JEB CARTER'S GHOST
The night was hot and stuffy. All were asleep in the homestead on the Ponderosa.
Everything was very still. Not even a breath of wind blew in the trees on the vast
ranch expanse.
Inside the house, the family slept peacefully and undisturbed.
The head of the household Benjamin Cartwright was in a fitful doze. He had
retired about ten o'clock that night after checking on his two youngest sons.
Adam Cartwright, the eldest son was still reading a book of poetry.
In the next bedroom, Hoss Cartwright, the largest of the boys was spread eagled
on his bed. No too many things would wake the sleeping giant until morning.
In the bedroom at the end of the hall, slept the youngest member of the family
Joseph Cartwright. Like his brothers and father, he slept on top of the bed clothes
but was sleeping on his side. His dark and soft unruly curls fell over his forehead in a
messy clump.
Joe Cartwright had only been asleep for a short while. His father had checked on him
earlier in the night, but he had snuck out shortly thereafter to have some fun at the
Bucket O' Blood saloon in Virginia City. The trip had been mostly uneventful.
He had chatted to the pretty bar maids and even won himself $100 dollars in a poker
game during the night. But now the alcohol that he had consumed in the form of
four beers were lulling him into a deep repose.
The boy was dreaming and smiled at something he was seeing in his mind. Perhaps
another pretty girl or maybe riding his horse Cochise. There were many things in
this youth's life that brought pleasure.
The clock was about to strike midnight. The date was October 25th 1859.
************************************************************************
Joe awoke to the feeling that the house was falling apart. The bed underneath him
shook violently and felt like it was going to fall into pieces. He jumped up off the bed in
case his fears became reality and the bed did indeed collapse in on him.
The walls were shaking and things attached to the wall such as photographs and souvenirs
began falling onto the floor. Joe managed to grab a much cherished picture of Cochise
before it shattered into a million pieces.
For a moment Joe wondered whether he was in fact in his own bedroom on the Ponderosa.
He thought somehow that he might have been in San Francisco and this was actually an
earthquake.
The deafening noise became louder and louder. At some point he thought he could
distinctly hear a whistle or horn blaring in the distance.
The shaking got worse the louder the noise got. What the hell was it. Joe had at first
been still half asleep, but now with everything threatening to tumble down around his
ears, he was alert and scared.
Little Joe could hear himself through the noise yelling to his father and brothers. The
deafening noise prevented him hearing any response. He was about to dive towards
the door to the room. He surveyed the shaking room around him and retrieved a photo
frame from the bedside table and clutched it to his chest before running.
Ben, Adam and Hoss had not heard any of the noises Joe supposedly heard. They all
awoke to the sounds of Joe's terrified voice. All three of them leapt out of their own
beds, trying to see the adversary who was attacking the youngest member of the family.
Ben made it to the hallway outside Joe's bedroom just in time to see his youngest
come from the other side of the door in sheer panic. He was holding something to his
chest and look as though he was running for his life.
When Joe made it outside, he leant up against the wall for support. His breath was
coming in ragged gasps and his face was pale and sweaty.
Adam tried to put his arm on his younger brother to see if he was alright. Big mistake.
The effect was immediate and devastating. Little Joe let out the scream of his life
and almost fainted on the spot, threatening to take Adam to the floor with him.
"Whoa, little buddy, take it easy" Adam said as he tried to hold onto his trembling
brother. All three were at a loss as to what or who had scared Little Joe so much.
Hoss and Ben checked out his room, ready to pulverise anything or anyone they
found inside. They found nothing. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. They
could see no strange person inside. A few things might have looked out of place,
but that didn't mean anything, Joseph wasn't the tidiest person in the world.
Ben walked back to his youngest son. He had a questioning look on his face.
"What happened, Little Joe" Ben asked softly "Please tell me, what's got you
so scared."
"You mean you didn't feel it Pa," Joe asked incredulously "Or hear it". Little Joe
couldn't believe that nobody else had felt the house tremble like he had or hear
the dreaded noise coming towards him from outside.
"Hear or feel what, little brother" Hoss asked Joe.
Joe just continued to stare with disbelief at his family. Could it all have been a terrible
dream. "I don't know how to describe it" "It was like the whole house was shaking"
"I thought it was an earthquake or something".
"Earthquake" Adam and Hoss said together and then burst into laughter together.
"How many beers did you have tonight, buddy" Adam asked. He could smell some
alcohol on his brother's breath and assumed that there had been some extra curricular
activities after they had all retired for the night.
Joe looked back angrily at his eldest brother now that his secret was out "I didn't
have too much to drink tonight Adam". He immediately regretted the statement
as he looked at the expression on his father's face. He hung his head in shame as
he knew he'd been found out.
Ben just stood there for a moment, not sure how to handle finding out about his
son's little adventure into town. He knew he should be furious tonight. But he was
still coming to terms with the frightened look he had seen on Joe as he came running
out of his bedroom. He doubted that any alcohol from the saloon had caused such
a drastic reaction in his youngest son.
"Maybe it was just a dream, son" Pa said soothingly as he tried to douse Little Joe's
fears. The boy had stopped trembling, but still looked very pale and was looking very
around very nervously.
"Yeah, Pa, maybe it was" Joe said finally. He didn't have any other credible answer
at the moment. He felt embarrassed at having showed such weakness in front of his
family. He normally prided himself on his independence and fought long and hard
against any coddling that was dished out by his father and brothers.
"I think I'll go back to bed now, Pa" Joe said. He made sure his feet were firmly
placed on the ground and he walked back into his room with all of the confidence he
could muster.
Everyone else just watched Joe head back into his room. They shook their heads
whilst having a similar question in each of their minds. What or who had scared Joe
so much.
******************************************************************
The next morning saw three people sitting at the breakfast table as normal. Adam
Hoss and their father sat idly chatting about anything but the strange events of last
night.
Ben had told his two older sons to let Joseph have a little lie in this morning. It was
Saturday. There would be plenty of time to complete the work load tomorrow.
All suddenly looked around in surprise at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Little
Joe was making his way down. His hair was still all mussed up. His eyes looked
bleary and he still looked very tired.
The truth of the matter was that Joe hadn't gone back to sleep last night. He laid
awake listening to every creak and groan from the roof. Every cricket that sang
it's nightly serenade and any other noise that could be heard in the dead of night.
Joe tried to carry on as normal. He wanted to put the images and sounds from last
night behind him. He greeted his family with a cheery 'Good Morning' and sat down
ready to start the day like any other day.
Ben knew what the game plan was. He knew that Joe wouldn't appreciate him voicing
his knowledge of the situation. So he told the boys what their allotted tasks for the
day were. He left the lightest and easiest jobs to Little Joe. Adam and Hoss would
normally have protested at these suggestions of lighter work for their younger sibling,
but today, both could see just how peaked Joe was looking. He really did look tired.
The rest of the day seemed to carry out without incident. By lunch time
Ben had returned from Virginia City and Adam and Hoss were returning from further
out on the ranch to a much deserved hot meal and bath.
Joe had kept himself busy throughout the day. He had filled Hop Sing's wood pile
twice, he had hauled more water to the kitchen than he wanted to remember. At least
the work kept his mind from wandering.
By supper time, Joe walked very wearily into the house. Everyone else inside felt a
little sorry for the youngest Cartwright. Hoss and Adam even stood aside for the time
being and let Joe enjoy the hot water of a steam bath to get some of the kinks out of
his aching muscles.
Dinner went well. The topic of conversation was much the same as it had been earlier
that morning. Everyone was talking quick glances at Joe whilst trying to hide the fact.
Hoss and Pa settled in for the first game of checkers for the evening. Adam sat in is
allotted chair and read his book again. Little Joe had sat on Pa's blue leather chair.
Ben had walked into the kitchen to get a refill for his coffee cup. Upon returning to
the living room, he could see from behind that Joseph had his feet on the coffee
table again. It never ceased to amaze him that no matter how many lectures he gave
about the proper care and respect of furniture, almost every day he would need to
remind Joe again.
Ben was almost to bellow at his youngest son for the hundredth time this month, when
he spied the look on Hoss's face. Hoss was holding his fingers to his lips in a SHUSHING
motion.
Ben crept up silently beside his chair and gazed down at the occupant. His heart melted
immediately and he felt all of the love he could find gather in his heart. Sitting slumped
in the chair, eyes closed, breathing even and regular was his youngest son, sound asleep.
The day and previous night had finally caught up with him and now held out the waiting
arms of rest. Joe had not protested in the slightest and slipped into a deep slumber without
even knowing it.
Adam and Hoss looked at their younger brother also. It was times like this that they all
wondered how they could ever had been cross or angry at Little Joe. The angelic features
poised in slumber and the handsome image of his mother reminded them of how much they
really did care for this most wilful person.
Ben hated the idea of trying to wake Little Joe while he was resting so peacefully,
but decided that Joe would be a lot better off in the comfort of his own bed. He tried to
wake Joe gently at first. He shook his shoulder and whispered his name into his ear.
No response. He tried a little harder and a little louder. Still no response.
"Don't think he want's to wake up now he is finally asleep Pa" Hoss said.
"Let me take him".
Little Joe was no match for his big brother. At 120 pounds Joseph caused Hoss barely
a grunt as he was hoisted in the huge arms and carried upstairs.
Ben had followed and helped Hoss get Joe ready for bed. They removed his shirt and
pants and replaced them with a clean night shirt from the chest of drawers. They
jostled him in and out of his clothes, but Joe never stirred once. His face remain so
calm and serene to watch.
Hoss laid his younger brother's curly head down on the soft white pillow and bid
him good night. Ben also bid his youngest good night and caressed his curls through
his fingers before exiting the room. Ben felt relaxed and thought that all was fine
with his son tonight. It was 10.08 pm and it looked as though the events of last
night were long forgotten. This was to be short lived.
********************************************************************
Ben and his two other boys retired soon afterwards. They thought they could all
use a restful night of unbroken sleep.
At the stroke of midnight the peace and tranquility of the night was shattered once
again by the piercing and terrified screams of Joe.
Joe had been, up until a few minutes ago deeply asleep, but as the grandfather clock
downstairs struck twelve o'clock the events of the previous night repeated themselves.
Joe didn't jump off the bed this time. He did exactly the opposite this time. The
bed began to creak and shake, the walls were vibrating and threatening to topple
over again. Joe cowered underneath the blankets and quilts for protection.
Even through the layers of bedding, his frightened screams could still be heard.
Ben and his sons had again jumped out of bed and raced towards Little Joe's room.
They all looked around the room and then noted the trembling lump underneath
the sheets.
Joe had momentarily stopped screaming when the walls seemed to stop shaking
and the bed no longer rocked about. He peaked his head out from underneath
his safe haven just in time to hear the whistle sound he had heard the previous night.
Tonight it sounded even closer and louder if that were possible. It sounded right
outside his window.
Joe gave another strangled cry of fright and dived back under the covers to shield
himself. Ben, Hoss and Adam had not heard the whistle, nor felt the tremors of
the building. They couldn't understand Joe's behaviour at all.
Ben sat down on the bed and tried to pry Little Joe out from his hiding place.
It was very difficult. When he eventually did appear, Joe just curled up in a shaking
ball in his father's embrace. He was looking for something to protect him and knew
that his father had always been there in times of need.
Adam and Hoss began to talk quietly amongst themselves. "Maybe he's getting
sick" Adam suggested. "He might he getting a touch of fever and having delusions
as a result of the high temperature. His theory was shot to pieces when Ben felt
his youngest's forehead. He found exactly the opposite. Where they suspected there
might have been a temperature, the skin felt cold and clammy. He was sweating but
so were they all, it was a terribly hot night. Ben had an idea that most of Joe's
perspiration was due to another cause other than humidity.
Joe had stopped trembling and the tiredness from earlier returned. He soon fell
back asleep in his father's lap. Ben managed to move without waking him. He
didn't know what to do. Maybe he should take Little Joe to see Paul tomorrow.
Maybe Adam was right, Joe might be getting sick or something.
The remaining three family members returned to their own beds but tonight it was
them that couldn't return back to sleep. They kept listening out for any signs of
Joe waking up screaming again. They all dozed with one eye open and ready to
run to Joe again if necessary.
***************************************************************
Breakfast the next day was totally different. Every one sat in silent while they
ate a sparse meal. Little Joe just moved things around on his plate. He looked
even worse than yesterday. His eyes now held an almost haunted look and
they were very bloodshot from lack of restful sleep.
Ben told Adam and Hoss that he would keep Joe around the yard again today.
Both brothers had no problem with this plan. Both were very concerned for Little Joe.
Adam, Hoss and Ben moved towards the front door out of hearing range of Little Joe.
Ben told his sons that he planned to take Joe to see Doc Martin this morning.
He would suggest a trip into town and stop of at the doctor's clinic before coming home.
He knew that he would have to drag his youngest kicking and screaming otherwise.
Adam and Hoss told their father where they were planning to work today, just in case
he needed to get them urgently. Ben assured them that he and Joseph would be fine.
Ben returned to the dining room to find Little Joe asleep at the table. He had pushed his
plate aside and now softly snored with his head resting on the table..
He hair fell in his eyes yet again. Ben wasn't sure how to tackle the current problem.
He didn't even know what the problem was.
Ben had tried to wake Joe like last night, but found the same result. Little Joe was
always a source of never ending energy during the day, but when his body did sleep,
it slept hard.
This time he moved his youngest over onto the settee to be more comfortable.
He was intending to tackle some paperwork and needed Joe somewhere close to keep
an eye on him. Ben told himself that he would need to get his son a haircut when they went into
town today. Joseph's curls were longer than he would have liked and he started
to tell himself that no son of his was going to go around looking like a 'River Boat
Gambler'.
Ben let Joe slept until almost lunch time. He had gotten the buck board prepared and was
ready to head into town before he woke Little Joe.
Joe woke a little easier this time, but looked around for a moment, wondering why he was
asleep on the settee."How long have I been here, Pa?" he asked honestly and stifled back
a huge yawn.
"You, young man, fell asleep at the breakfast table" Ben said in mock sternness. He was
trying sound annoyed at his youngest, but every time he looked at those every so long curls
and those expressive emerald green eyes, he saw his wife Marie. The boy was so much
like his mother it hurt. Ben always felt the pull of a heart string when he looked at Joseph
and remembered how much he had missed out on with Marie.
"You mean I have been asleep for nearly five hours?" Joe asked skeptically. He felt like he
had been asleep about an hour at the most.
"Yes, you have, but if your ready now, you can help me get some supplies in town" Ben
said. He deliberately left out the last little stop he intended to make before heading home.
"Sure, Pa' Joe said. "Just let me get a fresh shirt on and feel a little human again for a
minute. Joe gave another huge yawn and forced himself to get off the settee and go about
getting dressed for the day.
*************************************************************************
The ride into town was happy enough. Ben talked to his son about the string of horses
that he had intended to buy and get ready for the army in a few months time. He was
trying to get his son to talk and get his mind off whatever was bothering him.
They had attended at the general store and filled the list from Hop Sing and gathered
the sacks of grain and flour they needed. Joe was just about to climb back into the
buck board when his father spoke to him.
