Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters.

A/N I can not promise the chapters to this story will be posted on any day but a weekend...as schoolwork has become top priority. (has to if I'm to pass the classes).

I also don't plan on making this very long...if it does go that way? Guess I'll have to eat my own words...again.

Also, while "Mariah" was not in 'His Father's Son'...she made it into this story. ;) (ookkkk LOL) (Those who have not read 'Mariah' ..she is a widow that winds up engaged to Ben.

For Jacob's Sake

Chapter One

Opening Scene

"Jacob! Jacob!" Adam's voice rang out loud and clear only to be covered up by the wind and rain.

"He's not gonna hear us over this storm!" Hoss hollered just to be heard, "We best find cover ourselves then start lookin' agin when the rain stops!"

Adam didn't like to stop looking even for a second; still, his brother was right. What good could they do at the moment. Maybe his pa and Little Joe were having more luck. He sure hoped so anyway.

While the men looked Mariah stood by the window watching the rain fall. 'Where are ya, child?' She had just begun to get to know the boy as she'd been away visiting friends when he and his father had first came back to the United States. As worried as she was for Little Jacob she was grateful Adam had cause to return home early; at least now the men were looking for the boy.

The rain continued to fall and the thunder talked.

Scene One

Little Jacob lay on the cot the old man had led him to. He was tired and scared but at least he was hungry anymore. The stranger had seen to that. As much as the boy wanted to ask him he was just too tired. "Pa will be lookin' for me. He will go home and when I am not there..." his voice trailed off as he drifted off to sleep.

A smile shown down upon the sleeping child. It had been a while since any living person, besides himself, had been in the old log cabin. Oh, it wasn't like he had been totally alone all these years-he hadn't. His son came and went while his daughters wrote constantly; still, it wasn't like having a 'youngin' with him.

The old man made his way to the porch and enjoyed watching the rain say hello to the trees and plants that surrounded the place. 'Jacob Cartwright' the old man thought as he remembered the lad's words, 'Got to be related to the Cartwrights that own the Ponderosa. Sure hope they show up soon. I am too old to be travelin' anywhere and Paul is not due in for another two months.' Paul was his son.

While the old man stood on the porch pondering the events of the past few hours Little Jacob was dreaming about them. 'No!'Adam had wearied of Jacob's constant begging to be allowed to go on the trip his father, uncles and grandfather were making to Carson City, 'I am not saying it again! Another time maybe but, for now, you stay here with Miss Mariah and your Aunt Melinda!'

Jacob had hurried back into the house, up the stairs and into his room. He wanted to be with the men not stuck at home with his father's stepmother, Uncle Hoss's wife or his infant cousin. Maybe if the child was a bit older things would be different but as it was...Jacob got it into his head he'd go on his own trip. Oh, he'd stick close to home but what wold it hurt to go on just a little camp out? He'd leave a note telling exactly where he was camping so no one would have to worry.

Where had he taken the wrong turn out. Jacob wandered for hours trying to find his way back to his small camp. How far had he gone? Was he even still on the Ponderosa? When a man's hand fell on his shoulder Jacob let out a scream and jumped.

The lad's scream forced the old man out of his thoughts as he hurried as fast as he could into the room where the boy was laying down. Okay, by the time he got there Little Jacob was sitting up. "Sorry," he looked at the old man in the doorway, "I was dreamin'."

The old man smiled, "I have had a few bad dreams myself. Want to talk 'bout it?"

Jacob shook his head, "Nothin' much to talk 'bout. I was just dreamin' 'bout when ya first found me. I did not see ya comin' up behind me."

The gentleman chuckled, "I did not think I was that quiet. Sorry, fer scarin' ya. Lie back down and try to relax. A growin' boy needs his rest."

"Yes, sir." Jacob lay back down and fell back to sleep.