Authors Note: Firstly thank you for those asking for an update, I am sorry for the delay, real life has gotten in the way of my writing!
Secondly, I really want to say thank you to my two beta readers Jaspers Mom and Little Leaf of the Redwoods, both awesome authors themselves and they really are helping me improve the delivery of my story, checking for obvious errors and improving the authenticity. I really couldn't do it without either of them.
Have been asked to go back to the Evans family in the next chapter so I aim to do that. If anyone else has any comments on how they think the story should be laid out please feel free to PM your thoughts. Other than that read and enjoy this chapter and review it please.
Michael Willis rode into Virginia City and made his way to the telegraph office. The office door was closed and the blind was still down over the door. Looking around, he spied a sign. 'Office hours 8 am – 8 pm.'
Mikey walked his horse down the street to the mercantile where Mr. Carter was sweeping the porch. "Good Morning, Mr. Carter."
"Good Morning, young man. You are out early this morning, is everything OK? " asked Mr. Carter.
"Oh Yes, Sir, I just rode into town. I spent the night at the Ponderosa ranch as it was a bit late by the time I delivered the message from the Sheriff. I was happy to start back but Adam Cartwright offered me supper and a bed for the night. Adam has asked me to make sure a couple of messages are sent off urgently this morning, but the telegraph office isn't open yet. Do you want me to start work right now?" asked Mikey.
"No, have you eaten any breakfast yet?" asked Mr. Carter
"No, Sir. Adam did offer, but I wanted to get back to town early because I didn't want you to think you were wrong to offer me a few days' work. I was going to drop off these messages, go and get changed and have some breakfast before coming to work. Sir, I wasn't expecting you to be opening the store so early. I don't want to lose the job you offered to me because I need the money. I can start right now if you let me go out to the telegraph office when it opens."
"It's OK, young man. I don't usually open until 8 o'clock myself, but I woke up early so I thought I'd get started. You go and get yourself some breakfast and be back here by around 8, OK?"
"Yes Sir, Mr. Carter, I'll be here," said Mikey, walking his horse to the livery quickly. He wanted to go wash up and change his shirt before breakfast. Since he had already paid for breakfast at the boarding house, Mikey thought he'd make sure that the messages were sent off and kept the change Adam had promised him for breakfast at another time.
After putting his horse back in the livery, Mikey made his way to the boarding house and went to the reception desk to get his room key.
"You didn't stay the night here, Mr. Willis," said the young girl behind the reception desk.
"No, miss, the Sheriff had a little job for me to do so I spent it elsewhere. Is it still OK to have breakfast?"
"Oh yes, Sir, of course. Breakfast will be served very shortly. Can I get you anything else?"
"No, Miss, just my room key. I want wash up before eating."
"Yes, Sir, room 6 I believe," said the young lady handing over the key.
Mikey took the key and, thanking the young lady, he headed up stairs to wash up and change his shirt.
Mikey reappeared downstairs 10 minutes later, feeling much fresher. He gave the room key back to the young lady at the reception desk and headed into the dining room for breakfast.
After eating a fine breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, grits, orange juice and coffee, Mikey took his leave. Taking the rolled up messages, he strode out of the boarding house towards the telegraph office.
The telegraph office was open. Sidney, the telegraph operator, was sorting out his note pad and checking that the equipment was working OK. He went through the same routine everyday, even though he knew that everything was working from the night before. When he had been trained to operate the equipment the salesman had told him that he should routinely send a test message to the nearest receiving station each day to verify the line was working and Sidney did this religiously each morning.
Mikey knocked on the door before walking in. "Excuse me Sir, I have a couple of urgent messages to be sent from Adam Cartwright."
Sidney finished his testing and looked up from his seat. "Good morning young man, did you say Adam Cartwright wanted some messages sent?"
"Yes Sir, here they are," said Mikey as he handed over the rolled up messages.
