Hoss studied the sky again, for the fifth time that morning. He had a bad feeling about the looming clouds. He was certain there was going to be another snowstorm, and soon. As he urged Chubb along the bluff, he decided to collect his brothers, strike camp and head back for the lower country.
Adam, Joe and himself had been up high in the Sierras for several days, tracking a pair of cougars that had been attacking the main herd. It was a bad winter, and although Hoss felt regretful for the cats having nothing to eat, it was his job as a rancher not to allow them to take good stock.
So far, the cougars had eluded them, luring Hoss and his brothers further into the high mountain country than they were usually willing to go at this time of the year.
The weather had held out, but some of the snow was so deep, they couldn't travel through it very easily. The horses were struggling, and the three of them were finding it tough going in the freezing conditions.
Now, to top it all off, there appeared to be a big snowstorm on the way. Hoss fired a shot from his rifle to alert his brothers. They had lost the cougar trail in the rocks the previous afternoon, anyway. It was time to head for home.
Several minutes later, Little Joe rode up towards Hoss from the South. Cochise was going slow, picking her way carefully through the deep snow. Joe raised his hand to acknowledge his older brother.
"Hey, Hoss. You didn't get one of 'em, did ya?"
"Nah, I figure they're just too plumb smart for us. We'd better be gettin' back down off this mountain though, big storm coming."
Joe looked up at the sky himself, also wise in the signs of winter. "I think your right. We'll have to get 'em another time."
The two brothers continued on toward camp. They spoke little, enjoying the beautiful white surroundings. Hoss wondered if Adam was still going to be in the foul temper he'd unleashed that morning.
Over the winter months, they'd all been cooped up together for far too long. There had been little opportunity for the three of them to spend time apart and they were all finding it just as difficult on this trip.
Adam had been particularly annoyed this morning because Joe had used his tin cup. If fact they'd almost had a full on brawl over it. Living in such close quarters for months on end was wearing thin.
Even he and Joe had been on each other's nerves. Joe was annoyed with Hoss because he always took control of the tracking, where he thought himself just as capable. All the petty bickering between his two siblings jaded Hoss, so he too had been uncharacteristically grumpy.
As they arrived at the makeshift camp, Hoss surveyed the scene for signs of his brother. He wasn't back yet so he let off another shot to signal him just in case he hadn't heard the first.
"Come on Hoss, lets start to pack up." Joe got off his horse and set to work.
"Yeah, I guess we better. But don't you touch any of his things, or we'll have a war on our hands!"
Both brothers chuckled as the object of their mirth rode into camp. Adam's face wore a thunderous expression, alerting them to the fact he was still angry with them.
"What's going on?" Adam questioned in a monotone voice as he dismounted from Sport.
"Storm's comin' in so we're packing up and going home. Here, I believe these are yours." Joe shoved a tin plate and cup at his brother.
"Ah, finally you acknowledge that!" Adam waited for Joe's sarcastic retort, but Hoss stepped in before it could go any further.
"You two have had your fun today. Come on, we gotta get moving or you're going to be frozen together up here."
"Hmph!" Adam replied and turned to pack his saddlebag.
"He started it Hoss, anyway." Joe just had to squeeze that in.
"If you stuck to using your own equipment, we'd all be better off," came Adam's quick retort.
"That's it! I've had it with you two. It was probably your bickering that scared off them two cougars anyhow. I ain't never goin' hunting with you two again, that's for dang sure!"
Hoss's face turned red with the outburst and both Joe and Adam stared at him with surprise.
"Arguing over a stupid tin cup, and you Joe, yesterday drinking all the coffee then eating them biscuits you hid from us."
"Ah, Ha! The truth comes out. Big brother, you're just mad 'cause you didn't get the last helping of something."
"I ought to wrestle you here, right now, Joe. You done that to me last time we was out here, too."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay, boys. Let's call a truce," Adam said. "It's quite obvious that none of us is getting along out here, but we still have to put up with each other until we get home."
He looked overhead and frowned. "Hoss is right, we have to leave soon. I hadn't realized how much the weather was closing in. Looks like heavy snow coming, so let's get going. You can finish this at home." He said it in the commanding voice he used to get results from the men and his brothers, but Joe was still sore.
"Why do you have to be in charge all the time?"
"Joe!" Adam gave him the stare. Reluctantly, Joe shut his mouth and continued to pack. His utensils crashed noisily into his saddlebags as he went. All three men completed the task of striking camp in stony silence.
When it was time to ride out, Joe obstinately went in front, much to Hoss's annoyance. Joe didn't know this area like he did, so he decided to let Joe get himself lost. He deserved it anyhow.
It would be fun to allow him to roam around aimlessly for a while, valiantly tying to make out he still knew where he was. Then he, Hoss, would save the day and get them back on track. Adam didn't seem to be paying any attention to where they were going. He just followed along in reticence.
