"Wow, Adam, hold up. Let's water the horses before we go on," Roy said as the two came upon a brook.
Adam stopped, but e was reluctant to dismount. The sun was basically set, and they would lose his fathers trail soon. And the thought of Little Joe possible in the hands of a killer and his Pa ridding into unknown danger didn't sit well with him at all. "We're losing light Roy…."
"I know, I know, but my horse is dead tired, and you aint going any where with out me," Roy ordered, somehow managing to keep his voice from barking.
Adam sighed and dismounted.
Hoss and Willy had to make a decision. It was dark, and the men were uneasy. They were torn between their loyalty and friendship to the Cartwrights, and their common sense. Hoss and Willy now rested at the edge of the Ponderosa, staring out into Minor's Land. The rest of the men were behind them, waiting for whatever they decided.
"Well Willy, what da ya think?"
"It's dark."
"Dang gone it, I can see that. Do ya think it's safe?"
"No. The grounds to rough, you don't know the lay of the land then you'll become part of the land."
"You know the land don't ya?"
"Yeah, and I know you do to. But with this many men…."
"Hmmm. We could go on."
"Yeah. Send the others back to the ranch, let 'em wait out the night. You and I keep going."
"Sounds like a plan ta me."
"Alright."
"Alright. Listen up fellows. It's too dark for every one of us to go tripping around out here. So Willy and I are goanna go after Pa, Adam, and the Sheriff, see if we can catch up to Joe. You all head home, back to the ranch. Tell Hop Sing what's going on and join us again at first light."
There were murmurs of agreement amongst the men, and Hoss and Willy watched as they turned around and headed for home.
"Well, you ready?" Willy asked as the last man disappeared.
"Let's go."
Adam was seated by the brook, Roy's horse was still too tired to ride on, and he found his patients slowly slipping away. "Roy, how much longer is you horse going to be?"
"He's an old horse Adam, just let him rest," Roy answered calmly.
"We don't have time Roy! Joe could be hurt and God knows what Pa's ridding into!"
"Look, Adam, I understand. But who knows what we're riding into? Who knows what we're going to face? And me, personally, rather have a horse that can ride then one that'll drop out from under me. Besides, after that race you had with yours I'd think he's need a good rest too," Roy said, putting a little force into his voice.
Adam sighed and sat back down. There wasn't really anything to be said. He knew Roy was right, and he knew there was no point to argue. The two sat in silence for a while, just waiting. It was well past dark, and Adam was afraid that Roy would say to bed down.
Out of no where the sound of hooves at a gallop reached the ears of the two men. "What in Sam Hill is that?" Roy asked, pulling his riffle out. Adam did the same, and booth waited for the riders.
The tension increased as the hooves got closer. Adam felt himself on edge; he had his rifle raised, ready to shot, as well as Roy. So you can imagine the relief when it was Hoss and Willy who came ridding up.
"Wow there Adam, excepting someone else?" Hoss teased and he pulled Chubb to a stop.
"Howdy Hoss, Willy, sorry about that," Adam said with a smile as he and Roy lowered their rifles.
"So what's going on?" Hoss asked, as he and Willy dismounted to let the horses drink.
"Well, we were just watering the horses, we was about to get going," Roy said. "Where are the others?"
"Sent 'em back to the Ranch. Figure it save time and necks. Any luck finding Mr. Cartwright?" Willy asked.
"We have his trail. But it's dark, we may just have to bed down for the night," Adam answered.
"No we don't Adam, not with Willy here," Hoss said.
"Yeah, I know this land like the back of me hand. Aint nothing to it. You show me his trail, I'll take you to him," Willy said as he settled up.