Chapter

The Guilty One

It was a warm Tuesday. McClure had made a trip out to him early afternoon. Hyped up about the land deal and the discrepancies in the contract that had been drawn. The urgency he expressed in meeting with the lawyer lest it be taken out from under them. Ben had to take an unexpected trip into town and was there by late afternoon.

Ms. Harper saw him coming out of the lawyer's office.

"Good afternoon Ben. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, yes. All good. I'm about ready to close a huge land deal just working out the details."

"Really?"

"Four hundred acres by Lake Tahoe."

"Sounds promising. You're keeping your boys pretty busy. I guess the work load is only going to get heavier before it gets lighter."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"So does this mean we won't be seeing Hoss for a while?"

"No, no he'll still be making it in. I think it's pretty important for him to finish his education. We'll use him when we can, but his schooling takes priority."

"It's good to hear you say that Ben. I'd hate for him to fall behind any more than he has already. So when do you think we can expect him back?"

"What do you mean, expect him back?" Ben asked with a queer smile. "Where did he go?"

"What do you mean, where did he go? He's been working with you on the ranch has he not?"

"Not since school started. Ms. Harper, he has been coming to school?"

"Ben, he hasn't been to school for several weeks now."

"How many weeks?"

"Going on two months if I'm not mistaking."

"Why am I just hearing about this now?"

"He told me that you needed him out on the ranch. I had no reason to suspect he was lying. He's a good kid."

"So where is my son?"

~.~

He waited by the fire for his son to return. "How was school today?"

"Oh good Pa."

"What'd you learn about?"

"Um, we're learning about the French Revolution."

"Didn't you learn about that last year?"

"Well, we did, but Ms. Harper wants to cover it again for the new kids." He followed his son with a scrutinizing gaze as he escaped within the quarters of his bedroom. He asked no further questions when he returned sometime later to prepare for dinner. Instead, he watched his son as he ate, and continued to watch him as he played with Joe after dinner and as he prepared for bed. What has his son been up to? Was the overwhelming question. He intended to find out.

~.~

He had his horse saddled and ready bright and early. When his son left that morning, he followed his son from a distance. He stayed within the hills and sought cover in the meager brush as his son made his way across pasture land headed towards Rock Lake. One of Hoss's favorite spots. It was easier to follow him once they got within the thick of the trees. His son dismounted and walked his horse to drink by the lake. So, he comes out to the lake every day? He was about to confront his son when a few Indian braves came into view. He was struck with horror. He grabbed for his rifle set in its sheath at Buck's side but he was too far away to intervene. His need to catch his son in his misdeeds only put him in a position where he could helplessly watch. His son turned to the braves exchanging few words before remounting his horse. The four rode off together away from the lake into the heart of the forest. Had his eyes deceived him? His son wasn't afraid of them at all. It was as if he'd expected them. Like he waited for them. His countenance was one of peace, serenity, maybe even happiness.

He followed his son day after day keeping his distance, and the results were always the same. After three days he thought it was time to talk to the chief himself.

While the boys were out riding doing only God knows what together, he rode up to the camp of the Paiutes. Greeted with bows.

"I have brought offerings." He opens his saddle bag to reveal turquoise linen. The sentries guide him into camp and to the Chiefs tent.

"What brings the honorable Cartwright?"

"It is about my son and yours. Young Wolf." His curiosity was peeked. "Do you know what your son does every day?"

"My son brings food for the people." He answered assuredly. That was enlightening. So Hoss was hunting with them?

"Were you aware that my son has been accompanying him on his quests?" The Chief gave a look of interest which told Ben he didn't know, but then he sat back guardedly, reserved. He needed to assure that his next words didn't offend the tribal leader. "The problem does not lay with them seeing each other. Your son would honor me greatly if he came to my home. The problem lays in that my son is supposed to be in school. He has been missing school for several weeks now."

"Whiteman school is very important to Whiteman?"

"Not to all, but to me it is." The chief considered his words.

"I shall talk to my son."

"May I make a most humble request?"

"Speak."

"I request that your son not go to the lake tomorrow." The Chief imbibed this request, then smiled keenly.

"Does the honorable Cartwright wish to surprise his son?" At the moment he saw the venerable chief as more than a tribal leader. The two fathers understood each other only in a way father's could. "It will be done. Go now, in peace."