"Got one more errand before we head back, Joe" Ben said.
Joe didn't ask where they were going. He was happy just to follow his father for a
moment. But upon getting closer to doctor's office, he wanted to back peddle.
"What are we going here for, Pa" Joe asked nervously. He tried to move away, but
his father held firmly onto his upper arm and steered him into Paul Martin's waiting
room.
"I just want Paul to check you over, Joe" Ben explained. "You haven't been sleeping
well the last two nights and have woken up scared to death. I just want to make sure
that you're not coming down with a virus or anything.
"I feel fine Pa" Joe said a little annoyed "So lets go home". Too late. Just as the words
left his lips, the person he feared most walked out into the waiting room and came up
to his father and shook his outstretched hand.
"Hello, Ben" Paul said. "I didn't expect to see you here. What seems to be the problem."
"Hi Little Joe."
Joe mumbled a barely audible hello before telling the doctor he was fine and there was nothing
wrong with him no matter what his father thought.
"Well, let's just take a look at you shall we, and I will make the diagnosis" Paul said with a
grin. He knew that this was the last place Joe wanted to be. But he also knew that Ben rarely
sought his advice for trivial matters.
"What seems to be the trouble, Ben" Paul asked his old friend as he began to do the usual
examination on his still protesting patient. He thought he had better get the whole story from
Ben as Little Joe was likely to tell him nothing or leave giant chunks of relevant information out
in his explanation.
"Little Joe hasn't been sleeping well the last few nights, Paul" Ben started. "Both nights he
has awoken screaming and tell us that it felt like the house was shaking and trembling. He said
it felt like an earthquake was hitting the Ponderosa."
Paul was about to laugh at Ben when he noted the less than funny look on his friend's face.
Ben was far from laughing. He really believed every word he was saying.
"What about Joseph," Paul now asked his patient. "What have you got to say about yourself?"
"I feel fine, doc" Joe said without hesitation "I feel fine and I want to go home now."
Paul continued his examination and mentally noted his findings. Reluctantly to say he couldn't
find anything wrong with Little Joe. The boy looked a little tired. But if he hadn't been sleeping
well for the past two nights, that was to be expected.
"Okay Joseph, you can pull your shirt back down now." Paul said. "I am just going to have a
quick word with your father, then you can go home, okay!"
Joe didn't reply, he just put the biggest scowl on his face he could make. He tried to tell them
nothing was wrong with him. Why wouldn't his family listen to him sometimes. He should
know, it was his body. He couldn't explain the events of the last two nights, but put it down
to something else than a physical thing. Maybe he just dreamed up the whole thing two nights
in a row.
Ben walked a little away from his son to talk to the doctor in private. "Well, Paul, what's
wrong with him."
"I don't know what to tell you Ben," Paul said honestly. "I done a complete examination
on the boy and other than looking slightly weary, everything's normal."
Ben just sighed in defeat. He didn't blame his friend, but thought he might have been able
to come up with a medical reason for his son's behaviour.
"Tell you what, just see how he goes tonight, Ben" Paul explained. 'If he still continues
on the same tonight, I will come out tomorrow and examine him again. I might be able
to prescribe some strong sleeping powders for a couple of nights or so to let his body get back to
normal. I don't like the idea of using them on somebody so young, but I will if it becomes
called for."
"Okay, Paul" Ben said and shook the doctor's hand in readiness to leave. "Thanks for
your help anyway."
They both walked back over to Little Joe who still had the scowl on his face. "Finished
your little discussion about me now have you" he said angrily.
"You mind your manners, young man" Ben said firmly back. "Just because you feel a little tired
and cranky, doesn't give you an excuse to be rude."
Joe got up and ignored the remark. He pouted his lips and continued this stance all the
way back to the buck board. He climbed back into the wagon and intended to keep the
conversation to a minimum on the way home.
About half way home, the tiredness Joe felt from lack of sleep again returned and Ben felt
his son's curly head rest upon the back of his shoulder as he guided the team home.
He was genuinely worried about Little Joe. He knew something was wrong, and it pained
him to not be able to help his son when he needed it. He hoped that tonight would be
different.
**********************************************************************
Joe had woken when the wagon came to a stop at the homestead and he helped unload
the buck board. He had been thinking about the doctor's suggestion and wanted to ask
his father about something, but was a little nervous about it.
Once the unloading was done. Ben and Joe sat down in the living room with a cup of
coffee, waiting the return of Adam and Hoss. Joe decided to pluck up the courage and
discuss his idea with his father before his brothers came back.
"Pa....." he began "I was thinking about what's been happening. Do you think you
could stay awake with me tonight down here and see if you can hear the sounds I have
been hearing or feel the house shake like I have been the last two nights."
"Sure Little Joe, if that's what you really want" Ben told his youngest.
Whilst Joe was washing up for dinner that night, Ben told his two eldest son's about
Joe's request. Adam and Hoss decided that they would stay up to try and help their
brother as well. The boy was only seventeen years and although he often showed a
wild streak, it was nearly as often that he demonstrated a more vulnerable side to his
cheeky personality.
Dinner went just as well as the night before. Joe ate a little more tonight and his
father was pleased with the informal nature of the conversations and all tried to relax
just a little for the evening.
********************************************************************
Hoss and Joe had started an endless round of checkers. Joe won almost all of them,
but deliberately let his big brother win on a few occasions just to keep the game interesting.
It was almost 11.55pm went Ben decided that nothing would happen tonight. Joe had
fallen asleep again on the settee this time. Adam was sipping at his hot coffee and trying
to stop himself from nodding off.
Ben normally didn't allow his son's to stay up much past 11.00pm, but he had wanted to
get to the bottom of the mystery of the last couple of nights, for Joe's sake as well as his
own sanity.
Ben had shaken Little Joe awake enough to get him to stand on his own two feet.
The boy was still half asleep and walked clumsily towards the staircase and his soft
bed that awaited him.
Joe had made it half way across the living room floor when he turned to bid his
goodnights to his family.
"Night' all" he mumbled through half closed eyes. The words had just fallen off his
lips when he heard the sound of the whistle. It was loud and very close. If Joe had
been asleep before, he was now wide awake at that eerie noise. It almost sounded
to be outside the dining room window.
Joe stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the large glass window with fear and
anticipation written all over his face. He clutched at the back rest of the chair in front
of him to steady himself. He could not believe what was about to take place.
The whistle sounded again and this time he could see some sort of shadow at the window
sill. He tried to take a step back, but absolute fear held him frozen to the floor. His feet
just wouldn't obey his minds demands. His heart was pounding in his chest like it was
about to explode. He held his breath as he saw the dark shadow loom closer.
Without warning, the shadow not only got closer to the window, but came right through.
Joe blinked his eyes to clear his vision, but the same image was there.
Coming through the dining room window was a train. It looked strange as it was illuminated
by a green hue. It was this same light that enabled Joe to look right through the train and
carriages. The train had a translucent quality about it. It seemed to glow in the darkness
of the room. The dark black smoke billeted out of the stack in front and trailed behind the
engine. Joe could smell the thick black ash from the burning of coal. It was almost choking.
Ben and the boys couldn't see the ghostly image of the train. What they could see was the
trembling body of Little Joe who seemed to stand transfixed to the one spot. At some point
Joe thought he could hear voices talking to him. He shook his head to clear his mind and
the voices faded away.
What seemed like five hours, was in fact about 3 minutes. The train engine and it's three
carriages had rocketed their way through the Cartwright family home. Joe's gaze followed
after the train and he turned around and was just in time to see the back end of the carriage
disappear through the eastern wall of the house and out into the darkness of the night.
His mind was trying to take in what had just happened. Had he really seen a whole train just come
through his house. He was looking at his father and brothers for answers to an endless number
of questions.
Joe looked at this family with his mouth agape and his arm extended with a pointing finger
towards the ghostly image he had seen He tried to use his voice but nothing would come. His
mouth moved but no sound escaped his vocal cords.
Although he showed some signs of weariness earlier, his skin colour had been good and he
appeared to be healthy enough. Now looking at the pasty white skin that was sweating and
clammy in the touch, Joe's family were now truly concerned about Joe's state of mind and health.
Joe swallowed hard and looked at his father with pleading eyes What just happened here
Pa, why I am so scared. Why did I see that train? He was still trying to get a sound from
his voice, he tried with all of his might to say something. With all of his concentration and
all of his effort he managed to say but one word to his family.
"TR....... TR...... TRAIN".
His mind decided that enough was too much and he lost what ever pallor he had left.
Little Joe felt his legs underneath betray him and loose all of their strength. They now felt like
jelly and no longer had the strength to hold him up. Joe felt himself start to topple forward but
couldn't prevent the descent. Adam and Ben could see what was going to happen and only just
managed to grab a hold of Joseph before he fell unconscious on the floor.
Hoss had gasped and now looked into the face of his youngest brother with fear of
his own. He couldn't explain what was wrong with little brother, or what had been
apparently happening to Little Joe over the last three nights, but he wanted to protect
his brother and let him know he was safe.
Ben had scooped Little Joe's unconscious form into his arms and raced upstairs with
his precious burden. Adam had gone into the kitchen looking for a basin to fill with
cool water and a cloth. Once obtained, he followed in his father footsteps to Joe's
room.
Hoss had gone outside to get one of the ranch hands to go get Doc Martin. The
man quickly scurried to the barn and rode away on one of the many Ponderosa horses
towards Virginia City.
Ben just looked at his son unconscious on the bed. He didn't know what to do.
He had seen Joe's behaviour turn very strange over the past three days. He had seen
Joe more scared than ever. He knew something was out of place but he couldn't
put his finger on it.
Joe was unconscious for about an hour and was only beginning to regain consciousness
as Doc Martin came through the front door to the homestead.
"Came as quickly as I could Ben" Doc Martin said. His eyes quickly turned to the
patient laying on the bed. Joe was showing signs of waking up. Hoss had filled in
the doctor downstairs of the events of the evening. He told him how Joe had
reacted just as he was going upstairs to bed.
Doc Martin sat down on the bed and tried to gain Little Joe's attention. He lifted
the boy's eyelids to see the response to bright light, there was some. He felt the
boy's steady heart beat by checking his pulse using his wrist. Joe still looked very
pale.
The doctor couldn't find anything else wrong with Little Joe. "I don't know what
to tell you again Ben" "It's just like yesterday, no fever, no sickness, no injuries that
I can see." "I just don't know what's wrong with him."
"The only word he said downstairs Paul was TRAIN" Ben said "Then he fainted."
"Why would he say the word TRAIN at twelve o'clock at night?"
"The only thing I can suggest is that maybe all of these incidents have been brought on
by stress" "Stress that is causing physical symptoms within him. "He still looks very
tired and you said he has been waking up at odd hours the last three nights." "Has there
been anything that has been bothering him lately?"
"I don't remember him saying anything in particular Paul" Ben said honestly. He was
trying to think back over the last week. Was there something bothering Joe enough to
be waking him up at night and making him sick? He looked at his two eldest for answers.
"Adam? Hoss? Has Joe told you about anything he is worried about."
Hoss tried hard to think. Joe had seemed his normal self. He had chatted happily enough
when he and Hoss had been fence riding or working about the ranch.
Adam was poised deep in thought also. "Can't say as I remember him mentioning anything,
Pa" he said. "Not unless you take into account him worrying about which girl he was planning
to take to the local dance next Saturday night."
"I don't think Joe has any genuine concerns about whether or not he will have a date or not,
big brother" Hoss replied "Having a pretty girl on his arm is the last thing our little brother
here would be worried about." "Maybe he was worried about how many he would have to
dance with" Hoss said trying to inject a little abject humour into the conversation.
Doc Martin and Ben both chuckled a little at Hoss's view of Little Joe. Both sobered up
immediately as they came back to reality and needed to come up with a solution.
"Maybe I could send a few telegrams to associates in San Francisco Ben" Paul said.
"I have a few friends who deal specifically with patients who seem to have psychological
problems or are have other problems that are not physical in nature."
"You mean that all this behaviour might be in Joe's mind" Ben asked incredulously. Over
the seventeen years of his son's life there had been various injuries. Childhood type ailments,
gunshot wounds and other afflictions. Ben had never considered that there would be a time
in any of his son's lives that their mental capacity would be doubted.
Adam and Hoss just looked at the doctor with disbelief. They too had never given the idea
of their brother being affected by a illness or injury of the mind.
"I don't know Ben" Paul answered "I am not trained enough in the field" "That's why I
thought it would be good to talk to a few colleagues that are familiar with cases like Little
Joe's"
Ben closed his eyes and shook his eyes. He didn't like the phrase "Cases like Little Joe's".
This was his son. This was his youngest son and he felt more protective towards him
sometimes.
Paul could see the raging emotions written all over his friend's face about Little Joe.
Before Paul could utter any words of comfort to the Cartwright men, Joe gave a few
small groans to signal he was waking up.
"Uh......." came the response from a very groggy Little Joe. At once Ben was there
holding his hand, talking softly to his son.
"Pa........... is that you?" Joe whispered. He opened his eyes and looked about the
room. He eyes surveyed the room and finally came to rest on the one face he had
trusted all of his life. His father.
"Yes, son" Ben answered almost with a choked voice. "I here Little Joe" "So are
your brothers". He let Joe get his bearings a little more first before asking him too
many questions.
At first it seemed that Little Joe remembered very little of his ordeal downstairs.
He was looking questioningly at Doc Martin being in the room.
"Why are you here Doc?" he asked. Then with frightening speed, the images from
downstairs came racing back into his mind. He put his hand up to his mouth to
hide the scream that was caught in his throat. He immediately sat upright in bed,
looking around the room with darting eyes. He was looking for any evidence of what
he had seen.
Ben had been holding his hand as he woke and now struggled to get Little Joe to
lie down.
The movement of sitting up too fast only made Joe's head spin. He put his hands
to his temples and tried to stop the merry-go-round his brain was on. The dizziness
was powerful and he had to calm down just a little in order to remain conscious.
Adam and Hoss sat down on chairs in the room, trying to give Little Joe some much
needed space. Doc Martin waited a few minutes until he was satisfied that his
patient could withstand any questioning as to his health.
"Little Joe" Doc began slowly and quietly "What do you remember about tonight?"
What do I remember Joe asked himself sarcastically How do I tell them that I saw
a locomotive engine and three carriages come through the dining room wall downstairs
and pass through the other side? "You will think I am nuts, doc" he finally answered.
"Little Joe," Ben said softly "We won't be upset with you, we're trying to help you"
"Do you remember what you saw" A slow nod was the only response. Can you
tell us what you saw. A shake of the head signaled a negative reply. Do you want
to talk about it and share it with your family. Another negative reply. The questioning
was getting nowhere fast.
Doc Martin could see that his patient was going to be very difficult indeed, even more
so that usual. They were probably not going to get any answers by asking him directly.
They would have to wait until Joe decided he wanted to share it with his family.
Paul got up and dug around in his little black bag. He tried to hide his actions from his
patient as best he could. He poured a teaspoon of white powder from a small drawstring
bag into a glass and then used the pitcher beside him on the table to fill the glass with
water. The water turned a milky white in colour. The doctor tried to dissolve as much
of the powder as possible to hide the contents of the glass from his young friend.
