Day 10

They'd eaten the last of the provisions, so Sean went to gather food in the forest. He set a few snares and then went back to start a campfire. The boy was hanging in there, but he had less stamina each day. The cough persisted, and Bonnie was worried about him. Sean put coffee on to boil, then brought the canteen to the child.

"Thank you, Mr. McBride," he wheezed and then smiled.

The smile melted him. Sean reached out and ruffled the boy's hair. "We'll be there by tomorrow, for sure, son," he said, and the child's smile was renewed.

After drinking a cup of coffee, Sean checked the snares. One unfortunate rabbit was caught in one of them. Satisfied, Sean brought it back to camp and cooked it over the fire.

"I sure am glad to see you eatin' again, Pa," said Hoss.

Adam gave his father another spoonful. "I'm glad you haven't been asleep all day," Adam said.

Ben felt a little ashamed, so he just smiled weakly and accepted another spoonful of mush, followed by a drink of water.

"I wired Roy. He said things are fine back on the ranch. It will sure be good to get back home."

"It won't be the same without Little Joe," Hoss commented sadly.

"Hoss," Ben said. "Come here, son."

"Yeah, Pa?" the boy said as he moved to the bedside.

Ben took Hoss' hand in his own and looked steadily into his eyes. "We'll have to plan a memorial."

Hoss nodded. "Joe was awful fond of that little pinto. Maybe we should let it go?"

"I think that's a fine idea," Ben whispered.

Adam gulped back tears.

Bonnie and Sean cleaned up the last remnants from dinner. Little Joe was asleep, wrapped in Bonnie's blanket on the ground. Sean looked at him uneasily.

"What is it, darlin'?" She asked.

"Oh, I'm just worried about the little tyke," he said, shaking his head.

"Sean Thomas McBride," she said, and his eyes met hers. "Out with it."

"Well, I'm not one for doctorin', that's your business, but it appears to me he's getting worse, and another night in the cold damp air can't be any good for him."

"Aye, we're in agreement. What would you like to do?"

"If I carried him in my arms, we could make it to town tonight."

Bonnie looked at the child, then back at her husband. "Why didn't you say so in the first place?"

So it was that Sean McBride walked into the Sheriff's office at midnight with the sleeping Little Joe Cartwright in his arms.

Hoss heard the knocking before his brother, but couldn't manage to reach the door first.

"Who's there?" Adam called.

"Mr. Cartwright? It's Sheriff Tully. We've got your brother."

Adam turned and looked at Hoss, and then his mind registered just who the Sheriff had. Hastily, he pulled the latch and opened the door.

Little Joe was in the arms of a stranger, fast asleep. Adam took him carefully from the man's grip. The boy stirred slightly, but did not wake. Adam held him close for a moment, and Hoss stroked the child's hair.

"He feels warm," Adam said with some concern as he carried him to the bed.

"He's got a touch of cold," Bonnie explained. "My husband found him sleeping in the woods, with nothing but leaves to keep him warm. We tended to him at home a few days, and he seemed better, but -"

"The trip was a bit too hard on him, I'm afraid," Sean finished.

Although they were eager to speak to the McBrides, neither Cartwright could tear himself away from Little Joe. Touching Joe's arm with his left hand, Adam held his right out to Mr. McBride.

"I sure thank you for everything you've done," Adam said.

Sean shook his hand eagerly. "I'm just happy to bring him back to you, Mr. Cartwright."

"Adam."

"Sean, Sean McBride." Hoss shook his hand as well, and Bonnie was introduced.

"Reckon I should send word to your Pa," the Sheriff said.

"Wait," Adam called. The Sheriff stopped. Glancing down at Joe, Adam said, "I have a better idea."

Ben was sleeping when they entered his room. Gently, Adam laid Little Joe on the bed, resting the boy's head on his father's shoulder. Giving Joe a final pat, Adam turned to leave the room.

Ben could have sworn that there was something on top of him. "I must be dreaming," he thought. The he heard a cough, and felt the unmistakable shaking that accompanied it. He opened his eyes. "Joseph?" He said urgently, wrapping his arms around the child. Joe was sound asleep and didn't hear his father, but instinctively, he snuggled against his warm chest.