees you? Did you win? What started the fight? And dad blame it why didn't you take me with you?"

"SHUT UP"

Back in their room, Adam had washed up and was laying on the bed. "Joe, I am sorry I scared you by not being here, I just went down to talk to the men who had brought the stock into town. I am not real sure what happened."

"Well, I was purty scared when you weren't here, but I went down stairs and the desk guy said you went out last night. I looked up and down the streets. I saw a big guy, bigger than Pa or Hoss, and I ask him about you. He said I should go and ask the sheriff, so that is why I went there."

"What are you going to do about the money the sheriff took, how are you going to pay for the stock if you buy any?" Joe asked.

"The money in my pockets was my own, I left the ranch money up here with you, glad I did or that sheriff might have taken all of it, too. Have you had anything to eat?" he asked as he tried to sit up.

"Now that you mention it, no, but if you don't feel like going with me I can just go down stairs and get something, it will be ok," Joe was feeling sorry for Adam, the way he looked and he did remember how sick he had been the last time. "No, I can go with you, I need some coffee anyway." Adam answered.

After a pot of coffee and trying very hard not to watch his brother eat, Adam was still in pain and sick at his stomach. Joe's next question didn't help at all. "Adam, I ask you earlier, what do you think Pa is going to say?"

"Joe, as much as I don't want to know what he is going to say, that is how much I don't want to know what he's apt to do." Adam said as his face got a little greener.

"I'm sorry, what makes you think this time is worse than the last one, all he did was make you and Hoss stay on the ranch that time?" he didn't want to make his brother feel worse, he was just asking.

"I left you alone for one thing in a strange place, I got in a fight for a reason I can't remember, and worst of all I got put in jail. Does that answer your question?"

****

Pa would not sit still. Hoss had tired to hold him down all morning, "Pa it has only been two days since you fell, you need to rest."

"I can't just sit still Hoss, I can't help but feel something is not right. We need to get to your brothers and we need to do it now."

"You bust those stitches in your back, and walk to fast on that ankle and you can do more damage that you started with mister," the doctor added to the mix. "Just give it another day, I will check them again and let you know if it is healing right."

Frustrated Ben Cartwright gave in and settled down, but Hoss knew that would not last long. Once Pa got an idea in his head, he knew from past experience, there was no chance for anything to change it.

***

Joe had let Adam sleep most of the day, he could almost go and come as he pleased, Adam slept hard. But he made his little adventures away from the room short. About six, Adam stirred and sat up, Joe had just came back into the room, "Where you been?"

"Just down stairs watching the people." he answered.

"Well, I think we can go down for something to eat now, how about that little cafe on the corner we saw?" Adam asked.

"Sure, if you are up to it."

Adam got up and put his hat on, he looked in the mirror over the dresser, boy did he have a black eye. This was the first one in a long time, but it still felt the same. Down on the street they made their way to the cafe, went in and sat at a table near the back. "Did you ever have a black eye before?"

"Yeah, during the time we were in New Orleans, got into a fight with
another guy about my age over, ah, can't say I remember why that time either."

"Can't remember or won't tell me?"

"Really can't remember the reason, just we ended up swinging at each other, I caught him in the stomach and just as I came back up he got me right in the eye. Our Pa's broke it up, his holding him back and Pa holding my arms back, we were still trying to kick each other, don't remember why, but I sure was mad at him for some reason."

"What happened then?"

"I don't think you would have to ask, Pa took me home.....and you know."

"What?"

"Oh, for Pete's sake, Ma cleaned me up and made sure I was ok. Then it was Pa's turn, he ranted and raved for a eternity about fighting and losing my temper, said that temper would get me in more trouble as I got older if I didn't find some way to bank it. I guess he was right, reading is one way I found to get away from what is bothering me. It has saved me a bunch of times from going off half cocked. By the time I get through part of a book, I am usually cooler and thinking better, you know like Pa when he sends us to our room to give him time to cool off before he acts."