Joe still had a frightened look on his face. He was still remembering the train from
downstairs. He wanted to tell his father about what he had seen. But again his mind
was telling him that nobody would believe him. When the glass of water was offered to
him, he gladly drank the contents to take away the dryness of his mouth.
Paul took the empty glass from him and told Joe to lay back down and get some
rest. He told Little Joe that he was fine and just needed some extra sleep tonight.
Joe's eyelids began to flutter from the sleeping powder and he soon drifted off without
any further explanation of what had happened. Ben continued to hold his hand and
stroke his face as Little Joe fell asleep. He hoped that by just touching his son, Joe
felt safe from harm.
Now that Joe was deeply asleep, there was no need to talk softly. He wouldn't be
disturbed easily tonight and would probably sleep well into the next morning.
"Just let him get the rest he needs Ben" Paul suggested. "I will contact these
colleagues, but it may be a few days before I get a response" "Until then, give him
a few days off his normal routine. Let him do what he wants to do. Let him go
into town and relax a little. If he wants to sleep, then let him sleep all day. That
is the best medicine I can offer at this point in time." "Maybe a change from
day to day activities is just what he needs right now."
******************************************************************
The next morning Ben did exactly what the doctor ordered. He let his sons have a few
days off from their normal work schedule. Adam and Hoss were surprised that their
father had given them any time off, but suspected that they would be needed for other
task concerning their younger sibling.
Ben planned a trip into town to try and get Joe to relax a little. Maybe a vacation was
just what Little Joe needed. Ben had discussed the ideas he had with Adam and Hoss
at the breakfast table. They were in no hurry to got to town. Ben had let Joe sleep
in as long as he liked this morning. He had checked on the boy a number of times during
the night as had Adam and Hoss. Joe had been peacefully sleeping on each occasion.
It was about 11.00am before Joe started to stir from his drug induced slumber.
Joe rubbed at his eyes and yawned widely. He looked at the sun streaming through the
window and decided that it was very late into the morning. He went about washing
his face in a bowl of water to revive himself a bit more. The effects of the sleeping
powder were still present. He pulled on his trousers and a clean shirt and opened his
door ready to go downstairs for the day.
"Good Morning, Joseph" came the cheerful greeting from Ben.
"Mornin Pa" Joe mumbled. He headed straight to the kitchen table and poured himself
a black of Hop Sing's strong black coffee.
"Hey Short Shanks" Hoss bellowed as he and Adam came through the front door from
outside.
Joe just looked up at the cheery face of his big brother. He didn't feel like being happy
this morning. He felt terrible. He had the beginnings of a slight headache and his mouth
felt like old cardboard. He managed to talk Hop Sing around into giving him some breakfast.
At first the little Cantonese man had Hoss and Adam just stared in amazement. Normally
they would get a stern argument if either of them were late to the table and requested something
after the dishes were cleared. But this morning, after Joe was approximately four hours late
to the table, Hop Sing came out with a plate that would have made Hoss's heart swell with
happiness. The little man even had a few words of kindness to go with the hearty meal.
No matter what he did, Little Joe always seemed to turn most situations to his advantage. He
could wrap almost anybody around his little finger in a fraction of a second, like Hop Sing and
his father. Ben was probably the more guilty of all.
"Joe, how would you like to go into Virginia City with us shortly" Ben asked. "We can
spend a little time relaxing and even enjoy a beer at the saloon, if you are agreeable?"
Joe spluttered his mouthful of coffee at his father's statement. His father was not an
unfair man, but Joe had rarely seen his father offer to give anybody the day off and spend
it socially at the Bucket O' Saloon in town. He secretly sensed what the reasons behind
the offer were, but on assessment, he wasn't about to argue with an offer for a day off.
Everything seemed to be okay once they got to Virginia City. They had gotten a few
small supplies just to keep up appearances. Ben had gone to the bank to do some business
and the post office after that to check the mail. Joe had found himself in the Saloon.
He was none to happy about the pair of wet nurses that were assigned to follow his every
movement, but he grinned and beared it. After two beers he was even starting to relax
a little. He was talking to the barmaids in his usual cheeky manner and getting some
furious looks from some of the other men in the bar.
Adam and Hoss almost believed that their little brother was back to normal. The short
period of relaxation had done wonders. It wasn't until they were mounted and ready
to head back to the Ponderosa that they were given a clue as to something still being
wrong.
Just as they were ready to ride away, the whistle of the weekly train service from
Virginia City through to San Francisco and all points between sounded time to depart.
Little Joe just about jump out his skin at the noise. He kicked Cochise in the flanks
and galloped her all the way down the main street back towards the ranch at a very
fast pace.
Ben was looking at his other two sons for answers. All were looking questioningly at
each other. Why was Joe scared of a train whistle. As a small boy, Joe had been fascinated
by the machines. He took every opportunity available when in town to sneak off to the
train station and watch the locomotives.
Ben saw this as another huge piece to the jigsaw that was scattered about. The pieces
were beginning to accumulate, but for the moment, they were so jumbled that it was
hard to see any sort of picture forming. Ben and his sons had heard Joe utter the word
train the night before and now, a the sound of a train's whistle, Joe runs in the opposite
direction.
When Ben, Adam and Hoss reached the ranch house, Joe had calmed down sufficiently
to try and cover his tracks. He was sitting outside on the porch in the rocking chair as
nothing at all had happened.
Adam and Hoss approached the verandah cautiously, "Why did you do that, Joe" Adam
asked for his family.
"Do what? " big brother Joe said trying to sound as if he didn't know what they were
talking about.
"You rode out of town like someone was after you heard that train whistle." Adam said
losing his patience slightly.
"Oh, there was a train whistle" Joe said uncaring. "I was just trying to race you all home"
he said and added his best cheeky grin at the end of the sentence.
Everyone knew Little Joe was trying to avoid the subject, but they all asked the same
question in their heads WHY? WHY WOULD LITTLE JOE DENY HIS FEAR ABOUT
THE TRAIN WHISTLE? WHAT WAS IT ABOUT TRAINS THAT SUDDENLY HAD
THE YOUNGEST CARTWRIGHT SPOOKED AT THE DROP OF A HAT??
***********************************************************************8
Ben decided to take the sleeping arrangements for the night into his own hands.
He had Hop Sing make a large meal for everyone that night. He told the boys to
wash up and get ready for supper.
Ben directed the conversation tonight. Talking about everything and anything to
keep the mood happy. Joe had eaten a small helping of food. Hoss thought he
was about to burst he was so full. Adam also felt full and happy with the evening
meal. Hop Sing brought out desert. Hoss just looked at the apple pie with
bulging eyes. He would just have to squeeze some of that pie in. Joe just groaned
at the thought of having to eat another morsel of food.
"Pa, if you make me eat anymore tonight, I will need to borrow some of Hoss's clothes
tomorrow" Joe said. Everyone laughed at the thought of Joe dressed up in his big
brother's oversized clothes.
"That's okay Little Joe, you don't have to eat anymore if you don't want to, but finish up
that glass of milk, please" Ben said sternly. He was hiding the real truth about the milk
for the time being. He smiled inwardly to himself as he saw his youngest son obey his
request and saw that the glass was almost empty when placed back on the table.
"Now Little Joe would you like to go upstairs and grab your bible from your room,
we can all sit down and listen to Adam read tonight". Hoss and Adam looked at their
father with a little bit of interest. Their father was up to something, but what?
Little Joe also thought it was strange but did what his father requested and started to
head upstairs to his bedroom. The bible Ben was talking about was a present he had
received from his mother Marie when he was about 4 years old. He kept in the top
drawer of his bedside table and pulled it out every now and then just to capture her
smell that was encapsulated in the leather bound book. It made it seem that she was
still with him sometimes.
Adam saw his brother's curly head disappear upstairs and immediately turned to
his father to ask what was going on.
Ben saw the look from his eldest. "Don't worry son, he won't be coming back
downstairs tonight" and smiled a little guilty smile.
"What did you do, Pa" Hoss now asked.
"I put some of that sleeping powder Doc Martin give me in his milk at supper time"
Ben explained. "It should be working, right about now." "We all need to catch
up on some much needed rest, Joseph especially. Perhaps it's a little earlier tonight,
but with the help of that sedative, maybe Joseph won't be disturbed by dreams of
any sort tonight."
Just to make sure his theory was correct, Ben tiptoed up the stairs followed by Adam
and Hoss. Sure enough, Joe was sprawled on top of the bed clothes, sound asleep with
his bible in hand. He was still in the shirt and trousers he had on downstairs, but he looked
peaceful and deeply asleep. Ben and Adam went about put on his night clothes. They didn't
bother with the covers as it was still warm enough in the room tonight. Ben caressed
his son's curly head "Sleep well son". All left the room hoping that the night would
be a quiet one.
************************************************************************
Ben had woken himself twice before midnight to check that Joe was still sleeping peacefully.
On both occasions he was satisfied that every looked okay.
Once again the problems started upon the twelfth stroke of the grandfather clock downstairs.
The first thing that Little Joe felt was the temperature change in the room. He didn't understand
how he came to be on his bed dressed in his nightshirt. His addled mind did not have the
answers to the questions he tried to form in his mind. He could remember going up to
him room the get the bible his mother gave him, after that everything was a blank.
It was the coolness that woke him. When he had gone upstairs the evening predicted to be
a hot and sultry one as the last few weeks, but now he found a unique coolness filling the room.
He lay still with his eyes closed and turned on his side on the bed. He was about to go back
to the land of nod when a strange feeling of something else being in the room came over him.
His fears started gathering in great numbers and his mind was telling him that it wasn't his
father or brothers in the room this night.
Against his better judgment he opened his eyes a crack and looked about. His gaze never
altered from its position of straight in front of him. He could not believe what his eyes
were telling him he was seeing at this moment. His voice was once again deserting him.
He wanted to scream, he wanted to scream until he could scream no more. Of all of the
events that had happened over the last three or four days, this one left him numb all over.
He closed his eyes again, hoping the image would go away. He reopened them and for
the second time he was telling himself to scream.
Laying beside him, on the same bed, not more than a few centimetres away was a dead
corpse of a man. The body seemed to be clad in some sort of rags that fell over the
skeletal frame like long tendrils. His eyes made him start from the feet and work their way
up, forcing him to make a mental note an entire description of what he could see. The feet
were housed in a pair of beaten up old boots. There was a hole on the right one where the
big toe should have been. There was no big toe protruding out. The legs were nothing
more than skin and bits of flesh clinging to them. The arms were in a similar condition with
very little remnants of muscle or sinew attached. Most of the man's chest seemed to be
missing. There few a few shards of bone that indicated a rib cage, but there was no evidence
of any internal organs. The lungs were dried up and withered and half their normal capacity.
Joe tried to stop himself looking and staring but he could not.
Lastingly his gaze rested upon the head and face of the corpse. The hair was straggly and
hanging in knots. He couldn't be sure but he thought he saw something moving around in
that mess of hair.
He looked at the face with bemused horror on his face. The eyes were devoid of eyelids or
lashes and seemed to bulge out of their sockets as they stared directly at Little Joe. There was
only a small bony point that indicated a nose was once in place. The mouth was drawn
back in a toothy grin. The teeth themselves were yellow and stained. The odour that
came from the teeth made Little Joe gag. He fought back the feeling of nauseous with
great effort. The corpse continued to grin and stare at him. A worm now broke through
the paper thin waxen skin on the man's hollow cheek and peered out from its look out
point on the man's face.
"Hello" the corpse said in a eerie sounding voice. That was the last straw. Joe had found
his voice all of a sudden and now scrambled off the bed and backed himself into the corner
of the room whilst screaming for everything he was worth. Unfortunately he had backed
himself in the farthest corner of the room and behind the bed, so he would have to make it
past the dead person to make it safely to the other side of room and to his father and brothers
in the other rooms.
Ben Cartwright almost fell out of bed at the scream that radiated through the house. It was
unlike any scream he had ever heard. It was full of terror and on the verge of hysteria.
He almost pulled the door of his room from its hinges and he thought of his son in danger.
Danger, too he told himself, that had to be it, Joe wouldn't scream like that unless his very
life was threatened.
Adam and Hoss had gathered in the hallway and had their own fears for Joe written on their
faces. They had never heard their brother scream like that, never in absolute and sheer terror.
Ben tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge. The door was locked. They doubted that Joe
had locked himself in. Whatever or whoever was attacking Joseph wanted outside help to
remain on the other side.
Joe continued to scream. The corpse had remained on the bed and not moved a muscle.
Little Joe was now sitting on the wooden floor with his arms held up trying to fend off
his attacker.
Ben was making no more progress with the door. "Stand aside, Pa" Hoss demanded.
Hoss took a running start and barreled into the wooden door trying to break the lock.
The first attempt failed. As he backed up to take a second go, they heard Joe yell at
someone inside.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!!!! PA, HELP ME PLEASE"
'ADAM DON'T LET HIM HURT ME!!!" PAAAAAA " Joe resumed his screams at
the sight before him. He had never seen anything so hideous in all of his life. He had
read a few horror stories in his time, even seen some terrible injuries inflicted upon a
man's body to disfigure him. But nothing he had ever seen or had read could prepare
him for this. This was like the devil coming and trying to take his very soul away.
Ben and his boys on the other side tried in vain to break down the door. Their hearts
were almost bursting from the pleas the youngest Cartwright was yelling through the
other side. They were sure now that at least it seemed that someone was involved
rather than something. What was that person doing to Joseph to make him so afraid?
"Get that door open now" Ben roared at Hoss. Hoss took an extra step back and
was about to put all his strength behind this effort. Adam had been banging on the
door in between assaults by his larger brother, but now he stood back and let Hoss
take aim.
The corpse could hear the noise on the other side of the door. He looked at the young
man cowering in the corner trying to disappear from view. He knew that he wouldn't
be talking to the boy tonight like he wanted to. He would have to change his tactics
a little more next time. Each attempt he had made to make contact had only ended
up in scaring the young man half to death. With that thought his image now vanished
and Joe's bedroom was empty again except for himself. He had yet to notice that the
corpse had gone. He was still in the corner with his head between his knees and his
arms over him. He was now trembling very badly and his breathing was very shallow
and coming in large gulps.
**********************************************************************
On the last attempt, Hoss managed to break the latch on the locked door. The door was thrust
open with his full weight behind it. Adam and Ben followed him into the room trying to look for
any other person present in the room.
They had heard Joe calling out for someone to stay away from him and assumed that another
physical body had to have been in the room. For a moment their eyes scanned the bedroom
without seeing Little Joe.
Upon more careful observation, Ben could see the trembling figure curled up in the furthest
corner of the room. His head was still bent down towards the floor boards and he gave no
real indication of having heard his family enter the room or attempting to break down the
bedroom door.
Adam and Hoss could see that their efforts would not be of much benefit for the time being.
The state their brother seemed to be in was more than either of them was capable of handling.
They let Ben go to his youngest son with all of his fatherly wisdom.