Sidney accepted the messages and unsealed the paperwork. Quickly reading the two messages, he did a quick calculation in his head, "That'll be one dollar and ten cents, then, please."
Mikey handed over the two dollars and Sidney handed him the change,
"I'll get straight to these messages," said Sidney
"Thank you Sir, I'll be getting along then," said Mikey, turning and walking out of the office and making his way over to the mercantile.
Sidney sat down at the telegraph equipment again and he quickly tapped out the first message.
'For Attention Of Mr. Benjamin Cartwright, care of Sheriff Dawson, Carson City:
Stop. Pa, Little Joe has awoken from the deep sleep he was in. Stop. Dr. Paul is at the ranch keeping a watch on him but he says that signs of a full recovery are good. Stop. Both Hoss and I are anxious to see you. Stop. No need to ride hard, looks like things are turning the corner around here. Stop. Please rest in Carson City if you need to. Stop. Signed Adam. '
Getting a message received response, he signed his name on the bottom of the message and put it in the 'complete pile' nail on his right.
Picking up the second piece of paper he tapped out the next message.
'For Attention Of Sheriff Dawson, Carson City. Stop.
Sheriff Dawson, Sheriff Roy Coffee of Virginia City speaks highly of you. Stop. My pa, Benjamin Cartwright of the Ponderosa Ranch, Virginia City will be riding through town today. Stop. He is trying to get back home urgently as my younger brother has been injured. Stop. I need someone to locate him and get him a message sent alongside this one. Stop. Please could you detail a Deputy to locate him. Stop. All costs of this will be paid. Stop. Signed Adam Cartwright.'
Sidney waited for the message received response before he signed the bottom of the paper and placed in on his sent pile. He sat back and smiled to himself, 'I'm right glad that little boy is going to be OK, he's a cheeky little lad but he's always smiling when he comes into town.'
At dusk, Ben Cartwright had left the Silver Mine, which was located about half an hours ride outside Boulder City. He knew the trail between Boulder City and Carson City pretty well, which is why he had decided to risk riding out alone, even when the light was fading. Riding through the dark, until he was unable to see the trail clearly any more, he decided to stop and rest for the night. It was a moonless light and, although Ben was anxious to get home to his boys, he had enough experience to know that riding in the dark was a sure way to get lost or injure himself or his horse.
Ben spotted what looked like a cluster of rocks and he slowly approached them, listening carefully to the noises around him. Feeling comfortable that there were no predators around, including human ones, he rode near the rocks. He dismounted and then tied up his horse.
He felt around the area in the darkness and, finding a few twigs and some brush, he began to prepare a fire. When a small fire had been lit, he was able to look around the area a little further. There were three large rocks behind him which would provide some protection from the wind and a tree at the end on the left. Picking up a small branch, he lit it from the fire and he stood up. He had a quick check around the rocks and finding several smaller rocks, he collected them and put them around the fire. Then, he returned to searching for enough wood to keep the fire going all night.
After collecting what he thought was enough dry wood, he returned to the fireside, dumping the wood down near it. He then walked to his horse to take off the saddle and saddle bags. Ben unpacked a nose bag for his horse with a few oats in and he hung this over the horse's head. Putting the saddle down near the fire, he made himself comfortable by leaning up against the saddle.
Ben rooted through the saddle bags and dug out a small coffee pot and a bag of coffee grounds, his canteen and some beef jerky. He also found a sandwich the local Sheriff's wife had prepared for him and what looked like a few biscuits. Silently thanking the Sheriff's wife, he took a bite from one of the biscuits and chewed on it gratefully whilst putting the coffee grounds and some water in the coffee pot. He leant forwards and placed the pot on one of the smaller stones in the fire, then he sat back to finish eating the biscuit.
It wasn't long before the smell of coffee overloaded Ben's senses. Wrapping up a piece of cloth, Ben leant forwards to pick up the coffee pot and he poured himself a cup before placing the pot on another stone near the fire to keep the coffee warm.