"Guess you and I get a lot of that from him, temper I mean?"

"Yep, and our mother's are a part of it too, Pa told me my ma had a temper that would fire up in a minute, Boston style, he called it. Calm on the outside and a rage of mad on the inside. Your ma on the other hand had that Cajun temper, inside and out when she was mad. Hoss' mom could get mad, you knew she had to be, but never showed it, bottled it up and just smiled, just like Hoss most of the time. I don't remember her ever acting out of anger."

"Did you have to apologize to that other boy back then?"

"Oh, yeah to him and his father. You see while we were fighting and they were trying to stop it, I kind of hit him in the nose, blood went everywhere."

"You hit the other Pa, wow."

"Wow, wasn't the only think I was saying by the time Pa got finished with me. He didn't have time to put his belt on when he came to stop the fight and he still didn't have it when we went to the shed out back. In the woodshed he found a old broken oar, and he used the paddle end on me. That is one licking I will never forget."

"You don't have to worry about that this time, Adam, your older and Pa doesn't have an oar," Joe said with a slight giggle. For some reason, Joe always like to remind Adam about his age, and make a joke out of something he had said when Adam was in trouble. But that didn't relieve Adam's mind, Pa kept saying "act like a kid and I will treat you like one" fighting for no reason was with out a doubt kid's stuff.

About that time they heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen, they were the only ones in the cafe, Adam told Joe to stay put and he went through the kitchen door to investigate.

The back door was open and there was a man lying on the floor, Adam moved over to him, "are you ok?" The man didn't move. Adam leaned over him to see if he was breathing, he wasn't. Oh, Lord. Adam was getting up when he felt a gun at his back, he stood very still and waited.

"Can't seem to stay out of trouble, can you youngster?" Adam recognized the voice of the sheriff.

"Looks like you wanted that money I took from you back real bad, let's turn around and go back into the cafe." They moved back inside, Joe jumped up and ran toward Adam.

"What is he doing?"

"Your brother is under arrest for robbery and murder, son, now move away from him and follow us to the jail," the sheriff ordered.

"My brother wouldn't do that, let him be, my Pa will not let you hurt him, you big dumb jackass!" Joe shouted as loud as he could.

"Why you little son of a gun, I ought tan your hide for talking to me like that, but I guess the town's newest orphan has a right to spout off, don't do it again though or I might get real mad."

Joe looked at him, they were almost at the jail, "What do you mean or-fin?"

As the sheriff put Adam in the cell he turned back to Joe, "you are here alone, your brother is fixin' to hang, guess that makes you an orphan. Now that I got him locked up, I guess we'd better go to the hotel and get your stuff. I will take you over to Fr. Ortiz, he can look out for you 'til we get things sorted out."

****

"I don't care what any of you say, I have got to get out of here and find your brothers! Now hand me my pants, Hoss, or take yours down!" That left little room for discussion, Hoss knew he had lost this battle.

When Pa starts to threatening to take hide it was time to obey. He got Pa's pants and helped him put them on, then his shirt. The doctor had looked at the ankle and the wound on Pa's back, you heal very nicely, sir, your back has sealed up and should be totally well by the end of the week. Your ankle is another story, but if you are bound to walk, at least do it with this crutch. Pa didn't want a crutch, but if it would hurry along the process of getting out of there he would take it.

Ben Cartwright paid the doctor, Hoss helped him on his horse, and off they went to Breaktown. Hoss would have preferred to wait until the next morning, but Pa was in a hurry. They could make camp in a few hours and then start out early again. Just so they were on the move, that was all Ben could think about.

***

Adam had tried to talk to the sheriff, but to no avail, he just would not listen. "I tell you I did not kill that man, or take his money."

"You have a great deal of money on you, and I took all you had earlier, explain that."

"I have told you several times, I am Adam Cartwright, my Pa, brothers and I own a ranch, The Ponderosa, near Eagle Station, we were on our way here for the auction when Pa got hurt, he sent me on to bid on some stock we might need. How many times must I repeat myself, the money is for the stock. The money you took from me was mine, the other is for the STOCK."