Ben walked very softly and quietly over to the corner where Little Joe was squished into. He
didn't want to startle his son and cause anymore fright or stress. He was a little scared himself
at the state he could see Joe in. Joe was still trembling very badly, his fists were clenched and
encircled tightly around his drawn up knees.
Ben knelt down and put a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder. At first, Joe made no effort to
communicate with his father. He just wanted the floor to swallow him up. He was both angry
and afraid. Angry at the weakness he showed to his family and afraid of the situation he still
couldn't describe, even to himself.
Slowly Joe turned his face up towards his father. He couldn't hide the tears that streamed down
his face.
"Don't let him get me, Pa" Joe managed to say between sobs. "Don't let him touch me."
Ben's heart almost broke into two pieces at his son's sorrowful look. At the same time he was
very perplexed about the statement Joe made.
Ben now sat down on the floor beside his youngest son. He waved Adam and Hoss away to
leave the two of them alone. He knew that Little Joe wouldn't appreciate an audience. He pulled
his son a little closer into his embrace and tried to ease the fear.
"Who was in the room with you, son?" Ben asked softly. "Your brothers and I were worried
about you when we could hear your yelling at someone through the door. We thought somebody
must have been hurting you."
Joe looked up at his father's question with disbelief and now scanned the room himself looking
for the horrible looking corpse that had been on his bed when he woke up.
"But ......... but........... he was right there, Pa" Joe stammered. "He was right there on the
bed." He pointed to the bed where he had seen the disfigured remains and shuddered at the
memory it induced. "It thought he was going to reach right out and touch me, Pa". He felt
another cold shiver go through his spine at this thought. He could still visualize the site and
smell the stench that had invaded his nostrils and sinuses.
Joe's emotions now got the better of him. He felt as though no one would believe his incredible
story of the dead man on his bed. He leant his curly head on his father's shoulder and just cried
out of frustration. Frustration at himself, frustration at the rest of the world. How could he
describe what he saw, who would believe him?
Ben was at a loss to what was going on in his young son's life. His son was talking about things
that the rest of the family couldn't see or hear. He was scaring himself to death every night.
He was scaring his family. He would protect Little Joe with everything he had if he knew what
or who the adversary was.
Joe cried long and hard. Cried until there was nothing left inside him to give. He felt this
emptiness inside him knowing that he was seeing things and hearing things that others could not.
He needed to feel that his family was there to help him as much as possible.
He snuggled closer into Ben trying to escape his memories and thoughts. He wanted to forget
everything he had seen or heard over the last three nights. He just wanted to forget and get
back to a normal existence.
The room temperature had returned to normal. It was now comfortably warmer. Ben rubbed
Little Joe's back, trying to stem the steady stream of hiccups and tremors that still racked his
body. The residual effects from the sleeping powder were still present and it didn't take them
long to start slowing down Joe's actions and thoughts once again. Whilst he didn't really feel
totally relaxed, he felt that his family would be there for him. He let himself drift off and fall
into the waiting arms of sleep.
Ben sat on the floor in the corner of the room with his son close to him for another good
twenty minutes. He wanted to make sure that Joe was truly asleep. He was trying to come
up with a solution to Joe's problems.
Adam had poked his head into Joe's bedroom, worry written all over his face about his
youngest sibling. Adam wasn't one to normally wear his emotions or feelings out in public,
but Ben could evidently see that all of these events that were affecting Joseph were affecting
his eldest son too.
Adam could see that Joe had drifted off to sleep. He could see the awkward position Ben
was sitting in on the floor. He moved to try and help his father move the slumbering Joe
back to his bed. Adam carefully picked Little Joe up and noted that although he was asleep,
there were a few small tremors still running through his body at times. He laid Joe back
on his bed and made him as comfortable as possible. He gazed down at his brother for
a few minutes. Joe was desperately seeking his family's help with something that was
bothering him, but none of them seemed to be able to do anything positive to help him.
"What do you want us to do Little Joe" Adam said to an unlistening Joe. "We want to
help you, let us in, please" The last word was almost a plea from Adam to his youngest
brother. Ben heard the words and saw the mix of emotions raging in Adam's heart.
He put a comforting arm around his oldest son's shoulder now. They all needed to
help each other at the moment it seemed. None of them seemed to be immune from the
symptoms effecting Joe. They needed to discover what the cause was before all of them
were screaming in fear like him.
Ben and Adam walked out of Little Joe's bedroom. They planned to have a family
meeting downstairs minus Joe. They needed to come up with some sort of strategy
or plan of action for the next few days.
***********************************************************************
The next morning, Ben and his two eldest boys were still discussing the problem around
the dining room table at breakfast. None of them had assumed that Little Joe was awake
yet.
Little Joe had only been awake a few minutes. If you could call it awake. His mind was
not doing anything involuntarily at the moment. Joe had to make all of the conscious decisions
just to make it from his bed to the door of his room. He had not forgotten the previous nights
events. They were still very vivid and very real to him. As he walked on unstable legs towards
the door, he had to be careful not to succumb to the dizziness that threatened of overtake him.
He opened the wooden door very quietly so as not to alert his presence to those downstairs.
He stood out of sight but close enough to hear the conversation taking place at the table.
"What are we going to do today, Pa" Adam asked honestly.
"For the time being, nothing" Ben replied. He saw the reaction this statement brought in
his two boys. Before they got to utter their words of protest he continued his sentence
"I don't know what to do boys, so for the time being and today especially I going to do
nothing. Maybe when Joe wakes up he can shed some more light on what has been happening
to him. Let's just carry on a little normally this morning as though nothing occurred last
night and let Joseph decide when he wants to discuss the matter with his family."
Hoss and Adam were not very happy with the response, but they too had drawn a blank as
to what to do. The three of them had laid awake for a good number of hours after retiring
last night to come up with a plausible suggestion. All turned up to the breakfast table this
morning empty handed.
Little Joe had heard his father's words. He didn't blame his family for feeling helpless.
He didn't have the answers they sought from him. He barely believed what he had seen
himself over the last few days. How could he tell them what he had seen without them
thinking that there was something wrong with him.
It was at that moment that Joe decided that he needed to seek out the companionship
of somebody else today. He loved his father and brothers more than words could say,
but it was at these times of helplessness and when he was looking for an answer to a
very difficult problem that he sought the wisdom of another Cartwright entirely.
He closed the door as silently as he had opened it. He pulled on his clothes and
boots. He walked over to the window in his bedroom that led out onto the roof. He
would not make his appearance downstairs just yet. His family thought he was still
asleep and for the moment he was happy enough for them to believe that. He lifted
the window and crept out onto the roof . He did not bother closing the window.
He walked silently along the back section of the roof and climbed down the drain pipe
just outside the rear kitchen door. He landed with a soft thud in the dirt and picked
himself and dusted himself off.
He walked around the back of the house and made his way over to the barn and his
horse Cochise. The mare gave him a soft whinny in greeting. Joe shushed her and
told her to keep quiet. He quickly saddled her and let her out of the barn before they
could be noticed. He didn't mount her until they were out of sight of the ranch house.
Once mounted he directed the pinto towards Lake Tahoe and his intended spot of
solace.
He reached the spot of his mother's grave and dismounted. He made sure Cochise was
securely tied within distance of a soft patch of green grass. He knew he would be here
for more than a few minutes. He gave the horse a friendly pat and then walked over
to his mother's resting place. Before he sat down he removed a few small branches and
leaves that had fallen across the grave site. He didn't have any flowers to bring today.
He kicked himself as he thought he could have taken a few extra minutes to pick a few
roses from Hop Sing's garden before coming here.
"Sorry, Mama" he whispered. He didn't know why he was talking so softly, but assumed
that it was better to speak in a quieter voice at this particular place. "I promise I will
bring you some flowers tomorrow".
Marie Cartwright had been Little Joe's mother for but a few short years in his young life.
He had barely time to get to know her before she was cruelly taken from him and the rest
of the family. Sometimes he felt that he was losing grip on her memories. He couldn't
remember all of the times they had been together and that just made him sadder. He wanted
to remember everything about her. Her smile, her eyes, her scent. He often looked at the
photograph on his beside table and the one his father kept downstairs on the mantel piece
and reminded himself about how much he really didn't know about her. Sure he looked like
her, they had been telling him that all of his life. But he needed something more material
to hang onto. He felt even sadder with the thought that one day he try to recall what
his mother had been to him and he wouldn't be able to remember.
Little Joe made himself a little bit more comfortable by leaning up against the rocks that
were behind his mother's gave. A slight and cooling breeze blew over the soft green grass
from Lake Tahoe. It ruffled his hair as though it were his mother's fingers caressing his
unruly curls. He closed his eyes and tried to think back. He felt content for the first time
in a few days. He felt like he could tell his mother anything and everything. Here he didn't
need to remember who he was or worry about the Ponderosa. When he came to his mother's
grave, he was just Little Joe Cartwright, son of Marie. He felt a soft tear fall down his
cheeks but he didn't attempt to wipe it away. He would always cry for this woman he
barely knew. Joe didn't feel himself drift off to sleep in the soft grass. His body relaxed
completely and he dreamt of nothing.
***********************************************************************
Joe felt as if his body was floating on the wind. He felt the breeze through his hair and
felt the soft kiss of the leaves that blew into his face.
When he finally came to rest from his journey, he found himself sitting on a rock overlooking
the lake. He turned his head and knew he must be dreaming. He could see his own sleeping
body just as it lay beside his mother's grave. Was he dead? Had he been brought to the next
life?
He heard the sound of footsteps behind him and turned expecting to see the face of God.
Instead what he saw was the face of a man approximately 50 years old. He looked at the
man. He seemed to be wearing overalls and a strange looking hat. He gave a small wave
and came up closer to sit right beside Little Joe. Joe could help but think he had seen this
man somewhere before. He couldn't remember when.
"Hello there young man" the stranger said. The sound of his voice was also familiar to
Little Joe but right now his identity escaped him. Had they met somewhere before, it they
had, where?
"Hello" Joe replied out of kindness. "Who are you and where am I?"
"You are asleep at the moment, Little Joe" the man answered. "You can see yourself
asleep over there by those rocks. I am merely an image to your sub-conscious."
"How do you know my name" Joe asked with a little hesitation. "Have we met somewhere
before?"
"I have been trying to talk to you for the last four days now, but it seems all I do is frighten
you" the man said.
It suddenly dawned on Little Joe who this person was. He looked over the face again.
He recognized it. It now was a normal colour and seemed to be intact. The last time
he had seen it, the face and body seemed to be only remnants of what was now standing
before him. He couldn't hide his surprise and shock at who this man was.
"Ah, I see you now recognize me. Last time we met, I was how could you say, not
entirely all there." the man stated.
"How come you appeared to me like a dead corpse." Joe said and he tried to settle his
nerves. "If you wanted to get my attention, you certainly did that, but you could have
done it without scaring me half to death."
"Yeah, sorry about that." the man said with honestly in his voice. "I'm sorry about
the other nights as well. I have been trying to get somebody's attention for over a year
now. The only time I seem to be able to make contact is when people are asleep."
Joe thought back. The man was right. On all of the occasions that something had happened,
Joe had either been asleep or falling asleep. A definite pattern was beginning to emerge out
of all of these strange happenings.
"Why haven't you been able to make contact with anybody else?" Joe asked the man.
"I've tried, believe me I have tried." the man said. "More than you know, but it's like with
you, every time somebody sees me or hears my train whistle, they just run scared. I don't
want to frighten people, I want some help."
"Help?" Joe asked now interested in the man's tale of woe.
"I'm trapped on this plateau between this world and the next." the man explained. "I can't
get to my next destination until I can clear my name"
"Clear you name?" came the question again. "You'd better start from the beginning and
tell my the entire tale. Don't leave anything out."
The dreaming Joe made himself a little more comfortable in the other world as he had done
so beside his mother's grave. He leaned back and prepared to listen to the tale that was about
to be told.
"Okay, here goes" replied the ghost a little uneasily.
"My name is Jeb Carter. Up until twelve months ago, I was a train driver for the
San Francisco train line. Everything was going fine until that fateful night. I was due
to retire soon, even had a nice little lump sum waiting for me from the train company.
It wouldn't be much, but enough to see me through my final years. I am fifty now so
I didn't plan on living indefinitely.
Anyway, like I said, everything was going fine until my last trip to Carson City. The
line runs between San Francisco and Virginia City. Carson City is one of the few
stops on the way. One stormy night about 20 miles outside the City something went
wrong and the train went off the tracks. I tried to stop in time, but the locomotive just
had too much power behind her to stop in a hurry. We hit the dirt and the carriages
overturned. Everybody on board was killed that night.
The ghost looked up after reading that story and Joe could see the pain written on the
face of the man who felt responsible for other's suffering.
"How many people, Jeb" Joe asked cautiously.
"About fifteen in all, seven ladies, seven men including me and one child" the ghost
accounted. "Couldn't save but one of them" he said in bitterness.
"Why do you need my help, Jeb" Joe asked. He didn't know what he could possibly
do one year down the track, but he would do what he could. The man's ghost was obviously
hurting greatly at the other people dying on his train.
"I need somebody to travel back with me to that night, Joe" the man answered somberly.
"I need somebody to help clear my good name. Somebody else had something to do with
causing that accident that night. Up until now, nobody else has stayed around long enough
to hear my story. I have been trying to contact somebody for a whole year now. I tried
your father and brothers at first. That father of your certainly seems like a worthy man,
but like your brothers when I tried to appear to him, all I saw was doubt and skepticism
about ghosts and so forth. When I tried to tap into your subconscious, I got a different
message. I could read your fear and nervousness. But I could also sense your belief
in things that weren't necessarily visible to the naked eye. You seemed to be able to see
something for what it might be other than the way it was shown to you. Something like
being able to judge people from the inside and not the outside."
"I came across your presence on the other side a few nights ago and felt like you would
be someone willing to help me" the man continued. "I tried to appear to you at first by
using the actual train, but only resulted in scaring you away like all the rest. If you can
use this plateau between your world and mine, maybe we can go back in time to that
night and see who else was around."
"You're just lucky that I can judge people from the inside, Jeb" Joe said trying to add
a little laughter to the strange meeting. "If I believed in first appearances all the time,
you would have killed off any help I might have given you when you appeared to me
like a dead corpse. I don't usually make comments about people's outer appearance,
but you just looked plain scary." The ghost seemed to laugh at the fun being poked
at him.
"Why do you think someone else was around, Jeb" Joe asked "Could be that the train
came off the tracks through no fault of yours at all. There might have been something
wrong with the track."
"I can't be rightly sure, Joe" the man said, "But right before we derailed, I remember seeing
something or somebody standing on the track just ahead of us. The lightening and thunder
were pretty ferocious. When on of the lightening bolts lit up the track, I could see two
or more men standing near the track. There looked to be something in the middle of the
track blocking our path. I tried to put on the brakes in time, but we were just going too fast
to be able to stop in time" "And you now know what happened next." he said sadly. "The
next thing I knew was that we were coming off the rails and I couldn't do anything about it."
