In the morning light, Ben got a good look at the McElroy ranch. The house, barn, and outbuildings were well constructed, but in definite need of repair. The loss of John McElroy was evident, and even though Hank Miller was a hard worker, the ranch was much more than one man could handle. A little later, Ben and Hank headed to the house for breakfast. Ben was immediately aware of the change in Kate McElroy from the night before. She appeared freshly dressed in a pale green frock that brought out her eyes and her hair was neatly tied back with a ribbon. She bid them both good morning with a warm smile. Ben was most certainly pleased to see her and returned her greeting, but he was also very conscious of the fact that he must not do or say anything to compromise his saddle stiff persona.

Kate had prepared a hearty breakfast for them. While they ate, Hank told Ben that they would be working on a section of fence that Breckenridge' men had torn down allowing the McElroy cattle to be scattered throughout the countryside. He further explained how Breckenridge had systematically taken over the ranches in the area and claimed them for the Ponderosa. Kate McElroy's husband John had been a casualty in this process. The thugs had beaten John severely after he had confronted Breckenridge about damage to McElroy property and stolen cattle. John McElroy died about a month later from complications of that beating. Ben asked if the law had ever been brought in to do something about it. With a mirthless laugh, Kate explained that there were never any witnesses to testify against Breckenridge.

"John and I worked very hard to make this into a good working ranch." Anger flashed in her eyes as she went on to explain. "Cass Breckenridge may not have put a bullet in my husband, but it amounted to the same thing. With Hank's help I have tried to keep things going so that John's hard work was not in vain. Breckenridge has driven away all of the other ranch hands who have worked here except for Hank. He has stayed on to help me and I am very grateful."

Ben's brown eyes were soft with sympathy for the young widow. "I am truly sorry for your loss, ma'am, and all the trouble you've had here."

His fury increased with each tale of injustice. Ben knew Breckenridge must be stopped before any more innocent people were hurt. And the Cartwright name was at stake. However, Ben did not feel that revealing his identity at this point was the best option. He would just have to bide his time and see how things played out.

The men expressed their thanks to Kate for breakfast and for the lunch that she planned to bring out to them at noon. Because Ben's mare was still lame, Hank offered him a stubborn gelding named Battle Axe for a mount, but Battle Axe was not ready to go to work. Bucking and rearing, the horse soon tossed Ben on the ground.

Hank rounded up the skittish horse and brought it back to Ben. "Are you OK?".

"I'm fine." Ben dusted himself off and situated his hat before climbing back into the saddle.

BattleAxe immediately went back to his antics, and again Ben landed on the ground with a thud.

He grunted into the grass. "This is getting old in a hurry." Hank retrieved the horse while Ben painfully got up. "Let me have another crack at him."

Hank shook his head. "No, you better take my horse. I need you in one piece so we can get some work done."

Begrudgingly Ben mounted Hank's horse, and they headed out to the worksite with Hank hanging on tightly to the bucking BattleAxe.

The two men worked tirelessly through the morning to repair the fence. Ben was using muscles that had not been used in a very long time, but he was not about to give in to their screaming.

Hank noticed Ben's discomfort. "Feel free to take a break any time you need to."

"Are you planning to take a break?"

"Too much work to do."

"Then we'll keep at it."

Around noon Kate drove up in the buckboard with their lunch. Ben quickly mopped the dirt and sweat from his face with his sleeve and threw himself into stretching the fencing wire.

Kate looked on with a satisfied smile. "Looks like you two have accomplished a lot this morning."

Ben really wanted to turn on the Cartwright charm, but he knew that it would be inappropriate for an ordinary ranch hand, and he settled for his best smile. "Just happy to be of help, Mrs. McElroy."

Kate could feel a blush coming on; so she quickly turned around to grab the basket of food. Her mind was churning. "What is it about that man. There is an air about him that is nothing like any ranch hand I've ever been around. He's confident, but sincerely humble. And oh my goodness, that smile!" Not wanting to appear preoccupied, Kate called out cheerfully to Hank and Ben. "I've got some fried chicken and biscuits."

However, before Kate had the food spread out on the back of the buckboard, Cass Breckenridge and his men rode up. Much to Ben's surprise, Cactus was with them. Ben ducked his head hoping Cactus would not recognize him in his 'Ben Brown' get up.

Breckenridge smiled at Ben. "Well, well, Mr. Brown so we meet again. Seems like I told you to get out of this country."

Ben sneaked a peek at Cactus. The old hand's eyes let him know he had been found out. What worried Ben was whether Cactus would reveal his true identity, but Kate jumped into the conversation and took up his cause.

Her eyes flashed and she spoke sharply to her adversary. "He is working for me; so you need not worry yourself about Mr. Brown."

Breckenridge went on unfazed. "I wanted to talk to you, Miz McElroy. I figure you're going to need to sell your cattle soon and I am here to offer you six dollars a head."

Hank looked at him in disbelief. "Six dollars a head? They're worth more than six times that much."

"I will not sell you my herd, Mr. Breckenridge. Not now! Not ever!" Kate spat out.

Breckenridge sneered. "Suit yourself, but just remember that I made you an offer when you can't find a buyer for your cattle."

Cactus chose to keep his mouth closed about the situation. He exchanged glances with Ben before riding off with Cass Breckenridge and the other men.

The next morning when Hank and Ben returned to finish repairing the fence, they found their previous day's work had been destroyed.

Ben looked on with disgust at the twisted wire and pulled up posts. "Looks like we had some varmints on the property."

Hank sighed wearily. "Yeah, the two-legged kind. Guess I had better head into town for supplies. You will keep an eye on things while I am gone, right?"

Ben nodded. "You can count on it."

Shortly after Ben began cleaning up the mess of fencing, Cactus rode up.

Surprised to see the old hand riding alone, Ben commented to him flatly. "Thought you were working for Breckenridge."

Cactus told Ben he had ridden out and not looked back. "I've seen some snakes in my time, but this guy is the worst. There's a lot of fancy stealing goin' on around here in your name."

"So I've heard."

"Guess you'll be changing back into your Cartwright clothes and sendin' Breckenridge down the road."

"Then he'd just go on and do his stealing some where else."

"Sounds you're plannin' to send him off to jail. A man like that covers his tracks well. Kinda like to be around to see what happens." A faint smile came over Cactus' rough face. "Know anyone looking for a good all-round hand?"

Ben chuckled. "I'll put in a good word for you with the boss lady."