Ben sipped the hot coffee slowly, enjoying both the smell and the bitter taste. He looked skywards trying to see if he could estimate what the time was, but there wasn't enough light for him to determine that. He thought he had probably been riding about 3 hours. He had decided to avoid going into Boulder City to save time and make it a more direct route towards Carson City, so it was probably around 9 o'clock.
During the ride, he had alternated riding at a gallop and walking his horse to enable it to recover. He was fairly confident that he was probably only an hour and a half's hard ride from Carson City.
'Well, if I get some sleep now, I can be ready to leave at just after dawn,' he reasoned. Realising that he would be unable to water his horse before then, he went and removed the nose bag and poured water into his horse's mouth from his canteen. "I'll get you to a watering hole as soon as I can in the morning, girl," he said, stroking her face gently. Ben checked his canteen and he poured a little more into the horse's mouth before leaving just enough for some more coffee in the morning. He patted the horse's flank and settled himself down by the fire. Pulling his blanket over him, he looked up at the sky again and offered up a prayer.
"Lord, I know that you are listening. Please keep my boys safe until I return to them tomorrow evening. I know that there was a reason why you took each of my wives, even if I do not understand it at the moment, but surely you can't mean to take my Joseph. Please Lord, don't take my son. He's only a little boy. I'll do anything if you will let me keep him, even give up my own life. Please Lord, don't take my son from me, I'm not sure I could cope if you took any one of my boys," Ben said croaking out the last few words.
Ben wiped his face with his handkerchief and then finished his coffee. He piled some more wood onto the fire to keep away the coyotes and he lay down and whispered into the night air, "Goodnight Adam, goodnight Hoss and goodnight my little Joseph, please look after each other, I'll be home tomorrow."
Just after dawn, Ben awoke and, after making himself some coffee and eating the sandwich the Sheriff's wife had made for him the day before, he loaded up the saddle bags and put out the fire with the dregs from the coffee pot. He checked that his horse was OK and he went for a quick scout around to see if there was any water nearby. Ben found a stream a few minutes' walk away. He returned to the makeshift camp-site and put his saddle and saddle bags on his horse, securing them tightly before he lead his horse to the stream. Letting go of the reins, he filled his canteen up whilst his horse had a good drink.
When his horse had had a good drink, he mounted up and assessed where he was. Pleased to see that he wasn't far from the main trail, he headed in that direction.
Just under two hours later, Ben rode into Carson City and headed quickly to the telegraph office. When he arrived there, he found that it was not yet open. There was a sign on the door stating that the office would be open at 8 O'clock. Ben glanced up at the town clock and saw that it read 7.30. He really wanted to find out if there had been any news from Adam about Little Joe's condition and he wanted to send a message to Adam himself so he decided to go and find somewhere he could get some coffee and some real breakfast.
Walking his horse along the street, he spied the Sheriff's office and he went over to speak to the Deputy sitting smoking outside. "Excuse me Deputy, My Name is Benjamin Cartwright, is Sheriff Dawson about?"
Deputy Peters looked up at Ben, "Howdy, Mr. Cartwright, the sheriff said to look out for you. He's actually in the boarding house down the street having some breakfast with Deputy Horace from Virginia City. The Deputy rode in last night on orders from Roy Coffee, I believe. Seems Roy wants to provide you with an escort back home. I understand that your youngest has had some sort of accident. I'm sorry to hear about that Sir. Sheriff Dawson said I was to keep an eye out for you and give you any assistance you need. How may I help you Mr. Cartwright?"
"Thank you Deputy, Sheriff Marks in Boulder City suggested that I call in to see Sheriff Dawson when I made it into town. I was meaning to see if there were any messages from my elder son but the telegraph office is not open until 8 o'clock. Perhaps first you can tell me where I can get a cup of coffee and some breakfast in town and if there is someone who can take care of my horse for me that would be welcomed."
