"Joe, are you alright?"

Joe struggled to speak as wind and trail dust caught at his breath.

"Don't ask questions Adam, just ride, keep riding."

Good advise. Adam looked straight ahead and urged Sport on to greater speed.

They rode until both horses were exhausted and steaming with sweat and then finally they slowed.

The horses turned instinctively and trotted towards a watering hole. Adam got stiffly down from his horse, he rested his head against Sports neck and took in a calming breath.

Joe came down on shaky legs and stumbled over to join his brother.

"Ancient burial ground." Adam growled as he swatted Joe across the arm.

Joe shook his head. "I didn"t know Adam. It wasn't my fault."

After a moment Joe looked back at Adam with scared eyes.

"What do you suppose that was Adam. It wasn't a beggar, I ain't never seen nothin move as fast as that."

Adam shook his head.

"Joe say nothin to Hoss and Pa. We'll say nothin. We just won"t come this way again."

Joe nodded and looked nervously back at the trail.

"That long black hair completely covered its face. I ain't never..."

"Shut up Joe. We don't need to..."

The words were taken from Adam's breath as a low mournful cry drifted towards them in the breeze.

"Right, break over." Adam got quickly back up into his saddle.

Joe ran towards his horse and vaulted onto its back.

They galloped out of that clearing as fast as they could leaving a trail of dust in their wake.

As dust settled a cackle of laughter filled the empty space left by the two frightened men.

"You all come back now ye hear. Ha ha ha."

~ o ~

Supper that night was a stone cold affair.

"Don't blame me if you don't know how to write scene, all food served on Cartwright ranch is piping hot. Hop Sing only serve piping hot food. Don't blame me."

Sorry Hop Sing...It was stone cold in the manner of two men staring down at their plates and eating very little.

Ben looked at them both in turn.

"Well what's happened now, I sent you two out to bond and reconnect and frankly that doesn't look like it happened. Would one of you like to tell me what happened out there today."

Both Joe and Adam looked at eachother. Adam felt sure that Joe would tell eventually anyway so he put down his fork and began telling Ben the whole sorry tale.

Once Adam had finished his narrative Ben stared back at him in shock and disbelief.

"I have never heard such nonsense in my life. A strange creature?"

Ben's irritation rose to the surface.

"Has Joe been sharing the bounty of his strange harvest with you again?"

"Pa, I've not grown any of those mushrooms since that party where you ate some and proposed to Judge Mortimer's wife. I learnt my..."

Adam put a hand up to silence Joe.

"Pa, you asked what happened out there and we told you. There is something very strange out there by the south facing line shack. I couldn't even say for sure if it were human. It was like something out of a circus."

"Did you even fix up that line shack like I asked or did you just sit on the riverbank scaring eachother with stories."

Now it was Adam's turn to be annoyed. The last thing he needed today was to be treated like a child by his father. It had been no fun out on the prairie with Joe. For some reason he had acted like he owned the place and now this.

Adam, weary of the conversation rose to his feet.

"Fine, if you don't believe us then fine. But I won't be treated like I made it up like some kid. I'm going to bed."

Adam turned to head towards the stairs.

"Hot apple pie and fresh custard, get it while it's still hot."

Hop Sing smiled as he placed the pie on the table. Adam half turned to look at it. Oh this was awkward. He had made a stand now. He couldn't really go back on it. He totally forgot it was desert night. Apple pie was his favourite too with them cloves and all and home made custard.

"I have a surprise," Hop Sing beamed at them all. "I have special dessert wine. It brought all the way from France. Very good dessert wine makes apple pie taste extra good."

Adam hardened his stance and headed up to his bedroom. He sat on his bed, he could still smell that apple pie. He made a mental note to avoid storming off in future if there was apple pie going.

The night felt strange. An angry storm rolled in from the east lighting up different parts of the house. Hoss ran to close shutters against the driving rain. Somewhere down the valley a dog howled. Ben shook off the sudden chill he felt and bent to stoke up the fire. He straightened up as there was a sudden knock at the door.

Ben looked to Hoss. "Who in the world could be calling at this time of night."

"And with that there storm raging outside." Hoss nodded to the shuttered windows.

Joe shrugged "Maybe its just someone who ran into trouble on the road."

"It could have bin the stage coach. Maybe they were robbed." Hoss looked to the others.

Another loud knock boomed and echoed through the house.

