1864, the Seventh, April, Nevada, The Ponderosa.
Hoss Cartwright, Joseph's older brother placed another block of wood on the stump outside the big house and he brought down the ax splitting the block of wood in half. He stopped for a moment from his task of chopping wood to catch his breath. Hoss walked over to the corner of the house to where the water pump was located needing a drink of water as the hot sun beamed down on the clear spring day.
Joseph slowed Cochise and the mare into a walk as he approached the house. He stopped the horses and cleared his throat. "Pa? Adam? Anybody in the house?" He shouted and then Joseph waited patiently for someone to come out holding the girl as he sat on Cochise.
In slight surprise at the tone in his little brothers voice Hoss walked around the corner of the house. "What is it Little Joe?" He said and then came to a stop in surprise looking at Joseph, the strange girl and the mare his mouth hanging slightly open in a dumb manner.
Joseph fought the urge to roll his eyes at his older brother when he saw Hoss' expression. "Are you just gonna stand there gazin or you gonna give me a hand brother?" He said in a slightly exasperated tone.
"Uh, yeah, sure." Hoss said snapping out of it then he started over towards Joseph and the girl. "So, who is she?" He asked as he took the unconscious girl into his arms easily and then waited as his brother dismounted.
"Not sure. Ought to get the doc tho, she has a pretty nasty gash on her head." Joseph said as he tied Cochise and the other horse to the hitching post then made his way towards the house.
"Well where'd you find her?" Hoss asked curiously walking behind his little brother briskly while looking at the cut on the girl's forehead. He was curious about the girl and the little mare. Hoss also wondered what his brother had gotten himself into.
"The south pasture." Joseph said walking into the house. "It's a long story. I couldn't find her folks. Pulled a rifle on me." He muttered the last part shutting the front door then took his hat and gun holster off and placed them on the big table beside the door.
"A rifle?" Hoss asked raising an eyebrow at Joseph as he laid the girl on the couch. What in the world?" He shook his head with a slight sigh. "I'll go for the doc. Pa and Adam went in to Virginia City. I'll find them after I send Doc Taylor out here." He said heading for the door.