"Yes, Sir, there are several places you can get coffee Mr. Cartwright, but the boarding house where the sheriff is actually has the best breakfast around, even serving to those not boarding there for the night. It's down the street on the left. It's called Cole's Boarding house. If you'd like to walk down there, Mr. Cartwright, I can take your horse to our livery and Sam can take care of him," said the Deputy."
Thank you Deputy," said Ben "My horse is the brown and white mare tied up outside. I sure would be grateful if she could be given a good brush down and some oats and water. Here's two dollars for the livery."
"Yes, Sir. I will make sure Sam takes good care of your horse Mr. Cartwright," said the Deputy accepting the two dollars and following Ben out the door.
Ben walked down the street and spotted the boarding house easily enough. He crossed the street to the boarding house and knocked on the door.
The door was opened by Mrs. Cole, a round faced portly woman who smiled at the stranger. "Good morning Sir, can I help you?"
"Oh yes ma'am," said Ben taking off his hat. "I was looking for Sheriff Dawson and his Deputy said that he is having breakfast in your establishment. I was wondering ma'am if I might join him please."
"Certainly Mr?"
"Cartwright, ma'am. Ben Cartwright."
Mrs. Cole opened the door and stepped back a little before she said, "Please come in Mr. Cartwright."
"Thank you kindly ma'am," said Ben stepping into the boarding house.
Mrs Cole directed Ben into the dining room, "Please take a seat Mr. Cartwright and I will bring in some more coffee and an extra plate."
Ben approached the table. "Howdy Ben, its good to see you," said Deputy Horace
"Horace," acknowledged Ben.
Sheriff Dawson stood up and held out his hand. "Mr. Cartwright, I'm Sheriff Dawson, I replaced Sheriff Watson last month."
"Pleased to meet you Sheriff," said Ben shaking the outstretched hand.
"Please take a seat Mr. Cartwright, Betsy-Sue does the best breakfast in this here town, " said Sheriff Dawson sitting back down.
Ben pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Horace.
"Ben, Roy sent me into town to escort you back home. I've arranged for a fresh horse if you need one and the livery owner has already been asked to take care of your horse, so we can leave as soon as you are ready. On a personal note, I'd like to say that everyone is real sorry to hear about young Joseph," said Horace
"Thank you Horace. I am worried about him as well, in fact the only reason I came into town was to find out if there was any news but the telegraph office was closed," said Ben.
Mrs. Cole appeared at that moment with a plate and a pot of fresh coffee which she put down in front of Ben. "There you go Mr. Cartwright. Please help yourself to whatever you want, there should be plenty available and it was only cooked just a few minutes before you arrived."
"Thank you Mrs. Cole," said Ben
"You are welcome Mr. Cartwright," said Mrs. Cole, pouring a cup of coffee for Ben.
Ben helped himself to a little of everything on the table and took a sip of the coffee. It was hot and bitter just how he liked it. The food was delicious just as he had been told it was.
Horace and Sheriff Dawson let Ben finish his breakfast and pour another cup of coffee before they started talking.
"Mr. Cartwright, the telegraph office will be open shortly and as well as Horace being sent here, Roy Coffee asked me to provide you with any assistance you require. Is there anything else I can do for you?" asked the Sheriff.
Ben sat back and thought for a second, "Actually Sheriff, I think that everything seems to have been organised. I am anxious to get home to my boys. I have rested up overnight but my horse sure could do with a good rest. I'd like to take up the offer of a fresh horse so I can ride on shortly. Do you think if I pay the costs that you could arrange for someone to bring my mare back to Virginia City in the next few days? I'd be happy to cover the costs of a meal and a night's rest in the International Hotel in Virginia City."