"Just have to tell the judge, maybe he will believe that story, maybe not."

"May I please see my bother, I need to talk to him, what have you done with him," Adam was concerned with how Little Joe was handling this, he knew his father would come looking for them, Joe need not worry about being an orphan very long, but right now "the baby" was still alone and even if Adam wouldn't say it they need each other."

"The little boy is ok, giving that priest a run for his money. If he don't settle down Fr. Ortiz will settle him down soon enough. He has been raising orphans for a long time, I understand he swings a mean strap, when it is needed."

Adam could not do anything, wished he had a book of some kind, anything to get his mind off of the trouble he was in and worrying about Little Joe. The sheriff had told him that the trial would be tomorrow afternoon about 3, when the circuit judge came to town. Nothing left to do but pray, and hope someone was listening to his prayers.

***

The next morning came, Joe ran into the jail, and straight into what arms Adam could put through the bars to hold him. "Are you ok," Adam asked.

"Yeah, after I told that priest no one can punish me but Pa, he locked me in a room. But this morning he said I could come see you. Guess he isn't all that bad. What about you, are you ok?"

Adam wanted to cry as he looked down in the eyes of his little bother. It was all he could do to hide the way he was feeling and not break down in front of Joe, but he couldn't afford to do that. Joe was scared enough, he had to be strong. "I'll be just fine, Pa will be here soon, I just know it, he can fix anything."

***

Hoss and Ben were up with the sun and ready to go, Hoss again put his father in the saddle as gently as he could. "Pa are you sure you should be doing this?"

"Hoss I just can't tell you why, but I know there is trouble and I have to get to your brothers as quickly as possible. Now lets ride."

They were riding into town about 1:30p and could see the whole town was stirring, something big was going on with out a doubt. "Hey, mister what's going on," Hoss asked a fellow passing by his horse.

"Big doings, gonna have a trial, and then hang that young Cartwright for murdering ol' Mister Marcus. Hang around for the fun, get it "hang around." The man though his joke was very funny, he was the only one laughing.

"Let's get over to the jail and see what is going on, Hoss, there has got to be a mistake somewhere and I am going to find out what it is, you hear me?"

"Yes sir, but, Pa, no matter what you find out, nobody is hanging my brother, and I mean nobody." Pa agreed.

Adam looked up as the door to the jail opened, suddenly his face was ten years old covered with tears as he tried to focus on his father's face.

"I didn't do it, Pa, I didn't do it. Please believe me, I didn't do it."

"I knew that before I walked in here son, but I am glad you said it." Pa answered.

Ben was still trying to get used to that blasted crutch. He moved on into the sheriff's office, and Hoss got a chair for him. "All right sheriff, what makes you think my son is guilty?"

The sheriff told Ben about finding Adam in the back of the kitchen with the murdered man, and how he had a lot of money on him. He also said that Adam was the only one in the kitchen when he got there and he saw no one else. Ben asked the sheriff if he had looked around for anyone else. But the sheriff held with the story that Adam was alone in the kitchen.

Hoss walked over to the cell where Adam was being held, "Got yourself in a peck of trouble this time, big brother, but don't you worry Pa and me will make things right--one way or another."

Adam smiled as best he could. "Hoss you need go an find Joe, the sheriff gave him to a priest at some church. Knowing Joe, the priest may need help. I, ah, oh, just go get him please."

"Sheriff, sir" Hoss said trying to sound polite, "while you are talking to my Pa, I would like to go find my little brother, where is he?"

"He is at the church at the end of the street, Fr. Ortiz has him, you can't miss it."

Hoss looked at Pa, and Ben nodded his approval for Hoss to go an get Joe.

"HOSS!" Joe yelled, "I am so glad to see you, I told you my brother and Pa would be here to get me, let's go Hoss."

"Wait a minute, Joe, I think you are forgetting something."