The real body of Joe Cartwright seemed to be waking from his slumber. The image of the
ghost in front of the dreaming Joe flickered a little and seemed to lose distortion briefly.
"Looks like my time may be cut a little short, Joe" the man said with a hint of sadness.
"Will you help me out, son".
"Yeah, I'll help you out" Joe responded. He didn't know what drove him to say this. He
still had the fresh feelings of fear and dread from the events of the past few days, but at
the same time he felt an unavailing sense of urgency to help the stricken man reach his
destination in the next world. "What do you want me to do, Jeb?"
"Well, it looks as if the only time you are going to see me or be able to help is when you
are asleep." the man said candidly. "We need to make sure that the next time you appear
to help me, that you will be asleep for a time long enough to accompany back to that
accident night. Joe could feel himself waking up again and knew that the man's image
would not remain much longer.
"How about I go to this site where the accident was?" Joe explained. "I can try and
go to sleep at the actual scene. It may help to keep me asleep longer and we might not
have to travel too far at all."
"That's a great idea Little Joe," the man replied "But what would your family say?"
"I will have to travel without telling them for the time being" Joe said. "If they found out I
intended to got to Carson City on my own, they would never let me out of the house."
"I know that the doctor gave my Pa some sleeping powders the other day, that's why the
real me is asleep now. Until this morning, I didn't know why I had felt so tired. But I overheard
my family talking at the breakfast table this morning. They mentioned that they thought the
powder that Pa used in my milk last night must still be working. The effects still haven't
completely worn off ." "If I can get a few more of them, then I could take them when
I get to the accident site. They will ensure that I stay asleep long enough to help you with
your problem."
"I don't know about them sleeping powders, Joe" the man said. "Do you know how many
you would need? Any what if you stay asleep too long." "Maybe we had better come up
with another idea. I appreciate your help, but I don't want anybody else, especially somebody
still living to get hurt because of me again."
"It's okay, Jeb" Joe answered. "I doubt that I would be able to sleep long enough without
some sort of aid. I normally sleep quite well at night, but the events over the past few nights
have my nerves on edge. I am afraid without them I could wake up at any time before
solving the mystery." "Don't worry, I only intend to take two of them. Pa gave me only one
and that was enough to knock me out for quite a number of hours." "If I take two of them
together, then they will work longer." "Two couldn't do too much harm except keep me
asleep longer than normal"
"I don't know how to thank you yet Joe" the man said and extended a hand to shake.
"There is an old tree about 20 miles this side of Carson City, you can't miss it. You go
there, make camp and go to sleep and I will see you then."
Joe smiled and went to shake the man's hand, just as his hand reached the ghost's
he felt himself floating again.
Joe thought he could feel himself shaking the man's hand. When the real Little Joe
awoke beside Marie's grave, instead of seeing the ghost's outstretched hand, he
saw that his father, Ben Cartwright had hold of his sleep limp hand.
He looked up and saw the worried faces of his family looking down at him. He tried
to give them his best "Sorry" grin. He hadn't meant to fall asleep in the grass like
that. He remembered the conversation he had with Jeb Carter.
Little Joe felt himself being pulled into a standing position by his brothers and father.
He swayed slightly from the sleepiness his body still felt. He let his father and brother's
guide him wherever they wanted to take him. For the moment, his sleep addled mind
was going back over the conversation he had just had with the ghost. Somehow he
had to get to Carson City and the accident site by tomorrow.
Ben and his boys could see that Joe was not fully awake. They held onto his body
firmly to avoid him falling out of their grasp. They had a brief discussion between themselves
about how they should get the youngest Cartwright home. They knew nothing about the
mysterious man Joe had spoken to or the imminent trip Joe planned to take to Carson City.
Finally Ben decided it best that Joe ride with one of them home. They had tried to get Joe
to mount Cochise in order to ride her home, but once in the saddle, Joe had just slumped
over her neck, apparently lacking the strength to hold himself upright.
They rearranged the situation and placed Little Joe in front of Adam on Sport.
Adam looped his arm around the slim waist of his little brother and held him firmly against
his own body. Joe's head had once again bowed in sleep and now rested softly against
Adam's broad chest.
On the ride home, all three awake Cartwright were lost to their own thoughts.
Hoss couldn't help but worry about his youngest brother. He had been the one to find
Joe missing this morning. He had gone up to his room and knocked briefly at first. He
didn't know why he knocked, Joe was supposed to be still sleeping. He opened the door
expecting to find Joe sound asleep from the night before. He let out a loud gasp when he
spied the open window and the vacant bed.
Adam felt comfortable with the thought that at least physically he could help his brother
at the moment. With Joe securely in his grasp, he could protect the boy. He had been
protector ever since Marie died and that wasn't about to change now. He just wished
there was something more he could do. He sighed and looked down at the sleeping
form of Joe in front of him. He realigned his arm making sure that he couldn't lose hold
of his passenger in case he woke with a start.
Ben's thoughts were also of his youngest son. He saw Little Joe sittings snugly in front
on his brother Adam. When Hoss had cried out earlier that Joe wasn't in his bed, all
sorts of worries and fears and appeared in Ben's mind. With Joe's current state of
mind and the fact that he hadn't been sleeping too well, possibly getting sick and just
plain scared, he had no hesitation in ordering the boy's to saddle their horses and go
searching for the missing boy. At first they didn't know where to look. It was only by pure
chance that they checked Marie's grave site before heading out any further. Ben's heart
had eased a little at the sight of his son sleeping beside his mother's grave. It pained him
to think that Joe thought this was the only place he could sleep in peace and seek some
comfort at the moment.
When they arrived back at the house just before lunch, Ben dismounted and took the
sleeping Joe from Adam and carried him inside. When they got inside, Ben decided to
lay Little Joe on the settee in the living room. At least they could keep a close eye on
him down here. He didn't want Joe waking up again and taking off again until he was
sure his son was okay.
*************************************************************************
After a few more hours of restful slumber, Joe Cartwright began to awaken on the couch.
His movements didn't go unnoticed by his father Ben who was at his desk occasionally
writing, but for the most part just watching his youngest son. Joe looked ever so young
when his face was poised in sleep. He lost any firmness he had in his cheeks and his face
looked almost untouched. His long eyelashes sat softly over closed emerald green eyes.
His skin was smooth and wrinkle free. Ben could almost believe that he didn't have a care
in the world. But sadly, Ben knew there was still something troubling him.
Ben got up and walked over to the couch were Joe was. He sat on the edge near Joe's
feet waiting for the boy to wake in his own time.
Joe rubbed his eyes and looked up. He vaguely remembered about being at the lake beside
his mother's grave and being brought home by his family. He looked at his father and
thought that he was in for a good stern lecture about going out without telling anyone
where he was going.
"Sorry, Pa" came the whispered response. He shifted his gaze towards the floor, trying
to avoid any piercing stare from his father.
Ben was confused at first, but then guessed at what the apology was for. "What have you
got to say for yourself young man?"
"Sorry Pa" came the repeated answer. "I really am Pa. I just needed to see Mama
for a little while". He was on the verge of tears and had to chew his bottom lip
to prevent the inevitable cascade.
Ben's heart immediately softened. He couldn't be stern with the boy when he started
speaking about his mother. Ben knew that Joe missed his mother terribly. He put
his arm around Joe and gave him the emotional support he needed right now.
"I am not angry with you Joe" Ben said "Not really, just plain worried. When Hoss
came down and told us your bed was empty, I was scared for what might have happened
to you."
"I didn't mean to scare you Pa" Joe continued. "It's just that I have had a lot on my
mind the last couple of days and I wanted to talk to Mama for a while".
Ben just smiled at his youngest "Maybe next time you will ask me to join you, huh.
I miss your mother very much Joseph".
"Yeah maybe next time, Pa" Joseph said without much emotion in his voice. He knew
that his father was trying to improve his dark mood. It wasn't working. Somehow
tonight Joe had to work out how to escape the watchful eyes of his family again to
start his journey towards Carson City. Even before that, he needed to sneak up to his
father's room and take the small bag containing the remaining sleeping powders.
Joe made an effort to sit up on the settee and looked as though he was going to get
up. "Just going to out and tend Cochise, Pa" he said. He knew that his father would
not let him do too much that would over tax him today, so he decided on an option that
would please them both. Ben would be pleased enough that Joe was doing something
useful but easy and Joe could go about working out his plan in his mind without someone
watching over his shoulder.
"See you in a little while Pa" Joe said as he closed the door gently behind him. Ben just gave a
small wave, signaling that he had complete trust in his youngest. His fears and worries were not
completely at ease but he tried his hardest to put on a normal face.
****************************************************************************
By supper time that night, Joe had worked out his feeble plan. He was going to spend the night
sleeping in the barn with Cochise after everyone else though he was asleep in bed. He wanted
to be sure he awoke early enough and wouldn't be seen by his family before he could make his
escape.
The biggest problem he faced was trying to slip into his father's room so he could get the
small bag of sleeping powders. He knew it would be best to attempt this little deception without
his father being in the room. His father was a notoriously light sleeper and he doubted he would
be able to walk into the room undiscovered.
Whilst his father was out at the barn for a brief period that evening and just before Adam and
Hoss returned from their chores, Joe make his move. He slipped into his father's vacant room
and quickly removed the small white bag from the medicine chest. He slipped it into the pocket
of his trousers and walked out. Before he went back downstairs, he made a stop at his own
bedroom and hid the little bag in a niche of the bedroll he had prepared earlier. When everyone
else was asleep that night, he would slip out into the barn with the bedroll and be ready to quickly
saddle Cochise first thing in the morning and start his journey. With any luck, he would reach
his intended destination about mid afternoon. He felt a little guilty at having to deceive his family
this way but he couldn't think of any other way round it. Nobody was going to believe his tale.
This was just something he had to do on his own. He intended to write a note to his family
before he left, telling them where he was going. He didn't want to worry them any more than
they already were, but hopefully by the time they found the note he would be many miles away.
*****************************************************************************
At first everything seemed to go according to his calculations. He managed to make the
usual protests when told it was time to retire for the night. He needed to keep up the normal
appearances as much as possible. Once everyone was asleep, about 11.00 that night he
crept silently out the front door and bedded down for the night in the hayloft in the barn.
Morning came around very quickly to his dismay and he found himself forcing himself to
get up and start saddling Cochise. He had on his green jacket but the morning air was a little
cooler than he expected. It looked like rain today after the continual hot dry days. Clouds
made by sultry moist air were beginning to cover the sky. After suffering from the heat of the last
few night, he hadn't thought about needing any warmer clothes for his journey.
There was no time to go back and get a warmer one. He just hoped that the day would warm up
sufficiently, but one look at the sky threatening with a thunder storm and he doubted his wishes
would be met.
Once ready he once again led Cochise out of the barn. His mind was on other things and
instead of waiting for them to be past the ranch house, he mounted the pinto and started
riding away. He was unaware that his actions could be heard inside.
Adam Cartwright was on the verge of waking up when he thought he heard a noise outside
in the yard. He listened carefully trying to hear the noise again just to confirm he had heard
something. The sound didn't repeat itself and Adam thought that it was just the storm outside
this morning. He got himself out of bed and washed his hands and face ready to start the day. He
didn't think about the noise again.
Some half an hour later, Ben and Hoss made their own way down to the breakfast table to
join Adam.
"Good Morning, Son" Ben said without surprise. It was very rare that Adam wasn't the first
one down to the table in the morning. He noted with an equal lack of surprise that it
was his youngest son that was last to the table again.
"Mornin' Adam" Hoss said as he prepared to eat his breakfast and make a start on
the morning chores. It was cooler outside, but if he didn't make a start now he would just
get further behind.
"Have you seen your younger brother yet?" Ben asked just for the sake of asking.
"Not yet, Pa" Adam said. "His door was still closed so I didn't check on him. Want me
to go and check?"
Ben digested the idea in his head for a minute. "No, let him sleep for a while" he said finally.
"Like the doctor said, if he wants to sleep, just let him. I'll check on him after you boys have
left for the day."
The rest of breakfast was uneventful and Adam and Hoss got up from the table and prepared
to go about their morning duties. Hoss was the first one out to the barn that morning.
He looked at the stalls and knew instantly that something was wrong. Cochise was missing.
"Pa........... Adam .......... Pa" Hoss shouted as he ran towards the house. He was almost
breathless by the time he reached his father and Adam who were opening the door at his
frightened yells.
"Cochise is not in her stall" Hoss stammered. He didn't think he needed to add the details
of what was forming in his mind. He was sure that his father and brother were astute enough
to make their own conclusions.
"Oh no, not again" Ben now said as he ran up the stairs towards Little Joe's bedroom.
When he opened the door, instead of the image of his sleeping son that he wanted to see,
he only saw an empty bed. He walked over to it, hoping for some miracle that his eyes
were deceiving him. The only thing he saw on the bed clothes was a folded white piece of
paper. This only made the fear in his heart grow about where his youngest son might be.
Adam and Hoss had reached the door about the same time as their father picked up
the note from the bed. He looked at them with worry etched all over his face.
He opened the letter. There was no mistaking that the author was Joseph. The backward
slant from his left-handed writing left little room for doubt. He started to read the contents
out loud:
PA, ADAM AND HOSS
BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS NOTE I WILL BE GONE.
I MADE A PROMISE TO SOMEONE TO HELP THEM OUT AND I HAVE TO KEEP IT.
YOU ALWAYS TAUGHT ME TO KEEP MY WORD, PA. I CAN'T LET HIM DOWN.
I AM RIDING TOWARDS CARSON CITY AND SHOULD BE BACK TOMORROW OR
THE NEXT DAY. DON'T WORRY FOR ME - I WILL BE ALRIGHT.
PLEASE DON'T FOLLOW ME - I NEED TO DO THIS ON MY OWN.
YOUR LOVING SON AND BROTHER - JOE CARTWRIGHT.
Hoss and Adam looked stunned. They could see the worry and fear crawling across
their father's face like a stain.
"You not seriously thinking about letting him go on his own, Pa?" Adam asked.
Ben looked at his son "You bet I'm not. No matter what that young scamp thinks,
we are his family. If he has a problem to sought out, we are going to help him."
"What could be so important in Carson City, Pa" Hoss asked.
"I don't know Hoss, but we are going to find out" Ben said adamantly. "Hoss, you get the
horses saddled and tell Charlie that we are riding out after Little Joe. Adam, you get some
supplies ready and meet me out the front of the house."
Half an hour later, Ben and his boys were ready to start off on their rescue mission. The
ground was slightly hard, but not hard enough to prevent some tracks being left behind by
Cochise. Hoss was bent down over the neck of Chubb, looking for any and all signs of
Joe's intended route.
Joe had nearly two hours heard start and they would need to make up time as quickly as
possible to catch up to him.
***********************************************************************
The trail was tough going for Little Joe. The wind had picked up some along the desolate
plains and whistled through the thin fabric of his coat. He really was wishing he had gone
back to get a heavier coat. He dreaded how cold the night would become if it did rain
due to the storm overhead.