"Yes Mr. Cartwright, I believe that I can arrange for that to happen. Are you sure that you only want her brought back to Virginia City? I'd be happy to arrange for someone to bring her back to your ranch"
"Thank you Sheriff and it's Ben, Mr. Cartwright is a bit formal don't you think?" said Ben smiling. "I'm sure Virginia City would be (just) fine. The ranch is quite a way out of town and I'm sure that she will be well cared for in the Virginia City livery . My ranch hands usually go into town every few days and can bring her back home," said Ben
"OK Ben, then you must call me Matt. I will arrange for someone to bring your horse back to Virginia City just as you requested."
"Thank you Matt," said Ben handing over ten dollars to the Sheriff. "I believe that this should cover it."
Mrs. Cole came back into the dining room, "Well then gentlemen have you had enough to eat? Would you like any more coffee? I've got another pot on the stove."
"No thank you ma'am" everyone replied.
Ben reached into his shirt pocket, "The breakfast was delicious ma'am, I'd like to thank you for the fine meal and I'd like to pay for everyone's breakfast please."
Sheriff Dawson tried to object but Ben held up his hand. "Please gentlemen let me take care of this. I appreciate your kindness and assistance with regard to my situation."
The sheriff and the Deputy nodded their acceptance and Ben turned to Mrs. Cole. "Ma'am, could I please have the bill?"
"Certainly Mr. Cartwright, I'll make it out for you now," said Mrs. Cole, leaving the room and returning to the kitchen to write out the bill on one sheet of paper instead of the three she had written out before. A few moments later she returned with a bill which she handed to Ben. He looked at the bill, which was two dollars, ten cents and passing over three dollars. He said, "Please keep the change ma'am for the service."
Mrs. Cole accepted the money, blushed and curtsied. "Thank you Mr. Cartwright, I am glad you enjoyed the meal. Please feel free to drop by any time you are in town."
Ben smiled, "I will ma'am, I'll bring my boys in the very next time I pass though."
"Oh yes, Mr Cartwright. I'd be very happy to cater for you and your boys. In fact if you telegraph prior to coming I will make them a nice cake for tea."
Ben stood and took Mrs. Cole's hand, "Thank you, I will. My boys would love to hear that you would make a cake especially for their visit. Now, if you'll excuse me ma'am I'd like to go and see if there is any news about my youngest."
"Yes of course Mr. Cartwright. I truly hope your son recovers quickly from whatever ails him, please come back soon."
"Thank you ma'am. Matt, Horace, if you'll excuse me I just need to drop into the telegraph office to see if there is news from Adam. I can join you both back at the Sheriff's office if you would like," said Ben.
"OK Ben, we'll meet you back there," said Horace
The three men thanked Mrs. Cole for the meal and then left heading off in the same direction, until Ben needed to cross the street to the telegraph office.
The door to the telegraph office was propped open and Charlie Parsons the telegraph operator was tapping out his first message of the day. Ben knocked on the door and was waved inside. Charlie finished his message and listened for a reply. Receiving one that said that that the last message had been successful, he signed the message and looked up at Ben.
"Good morning Sir, how may I help you?"
"Good Morning, My name is Ben Cartwright, I was wondering if you had any messages here for me from my son. They would be sent from Virginia City."
"I don't think I have any messages for you at present Mr Cartwright, but if you would like to wait a moment I can check the one's on the wall," said Charlie.
He was looking through the messages from last night, when the equipment started up with the incoming message start signals. "Excuse me Sir, I need to get this."
"Of course," said Ben.
Charlie picked up his head set and pen and started writing the message down.
The message read:
'Pa, Little Joe has awoken from the deep sleep he was in. Stop. Dr. Paul is at the ranch keeping a watch on him but he says that signs of a full recovery are good. Stop. Both Hoss and I are anxious to see you. Stop. No need to ride hard, looks like things are turning the corner around here. Stop. Please rest in Carson City if you need to. Stop. Signed Adam. '
Charlie finished writing and tapped out a message received. He looked up at Ben. "Mr. Cartwright, I've just taken a message for you Sir" and he handed Ben the message.