"Like what?"

"Like your manners, Pa would swat your backside, think Joe."

"Oh, ok, sorry sir, I know I must have been a pain, but thanks for letting me stay here. It is a nice place, but I have folks, and I need to be with them."

"Your welcome Joseph, Fr. Ortiz answered smiling, if you get the chance ask your Pa to come by before you leave town, I would like to meet him."

"Ok", Joe shot back over his shoulder as he and Hoss headed back to the jail.

Pa was outside the jail waiting for them when they got back. He told them both the story from Adam's and the Sheriff's point of view. Little Joe told Pa his side of the story too, how they were just sitting there eating when they heard the noise in the kitchen, "that man that was killed, he was very nice to us, gave me a big piece of pecan pie, and let me look at his watch, it was a fancy one Pa, gold and a braided fob on it. He said the fob was made from three clippings of hair, each from his wife and two daughters, it was real purdy.

***

They just had enough time to get to the saloon where the trial was being held. The trial didn't take long, the jury didn't even leave the room.

GUILTY!

The judge ordered the hanging for ten o'clock the next day. The three Cartwrights checked in to the hotel, Pa needed to get off of his leg and rest. "What are we going to do?" Joe asked Hoss.

"I don't know just yet, but I know one thing for dad blame sure Adam is NOT going to hang, if I have to break him out of that jail and take that sheriff apart doing it."

"Hoss, I will hear no more of that kind of talk, I agree we will do something, but violence will be the last thing, and we will hurt no one, understand me, no one." Pa said in a low but very firm voice.

Pa and Hoss took the bed to try to get a little sleep, Joe laid down on the small couch that was against the wall. They had to take a different room than the one he and Adam had, it was larger and had the couch for him. The longer he lay there the more he tossed, finally he got up and picked up his boots and made his way to the door. Hoss always slept hard, and Pa was still recuperating so he was sleeping sounder than usual. Out the door he went.

He went first over to the jail, but the sheriff chased him off and didn't let him talk to Adam. He moved back to the back window and made enough noise for Adam to come to see. "Joe, is that you?"

"Yeah, big brother, it's me. Who would you think was back here, your girlfriend Molly, or is it Rachel this week?"

"Never you mind who it is, Adam was smiling for the first time today, Joe could do that to a person even when they didn't feel like it. Where is Pa,does he know you are out here?"

"Nope, but I couldn't sleep, Adam, Hoss says no way in hell you are going to be hung. We will not let that happen."

"I'll bet he didn't say "hell" now did he? You keep talking like that and you are going to find yourself on the wrong end of Pa's belt."

"Maybe so, but I would take a licking everyday if it could get you out of here. Pa isn't saying much, don't know what is going on in his head."

"You better get back to the hotel before he misses you and you might just get to start on those lickings early. I will be ok."

"You promise."

"Yeah, I promise."

Joe took off back toward the hotel, but he had to pass by the saloon. As he went by the same young girl who had befriended Adam was near the door.

She motioned for him to come over to the swinging doors. "Real sorry about your brother, he was nice to me and a gentleman, don't meet many of those in my line of work. Your Pa taking it hard?"

"Yeah, but it will be ok, Adam promised and Pa isn't one to quit on one of his sons."

That said Joe started to leave, but one of the cowboys who had brought in some of Mr. Thacker's stock started out the door at the same time, he bumped into Little Joe and fell backward, he was a little drunk. That is when Little Joe saw it. It was in his pocket, the watch with the unusual fob.

Joe decided quickly not to say anything, the man could just get rid of the watch and no one would believe him. He had to figure out what to do and when, it wasn't going to be easy.

Joe managed to get back in the room without getting caught, he thought.

"Where have you been?"

"I needed to talk to Adam, he told Pa, and make sure he was ok."

"That is well and good son, but this is not Eagle Station, you could have gotten hurt out there, don't do it again. I have enough to think about with Adam, don't make me have to worry about you, too."

