Eye Spy
Snyder and his gang were sitting on top of a hill looking over the Cartwright's house.
Snyder turns to Donovan "You know what to do Donovan. Go to the Cartwright's and get yourself hired as one of their hands and keep an eye on the girl" instructed Snyder.
"What if she recognizes me?" Donovan asked nervously. He didn't want to kill her or hurt her but he was afraid to go against Snyder.
"She won't recognize you. The drug I gave her wiped out her memory of us. She may recognize you but she's not gonna know who you are but if she does threaten her family; that'll keep her mouth shut" said Snyder.
"Just find out if the sheriff is on to us and if that brat says anything give her this" said Snyder handing him the syringe.
"What do I do if the other Cartwright's become suspicious of me?" asked Donovan nervously.
"KILL THEM!" Snyder ordered cold heartedly. Donovan nods his head and rides away.
He rides up to the Cartwright's house.
Ben walks out to the yard to greet him. "May I help you" he asked curiously.
It wasn't very often when people arrive at the house. Sometimes it was neighbors, someone passing through or in trouble or simply looking for work.
Ben tried to help those who came to the Ponderosa. "Are you Ben Cartwright?" Donovan asked. "Yes I am can I help you with something?" offered Ben curiously.
"My name is Bill Donovan and I was wondering if there were any jobs you'll have for me?" asked Donovan. Ben thinks for a moment.
"Well Bill we're getting ready for the round up and there are horses to be broken. Have you broke horses before?" asked Ben.
"Yes sir I have an uncle down in Arizona who has a ranch. I did some work for him when I was growing up" said Donovan.
"Alright you'll be pay twenty a month including meals. If you do work then you'll get paid. You can put your belongings in the bunk house and I'll introduce you to my sons. They're in charge of the horse breaking" Ben explained.
"I heard you also have a daughter?" question Donovan. "Yes I do she's been injured recently and has been laid up in the house" said Ben as they walk toward the bunkhouse.
"I'm sorry to hear that sir and if you don't mind me asking how did she get injured?" asked Donovan trying to show concern.
"She was kidnapped and got shot in the leg. Luckily it wasn't anything too serious but she has to be in the house for a few days" said Ben.
"I'm awfully sorry to hear it did they catch the kidnappers?" asked Donovan.
"No they haven't my daughter is having trouble remembering who they were and without that knowledge the Sheriff doesn't have anything to go on" said Ben.
"That's a terrible thing for someone to go through. I'm sorry that it was your daughter but I'm sure they'll catch them" assured Donovan.
"That's what we all hope for" said Ben he guided Donovan inside the bunkhouse then into the main house.
"It's a mighty fine place you got here sir" said Donovan impressed.
They heard a noise coming from upstairs.
They saw Hoss helping Amelia down the stairs. "Amelia what are you doing out of bed?" asked Ben surprise to see her.
"Papa if I stay in that bed for a minute longer I'll go crazy" said Amelia. Hoss helps her over to the settee and sits her down on it.
"Hoss, Amelia this is our new ranch hand Bill Donovan. Bill this is my son Hoss and my daughter Amelia" said Ben.
Amelia looks at Donovan and he looked very familiar to her. She had a bad feeling about him. Knowing that she can't remember how she knew him and figuring that her senses are a little off, Amelia decides to play it off as nothing even though something inside of her was nagging that something wasn't right.