Ben read the message whilst Charlie turned back to the equipment which had started up again. He picked up his pen and wrote the incoming message down. The second message read:
'For Attention Of Sheriff Dawson, Carson City. Stop.
Sheriff Dawson, Sheriff Roy Coffee of Virginia City speaks highly of you. Stop. My pa, Benjamin Cartwright of the Ponderosa Ranch, Virginia City will be riding through town today. Stop. He is trying to get back home urgently as my younger brother has been injured. Stop. I need someone to locate him and get him a message sent alongside this one. Stop. Please could you detail a Deputy to locate him. Stop. All costs of this will be paid. Stop. Signed Adam Cartwright.'
Charlie tapped out the message received message and putting down his pen he addressed Ben. "I've just taken another message from an Adam Cartwright, Mr Cartwright. This one is for the Sheriff, but I don't think it's necessary since it asks him to seek you out and give the first one to you. Is there any reply you wish to send?"
Ben thought a moment and he replied, "Yes. Please send this... 'For Attention Of Adam Cartwright. Stop. Nice try son, I trust you but I am coming home as soon as I can. Stop. I'm so glad that Joseph has woken up. Stop. Please ensure that you do everything the doctor tells you. Stop. Hug both of your brothers and tell them I am in Carson City and will be heading out shortly. Stop. I love and miss you son, see you tonight. Signed Benjamin Cartwright.
Charlie wrote the message down as Ben said it and then began tapping it out straight away. When he was finished he asked Ben if there was anything else.
"Yes, please send this message.. 'For Attention of Sheriff Roy Coffee, Virginia City. Stop. Roy, I am on my way from Carson City. Stop. Thank you for sending Horace to arrange for a fresh horse and such. Stop. Sidney will have a message from me for Adam. Stop. Please could you ensure it gets to him, one of the ranch hands will probably be in town looking out for me if I know Adam. Stop. Signed Benjamin Cartwright."
Charlie wrote the message down and after sending it he calculated the costs of both messages. "That will be one dollar, seventy-five cents please Sir."
Ben paid the money, thanked Charlie and headed out the door and walked off towards the Sheriff's office. Ben's heart was considerably lightened with the news that Little Joe was awake.
Horace was waiting outside the Sheriff's office, sitting on the bench drinking coffee with two horses tied up at the rail, ready and waiting for Ben. Horace had loaded the saddle bags with two full canteens of water, coffee grounds and a few sandwiches he had asked to be prepared in the saloon. Ben's horse had been settled into the livery and had been brushed down and given fresh water, oats and a stall full of fresh comfortable straw. The horse Horace had arranged for Ben had been saddled with Ben's blankets and saddle.
Horace stood up when Ben was only a few feet away, "Any news Ben?"
"Yes Horace. Little Joe is awake."
"Oh God, I'm right glad to hear that Ben."
"Yes, it is good news but Paul is still at the ranch so Joe isn't out of the woods yet. Let's go now Horace. I would like to be at home with my sons before nightfall if possible," said Ben.
"Yes of course, everything is ready, let me just take this in and say good bye to the Sheriff," said Horace and he threw away the coffee dregs and took the cup back in the office.
Sheriff Dawson followed Horace out of the office. Horace and Ben mounted up and Matt Dawson shook both of their hands. "Safe journey gentlemen, please get Roy to let me know you arrived OK."
"Sure Matt, I'll send a message as soon as we arrive back in town," said Horace.
"I hope your son is OK Ben," said the Sheriff.
"Thank you Matt, he's got the best doctor in the area looking after him so I have faith that he will be. Thank you for your concern and your assistance Matt, I'm grateful."
"Don't mention it Ben, hopefully the next time we meet will be under different circumstances." said the Sheriff.
Ben and Horace waved their hands and turning away they trotted off in the direction of Virginia City. As soon as they were out of the town they broke into a gallop.