~.~

He rode out early the following morning and hid his horse in the brush where he'd seen his son meet the group on the morning prior. Although greatly disappointed in his son's misdeeds, he couldn't help but feel the mischievousness of a twelve year old as he waited for his son to arrive. The hoof steps got closer and Ben put away his smile to address his son as a father should. Hoss stopped his horse at the sight of his father standing in the clearing, too late to turn back and his face turned from one of mindfulness to dread. "Perhaps you'd like to explain this." He lifted the jilted fishing rod for his son to see. Ben had found it while scouring for the perfect place to hide his mount. Hoss had forgotten all about it. "Or perhaps you'd like to explain why you're out here in the first place, instead of at school."

"I'm sorry, Pa. I…"

"How long have you been missing school now?"

"Not long. I swear it."

"Don't play coy with me boy. You've been missing for going on two months now. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"No, I..."

"I outta tan your hide for this boy."

His son was red faced, fighting back tears. His heart melted for his boy. This sweet child. What could have caused him to sway so far? He remembers a time when it was he too under the lash of his father for his many misgivings. What it was like to be young. But he wasn't young anymore. He was a father. A father must do what he has to for his boys. He's got to act like a father. When his son's mess up, it's his job to set them straight. No matter how difficult a task, he's got to do it. Just as his father had.

The ride back was the longest Hoss had ever had next to his Pa. He rode with head low in a humble and unnerving silence.

"Get in the house boy." To Joe's amazement Hoss was back early. His happiness turned to bewilderment as he watched the way he sauntered in. There was no use running to him. Something was wrong. His father followed in after. "Hopsing. Take Little Joe to stable the horses."

"Yessuh, Missah Cotwight."

How could his father have asked this of them? It's like he'd forgotten all about his fear. He was being made to be around horses outside the safety and comfort of his Pa. On a normal occasion the tyke would have obstinately protested at this, but this moment seemed far from normal. There was something else going on here. He thought of his older brother. He was in trouble somehow, but he didn't know why. Hoss was never in trouble. Hopsing wraps his arm around the shoulders of the small boy and guides him out. Little Joe thought it best to swallow his fear and do as he was expected. He gave a backwards glance to his older sibling. Wishing he could be there for him, if for no other reason than to give him strength. Little Joe was usually the one in trouble. Out of the three of them he was the mischief-maker. Standing before his father was something he'd gotten used to. Though he never got to the point where he enjoyed it. His father could be downright scary at times. He knew he deserved it, most of the time. His brother was a different matter though. What could he have done wrong? He wondered. Whatever it was, it was bad. He could tell.

"Son, I want you to tell me why you haven't been going to school." He was afraid to tell his father the truth. If he told his father about these boys, than his father would want to say something. If his father did, it would make more trouble for him. Just like it did every time Adam would step in to protect him. The boys would stop then, but it would come back to him even harder when his brother wasn't around. At least Adam had enough sense not to get Pa involved. Now as he stood before him, his tongue was tied. "Speak boy or I'll take the belt to you. You mark my words." He wasn't sure what was worse at this point, them or him.

"I just don't like school. That's all."

"Boy, that's not good enough. Why don't you like school?" He lowered his head. "I know you have a difficult time understanding, but if you just set your mind to it, you'll get it. You are not stupid. You are a very intelligent boy."

"I know Pa. I'm just lazy."

"No. I didn't say that. You can be very motivated. A very hard worker, when you set your mind to something. That's why I don't get it, why you're not setting your mind to this."

"You wouldn't understand." His son dismissed.

"Talk to me, son. What is going on with you?"

"Father, I knew what I was doing was wrong. I knew as I was doing it, it was wrong. I have my reasons for doing it, and I know that don't make it right. Please, just understand that I can't tell you why I done what I did. I know I deserve to be punished. I accept that." Ben reflected. That was a very brave thing for his son to say. Tactical in a way. For it seemed now Ben's defenses had been shattered. His heart softened. He found he no longer had what it took to raise a hand to his boy. But what was he to do?

"Answer me this. Will you start going to school again?" It panged Hoss to say.

"Yes Pa. If this is what you want. I will go."