After about eight solid hours in the saddle, Joe reached what he thought was the
rendevous place. There was a tree in the distance that look suspiciously like the one Jeb
had described. Unfortunately, the area was as barren as a desert. Except for the railway
track and the tree that was nearby, there was no other landmark to speak of. The whole
place was eerily silent.
Joe had to pry himself out of the saddle after sitting so long. He was normally a fit rider,
but because of his lack of exercise over the past few days, his muscles had become slightly
slack. They protested as he made them work in the cool air.
The first item of business was to make a campfire. Joe hunted around and tried to gather a few
rocks to shelter the fire but the were very few if any rocks to speak of. The fire would remain a
small one due to the constant battering from the wind. It blew through the area in small
unchecked thermal and make an ominous sound against the setting sky. The horizon was a
brilliant blush pink on dark gray clouds and signaled that the night would be a cold one.
Joe made sure that he tended to Cochise next. He unsaddled her and rubbed her down as best
he could considering the humble conditions. He had two blankets in his bed roll. Now noting the
coolness in the air beginning to pick up due to the setting sun, he sacrificed one of them for his
best friend and draped the warm material over the rump of Cochise. He went back and stoked the
meager fire again hoping to secure some more warmth for himself.
Just as the last daylight faded, Joe went about making some coffee and a small meal from his
limited supplies. It wasn't going to be much tonight. At least the coffee would be hot to drink.
Joe reached into his coffee cup and pulled out the still sealed white bag of sleeping powder.
He looked at it for a minute and almost changed his mind about it. He did want to help this
lost soul he had just met, but he was a little apprehensive about the effects of taking too much
of this substance. He could almost here the berating words of Doc Martin now about taking
unprescribed medications. Usually he was one to avoid such things. This was evidenced by
the fact that his father had snuck some into his milk the night before in order to disguise it from
him. But sighing and beginning to unlace the draw string tie, he knew that there was no other
way to reach the higher plateau in the other world he needed to travel to. Jeb would be waiting
for him. He had given his word and just as his note said, he had been taught all his life to keep
his word, no matter what the circumstances.
Joe went about pouring about what he considered two teaspoonfuls of powder into the tin
coffee cup beside him. He proceeded to fill the cup from the billy that was positioned over the
campfire. He watched the crystals dissolve into the pitch black liquid and before he could change
his mind, he drank the contents in one swallow.
Now he laid back against the upturned saddle and placed the blanket over him. He wouldn't
have to wait long until the powder began to work. He was tired from the journey to begin
with. He was just about to close his eyes and wait for the sleeping powder to take him away
when he heard the sound of horses approaching.
His eyes were growing heavy and at first he thought he must already be asleep and dreaming.
It looked as though the people coming towards him were his very own family. But it couldn't
be.
Ben was the first to dismount and almost ran over to his youngest son with relief that he was
safe. He put his hands on both of his son's shoulders and stared intently into his youngest's
face, waiting for some sought of explanation. What he saw wasn't those normal happy dancing
eyes of Little Joe. The eyes he looked through were bloodshot, glassy looking and very heavy
from lack of sleep it appeared.
"Are you alright son" Ben asked. Something was still wrong. He expected his son to be
trying to dodge the question and be coming up with all sorts of reasons, instead he just
saw those heavy bloodshot eyes.
Ben glanced about quickly at the meager campsite and noted the small fire, the coffee billy
and the tin cup beside the saddle. What really caught his attention was a flash of white.
For a moment it didn't really hold his gaze, but upon closer observation, he gasped with
horror as he recognized the tie-string bag. He let got of Little Joe and made a desperate
grab for the small bag. He picked it up and noted that the contents were only half of what
they should have been. He looked back at his son and now knew why his son looked so
tired. He couldn't hide his naked fear. The amount that was missing from the bag was
definitely more than one dose.
"Why son" Ben asked in hurry. "Why would you do something like this".
Adam and Hoss walked up beside their father and looked questioningly at the scene before them.
Little Joe looked a little worse for ware. He looked very tired. Maybe he was truly getting
sick like they had first assumed. They knew it must have been a long hard ride for their young
brother to reach this spot in the time he had. They had been following at a neck breaking
pace themselves. Barely stopping in case they lost track of the youngest Cartwright.
Ben now noticed his other two sons and answered their unasked questions. "Your brother here
has taken just about the entire contents of this white bag.
Hoss and Adam now gasped in surprise of their own. They knew what had been in the bag.
They had been there when Doc Martin had given it to Ben with the relevant instructions.
"Sorry Pa, I promised a friend I would help him." Joe said in a very thick voice. "The only
time I seem to be able to make contact with him is when I am asleep. I need to help him,
I promised I would. Please understand".
Before Little Joe could continue his explanation, the white powder finally took over his
body. Without so much as another word about who he was helping and why, he began to
sway whilst standing on his feet.
Hoss reached out to steady his young brother, but before he could truly grasp him properly,
Little Joe starting falling towards the ground. He was now fully asleep and he couldn't stop
his body's descent to the cold ground. Hoss managed to get one huge hand under his head
before the rest of his body hit the dirt.
"JOE" all three of them shouted in union. But their pleas fell on deaf ears. Joe had taken
a very strong dose of powder and now looked as though he would not wake up for a very
long time.
Ben was stroking his son's face gently, calling his name and trying to get him to come around.
He would forget all about his son going off on his own if he would just wake up and tell his
family he was alright.
Ben and his boys had time this morning to grab their warmer coats from the closet
upstairs before starting out after Little Joe. Now with his son so still in his arms, Ben could
see Joe's body start to shiver slightly from the night air.
"Adam, get me that blanket over there." Ben said without looking up. "Hoss, see if you
can find some more wood for this fire."
"OH JOSEPH, why won't you let us help you" Ben said softly to his son that didn't give
any sign of hearing his father's voice. Ben grabbed Joe's blanket from the ground and
wrapped it around his son tightly. It would be a few hours before they could start heading
back to the ranch and help from Doc Martin. The horses had been ridden hard and needed
to be rested. They all needed to rest before starting back again.
Joe remained deeply poised in slumber whilst his father and brothers filled their bellies with his
coffee and talked about how to get Joseph home again.
It was agreed that they would travel back as soon as possible to seek the Doctor. Ben knew
that Joe had ingested a quite large dose of sleeping powder and needed to know what the
effects might be for his young son.
Ben decided that he would have Joe travel with him on the journey back. Once they got
within reach of the ranch, they would send Charlie or one of the hands to get the Doc from
Virginia City.
Hoss's mind just tormented him. He hated to see any living thing sick or injured. This
was his brother. His young brother Joseph, who he treasured almost above all others.
"Why, Pa' Hoss thought aloud. "Why would he do something like this". He was one
who normally didn't show much emotion, but right now he felt very helpless. His brother
was laying sleep, deeply sleep thanks to a large dose of sleeping powders he had given
himself. He had heard his brother's explanation about helping somebody and that he
could only help by being asleep. This just didn't make any sense to Hoss or his
family and he just felt more frustrated the longer they sat there without help for Joe.
"Don't worry Hoss" Adam said trying to ease the fears of his larger but younger brother.
"We'll help get him through this. You just have to be positive. For Joe's sake."
**************************************************************************
At first, Little Joe's sleep was dreamless. It was almost as though the powders weren't
going to work.
Ben and his boys allowed the horses the minimum amount of rest before heading back
to the ranch. Hoss was leading Cochise behind Chubb. Adam rode beside his father's
horse leading Buck. Ben had both arms wrapped securely around Joe's waist. They had
wrapped Little Joe up in two blankets before placing him on the saddle in front of his
father. The ride home was going to be considerably slower and the wind was still
whistling across the open plain. With Joe unconscious, they needed to keep his body
temperature monitored as much as possible. If he got too cold, it would only add to
the problems caused by the sedative.
For the first few miles, Ben continued to try and get through to Little Joe without
success. Joe's face was poised in the deep slumber that caused his face to look so
young and innocent. The skin was soft and tan and completely relaxed. There wasn't
a single wrinkle from worry or the sun etched upon it. Ben shifted his son's position
a little in the saddle so that he was leaning against his father's chest. His curly head
lay upon his shirt and tan vest. They had taken his hat and packed in on Cochise before
setting out. This only seemed leave his face looking that much younger.
**********************************************************************
At some stage during that ride home, Joe's soul made that journey from this world to
the next. He felt himself floating again and the sensation of being upon a higher plain.
He was looking out over the plain were he had set up camp. He felt the presence of
someone behind him and turned to see Jeb Carter standing there.
"Hi Little Joe " Jeb greeted him. "Wasn't sure you'd keep your promise".
"I said I would" Joe replied. "It still feels strange though."
"At least your idea worked" Jeb continued. "We are almost at the right spot. The train
should be right over there."
Before either of them could say anymore, they heard the unmistakable sound of a train
whistle. It was long and deep. Upon closer inspection of the area, they could just
make out the shadow of the engine. Thick black smoke billowed behind the locomotive
like a long uncoiling snake.
"How do we get down from here, Jeb" Joe asked honestly. He didn't know if they
walked on the other side of heaven.
"Leave that to me, Joe" Jeb said with a slight smile. He knew that what they were about
to attempt was more than Joe Cartwright had ever experienced in his entire life. "Grab
hold of my hand and I'll do the rest".
Although Jeb appeared to be whole again this time, Joe was a little hesitant about holding
the man's outstretch hand. The night in his room, that hand had been nothing more than
dried up old skin over brittle sticks for bones. He grasped it, but not very firmly. He was
thankful that he had worn his gloves today.
Before Joe could pull his hand back, Jeb enclosed his own over Joe's gloved hand and
they started their journey. Joe found himself floating again but this time he could see
their souls moving towards the train. The sensation of moving around in this high plateau
was quite different.
The train seemed to be continuing on it's merry journey, oblivious to the fate that
awaited it down the track. Just before they reached the train, Jeb seemed to stop a
minute.
They were nearing an area that was housed a little by large rocks that formed scraggly
outcrops along the railway line. The formations would make a good hide out for any
unsavoury characters trying to keep from view.
"You wait out here, Joe" said Jeb. "We are almost at the accident sight so I want
you to take a good look at things out here and see if you can see anything blocking the
track. I'll wait inside the carriages for you. Let me know if you see anything."
Joe just nodded his head and took his position up on a small ledge overlooking the
track. He could still hear the train approaching and knew he wouldn't have to wait
long.
Just as he saw the train take a small curve in the track and head towards the rock, he
saw something else out of the corner of his eye. He thought he saw two dark images
emerge from a small niche in the rocks and come out onto the track. They seemed to
be saying something to each other as the train got closer. Joe crept slowing a little
closer to the two men. He didn't know if they would be able to see him or not and
didn't want to take the chance that they could.
As he got within a few feet, he pushed his slim frame into a small nook within earshot
of the two men and listened to the conversation taking place.
"Angus you get up there on that ledge and push some of them big boulders down onto
the track here." the first man said.
"Sure Walt, but is this going to work?" the second man asked the first.
"Just do it, I told you I got everything under control" Angus Coleman hissed. "I want
what's on that train and nobody is here to stop us. A few of them rocks on the track
and that train will stop dead in its track. We take over the driver and force him to open
the rear carriage. If your lucky I'll even let you search some of them people in the first
few carriages and see what little trinkets they have on them. Just be quick about it, the
train is almost here."
Walt Bishop got up onto the outcrop like he was told and used a long metal bar as a
lever to shift some of the boulders. With a rumbling sound, a few of the rocks started
to move and slide down the hill. Soon a small avalanche of boulders was cascading down
the side of the hill and out onto the train track.
Joe felt anger at this. He clench his fists at the thought of such callousness from people.
Without thinking he jumped out from behind his hiding spot and began threatening the
men and trying to stop their evil actions. It was only after a short barrage from him and
no response from the two men that highlighted the fact to him that the two men couldn't
see or hear him. His shoulder's slumped a little in defeat. He wanted to make a small
difference. He wanted to try and help those poor doomed souls on the train, but the pages
of history had already be written.
Soon the sound of the locomotive was very close. He looked to his left and he could see
the large bright headlamp on the front of the engine. It was only a short distance from
the rocks that were strewn all over the track. Apparently, the train didn't see the danger
yet.
It didn't take long though and Joe watched with bemused horror and he saw the engine
start to brake heavily. Now the driver, Jeb Carter had seen the danger on the tracks and
tried to stop in time. Sparks flew and there was a horrible screeching noise of metal
wheels on metal tracks as the two of them joined forces. The sparks continued to fly
and got considerably louder. Without warning the train suddenly lurched to one side
and the carriages lurched to the other. It was too much for the engine. The great
forces involved of the engine pulling one way and the carriages the other were just too
much. The engine and the three carriages parted company and toppled over.
Joe put his hands over his ears and looked away from the sight as he could hear the
screams from the passengers inside. He could hear their screams of death. He could
smell the smoke from the friction on the tracks. It sounds were deafening and too much.
"NOOOO" was the only sentence he seemed to be able to utter.
Then just as quickly as the accident had began, it was all over. Joe looked up and saw that
the train was eerily silent. He couldn't detect any more screams from the passengers.
They were all gone.
Joe looked further down the track and saw that the two men who had caused the accident
were rummaging around in the last carriage that was overturned some distance away.
He walked over to where they were to see what they were doing. He knew that they couldn't
see him now. That didn't quell the anger burning within him at this horrible act. There were
many dead or dying people inside and all these two were worried about was finding what
treasure was to be stolen.
The two men seemed to be struggling with some sort of large metal box. They were grunting
from the obvious heavy weight involved.
Joe took a closer look and noted a few words written on the top lid of the box. "PROPERTY
THE AMERICAN ARMY". The box looked to be very strong and had a large padlock on
the front of it.
Angus Coleman now made a comment to his partner in crime "GEE, I didn't think this
gold shipment would be so heavy" and let out another grunt from exertion.
"Yeah, this shipment might have been secret, but what a haul" Walt Bishop added.
"We let this stuff lay low for awhile until the heat settles down and we will be filthy rich".
"Yeah, it just a damn shame we have to wait so long" Angus said with disgust.
"Pure luck that we came across that drunken Army solider in that cantina the other night,
hey Angus" Bishop commented.
Joe now reorganized the conversation in his head. 'So that was it. A gold shipment.
They planned to hide the gold for a while and come back later to get it.' By the look
of the size of the box, Walt Bishop was right, it was a sizable haul indeed.
Little Joe felt another presence behind him and turned to see Jeb standing beside him again.
He could see the despair and sorrow written into the man's face.
"Now you know why I asked for your help, Joe" Jeb said. "That gold shipment was so
secret that even I didn't know about it. Come on I show you what these animals caused".
Joe reluctantly followed the driver's ghost. He wasn't usually one for stomaching such sites.
Sure he had seen men die before, lots of time, even horribly before, but it was never something
you got used to.
He grasped the handle on the outside of the first carriage and pulled himself aboard the
locomotive.
He walked into the first door and started opening the first set of doors to the passengers.
The first thing that hit him was the stench. It could only be one of death.
It was overwhelming and Joe felt himself fighting the urge to gag at the foul aroma.
Something was triggering in the back of his mind. Something was pulling at his senses.
