Chapter 6

Into their second day of camping out the first night, Ben, Hoss, Joe and a couple of hands resumed their search for their long overdue loved ones.

"Hey Pa, look up ahead. I do believe that's our missing cattle."

"Yes I see. However, I also see three people out there herding them."

"So there is. What do you think of it Pa?"

"What I think of it is that Adam and Rebecca are in a heap of trouble some where."

"Ya, but the question is where?"

"Well Joseph, I guess the only way to get our answer is to go and ask our cattle rustlers."

"Ya, I reckon so. Let's go to them."

As they rode up and got closer to the three rustlers, the rustlers started to get nervous.

"Jack, we got company comen."

"I can see that. You just let me do all the talking in case it's about these here cattle."

Ben, Hoss, and Joe rode out front while the hands rode to the sides.

"Hello there. My name is Ben Cartwright. And these are my sons Erik and Joseph. May I ask where you got these cattle from?"

"We found them abandoned back a ways. Looked like they had been there for quite some time. So we claimed em and we're taking them to our spread a ways from here."

"Ah huh, and did you notice that they have the Ponderosa brand on them?"

"Saw the brand, but didn't know it was the Ponderosa brand."

"Well they are. And you're on Ponderosa land which makes it trespassing and cattle rustling. And in this territory that is a serious crime."

"Well now, you intending on doing something about that?"

"Yes I am. My son and his wife came up here looking for those cattle and they are two days late getting back. Don't suppose you have seen them have you?"

"No, don't think we have."

"Mister. You're a lair. These here are our brothers tracks. There is no way you haven't seen them. Now I'll ask again, where are they?"

At this point the three rustlers knew they had nothing to loose so they started to draw their guns, but they weren't fast enough, the Cartwright's and the two ranch hands quickly drew their guns, the rustlers were out numbered.

"Put those guns down and get to the ground. Hoss, Joe, Boys, tie their hands." After that was done then Ben asked them "Now tell me where my son and daughter are and they had better be alive for your sake."

"We left them back that way. They're alive."

"Alright, Hank, Jake, take these two into sheriff Coffee, tell him what's happened. Hoss, Joe, we'll get these cattle secured and then go find Adam and Rebecca."

~0~

With all of this done, they headed off to go find Adam and Rebecca. Adam was drifting in and out of consciousness, and Rebecca kept cool cloths on his head and the gash on his leg. The dark part of his side was getting worse.

"Hey Pa, I think I see them, right up there a ways."

"I think you're right Hoss. Come on let's hurry."

When Rebecca seen three riders coming she got scared. She thought it was the rustlers coming back. She got Adam's gun out and hid behind one of the tarps.

"Adam, Son?"

"Oh thank goodness it's you."

"Rebecca, are you alright?"

"Yes, but Adam is hurt real bad."

"Where is he?"

"Over here under the tarp."

"Pa, Adam's here and he's hurt real bad."

"Come on dear, let's go to him."

"OK, just over here."

"Hoss, how doe's he look?"

"Not to good Pa. Rebecca, what did they do to Adam?"

"Oh Hoss, they kept hitting him and they kicked him in the back twice and on his leg, I put a cool cloth on it and wrapped a bandage around it. And they hit him in the head , He has a big gash in the back of his head. He keeps going in and out of consciousness. Oh Pa, I'm afraid for Adam. I haven't gotten much water down him."

"OK Rebecca dear, you need to settle down now. You look exhausted. We will take care of Adam now."

"Papa, they took the cattle."

"Yes we know. But we have them back and we also have the rustlers who did this to you and Adam."

"Oh you do?"

"Yes dear. Now, relax a bit alright."

"I can't, I have to take care of Adam."

"Rebecca, we are here now. You don't have to do this alone."

"Pa, Adam's waking up."

"Ohh, Rebecca, sweetheart."

"I'm right here Adam. So are Pa, Hoss, and Joe."

"Pa?"

"Yes son. I'm right here."

"They got the cattle Pa."

"No they didn't Adam. We got them, and the cattle."

"Joe?"

"Ya Adam, it's me. Some camping trip huh."

"We had a lot of fun. Didn't we sweetheart?"

"Yes Adam. We sure did."

"Oh ah, Pa, I feel like I need to ah...

"OK son, just hang on. Hoss, help me to try to get him up so he can have some privacy."

"OK Pa. Oh, Hey ah, Adam you don't have any thing on under this here blanket."

"I WHAT? Rebecca."

"What Adam? Well, I had to take your pants off so I could take care of your leg. And you have a fever Adam."

"OK, Adam come on just hang on to Hoss and me and we will help you over here OK. Joe, hold the blanket around his waist."

"OK sure."

"Oh for heaven sake. I have seen him naked since the night of our wedding."

"Yes of course you have my dear."

It was difficult but between Pa and Hoss they were able to get Adam up and over to the trees where Adam could have some privacy.

"Pa, Adam needs a doctor and soon. How are we going to get him out of here? He won't be able to ride Sport."

"I know that Hoss. He is much to week. But I have an idea, remember when we found Adam in Ruth's camp and how she had made that stretcher she carried him on?"

"Ya, I remember that."

"Well why couldn't we do something like that with one of the tarps stretched across a couple of these tree trunks and use rope and let sport haul Adam behind him."

"Ya, that should work. We just have to make sure we pad it real good with lots of blankets so it's comfortable for him."

"Yes of course. Well, let's tell Rebecca what our plans are. It will take us an extra day to get Adam out of here but we have to do it. That fever will only get worse."

So with Adam comfortable now and Ben talking to Rebecca they were getting set up for the night and were going to make the stretcher for Adam.

~0~

"Papa, I have made some supper for everyone. I am going to try to get Adam to eat some thing. At least some soup and maybe some light tea."

"Yes Rebecca, he certainly needs to get something in him."

"OK, well all of you go ahead and eat and I'll try with Adam."

"Alright my dear. And you have to eat some thing also."

"I will, after I try to get Adam to eat some thing."

~0~

"Adam, Adam."

"Oh, Rebecca. Yes sweetheart?"

"I want you to try to eat this soup and drink some light tea please."

"Oh, ah alright sweetheart. I'll try. For you."

"Adam, not just for me, for you also. For us. Here I'll help you sit up a bit."

a

"Ohh, OK, awe, sweetheart, can I have a kiss from you first?"

"Oh Adam, of course you can." Rebecca gave Adam a deep passionate tongue-tongue kiss "I love you Adam."

"Thank you sweetheart. I love you to."

"OK now, please eat this."

"Alright, I'll try."

"So, how is it going here?"

"Hi Pa. So far so good."

"He's keeping it down any way."

"Well good. Hoss and Joe have set up the tent for you two so when ever you are ready to try and move Adam, just let us know."

"Oh thank you Pa."

Adam was moved to the tent and Rebecca cleaned his wounds again and re wrapped them and settled him down for the night. She got ready for bed also and laid down beside him and kissed him goodnight.

Everyone was settling down for the night now, they would start out on their journey home in the morning

~0~