PART THREE

Adam was awake before dawn. He'd already been in the saddle for an hour by

the time the sun peaked over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe

glistened in the distance through the majestic pines. His goal - to round up

as many strays as he could. His quest to prove himself had begun.

He was surprised at how he felt. He'd never been one to hold a grudge but

this time was different. Ben was different. It saddened him. He wondered if

their relationship could ever be repaired. Yes, they were father and son,

but they were men too - men with strong convictions.

Adam had traveled for several miles when he came across a small herd of

Ponderosa cattle. He circled around them skillfully and they respected his

expertise. He calmly and slowly got them moving back toward base camp. There

were about twenty-five head, nothing he couldn't handle on his own. His

father had taught him everything he knew about wrangling. He'd been driving

cattle since he was knee high to a grasshopper. It was second nature to him.

 Sport was a veteran too. He knew what to do. But, when a coyote sprang out

of its den to protect its pups, the horse spooked and the cattle Adam had so

carefully round up scattered in every direction. Sport turn tailed and was

in a full gallop before Adam knew what had happened. It didn't take long for

him to gain control but just as he did he was knocked out of the saddle by a

low hanging branch. He fell hard and was winded. He lay on the ground

gasping for breath. Once his lungs filled back up again he took several

moments to sit up and assess the situation. The situation was that Sport was

nowhere in sight and neither were the cattle.

"Damn." Adam seethed out loud as he grabbed a fistful of dirt and threw it.

"This just isn't my week."

He stood unsteadily and brushed the dust off his clothes with his hat and

made sure nothing was broken. Nothing was, but he did feel the warm wetness

of blood. It trickled down his arm from his left shoulder. It wasn't

anything major - just a scratch. He blotted it with his bandana and set out

to find his trusty steed.

By high noon he'd found Sport grazing peacefully under the shade of a tree.

Sport didn't look any worse for wear either. As Adam walked closer to his

horse, Sport looked over at him as if to say "Where have you been?"

"Easy boy." Adam said with a cool, smooth voice. "Easy."

He managed to gather up the reins without incident, mounted up and set out

once more to round up the cattle he'd gathered that morning. It took several

more hours but he did get them all back as well as several others. By supper

he'd have them back at camp. Not a bad days work considering.

As Adam drove the stray herd the final mile, he could smell supper cooking.

He was hungry but wasn't looking forward to another night of being outcast

whether it was his idea or not. His stomach grew tighter and tighter as he

drew closer and closer to camp.

"Hey Adam!" Little Joe shouted to greet his brother at the temporary corral

gate. "Looks like you out did all of us put together. How many?"

"Thirty-two." Adam smirked, relieved that at least one member of his family

was happy to see him.

Little Joe closed the gate after Adam had driven the cows into the pen and

then Adam dismounted. Every one of his muscles ached. Every bone seemed to

grind and creek. He limped ever so slightly just like every honest cowboy

should and passed Sport's reins off to his little brother.

"How about bedding him down for me."

"Sure thing. Why don't you go get some grub. You're the last one in."

"Am I, am I?" Adam commented gleefully.

Surely his father couldn't fault him for this day's work.

"Thirty-two head huh." Little Joe gushed, "if that doesn't get you into Pa's

good books I don't know what will."

"Let's hope so."

It was the other side of twilight and getting cold. Adam wore his coat and

chaps and pulled off his gloves as he got closer to the center of camp. He

walked up to the cook's wagon wearily. If he had to take one more step to

get there he might not have made it.

"What's in the pot?" Adam asked Troy the cook.

"Chicken stew." He answered as he threw several ladles of food onto a plate.

He handed Adam a cup of coffee as well.

Adam thanked Troy and made his way to the fire to eat and heat up. Hoss and

Ben sat there finishing a desert of apple crumble.

"Pa. That new cook Troy is the best." Hoss complimented. "Don't tell Hop

Sing I said so though."

"I won't son. Don't worry, I won't."

"Well, look whose back." Hoss welcomed with a wide smile. "How many'd ya

git?"

"Thirty-two." Adam boasted gently as he took a seat beside his large,

younger brother.

"Thirty-two! Did ya hear that Pa?" Hoss said boisterously as he gave Adam a

slap on the back that made him wince. "That's quite a haul for one day."