"I'm sorry, but I need to tell you something important."

"Not now get some sleep it will be daylight soon and we have to be rested."

"But Pa, it is important!"

"JOSEPH, to bed!"

Joe went over and got on the couch, Pa was in pain with his injuries and being ripped apart inside over Adam, now was not the time to make him more angry. He could wait for a little while and figure out what to do next.

The next morning they got up, dressed, and headed for the jail. Ben had stopped first at the desk to see what room the judge was in, "Oh, he left right after the trial, had to be on his way," the desk clerk told him. No help there.

The sheriff wasn't any more help, he had his man and he wasn't about to admit he might be wrong. Joe had started to tell Pa what had happened last night, but he realized he didn't know where to find the man or even his name. All he knew was that he had the watch. How could he prove it to Pa, let alone that sheriff.

Time was the enemy, and soon it was nine o'clock, Ben was looking for Hoss, but he was no where to be found. I bet he is heading to the jail, Ben thought. Adam had always protected Hoss, even when they were little now it was Hoss' turn.

Hoss was about three and Adam, seven, when they stopped in a small town near the Mississippi River. It was nearly a year before Pa was to met Marie. Hoss had wonder off from Pa and he was frantic. Adam went off on his own to find him. Later he came back draggin' Hoss by the arm, not an easy task even at three. Pa snatched him up and hugged him, but he was just about to flip him over and do damage to his bottom when Adam interceded. "Pa, the seven year old reasoned, I was supposed to keep an eye on him it is my fault, and second they way he is growing, soon he will be as big as you and he might remember and get mad."

Pa looked down at Adam, "so you want to take his paddling is that what you are saying?"

"If I have to." Adam answered.

Pa just smiled, put Hoss down and made him look at what he was going to do. With Hoss' attention focused, he turned Adam around and gave him a swat, but not a very hard one, "you wonder off again and that will be you next time young man."

"Ok, Pa" Hoss answered. Adam relaxed.

Hoss must be going to try to help Adam.

Hoss got up to the jail, walked in and in his most grownup way demanded to see Adam. "Go ahead, but not long, we have a hanging to attend to." Hoss wasn't sure what he was going to do, he stood in front of Adam. "We have tried all we can think of so far, brother, I know of only one thing left."

Just then three men came from the side of the room, blind sided Hoss and pushed him in the open cell door next to Adam. "Sorry, son, but I kind of though you might try something. This will insure you won't get hurt and I don't think your Pa is in any shape to break you both out, course that little one might just give it a try, scrappy little cuss."

By the time Ben found out what had happened to Hoss, the sheriff and his deputy was walking Adam out of the jail toward the place they were going to hang him. Ben's rage surfaced and he started for the sheriff, but several men caught hold of him and tied his hands behind him. The cut on his back and the ankle didn't help, it made it easier for them to get control of him.

Suddenly one of the men who had grabbed Pa fell back, Pa had butted him in the stomach with his head, still trying to break free. Joe looked at the man, IT WAS HIM. Joe jumped in the middle of him pounding him for all he was worth. The crowd parted and let the sheriff come over to the middle of the trouble. The sheriff pulled his gun and shot it off in the air. Everyone froze except Little Joe he just kept hitting the man while he sat on his chest. The sheriff caught him by the waist and pulled him off. "What the sam hill are you doing boy!"

"He did it, he did it, he did it, Joe kept yelling."

"Did what?"

"He robbed the cafe and killed that man!"

By that time the deputy had moved Adam over to where the story was unfolding. Pa had stopped fighting and was watching his baby with all the instincts of a mother wildcat.

"What are you saying Little Joe," Pa said.

"You little liar, get away from me before I hurt you bad," these were the first words the man said sitting up on the ground, "what did I ever do to you?"

"He did it Pa, and I can prove it, too."

"Now might be a good time to show us that proof," the sheriff said.

"Look in his pocket, he has the man's watch, just look if you don't believe me."