Joe turned his green eyes on Ben.

"Maybe it's a neighbour. Maybe they've run out of flour or mustard or something."

"Will one of you just go answer the door." Adam yelled down from the landing.

All three men jumped up. Joe was quick to run to the door and throw it open. Sheriff Coffee and Doctor Martin came quickly in drippng wet from head to foot.

"What in tarnation are you two doing out at this time of night?" Ben asked.

"It's well you may ask Ben. I got word of a strange disturbance in your neck of the woods. Talk of a strange wandering man. You know how seriously I take the drunks at the saloon, I just had to ride all the way out here and find out for myself."

Doctor Martin took up the story. "When I saw Roy headed out in such a hurry I had to ask him what the emergency was. When I heard that folks in the saloon were talking about a strange creature on the Pondorosa I had to come too. After all that creature might well be in need of medical attention."

"See Pa, there was a creature out there."

Ben put a hand to Joe's shoulder. "Joe, I never doubted your word for a minute. But Adam is older than you and when he talks about anything supernatural well it just sounds silly. Son, why don't you go over there and eat the last piece of that apple pie."

Joe grinned warmly at his father. "I think I might just do that Pa."

"Roy, Paul, come in and warm yourselves by the fire. No reason why you shouldn't have a hot drink before you make your way back to town."

"Why thank you Ben, that creature or whatever it was came up on us kinda sudden like. I ain't never seen anything the like of that before.

They all stopped to listen as the howling started again in earnest.

~ o ~

Adam found he couldn't concentrate on his book. He was getting hungry and the sound of the rumbling thunder was starting to go through his head. After a minute he closed the book and headed towards the door.

"...and thats when I decided I wanted to be a sheriff and fight law and order. My folks were upset I didn't take up bee keeping but they..."

Ben quickly got up and rushed over to greet his son as Adam came down the stairs.

"Adam, there you are. Roy was just sharing with us the story of how he first became a law man."

"Pa, its after one in the morning."

"I know, they won't leave." Ben smiled over at their guests as he pulled Adam with him towards the fire.

Doctor Martin leaned forward. "If I remember correctly Roy, you started out as a deputy under Sheriff Granger."

"That's right I did Paul. God bless your memory. Virginia City was little more than a town then and it was just the two of us."

Hoss gave Joe a very definate poke in the ribs as he had dropped off and was beginning to snore.

Suddenly there was another knock at the door...and yes that line was badly written.

This time Adam ran quickly to answer it.

"Miss Clemintine, what in the world are you doing out here at this time of night?"

"I drove her here Adam," Laura breezed into the room after the old lady. She plonked herself down on Adam's chair and hung her wet bonnet down on the neck of his prized guitar.

"We both felt we had to get out for some air. We were both feeling so down and ill used by the men in our lives."

"Oh Lord," Adam whined under his breath.

"Then we saw it, that thing. My God it was like a big yeti. I shall never forget it."

Ben went to her side. "Now Miss Clemintine don't upset yourself."

Laura frowned a little at the attention her companion was getting, she turned to Adam.

"Lord, fetch me a glass of wine Adam. I can barely draw breath I'm so scared."

Adam peered out the door wondering if anyone else would come riding up in the wee hours of the morning for no apparent reason.

He went to the drinks cabinet and pulled out a bottle of their finest wine.

Clemintine suddenly brightened

"Oh that does sound good but mines a brandy. "

"Oh yes actually Adam, I will have a brandy instead."

Adam put the freshly opened wine bottle to his mouth and knocked it back taking a good swig before Ben swiped it away from him.

With an irritated grunt Ben pointed to the brandy bottle. Soon both ladies were calmed and warm sitting by the fire a large glass of brandy in their hands.

"It was so shocking, that thing just came out at us. I was never so afraid in my life."

Ben turned a weary eye to the clock. It was past two in the morning.

"Well you're safe now and Joe is going to drive you home."

Adam kicked Joe's feet off the coffee table and he woke with a snort.

"Oh yeah sure...what?"

Laura turned on a kindly smile as Hoss came down the stairs.

"Eric Hoss Csrtwright, if only all men were like you."

Hoss beamed at her.

"Yes he always was a gentleman was Hoss, not like the men in town. Hoss is of good stock."

Hoss went over to stand at the fireplace between the ladies.

"Of course he doesn't have the Cartwright look." Clemintine went on.

Hoss's smile began to slip.