Ben grunted not willing to give Adam his due even though he deserved it.

"Yeah. And they weren't easy to get either." Adam added.

"Oh. Whey's that?"

"Darn horse spooked and ran me into a limb." Adam explained as he wolfed

down the stew pleasurably.

Ben couldn't help but give his oldest boy the once over to make sure he was

all right. He was still angry with him, but he couldn't disguise his

fatherly concern.

"You alright?" Hoss asked.

"Just banged up my shoulder a little. Nothing to worry about."

"Let me look at it."

"I said it's okay Hoss."

Adam went back to Troy for another helping of stew and a refill of coffee.

When he returned to the fire pit Little Joe had joined the rest of his

family.

"Adam round up thirty-two head today Pa. Did you hear that? That's gotta be

some kind of record."

"Yes. I heard." Ben grumbled seemingly unable to be proud.

Adam just smiled at Joe's exuberance.

"I didn't appreciate you leaving this morning without telling us where you

were going." Ben complained.

"Oh. Sorry Pa." Adam said still focused on his food. "I just wanted to get a

head start that's all."

"It was tough giving out assignments."

"Sorry." Adam said curtly.

"From now on, don't leave this camp without checking with me first." Ben

ordered.

"Without checking with you." Adam dropped his fork onto the plate. "What do

you mean Pa?"

"I mean I can't be wasting time figuring out what areas have been covered if

I don't know where all my men are at any one time."

"One of your men?" Adam exclaimed aghast.

"YES! One of my men."

"Pa. I am NOT one of your men. I'm your son!"

"Then act like my son and do as I ask."

Adam didn't know what to say. Even if he did, he'd be afraid of what it

might be. He could feel his ears burning with pulsing blood - his anger

rising so rapidly it made his eyes water. He placed his half-eaten dinner on

the bench and stood. He sighed heavily and escaped the scene before anymore

damage could be done.

"Being a little hard on him, ain't ya Pa?" Hoss said guardedly, after

several moments of uneasiness.

"I don't think so. Is it too much to ask that he tell me where he's going?"

"I guess not. But. Thirty-two head? That's more than all of us brought in

today all together."

"I can't have my hands operating on their own schedules and with there own

agendas."

"Pa. You know Adam ain't got no agenda. He's just doing his job. And a darn

good one too, if you ask me." Hoss proclaimed as he scrapped the remainder

of his dessert from the bottom of his dish.

Little Joe sipped his coffee and steered clear of the conversation.

"Hoss. Adam's got to work within the confines of a plan. It's better that

way... for everyone concerned. It's just good business."

"But, Pa. He was just trying to show you that he's working hard. Can't you

see it's his way of saying he's sorry."

"Maybe so." Ben grumbled.

"Just take it easy on him. He's doing his best. All of us are."

Hoss left the circle and Ben soon retired as well, leaving Joe alone.

++++++

Adam dutifully appeared at the briefing the next morning to receive his

official assignment. And, he would the next day and the day after that. He

went out everyday and consistently brought in more than his share of beef.

He made sure his father knew exactly what territory he would cover and for

how long. When the others stopped for a break or a mid-day meal, Adam

continued to work. He didn't want to provide his father with any fuel. He

would be the perfect son - the best cowboy.

Within several weeks, the entire herd had been gathered and were ready to

drive to Stockton. Adam had been early to bed and early to rise. He hadn't

eaten much since his last set-to with his father. His appetite seemed to

vanish anyway. Nothing could fill the emptiness he felt.

The Cartwright feud continued but with less intensity. Adam was civil to Ben

and Ben was civil right back, but that was as far as either would go. When

the drive was complete and they got back home, they'd settle it either way.

Adam would evaluate is future then. That was the sensible thing to do and if

Adam had one admirable quality it was plain common sense. But, that too

seemed to be over ridden by his pride. It was a self-driving force that

seemed to blind him. 

But the conflict between father and son was not the only thing that

festered. Adam's injured shoulder had gotten worse and was beginning to

hinder his performance. But, he wasn't about to let it stop his incessant

workflow. His honor was at stake and he wasn't about to give in to a little

pain.

With Ben at its head, the drive moved on from their base camp high in the

foothills onward to Stockton. Eight cowhands, one cook and meal wagon and

three Cartwright sons, began to move over four hundred head of cattle. It

would be slow going and two long weeks of cold winds, grit and dust. But for

Adam, it would become a downward spiral into hell - a gut wrenching

challenge just to survive.

