A/N: Thank you Tensleep for you kind review. I have posted this update in response to your review.

Disclaimer: I still do not own The Big Valley or any of its characters. I am not a making any money off of this story.

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Chapter 3

Jarrod and Nick arrived home and handed their horses off to one of the hands. The two brothers rushed inside the house and headed straight for the study, hoping their father was still inside.

Jarrod knocked on the door and waited patiently. After a few seconds without getting a response, Nick became impatient. The boy pounded on the door and yelled out, "Father are you there? It's Nick and Jarrod."

Jarrod gave his younger brother a disapproving look. "We still have to mind our manners Nick."

Nick was about to protest when Tom Barkley walked up behind his two oldest sons.

"What is all the commotion about Nick? You're voice could be heard all throughout the house," Tom asked.

"We just saw Mr. Mosley and another man arguing and Mr. Mosley hit the other man," Nick quickly blurted out.

Tom frowned at the news. It wasn't like the boys to make things up, but he thought of Jacob Mosley as a good man. Tom took a deep breath as he began questioning his two sons. "Alright Nick. I want the both of you to tell me exactly what you saw happened between Mr. Mosley and the other man. Now, I want only want you to tell me what you saw and heard. Nothing more. Can you do that?"

Nick looked up at Tom and nodded. "I'll try Father. Mr. Mosley was arguing with another man and then Mr. Mosley hit the man with a stick."

Tom Barkley raised an eyebrow as the words sank in. "Did you see Mr. Mosley hit this other man with a stick?"

"Yes sir. The man was trying to mount his horse when Mr. Mosley hit him," Nick answered.

Tom looked over at Jarrod to see the boy's reaction. The boy's expression was too serious for this to be a practical joke. "Okay. Jarrod did you see this happen as well?"

Jarrod looked directly into his father's eyes as he answered, "Yes Father. I don't know who the other man was. I never saw him before. We were going to start fishing when we heard some angry voices. Then we got closer and saw Mr. Mosley arguing with the other man."

Tom put both hands on Jarrod's small shoulders. "I see. Well you both did the right thing in coming to me and telling me what you saw."

Jarrod and Nick relaxed slightly at their father's reassurance. They were relieved that they had made the right decision.

"You boys are back early. Did you forget something?" Victoria asked as she approached.

Tom turned and faced his wife. "The boys saw something that I must admit is disturbing."

Victoria glanced from Jarrod then to Nick, noticing their frightened looks. "What is it Tom? What happened?"

"Jarrod and Nick said they witnessed an argument between Jacob Mosley and another man and that Jacob hit the other man with a stick," Tom informed.

"Oh my!" Victoria exclaimed in disbelief. "Jacob Mosley is one of our dearest friends. I don't think I have ever seen him raise a hand in anger to anybody."

"Neither have I," Tom admitted.

"But we saw him pick up a stick and hit the other man on the head!" Nick piped up.

Jarrod immediately came to his brother's defense. "Nick is right Father. We did see Mr. Mosley hit the stranger and then the stranger fell down. I think he must be dead."

"You didn't see the stranger get back up?" Victoria questioned.

"No Mother. We left as soon as the stranger fell down. I thought we better come back and tell you and Father," Jarrod answered.

Victoria smiled, trying to reassure her two sons. "It's okay boys. It's still early so why don't you ride out and show your father where this argument took place."

After a moment of hesitation, Jarrod and Nick nodded their agreement. They were reluctant to go back, fearing that Mr. Mosley might still be there.

Tom sensed his sons' trepidation. "It's okay boys. Mr. Mosley has probably left there by now. I won't let anything happen to you boys. I promise."