As Hoss predicted, an hour later Joe was completely lost and leading them in a circle. Hoss had to stop himself from bursting into laughter, covering it up by pretending to cough.
He could tell Joe was getting ansy, but there was no way he was going to admit to his brothers that he didn't know where they were. So he continued to lead them astray. Adam was still taking no notice. He never worried much when he was out with Hoss because he never got lost. He just stewed in the back, probably thinking about being back at the warm house, reading a book in blissful peace.
Just as Hoss was about to correct Joe's navigation, they rounded a rocky outcrop and started up a steep incline. The snow was very thick, almost coming up to the horse's withers.
"Woah, Little Joe, we can't go this way. The horses can barely walk. 'Sides, we're kinda off course for goin' home." Hoss waited for the reply.
"'Course I know that, Hoss," he bluffed. "I was just having a last look for those big cats. You never know."
Joe stopped and tried to turn Cochise, but as he did, the horse stumbled in the difficult conditions and flipped over on her back. Joe went tumbling out of the saddle and rolled down the slope about thirty feet. Cochise scrambled to her feet, shook off a dusting of snow and stamped skittishly. Adam smirked as he captured her reins, while Hoss went to check on Joe. He wasn't concerned for him hurting himself, as the snow was so soft and thick.
Leaving Chubby with Adam, Hoss picked his way down to where Joe was sprawled.
"Hey Hoss, that was fun." The boy that was still present in Little Joe on many occasions came out, as he shook the cold, powdery substance from his hair and clothes.
"Maybe that'll teach you baby brother." Hoss laughed with pleasure. "Getting us lost up here and not admitting it. Lucky I know exactly where we are."
"I'm not lost. You hear Adam complaining?"
Hoss just grunted, suddenly annoyed at Joe again and hauled him up by the collar.
"I'm getting sick of you're cheek boy." Hoss dragged Joe along with him protesting all the way.
"I'm sick of being treated like a little kid by you. I deserve better."
"Yeah, yeah." As they clambered back up the steep slope, Joe saw his opportunity. He leaned back as far as he could and pulled with all his might. Hoss, not expecting that, tumbled backwards and down the mountain. Landing in an untidy heap further down the incline.
Joe laughed out loud. He rolled around with mirth, when he saw his brother try to emerge from the snow.
"Come on, you two. You're being childish!" Adam called out from above, watching his brothers in disgust.
"Come on down here, brother, and I will show you how childish I can be." Joe barely got the words out between belly laughs.
Up on his horse, Adam sighed with impatience. Joe always picked the most inappropriate moments for his little jokes. As he watched, he noticed Hoss was having trouble getting up.
"Hoss, you okay?"
"This dang stuff has half swallowed me up. I'm gonna need a hand gettin' out."
Adam dismounted, unhooked his rope from the saddle horn, and then led the horses back around the bend of rocks where they could be tied up. He then made his way down to Joe, collecting him on the way by his hair.
"Come on, baby brother. Hoss needs your help to get up."
Joe stumbled along behind Adam, suddenly remembering that an enraged Hoss was not good for his health.
"Hey, Adam, I'll go mind the horses."
"Tied 'em up already."
"Oh." He replied weakly. Adam had to smile. Joe was not the bravest sole when it came to facing up to his angry brothers.
They soon reached Hoss who was buried up to his chest in the snow. Struggling to be free the big man looked madder than a trapped bear.
"Get me outa this stuff! It's real loose."
"Okay, Hoss, we'll get you out," said Adam. "We'd better stay up here where it's a little shallower. Joe, you rope him and pull and I'll anchor you from behind."
Adam tossed one end of the rope to Joe, tying the other around his waist. Joe made a loop and neatly slung it across and over his brother's head. They both steadied themselves and began to tug.
"Hey, Adam, this is kinda like pulling cattle out of the mud." Joe chuckled and was immediately sorry as Hoss gave him a furious look.
"You just wait little brother. When I get out of here-"
"-Pull!" Adam strained and with a mighty effort, Hoss was out of the hole.
"Boy, this snow bank is sure built up down here. I hope we're on solid ground," Hoss said while brushing the snow from his body.
"Yeah, I think we should get out of here." Adam took a few deep breaths after the strain, released himself from the rope and for the first time, studied the slope they were on. It seemed very top heavy with snow. Of course it was hard to tell without knowing the terrain. The three of them turned and began to walk back up to the horses. Hoss came last, still brushing himself down.
It all happened in an instant. Hoss felt the loosening under his feet. He didn't have time to shout a warning. The snow bank under him began to give way. Suddenly the whole lower slope of snow broke away from its position, engulfing the three Cartwright brothers into the bowels of a deadly Avalanche.