"No, thats true," Laura nodded. "Hoss has a nice personality but you know...Hoss you would be perfect if you had Adam's looks. If you had your personality and Adam's face you'd be married in the morning."

Hoss shuffled over to stand with the other men by the drinks cabinet.

Suddenly Hop Sing breezed in from the kitchen. He was bright as a button despite the late hour.

"Now hot spring rolls for everybody." He held the tray out to the ladies.

"Oh no, don't feed them." Ben muttered as he put a hand to his face.

"Don't mind if I do," Sheriff Coffee beamed as he reached over and took one.

Soon everyone had settled down to eat and Hoss put another couple on logs on the fire bringing up a cheerful warm blaze.

"Oh Adam, that cousin of yours Will turned out to be such a pig. He was whiny and self centred, not a good match for me at all. The day you fell off that roof and were very nearly paralysed I was blinded by his fictitious love and support. He made me feel so safe. Why am I always hit with such bad luck."

Adam looked across the table at the now empty plates. Everyone had devoured the spring rolls and bacon strips. He had eaten one bacon rind.

Laura put a hand to his face and turned it so that he was looking directly at her.

"If only you would project your true feelings Adam. If only you were the sort of man who would give of yourself fully and in the right spirit."

She was cut short in her speech as Clemintine suddenly rose to her feet.

"Shhh, do you hear that?"

"It's a dog, it's been whining all night." Joe muttered, his eyes still closed.

"No no, I tell you...something is not at rest."

"It's me, I'm not at rest," Ben muttered as he ran a hand over his tired left eye.

"Nonsense Ben," Roy smiled. "Whens the last time we had a good old game of chess. I do believe it's your move."

"No, quiet everyone."

Clemintine went and stood in the middle of the room.

"I see you are not believers in such things. You hear that storm and think nothing of it. You cannot feel the bad energy in the air or the swirling mist of dispair that surrounds us. But believe this, such things are real. I do recall a woman. Her husband had passed away and on the very night of his passing the clock in their hall suddenly stopped and it never started working again. One day quite by chance she went to that clock and reaching into its innards she found a note. Do you know what that note said?'

"Wind me."

"No Adam, it did not say wind me. Now don't be silly. It said I mean it recalled the exact date of her husbands death. She had no clue if how the note got there or who left it."

Clemintine nodded heavily. "It remains a mystery to this day."

Ben got stiffly to his feet, "So anyway, the rain seems to be easing. "

His statement was immediately followed by a massive clap of thunder. Lightening lit up the four corners of the room.

"So maybe it's time we turned our thoughts to heading out..."

Adam put a hand to his shoulder.

"Pa, I need to see you in the kitchen."

"But Adam..."

Adam stirred his father towards the kitchen and closed the door after them.

"Pa, they will have to stay the night. You can't send them out in that."

"Unthinkable Adam, two ladies alone in a house full of men. What are you thinking. That is a disgraceful suggestion."

Adam gave him an all knowing look.

"Pa..."

Under his sons withering look Ben came clean.

"Adam, tomorrow is Saturday. Do you know the last time I had a sleep in and read the papers. Try never. Theres always something to spoil it. No they can't stay. I have planned this all week. I even saved the newspapers I want to read."

They both looked up as Paul Martin was calling them. Reluctantly Ben followed Adam out into the large room.

Ben's spirits suddenly lifted as Paul Martin was wearing his coat and hat.

"Ben, we'll be off now. Whatever that thing was, its bound to have moved off by now. Don't go worrying little Joe. He's asleep over there. We will drive the ladies home and perhaps Joe could return their buggy to their ranch later.

"Well that will be fine Paul." Ben said cheerily as he shook the man's hand.

Clementine now had her bonnet and cloak on. Ben went to her and kissed her hand.

"Always a pleasure dear lady." He smiled as he handed her, her muff.

"You must call again."

There was a most tremendous roar from the barn. Clementine immediately screamed and fainted in Ben's arms.

"Here Hoss...er take this."

Ben handed her over to his son and scrambled out into the flooded yard with the other men. They found Sheriff Coffee in a heap of hay moaning softly to himself in the aftermath of his trauma.

"Ugh, it was here, it was here, a big ugly thing, 7 feet tall. Ugh."

Doctor Martin went to his side and bent low to check him over.