He could feel the tug and for a brief instant before he could survey the damage from the
accident, he felt himself floating again and leaving that higher level of existence.
"Sorry Jeb, doesn't look like I can stay here anyway" Joe heard himself say. The only
thing that was still churning inside his mind was the yellow crusted smell of decay.
Joe felt his real body under something soft. He tried with all is might to open his eyes
and take in what was going on. Instead of seeing the broken and twisted bodies from
the passengers of the train that was responsible for that awful smell, he saw a white
haired man peering into his face with a look of worry.
"Hello, there young man, welcome back" came the words from the man before him.
The face was almost too close. Joe felt himself moving his head from side to side
trying to clear his vision a little.
Now that his sight was a bit more clearer, he could see that it was Doc Martin that had
been hovering over him. He could see that the Doctor had what looked to be a vial of
smelling salts in one hand. He had obviously been using it to bring him back from his
unconscious state. What he actually smelt instead of decay and macabre was the equally
acrid smell of the vial the doctor was holding.
Joe looked about and suddenly realised that he was back in his own room. Standing
right behind the doctor was his very worried father and his brothers, Hoss and Adam.
Ben tried to give his best smile to his son but could only manage a half-hearted effort.
He couldn't hide his genuine worry.
It had taken most of today from late last night to bring an unconscious and unresponsive
Little Joe back home. On the journey back, Little Joe had uttered very little. He just
remained deeply asleep from the sleeping powders. On one occasion when Ben had been
talking softly to his son, trying to rouse him, he thought he heard Joe say "NO" but he could
have been mistaken.
Joe was trying to say something, but his mouth was very dry. The effects of the sleeping
sedative and the black coffee the night before left Little Joe very thirsty. He gestured for
some water and immediately saw Adam hand a small glass of water to the doctor and
put it to Joe's lips. Joe drank greedily and thankfully. When he had had enough, he pushed
the glass away.
He tried to sit up a little. The mattress underneath him did feel very good. He felt Hoss
helping him a little and propping the pillows up behind his back. He got a little more
comfortable and looked at his family and the doctor standing around him. He could see
that they were all very concerned.
"Sorry Pa" he said sheepishly, trying to avoid his father's gaze.
Doc Martin grabbed him firmly but gently by the chin and said stiffly "Do you know
how worried your family and I have been about you Joseph". He saw the immediate
reaction from his young patient. He hadn't meant to be that harsh, but he couldn't
forget the faces of the Cartwright family when he arrived at the house a short time
ago.
Doc Martin had been in his office in town when Charlie, one of the Ponderosa ranch
hands came charging into his office saying he was needed urgently to tend to the
youngest member of the family yet again. He grabbed his medical bag and raced
to the ranch with Charlie dreading what injury he would find this time.
When Ben Cartwright had opened the door, Paul thought that Joe must be almost
at death's door. He would never forget the distraught and helpless look he saw on
his old friend's leather tanned face. He held his breath in until Ben told him what
had happened the night before and how they had found Little Joe at the campsite.
Little Joe looked back up at his father and brothers with tears in his eyes. He hadn't
meant to hurt his family that much. Doc Martin released Joe and moved off the
bed to allow Ben to take his place. He couldn't be angry at his favourite patient, but
feared he would have a few more grey hairs after today.
Ben couldn't be angry when he saw that face either. He had tears of his own running down
his face as he gathered a sobbing Little Joe into his arms. "It's okay Joe," Ben whispered
softly "Oh Joseph". Ben could hardly hold himself together. He was supposed to be being
strong for his young son, but he was finding it rather difficult.
Adam and Hoss had not been able to hide their fears either and without further invitation
managed to find their own places to sit on the bed and give a comforting arm to their younger
sibling. Adam was stoic in look, but inside his heart was still recovering from the heavy blow
it received. Hoss on the other hand was more open and had tears of his own streaming down
his face to match those of his father and brother Joe.
Little Joe had been crying. All his emotions inside were mixed up. He felt angry that he had
to deceive his family like he did. He felt sorrow for Jeb and the passengers he had seen lose
their lives in the train accident. He felt a little solace from the fact that he had been able to
work out the cause of the accident. It hadn't been Jeb's fault at all. Somehow he was going
to have to prove this to the railway company.
Joe didn't feel himself drifting back to sleep again whilst being hugging firmly by his family.
He had been thinking about too much. A lot of it he probably wouldn't remember the next
day when he woke again.
Ben and the boys released their embrace on Joe and now sat back on the bed. All were
a little embarrassed about having displayed such open emotion. All had to chuckle to
themselves, including Doc Martin when they took a closer look at Joe's face.
The feeling of being loved and wanted had been enough to let Little Joe relax again
They were just in time to see his eyes flutter closed and he was under the power of the
sedative again.
Doc Martin gave another examination of Joe's pulse and breathing as his young patient
slept. Paul told them this reaction was expected. The dose Joe had taken was a large
one and due to the amount he had over the last couple of days, he was satisfied that Joe
would probably sleep on and off over the next two of three days at least. He sadly noted
that he still had no real leads to extend to the Cartwright family about Joe's behaviourial
changes.
"I'll be back in day or two Ben" Paul said on his way out the door. "Until then, just keep
him quiet as much as possible. He can get up and move around the house a little, but I
wouldn't suggest letting him going riding or out on his own for a while."
Ben gave a hearty handshake and bit the doctor Goodnight. He knew that the family
physician was doing his best to help Little Joe. They all were, but nothing seemed to be
working at the moment.
***********************************************************************
Joe awoke very late again the next morning. His body felt particulary heavy due to the residual
effects from the sleeping powders. He had trouble getting his clothes on without feeling
slightly dizzy or light headed.
Ben had heard his son moving about upstairs and went to check to see if he needed anything.
Ben just chuckled silently to himself as he watched his young son from the bedroom door
to struggle into his clothes. Joe's face was a colourful mixture of expressions from the
frustration he felt at being so helpless.
Ben suddenly bored the brunt of Joe's anger "What are you laughing at Pa" he said with
a little bit of sarcasm.
"Uh-hum, nothing Joseph" Ben said still trying to stifle back the giggles. He knew that
his son was feeling particulary vulnerable at the moment and needed his family around
him to support him instead of jeer at his misadventures. "Just came up to see if you
were alright Joe" Ben said trying to cover his tracks.
Ben now changed the mood of the conversation entirely and gave his best pleading
look to his youngest son "Please tell us what happened yesterday, son" he said softly.
He tried to put all his energy and feeling into his question.
Joe looked up and noted the look on his father's face. Once again he felt increasingly
guilty at what anguish he had caused to his family.
"You will think I am nuts, Pa" Joe said. He couldn't hold it in any longer. If he didn't
share his story with somebody he would burst at the seams.
"Joe," Ben said and walked close enough to his son to put an arm around his shoulder
"We are your family, we love you. We will understand."
"Okay," Joe sighed somberly. "Tell Adam and Hoss if they want to here a good laugh
from their brother to meet me downstairs in a few minutes. Pa........ he began slowly,
promise you won't laugh at me!"
Ben had never felt more serious in his life "I promise nobody will laugh at your
story Joseph".
Ben left the bedroom and allowed his son a little time to dress himself and gather
his confidence. He had told Adam and Hoss what was about to talk place and gave
them a threatening look when he told of his promise no to laugh at Joe's story.
He doubted that his son's would be so unfeeling towards Joe at the moment, but he
needed to be sure.
Joe placed himself on the settee. Ben sat in his high-backed blue leather chair.
Adam sat in the other arm chair in the room. Hoss sat on the opposite end to
Joseph on the settee. He knew that his brother was looking for a little breathing
space right now, so he didn't get too close.
Finally, slowly and very apprehensively, Joseph told his fantastic tale to his family.
He didn't leave anything out. He told them about what he had seen on the nights
that the house felt like it was shaking. He told them about the first time he saw
Jeb Carter as the hollowed out corpse on his bed. He spoke of the floating sensation
and his journey to the other side. He gave all the vivid details of the horrific train
accident he witnesses and how he had felt so powerless to help the passengers on the
train.
He had told his story whilst looking at the floor the whole time. It was only when he
had finished his story. He looked up to gauge what his family were thinking.
Ben wanted to believe his son. The story was more fantastic that he could have ever
thought explained. Some of the details now made more sense, like the uttering of
the word TRAIN and the reaction to hearing the whistle of the train whilst in Virginia
City. He wanted more than anything to believe in Joseph, but something ate away at
his sense of rationalization.
Adam had been thinking alone similar lines but what trying his best to hide his true
feelings from his younger brother. He really couldn't bring himself to believe a story
like that, even if Joe swore it was true.
Joe looked at his father and older brother and felt his own sorrow at their open expressions.
He could see that they wanted to believe him, but just the same he could see that they
didn't believe. He felt that same sense of hopelessness starting to descend upon him again
that he had felt whilst watching the train accident.
When Little Joe gazed at his big brother Hoss's face at the other end of the settee, he saw
a completely different expression. Hoss didn't show any sign of not believing him. The
only emotion he saw on his brother's face was love. Love, unconditional, unforgiving,
and without hesitation, Love. He reached out and thanked his brother with all of his
heart for believing in him. He could always depend on Hoss in his time of need.
Ben tried to lighten the mood in the room again. "Let's all go into town and get a
beer this afternoon".,
It wasn't only Joe who looked at his father with astonishment this time. Twice in
one week, Ben Cartwright had made the suggestion of going into town with the sole
purpose of socializing and relaxing.
Joe and his brother's readily agreed. Joe had alterative motives going around in his head
about what he wanted to do when he got to Virginia City. But for now he kept those
thoughts to himself.
***********************************************************************
Just as the Cartwright family were making their way to the Bucket O' Blood saloon,
their were two other men hitching their horses to the railing of the saloon. Walt Bishop
and Angus Coleman then walked into the barroom and selected a table at the back of
the saloon.
Both of them saw the family walk in but took no particular notice of what they were doing.
They had no reason that they were suspected of doing anything illegal. Joe didn't seem to
notice them either. The two men were close enough to overhear any conversation that
was between the Cartwright's.
"Why do you want to go over there for, Joe" Adam asked a little impatiently. He loved
his brother dearly, but this story about the train was beginning to wear a little thin on him.
He just wanted things to get back to normal again.
"What are you going to ask the Station Master, Joe?" Ben asked honestly. "He may not
know anything about this train derailment you told us about." Ben and his family failed
to see the sudden interest the neighbouring table had at hearing this sentence. The two
men now were a little nervous to be hearing this from complete strangers. Did these four
men know what they had done almost a year ago.
"I'm going to find out if he knows about it Pa" Joe said a little heatedly. He was beginning
to get his temper up at having to explain his every little thought or movement since coming
back from the campsite at Carson City.
All three older Cartwright's noted the edge in Joe's voice and knew that the youngest was
getting a little steamed. They had brought Joe to town to relax, but it certainly wasn't panning
out that way at all.
"Do you want me to go with you, Short Shanks" Hoss asked. He was trying to defend his
little brother but felt like he was fighting a losing battle.
"NO" Joe yelled as he got up from his chair riled a little more. "I am not a baby so stop
treating me like one. I know this doesn't make any sense to you. But I made a promise
to someone and I aim to keep it. I am only going over to the train station. I will be back
in a few minutes. Then you can get me home then before you think I will embarrass you
further."
Joe walked off in a huff. He was angry at his family, angry at himself for being angry
with his family. He walked towards the train station ready to find out some details from
the local Station Master about Jeb's train.
All the Cartwright's including Joe failed to note that the table next to them that had been
occupied a few minutes ago was now vacant. The two men had gone out the back entrance
and tried to tail the youngest Cartwright without being spotted.
Joe knocked on the door that read 'Station Master' and waited until somebody answered the
door. There was a small window on the far end of the office. The two shady characters
outside of Walt and Angus positioned themselves just under the window sill so they could
eavesdrop on the young man and the Station Master.
Little Joe was nervous at first about telling his strange story to a complete story. His own
family barely believed him. He told the middle aged man about the conversation he had
with the driver, the images he saw of the accident and lastly about the gold shipment he had
seen the two men handling from the rear carriage.
The Station Master had listened to the conversation without interrupting. He was skeptical
about the story about the ghostly images of the driver and some of the other things Joe
Cartwright mentioned. There was one thing he knew for certain but kept it to himself for
the time being.
"Well, Joseph" the man began "I've told you all I know about that accident. I always
knew there was something suspicious about it, but we couldn't find evidence to point
to an act of sabotage. In the end people were so eager to blame somebody, that they
blamed the first person they could, Jeb Carter and he wasn't able to defend his reputation
or put his side of the story forward. We'll talk again in a few days after I have spoken
to some people from Carson City. I am sure that somebody knows something about these
two men you mentioned."
Joe got up and shook the mans hand and thanked him for at least listening to his story.
He left feeling like he had at least made a little progress. It was if a great burden had been
lifted from his shoulders.
Joe walked casually back towards the saloon and planned to apologize to his father and
brothers for being so irritable. He took the shortest route and started to walk down the
alley way towards the back door. He never made it halfway.
Before he had time to yell for help, he felt himself dragged back roughly by two pair
of hands. One pair held his arms tightly to his chest so that he couldn't move them or
struggle against his captors. The other pair were around his mouth and nose, cutting off
any hint of noise he might have been able to get out to call for help.
He tried desperate ly to gain the attention of his brother's and father seated inside at
the table. The hand over his mouth increased in pressure and his eyes started to see
black spots dancing before them. He was about to pass out from the lack of oxygen.
*********************************************************************
Ben Cartwright had been sharing a quiet conversation with his eldest two boys when a
young barmaid came running in from the kitchen area shouting at him.
'OH MR CARTWRIGHT, YOU GOTTA COME QUICK, YOU GOTTA COME QUICK"
the girl said on the verge of tears.
Ben grabbed the young girl gently but firmly and tried to get her to calm down enough to
repeat her sentence.
"What's wrong miss" Ben said, something was in the pit of his stomach starting to churn
at the tone of her voice. Something was wrong, very wrong.
"OH MR CARTWRIGHT, I JUST SEEN TWO MEN GRAB YOUR SON LITTLE JOE AND
DRAG HIM INTO THE ALLEY WAY BEHIND THE SALOON. OH, MR CARTWRIGHT
THEY ARE GOING TO HURT HIM, YOU GOTTA COME NOW" the girl yelled into his face.
Ben let go of the girl and forgot all about her instantly. Adam and Hoss were ahead of their
father and all three raced through the bar room doors and out into the street of Virginia City.
Ben was truly worried about his young son's welfare. On any other day, he knew that Joseph
would put up a good fight against anyone who tried to do him harm. But today, with his mind
and body still recovering from these strange events, he wasn't so sure that his son could
adequately defend himself.
They didn't have to wait long. They looked down the alleyway and noted with shock and anger
that somebody was indeed dragging Little Joe into the darkness. Two men each had hold of
him. One grabbed him around the middle and was pinning his arms to his side preventing him
fighting them off, the other had his hands over his mouth stopping him from yelling for help.
The two men noticed with dismay that things hadn't exactly gone to plan and they now had
an unwelcome audience.
