I am an Adam fan… But even I find the room to poke fun at some things….
Written by me and my sister. Two of the biggest fans Bonanza ever had.
The truth behind unexplained Adam mess-ups
Number one: My brother's keeper. In this episode, Joe is shot by Adam in a way which makes no since whatsoever, this retelling hopes to clear that up.
Adam and Joe were going hunting, again. It seemed to Adam that each time he got home from a visit to Carson City and wanted some time to recuperate, Pa would suggest a hunting trip. Under normal circumstances, Adam would not be bothered so much, but now a hunting trip was out of the question. The reason? Adam was going blind.
It had all started slowly, a bit at a time… Not being able to make out words half way across the room… Mistaking Roy Coffee for Pa.. but that had all too soon escalated into, not being able to read small print at all… And if at all it seems possible, mistaking Hoss for Joe.
He got on though, keeping it a secret from the rest of the family. No need to let them know… Things would only get worse. He would become the center of things… fussed over and pitied, and that was the last wish Adam Cartwright had.
The two brothers stopped their horses. Over trial and error, Adam had learned to tell when the others halted their steed by sound. The hoof beats would die out suddenly and usually someone would say, "let's stop here." or "I think I saw him go this way." Very helpful.
Now Joe spoke up, "I think I saw that wolf turn over here, Adam. Wait here, I'll go try to flush him from behind those rocks." The younger son dismounted. "Shoot him when I get him out."
Adam took out his rifle. He knew he couldn't do it, the way his eyes were now he couldn't shoot the broad side of a barn. Roughly, he squinted across the plan, searching for something that resembled boulders. A large gray mass stood not fifteen feet away, boulders. Something brown came out from around the rocks. Adam narrowed his eyes, it appeared wolf like, large and narrow. But maybe-
"What are you just standing there for, Adam? Let him have it!" Joe's voice spit though the air.
Adam raised the rifle to his eyes, put the brown shape into the cross hairs, and fired. With a soft moan, Joe's body fell to the earth.
Adam let (Him) have it. "Darn it!" The older brother swore. Oh well, so much for Joe, he'd be more careful with Hoss.