 PART FOUR

"Now THAT, was one long day." Hoss exhaled as he joined Little Joe and

several of the hands.

The men had settled the herd and tended to their horses. All the chores were

done for the day and they'd eaten a hearty supper. Troy the cook had outdone

himself tonight - roast beef, potatoes, beans and cornbread. Every man was

satisfied and happy. Now they were gathered around a card game with Joe

smack dap in the middle. There wasn't much in the way of entertainment on

the trail and this was the closest thing to socializing. They had five weeks

under their belts with one to go... at least - that was the plan.

Hoss stretched out on his bedroll and was on his third helping of cherry pie

when he noticed his older brother coming towards him. He thought Adam was

going to join them as well, but he just walked passed. He didn't even seem

to notice that anyone was there.

"Hey! Adam! Why don't ya come on over and set a while."

"Huh. No thanks. I'm a... I'm going to bed." He answered vacantly.

"Adam? You alright?" Hoss asked, sensing strain in his brother's voice.

But, Adam did not respond. Hoss watched him until he was engulfed by the

darkness. He was worried about him. Adam had been distant the last few days.

The rift between he and Ben had mellowed somewhat. But, Adam seemed to be in

a daze. Hoss decided he'd keep an eye on him for the rest of the trip.

++++++

The pressure in Adam's shoulder was intense. He laid in the fetal position

with his hand firmly clutching his left arm at the elbow. He rocked slowly

back and forth hoping it might distract him. Infection had invaded his body

like a swarm of ants on a carcass.

Adam's teeth chattered and he lapsed in and out of consciousness. His body

quacked, erupting in feverous chills. He was too sick and in too much pain

to realize just how much trouble he was really in. He could hear the crew

laughing and talking somewhere in the distance but they sounded like they

were underwater.  It was almost musical. Delirium had taken over every fiber

of his being.

"I'm going to check on Adam." Hoss announced as the circle of friends

dispersed for the night.

"Why?" Joe questioned.

"Something ain't right."

"Ah. Leave him alone." The younger Cartwright dismissed. "He's fine."

Hoss considered Joe's comment but thought better of it.

"Nope. I'm gonna check on him."

"Alright. But watch you don't get your head bitten off. He and Pa are

moodier than mother bears lately."

Hoss had already started over to where Adam was. As he got closer to him he

could hear noises that he didn't quite recognize. He thought it might be a

wounded animal or a bird in distress. It was the sound of helplessness. When

Hoss finally reached his brother, Adam was writhing.

"Pa?" Adam whimpered. "Pa?"

Hoss knelt beside Adam and placed his hand on his left shoulder and was

startled by his yelp of agony.

"Adam. You okay?" Hoss asked with concern. "Adam?"

But, he could not hear him. He'd transfigured to another plane. But, was it

heaven or hell? Hoss gently rolled Adam onto his back and only then could he

see how sick his brother was. Sweat covered his ghostly face. His chest rose

and fell rapidly, sucking in air like it was priceless.

"PA!" Hoss yelled out. "Pa! It's Adam!"

Little Joe was the first to respond to Hoss' alarm. He too knelt to comfort

Adam. Ben had been fast asleep but was at his son's side within moments as

well.

"What is it Hoss?" He asked.

"Adam's sick as a dog Pa. Look at him. He's sweating like a race horse."

Ben felt his son's forehead.

"What do you suppose it is?" Little Joe asked.

"Well, I don't know."

"Pa?" Adam tried again.

"Easy boy. I'm here."

"When I touched his shoulder he just about jumped out of his skin." Hoss

commented.

"Well, let's take a look."

Removing Adam's coat and shirt caused more discomfort. He conversed

incoherently as his family and several other hands tried to diagnose the

problem. It didn't take much to realize that the scratch Adam received

several weeks earlier had blossomed into an injury as dangerous as a gunshot

wound. His arm right down to the tips of his fingers had swelled. His skin

seem stretched to the breaking point.

"I knew I shoulda looked at that when it happened." Hoss hissed. "What was

Adam thinking Pa? He knows you have to tend to this kinda stuff out here."

"I know what he was thinking. I know exactly what he was thinking." Ben said

shaking his head. "Damned pride."