"STOP RIGHT THERE," Ben Cartwright roared at the two of them. "LET HIM GO
RIGHT NOW".
Walt Bishop spoke up for the two of them 'NO YOU STOP RIGHT THERE MISTER"
He grabbed Little Joe roughly again for emphasis. "YOU PEOPLE BACK OFF UNLESS
YOU WANT TO SEE THIS KID'S BLOOD SPILLED".
"THAT'S MY SON, YOU ANIMALS" Ben shouted again "LET HIM GO NOW"
'IF YOU SO MUCH AS HARM ONE HAIR ON HIS HEAD, SO HELP ME I'LL ......"
Through all of this going on, Joe had managed to get a good look at his two captors.
His eyes widened in surprise as he realised who the two men were. They were the two
men who had caused the train accident. They knew what happened. If he could only
get out of this bind and make them tell the truth to the sheriff and his family, then he
could get them to confess to causing the accident. His mind was now whirling from
the thoughts about his two captors as well as the looming darkness from asphyxiation
Walt Bishop had been shouting back at Ben Cartwright had momentarily let his grip
over Joe's mouth loosen. This was probably the only chance he was going to get for
the near future Joe decided glumly. He would need to make this count.
Joe drew in a hurried breath and starting shouting something back at his family and
the people who had gathered to watch the incident in the alley way.
'PA..... THESE ARE THE TWO MEN THAT........." Joe managed to say. Before
he could finish the phrase he felt a stabbing pain in the back of his head and crumpled
to the ground in a heap. He was now laying unconscious on the dirt in front of the
two outlaws. Blood was oozing from the cut on his head.
Ben had felt a stab to his heart as he saw Angus Coleman bring the butt of his pistol
down on Little Joe's unprotected skull. He now saw that his youngest son lay very
still on the ground.
Adam and Hoss had roared with anger too at the sight of their brother being beaten
senseless. Hoss and his family had started to walk towards the two men when they
saw that Walt Bishop was holding a loaded gun to the young man's curly head.
"JUST TRY IT" Walt said menacingly.
For a moment the entire scene looked to be moving in slow motion. Ben , Hoss and
Adam were standing in the one place but itching to rip apart these two men who had
harmed Little Joe.
Little Joe remained oblivious to the outside world. He dreamt of nothing and knew
no pain at the moment.
Walt Bishop now grabbed the back of Joe's collar and started to drag the inert young
man further down the alley way. They wanted to get away from the main street. They
intended to take their young hostage with them. Using Little Joe as a shield they would
be protected from any threats the mob was willing to carry out. They had to get away
and make sure that this boy never told anybody about what they had done to the train.
Ben and the others tried to follow to help Little Joe but were soon pushed back by
Walt Bishop cocking the loaded gun and placing his finger on the trigger of the pistol.
He wanted to let them know that he had no misconceptions about shooting the unconscious
youth if he had to.
The two men had managed to drag Little Joe sufficiently into the alley way so that they
were protected from the angry mob out front. They were about to try and get the young
man tied to a horse ready to ride out of town when they felt a strange breeze blow through
the alley way.
The wind was cool and eerie. It felt as though it almost had weight to it instead of
being the flightless wonder that it usually was.
Walt Bishop and Angus Coleman felt somebody tap them on the shoulder. Walt
Bishop released the unconscious Little Joe and turned around ready to fire his gun at
the person behind him.
When both men turned around, they dropped their guns in sheer terror. Just like it had
been for Little Joe in his bedroom that night, they couldn't believe the sight that stood
before them.
It was Jeb Carter. But it was Jeb Carter as he had first appeared to Little Joe. He was
once again the eaten out corpse with remnants of muscle and tissue hanging from his
bones.
Walt Bishop and Angus Coleman wanted to scream just like Joe had, but they couldn't
find the words. The ghostly figure now spoke to them:
"You will turn yourselves in and tell them everything you have done" Jeb cried out to
the two shaking men. "You will let this boy go and confess your crimes and take your
punishment. If you do not, you will come with me and dwell forever in eternal damnation."
Jeb Carter's voice had stopped, he thought he had almost done enough to scare the men
enough to leave Little Joe alone. Just for emphasis, he held up his skeletal looking left hand
and without warning let the entire hand drop from it's rightful position on his arm onto the
ground in front of them. The hand at first was unmoving, but then it began to crawl towards
the two men huddled up against the wall. Both of them watched with eyes as big as saucers
and couldn't keep from screaming at the hideous looking sight.
Ben Cartwright, his boys and Sheriff Roy Coffee were just about to storm into the
alley way to rescue Joe when they heard the God awful screams. All stopped dead
in their tracks and looked at one another.
Ben and his boys knew they had heard screaming like that before. They were certain
it wasn't Little Joe's voice this time, but the screams still made their blood run cold.
What caused men to scream like that.
Without too much more warning, Walt Bishop and Angus Coleman came running out
of the alley way, looking deathly pale. They were still screaming when they both fell
at the feet of Sheriff Roy Coffee.
"Please Sheriff, lock us up," Walt Bishop began sobbing "We'll tell you everything,
including where the gold is if you just keep that thiinnggg away from us" PLEASE"
Roy Coffee just looked stunned. He had seen a lot of strange things in his life, but he
had never had people beg him to lock them up before. He shook his head and herded
the two men towards the jail cell just like they wanted. He would get to the bottom
of this later. He really wanted to get back to help Ben and see that Little Joe was alright.
By now, Ben and his boys had paid their attention more to finding Little Joe than to the
two screaming men. They didn't know what it was they were screaming about and at
the moment they didn't care.
They found Little Joe at the end of the alley way, just as he had fallen after bring dragged
by Walt Bishop. He was still unconscious. The bleeding on the back of his head had
slowed considerably. His curls were now matted together by the congealed, dried blood.
Ben took of his bandana and dunked it in a nearby water trough to wet it. He wrung most
of the water out of the material and then placed it gently onto the open wound on Joe's
head.
The reaction was slow as first. The coolness of the water and the sting from the wound
hit Joe all at once. He winced and tried to grab at whatever was hurting the back of his
head.
"Joe" Ben said softly as he gently grasped his son's flailing arm. "Are you alright, son"
Joe looked up at his father trying to comprehend what was being said. He could see
his father's mouth moving, but nothing was making sense. He grabbed at his aching
head and winced even louder. There was a deafening roar between his ears.
Joe suddenly remember his two captors. He turned his head and started looking for
his attackers. He couldn't see them. The only thing he noted was that the dull ache
had now turned into a thunderous wave of pain from the movement. He knew that
he might not be conscious much longer. He had to make sure his father understood
who the two men were before he lost his senses again.
He started to sit up slightly to get his message across, but Adam and Hoss were
there with worried looks on their faces, telling Joe just to lay still for a minute so
they could check him over.
"Got to tell you Pa......." Joe managed to say. It sounded somewhat slurred, but
he kept going anyway "Got to tell you about those men....... those men Pa." he
felt himself starting to drift off again ..." those men are the two that caused the
train ....... accident" With the last of his residual strength gone and the last of his
adrenaline preserved dried up Joe went limp in Adam and Hoss's arms and his
head now lolled to one side.
Adam and Hoss now paired up and helped carry their injured brother to Doctor
Paul Martin's office. They had all heard what Joe had to say, but for now they
needed to attend to his injuries. There would be time to talk about trains and
men later on.
*********************************************************************
Little Joe lay on a small bed in the doctor's examination room. Paul had checked him
over and told Ben that the head wound was mostly superficial. It wouldn't require any
stitches but he wanted him to remain there for a little while just to keep an eye on him.
Ben had been sitting beside his sleeping son in the doctor's office when Sheriff Roy
Coffee and the Station Master knocked on the door. They had been both walking back
to tell Ben about the incredible revelations they had discovered.
Paul Martin ushered everyone out of his office where Little Joe remained sleeping before
they could disturb him. He asked Hoss to remain in the room with his brother and promised
that the discussion would be shared with him later.
"And that's about the size of it Mr Cartwright" the Station Master finished off. :"When your
son came to me and first started talking about seeing ghosts and dead people, I thought he
had been pulling my leg. But when he mentioned that gold shipment on the train, I was
convinced he was telling the truth."
Ben asked the Station Master a rational question "Couldn't have Joe heard about the gold
shipment somewhere else Bill".
"No Mr Cartwright, that's what really makes me believe Little Joe's story. He couldn't
have possibly known about that shipment. It was supposed to be an army secret. Not even
the driver knew it was on board his train. It was supposed to be traveling to Carson City
and off loaded to some undisclosed destination. It was supposed to be funding the Civil War."
"I couldn't make heads of tails of what Little Joe was saying at first either Ben" Sheriff Coffee
added, but when I talked to Bill here and from what those two men confessed to doing over
in the jail house, I really believe Joe saw that accident. I don't know how, but he saw it.
Those two men were so scared from whatever they saw in the alley way that they even told me
where they hid the strong box after the accident. I am going to take a posse out tomorrow
morning and search for it."
Ben and Adam just looked dumbfounded at the others. Little Joe had been telling the truth
the whole time and now it seemed that there was actual physical proof of it. There was
even two witnesses to vouch for it. Maybe unco-operating witnesses at first, but witnesses
none the less.
Ben and his family just wanted to put this whole messy business behind them and take
Joseph home so he could rest in peace and quiet. Ben started to go back into the doctor's
office and ask him about this diagnosis about a time to travel back to the Ponderosa.
Paul was standing over his young patient once again. He hadn't moved at all during the
conversation taking place outside. Ben had told Hoss what had been discussed and the
big man now just looked down with a little sorrow in his heart at ever having doubted
his brother in the slightest.
Doc Martin took Joe's pulse and check his over thoroughly before making his final
decision. "I know you want to take him home this evening Ben, but I must warn you
will have to keep a good eye on him until the morning. With his body receiving so
much punishment over the last couple of days and his mental unstableness, that blow
to his head was the last thing he needed. I will let you take him home in a padded
wagon, but only if you promise me to follow my directions to the letter."
Ben promised the Doctor that anything he said would be strictly adhered to. He
just wanted to take his young son home and let him feel normal again.
"Remember Ben, plenty of rest and Hop Sing's good cooking and he should be
back on his feet in no time." Doc Martin said. "Keep him in bed until at least tomorrow
morning and even restricting his movements to the house for the next day or so wouldn't
be a bad idea. He is likely to have a few headaches from that wound on his head."
Ben took all the doctor's words to heart and told Hoss and Adam to get the wagon ready
for the journey home.
It was completely dark when the wagon started on it's route back to the Ponderosa.
Joe had slept through being moved from the Doctor's office to the padded buck board.
Ben was still a little worried, but Paul had assured him that the best thing for him now
was rest. It would help him to heal physically as well as get his mind back on the right
track. The ghost train would soon be forgotten and he would be the Little Joe Cartwright
they all adored and loved.
It was eleven o'clock by the time they reached the homestead. Hoss jumped down from
the wagon and helped a barely awake Little Joe from the wagon. The bumps from the
ruts on the road on the way back had caused him to wake as they arrived home. Joe
leant heavily against his big brother and let him do all the walking to the front door.
Once inside, Ben was about to instruct Hoss and Adam to take Little Joe upstairs and
get him settled in his own bed for the night, but Hop Sing had been bustling around and
changing the bed and stoking the fire place in the room. He was giving a barrage of
Cantonese mixed with English when he told the family they would have to wait until
the room was ready before taking Joe up there.
Ben was about to argue this point with the little Chinese man, but Hop Sing disappeared
back into Joe's room before he could get a word in.
Ben now noted that Joe had made his own decision and was now seated on the settee,
leaning back against the head rest with his eyes closed. Ben was just so glad that
everything had worked out okay. His son had been returned safely although a little
battered. He couldn't find the words to say out loud, so he looked up and just whispered
a slight prayer.
Hop Sing came out of Joe's room and yelled from the balcony that the bed was ready
for it's sleepy occupant. Joe got up on his own steam and started to walk to the staircase.
He was holding his head slightly at the dull ache that was beginning to form.
The next thing Joe heard made him jump again slightly. He heard the train whistle he
had heard the previous nights. Again it sounded close and just outside the house.
This time he was not frozen to the spot in terror as he had been the first time, it was almost
as if he expected it now.
Joe was too busy watching the window on the other side of the dining room table to notice
that he wasn't the only one to hear the sound this time. Ben and his boys stood a few
feet behind Joe with their mouths agape. Could this be the same thing that Joe had been
hearing all this time. There wasn't a train track near the ranch for miles.
Then just as it had done the first night, the translucent and green hue of the train rumbled
through the far window and proceeded to come into the house. Instead of going right
through this time it stopped just short of Joe.
Joe was too caught up in the moment to be looking at the expressions and actions of
his family behind him. He stepped forward towards the engine and looked up at the
ghostly image of the driver. It was Jeb Carter.
The ghostly driver started to climb down from the locomotive and got off the train and took a
step towards Joe. He held out his hand and tried to shake it with the young Cartwright.
Unfortunately this occasion was unlike their other meetings and due to them existing on two
different planes at the moment, physical contact was impossible and Joe's hand just passed
right through the ghostly looking one of the train driver. For the first time since meeting
Jeb Carter, Joe noticed that the driver appeared just as he would have in real life. Although
his appearance was almost translucent, his skin was normal looking. He even had a few
wrinkles that could have been called laugh lines on his face. His receding hair line was
combed neatly and looked clean. Lastly, his eyes held a special sparkle within them as he
smiled at Little Joe.
Jeb Carter had gained his passage through to the next world. He would enter the next
world with a hearty handshake and a grin on his face. His reputation as well as his earthly
abode had been restored.
Ben, Adam and Hoss couldn't believe their eyes. All stood in bewilderment at what was
playing out before them. They all had lost the power to speak at the moment.
"Time to be moving on Joe" Jeb said to his friend. "I want to thank you for all you've
done for me. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Does this mean you will be moving onto the next place, Jeb" Joe asked the man.
"Yeah, I guess it does at that" the ghost replied. "Maybe someday I come back and visit
you again."
"Just give me a little warning next time, Jeb" Joe said. "My heart can't too much more
scaring at the moment."
"You take care of yourself, Little Joe" Jeb said and then climbed back aboard the engine.
"You're all right in my books."
He gave an almighty blast on the train's horn and the train starting moving through the
house again. Within a few second, the last carriage was passing through the other side
of the house and Joe could see the extended arm of the driver waving it him in the
distance."
Joe had a content smile on his face when he turned around to look at his family. It was
only now that he noted that they must have been able to see everything he had been telling
them about for the first time. He was sure that his brother Hoss looked somewhat paler.
Ben and Adam found their voices but failed to find the words to use them.
Hoss spoke for all of them when he said "Little Joe, I will never doubt anything you
tell me again"
Joe just smiled back at his family. He finally felt safe again. He knew that his sleep
would be peaceful. Just as he reached the top of the stairs, he looked back down
again at his family who were still trying to comprehend what they had seen.
The grandfather clock in the living room began to strike the hour. It struck twelve
times to signal it was 12 o'clock midnight - 31st October 1859 - Halloween.............
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