"Here Joe, help me get him inside. He looks as though he has had a massive shock. It's a good job Ben still has some of that big bottle of brandy left. Roy is gonna need it."

"Ugh, he scared away all the horses. We have no horses to take us home."

"Try not to talk Roy. We'll get you inside."

Doctor Martin began leading him gently towards the house. Joe took his other hand and began to reassure him as they walked.

Ben watched them go.

"I'll get you other horses," he yelled out. "I'll go round up some horses. You'll be home in no time."

Adam caught hold of him before he could head towards the surrounding fields.

"Pa, its after three why don't you go get some sleep. I'll look after our guests."

"Its a big ranch Adam, full of horses "

Adam put an arm around his shoulder. "I know Pa, I know."

"They're my papers Adam. Nobody is going to read my papers before me."

"Your papers Pa," Adam nodded and patted his shoulder as he lead him towards the house.

~o~

Within an hour all was quiet. Sheriff Coffee was brought to an upstairs bedroom and made comfortable. The ladies finally finished talking over the exciting events and they drifted off too. Ben creaked his way into a semi comfortable position on the couch. He shared the living room with Joe and Adam. The boys were stretched out on the living room chairs trying to get some sleep before morning. Hoss was sleeping in the spare bedroom. Why Hoss? They all took a vote and it was unanimous. If he were in the living room no one would get any sleep. Before all this happened they were considering building an extension just for Hoss to go sleep in. His snoring had already chased good workers out of the bunk house, something had to be done.

Well for now all was quiet. In another two hours Hop Sing would be up to light the stove and heat the water for breakfast. The first streaks of dawn were already starting to appear on the horizon.

Adam heard it first, he jumped up and ran to grab his gun. As he flung open the door the others could be heard on the landing upstairs.

"What is it Adam?" Doctor Martin called out from the balcony.

Adam watched as the strange wild man roared and growled around the yard. He bashed a small tree with his arm and it literally collapsed to the ground. He went to a fence and started in on pulling it apart as if it were made of nothing.

"That's him Adam, that's the thing we saw." Joe's voice cracked in terror as he spoke. His eyes were filled with fear as he watched the wild man breaking up everything in his path.

Ben peered out past them.

"Hoss, isn't that the man you hired last week?'

"Oh yeah it is Pa. He's accused of killing three people and assaulting others but nothin has been proved and I believe every man deserves a chance."

"You're so right Hoss." Ben nodded agreement.

Adam and Joe turned to look at them.

"Are you quite sure about that?" Adam asked as the wild man pulled the wind chimes down from a ledge and began eating them.

"Craig, hay Craig," Hoss called out.

He threw the wind chimes aside and started towards them. He was at least six foot seven in hight.

Adam and Joe pushed their way back into the house.

"Craig, why you tryin to break up our farm?" Hoss asked.

"I did a weeks work, I work hard and then no pay. You double cross Craig. You get me to work for ye and then no pay."

"It's in the bank." Ben told him.

"In the bank?"

"Yes, do you remember we asked you to fill out that form. Remember Hoss helped you to sign your name. Well we opened a bank account for you in your name. If you go along to the bank they will have your money for you. It's in your account."

"Oh ok. Well...see ya Monday then."

"Bye Craig," Ben nodded as the man walked off.

Ben rubbed his hands together.

"Well thank heavens for that. There wasn't a wild man on the Pondorosa after all. Now I think I'll go to the kitchen and get something to eat."

"Sounds good Pa," Hoss nodded as he went to follow him.

Adam and Joe watched them go.

"Adam..."

"Yeah Joe."

"You know when you tire of farm life and get an itch to see the world."

"Yeah."

"Well next time, I'm comin with ye."

~ o ~

Laura sat with a prim smile on her face as she watch the beautiful scenery go by.

"Oh Adam, it was so nice of you to see me home. I feel as if this strange night has brought us closer together. It has rekindled a flame that was always there, never quite extinguished. "

Adam gave her a sideways glance. He was way too tired to get into this now.

She moved closer to him in the buggy seat and put her arm through his.

"I can't tell you how good it was to see you again last night to feel all those old feelings rushing bank. I know you felt it too Adam. "

She let out a sudden giggle. It went straight through Adam's head.

"Just to think, we thought last night was a night of horrors. Weren't we silly Adam."

She moved in closer and put her head on his shoulder.

"Perhaps tonight will be a night of love."

Adam never recovered, to this day his face is still frozen in horror.