The journey home was going slow, but steady. The nig stallion proved to be an excellent mount with a smooth stride. Adam was very grateful since it wouldn't jar his brother as much. The mares were following along willfully. Even the flighty mare seemed to pull back less and less along the trail. Adam still felt he should have passed on her at the auction but his brother said she was a good horse in need of better training. He had reluctantly agreed and got her for a fair price. Looking back at her he had to agree she was a fine looking horse with excellent structure, at the very least she would make a fine broodmare. He turned his attention back to his brother and the trail ahead. He had made poor time during the evening hours. He had tried to increase the pace but every time his brother's breathing would become more ragged. His fever was still very high and he hadn't stirred during the ride yet. Now mid-morning and Adam could tell they were just hours away from home. He hoped his message made it home already and the doctor was sent for. Even though the temperature was cold he was thankful the rain had finally ended. "Hey Joe, we'll be home shortly." He said this more as a comfort to himself since his brother wasn't too responsive over the past few hours. He could feel Joe shivering in front of him and pulled the horse to a halt. Maneuvering his jacket off and around Joe was a bit awkward but he managed to warm his brother up some more. He was a bit cold himself but it was of little importance over taking care of his brother.
As early afternoon rolled across the Ponderosa land, Ben and Hoss made their way towards Adam and Joe. They had already covered a good distance but were dismayed they hadn't run into them yet. Ben decided to venture further ahead of Hoss in the buckboard. He hadn't gone very far when he noticed a rider leading a group of horses heading towards him. Relief and worry vied over each other when Ben recognized his sons. Hoss saw his father move Buck faster down the trail and figured he had spotted Adam and Joe. He quickened the team of horses to catch up.
Adam sighed with relief when the welcome sight of his father and brother heading towards him. It wasn't long before Ben reached his sons. He could see both boys were shivering, one from sickness and the other from exposure. He noted the sickly pallor of his youngest son and the rough shallow breathing. Adam witnessing his father's worrisome expressions couldn't help but feel the growing guilt that had taken root within his heart. His guilt now held the pain he had brought to his father for failing to keep his brother from harms way. "Adam hand me down Joe." Lost within his own thoughts he hadn't noticed his father had dismounted and was standing beside him reaching for Joe. Shaking himself out of his thoughts he eased his brother down into his father's arms. "Easy Pa, he's got some broken and cracked ribs." The look in his father's eyes tore into Adam's soul, he could feel the burn of disappointment rush through his chest.
Ben lowered Joe and began to check him over, "Joe, Joe, can you hear me son?" There was no answer but the raspy sound of breathing from his son. He looked up at Adam and then back down to Joe, "What happened? How long has he been like this?" Adam didn't have the chance to answer as his larger brother quickly joined his father on the ground by his little brother. Hoss' worried only helped the seeds of guilt continue to grow. A slight tremble carried throughout his body and shook him to the core. A feeling of detachment surrounded him as he watched his father and brother carry his brother towards the wagon. His body felt like lead and the voices of his family a far distance away. He watched with a strange feeling of disconnectedness as his father and brother turned towards him before a black abyss swallowed up his last remaining strength of consciousness.
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Sorry this is so short, more tomorrow:)