"What are you talking about Pa?"

"ME! Me and Adam and this silly disagreement. He promised me he'd get this

herd to market no matter what. He didn't want anything to get in his way...

don't you see."

"But, that's crazy. He couldn't help what happened. It was an accident."

"I've been a fool." Ben hissed.

"You've both been fools if you ask me." Hoss remarked.

"I've put the goodwill of my children over the running of this ranch. Get me

some more blanket's will you Joe?" Ben asked as he lifted Adam's head and

spilled water into his mouth.

"Sure thing Pa."

"Well, what are we going to do?" Hoss queried.

"I'm taking him home."

"Home? That's a day away."

"What choice do we have?"

Hoss thought a moment but he had no other ideas. Joe arrived back at the

scene and threw several more blankets over his brother. Adam was on the edge

of death - that poison was surging through his body. His Pa knew it. He knew

that Adam's arm could probably not be spared. But, he would save his life.

He wasn't about to lose a son. That would be inconsolable.

"What have I done?" Ben chided; scolding himself for being so bull headed.

"Come on Pa. Let's get Adam to a doctor." Hoss ordered. "It's nobodies fault

and even if it was, there's no time to fret about it."

Hoss pushed everybody out of the way and squatted beside Adam. He pulled the

blankets off him and cupped his right hand under his knees and gingerly

placed his left arm under Adam's torso. He picked up his brother as easily

as lifting a bail of hay. Adam's head rested on Hoss' shoulder then fell

back, too weak to hold it there.

"We'll have to use the wagon." Hoss said as he headed towards it.

Troy had already started unloading his kitchen on wheels and prepared a bed

inside for Adam to lay on. Time was of the essence now. It had all gone too

far.

 EPILOGUE

Ben instructed his foreman to continue with the drive. He sent Joe on ahead

to Virginia City for Doc Martin. He would be there when Hoss and Ben arrived

back at the ranch house with Adam. It would be an excruciating ride over two

full days but they finally reached home.

Within a week the infection was under control but only due to a bedside

vigil by all members of the family. Adam needed constant care. Ben

especially worked to keep the wound clean and drained and was the main

factor in preventing amputation. The doctor too worked incessantly to save

Adam's arm. In the end they were successful but it would be a long time

before he'd get full use of it.

Finally, Adam's fever broke. He was unaware of all the fuss. He was in

another world. When he opened his eyes for the first time, he found himself

safe in his own room and Ben at his side. He'd fallen asleep and laid his

head on his folded arms on the edge of Adam's bed. The sun was just coming

up.

"Pa?" Adam whispered - his throat as dry as gravel.

Ben awoke and raised his head slowly. He looked squarely at his son and

smiled gratefully.

"You're alright son." He said softly.

"I'm sorry Pa."

"No Adam. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. I don't know what

got into me boy. I... I just..."

"I guess we both need to set our priorities straight huh."

"Yes. I guess we do."

"Pa?"

"Yes Adam?"

"Did we get the herd to Stockton?"

"I thought you said we had to prioritize things."

"It's still important isn't it?"

"Well, you're brothers and I brought you home but yes, the beef got

delivered."

"Good." Adam replied simply.

"You go back to sleep now." Ben said as he gently patted Adam's hand.

"You've had quite a week."

"Do you forgive me Pa?"

"Of course I do son. But, there's really nothing to forgive. We were both

wrong and we were both right. It seems we are too much alike. Too proud to

admit we're wrong and too involved in our promises."

"A chip off the old block." Adam murmured.

"More like a chip off the old block head." Ben chuckled.

Adam reached over to touch his arm. He sighed - relieved that it was still

there.

"I thought... well, I thought..."

"We saved your arm son." Ben assured. "We almost didn't."

"How can I thank you?" Adam asked with flooded eyes.

"Thank me... well just promise me one thing."

"What's that Pa?"

"We can't let pride cloud our judgements again... ever. The price is too

high."

"I'll try not to."

"And so will I." Ben pulled the covers up over Adam's shoulders just like he

had when Adam was boy. "Now go to sleep. Rest will make you strong. Then I

can put you back to work!"

"Pa!"

"Don't worry, I'm just pulling you're leg. I've learned my lesson... the

hard way."

"So have I Pa. So have I."

THE END