The man's hand suddenly went for the pocket on his vest, he jumped up and tried to run, but the crowd closed in and stopped him. The sheriff went over and pulled the watch from his pocket. That Marcus' watch all right, no one else has a fob like that one in this world.

"Take him over to the jail, turn that kid lose over there, and for pete sake untie him, he said pointing to Pa, the other one too." Adam was loose and holding on to Pa with all the strength he had left in him. Joe came running up and grabbed them both, Hoss was the last to make it over to the family hug, but his threw his big arms around them as far as they would go.

***

Funny thing was in all the excitement over the hanging, no one ever got around to having the auction. The next morning, after they had all spent the night at the hotel, Adam and Hoss got to go look at the stock and buy a young bull that would be delivered to the Ponderosa in a few days.

That evening they sat in the hotel dining room just the four of them enjoying the peace of the evening. "We will be heading home tomorrow, Pa told them, and I can't say I am sorry to go."

"Me either, Adam agreed, and I don't think I will want to go anywhere soon."

"That is a good thing son, because you won't be." Adam looked at his father and then at Joe, Joe just shook his head, he didn't know what Pa was talking about either.

About that time Fr. Ortiz came over to the table. "Mr. Cartwright? I am the priest your son stayed with for a little while. Oh, no, Joe thought he is going to tell him how I kicked him in the shin when I ran off to see Adam. "I just wanted to tell you how much I admire the way you have raised your sons. They are full of love for each other, and respectful of others even in the most trying of times. You should be proud." Pa caught the relieved look on Joe's face but said nothing, just stored it for future discussion.

"Thank you, Father, I can't take all the credit God has been in there when I couldn't be on more than one occasion. I know they are a handful, but I wouldn't trade anyone of them, and yes I am proud of them." With that the priest said good night and left the table.

Adam was almost afraid of bringing up the subject again, but he had to know, "Pa what were you talking about before the priest walked up, about me and the ranch?"

"Oh, yes, you see I had a long talk with the sheriff about you, and I understand you were in his jail more than once on this trip that black eye proves that, correct?" Adam almost choked on the water he was drinking. "And I think you should stick to water for a while, don't you? You can think about that when we get home, while you remain at the ranch house for the next four weeks."

"FOUR WEEKS AGAIN!"

"I could make it six?"

Adam wanted off this subject a quick as possible, "Joe in case I haven't said it enough, thank you, you saved my life today." Joe's chest puffed up as big as it had every been. "Your welcome." he said, "couldn't let them hang you and mess up the pleasure of seeing you try to talk your way out of trouble with Pa, now could I."

"That will be enough young man, remember we have a few things to discuss when we get home too, like disrespect I think the words were "big dumb jackass", and disobedience, sneaking out of the hotel room in a strange town, not to mention what ever you did to that priest. You won't be traveling much either."

"Ha, talk your way out of that little brother," Adam said and stuck his tongue out at Joe. Hoss was having a hard time keeping control of himself without just bursting out laughing and getting himself in trouble. He didn't want Pa to remember he tried to break Adam out of jail either, so he just concentrated on his dessert.

"Adam, act your age, Pa told him, by the way I seem to remember something about treating you like a child if you acted like one. You both may have to come up was a good reason for not taking a trip to the woodshed ."

Adam and Joe weren't too interested in their desserts after that last comment. Hoss got the pleasure of all the pie he wanted.

Ben knew he would not be tanning either of his sons on their return after all they had been through a lot on this trip. He might just this once even reduce Adam's sentence of four weeks, maybe. And after all Joe was a hero of sorts, couldn't tan a hero. BUT, it would give them something to think about on the ride home.

No sight was more beautiful than the ranch as they top the hill looking down. Adam sighed as he looked down it was a sight he thought he might never see again. If Pa has his way he would be looking at it very close for some time to come. He and Little Joe.

Once again as they were stopped on the hill Pa looked up and gave thanks, he had his sons all three of them close by and he had the Ponderosa what more could a man want in life?

THE END