Back on the Trail
Chapter 10 : The Long Night... Long Story…
A.N. I remember watching 'The Gold Plated Rifle' for the first time and expecting the conversation at the livery to take a different turn when the rake went flying, so I changed the scenario just a little.* I've included some of the original dialogue. I hope you enjoy. As always I do not own the story or charters, just having fun with them. All credit goes to writers and producers, thanks.
Flint and Mary and the Mark have ridden out to met up with Bill and the gang and claim Luke.
Out On The Trail...
It had been almost a week since Flint and Mary had caught up with the wagon train. They were at the end of their journey, with the last of the wagon train families swinging east of Sacramento, Bill, Charlie and the McCullough's were making preparations to head home and then go after Matthew.
"Bill, your sure that you don't mind taking the boys on home and letting Mary and I go after Matthew?" asked Flint, as they inhaled their morning, coffee while Mary and Charlie worked to get breakfast.
"You bet, you're leaving me with the easy part. You and Mary go on out and have some fun along the way. Matt is safe and sound right where he is. Charlie and me can get the boys home and take care of the ranch until you make it back," smiled Bill.
"Thanks, Bill we are sure grateful for you and Charlie. I don't know how I will ever thank you for all that you've already done or what you keep doing," said Mary with a smile, as she passed Bill and Flint a steaming plate.
"No thanks needed just glad we were in the right place at the right time," answered Bill.
"That's what families are for," boomed Charlie, "Wake up boy, you're a wasting daylight, hurry, or I'll feed your bacon to the coyotes," laughed Charlie.
Three yawning boys came groggily toward the camp fire.
"I'm starved and that smells great; flapjacks and bacon my favorite," smiled Luke.
"Now, Flint old boy, do you mind telling me just how you wound up with youngin's strewed all over the country?" Bill asked before taking another bite.
"Well, let's see; you have heard Luke's story. His was more or less a grand misunderstanding..." Flint paused and winked at Luke, "that we will still need to talk about later, by the way, son. Now Matthew on the other hand, I figure that he was in his own way trying to be helpful and prove that he was grown up enough to handle some of the ranch business own his own. Without meaning too, he caused a lot of worry and made some poor choices. I don't think he put much planning into what he was doing, and that's something that we will be discussing when I get hold of him," assured Flint, before forking in another bite of his breakfast.
"I know what you mean," said Bill. "I remember once, when I was young, taking off on my own to catch a stallion. I knew that my pa said I shouldn't, but I didn't see the dangers. I just thought that he was treating me like a child, so off I went. Seventeen's a tough age," he added.
Flint looked around the campfire and noticed that three sets of ears and eyes were glued on what he and Bill were saying. "You're right about that Bill, seventeen is a tough age; old enough to work hard and be responsible for a lot, but still young enough to want things your way and to act impulsively; without thinking. My Papa Jim once told me it was the age where young men had to learn to consider the needs of others. Bill, how did you Pa respond to you going off on your own against his wishes?" asked Flint.
"Well, let's see...As I remember, when we got home they called me to their room and had me sit down. Then, Pa started to lecture about how I had worried my ma; caused her to cry and how I had placed myself in great danger. I did almost get trampled by the stallion I was chasing. He went on to say that, I deliberately disobeyed his orders and how I had no concern for what the other family members were going through, or about obligations that had to be neglected, so that he could go tearing through the canyons looking for me. He looked me right in the eye and said that I had broken his trust. I had never seen my pa look so hurt.
He looked at me with teary eyes and then said that he understood, why I wanted to go after the stallion, to prove that I was grown, but that by running off like I had, I only proved I was still a boy. Pa asked me why I had decided to go, even though he said no. I sat looking into his sad eyes. I watched Ma sit on the edge of the bed crying and the only answer I could think of was 'because I wanted too,' I didn't need a stallion. If I had been hurt, the stallion would not have comforted my ma. I felt terrible. I could see the hurt in pa's eyes, so it was that day that I determined, that I would never cause my pa to look at me like that again. I stood up and asked for his forgiveness, for my selfish actions. We hugged for a long time."
"You mean, that's all; you just got a talking too?" said Mark.
"No, Mark I did sit down and have a long talk with my Pa and Ma, but that was two days after he caught up with me in the canyon, with three of my friends. I remember being mortified when I opened my eyes at daybreak and seen four angry fathers staring down at us. It would have been the most embarrassing tanning ever except that all four of us were ordered to drop our britches, and grab our knees. As Pa used his belt to set my near eighteen year old hide on fire; it was impossible to think of anything but my own hide. But Mark, as bad as the lickn' was it was the long talk that finally got through and I learned that my Pa didn't just say no because he was truly concerned, that I become a responsible and trustworthy man."
"Ya, Mark it's like when I was lost when Bill found me I was so happy, then all at once I thought about how sad ma must have been, and how scared. I didn't like thinking of ma being worried. If I had thought about how I was worryin' Mom and Dad, I would have told them about TJ when Dad and I first talked. I would have saved all this work and worry. I'm real sorry," said Luke fighting not to cry as he looked at his mom and dad.
Back at the Ponderosa...
Matt had been with the Cartwright's for close to a month and was beginning to feel at home. The rules were basically the same as he had at his own home, so he was having no problem fitting in. Jamie was fun to be with and they liked to do lots of things together.
Matt had no problem when at breakfast Jamie asked,
"Pa, could Matthew and I go up to the lake after morning chores, we haven't gotten to fish the whole time he has been here?"
"I'm sorry son, but Joe and I have to go court this morning and Hoss has to go over to the Jones', and you know that as part of your punishment you can't leave the ranch without one of us. Maybe tomorrow," answered Ben.
Matt was puzzled when instead of disappointment he thought he'd seen a hint of a smile on Jamie's face.
"Yes, sir, tomorrow might be better. How long will you all be gone?" inquired Jamie.
"It will be well after lunch. Hop sing will be here, and you and Matt will have to stay around the yard and house until we get back," explained Ben.
"Okay Pa. May we be excused sir," asked Jamie giving Matt a look that conveyed that he should come too.
"Yes, take your plates to Hop Sing."
"Okay, Jamie what gives?" asked Matt as they closed the back door.
"Shssush; you will have us caught before we leave the back yard," whispered Jamie, waving his arm as he ran toward the wood pile in the back yard.
When they were both crouched down behind the wood pile Jamie began to whisper.
"You said you needed a way to get back the twelve dollars that you lost in the card game. Now's our chance; Silas will be at the Bucket of Blood today, we can slip away as soon as Pa and Joe and Hoss leave. We'll ask Hop Sing to make a couple of sandwiches we can eat down at the far coral, so we can ride. That way he won't look for us until this afternoon."
"Are you crazy, your pa would tan us for sure. Sides, what will we use for money?" answered Matt in a shocked tone.
"Oh shucks, where's you sense of adventure? I've done it lots of times and only gotten caught this once, and that was just cause he was looking for you. Come on, I know where Hoss keeps a stash. I can borrow it and put it back later. You in or what? Asked Jamie with a mischievous smile.
"I guess, but I sure hope your right and we don't get caught," stuttered Matt.
"Look; Pa and Joe will be at the court house most of the day. They never get finished there till late. Let's go talk to Hop Sing and then as soon as Hoss leaves we can sneak into his room and get the cash. Now remember; we are going down to ride in the back corral, come on," said Jamie leading the way back in through the kitchen door.
"Yes, Sir Mr. Cartwright, I will look after Jamie and friend. They be no trouble. See you and number three son for Supper. Number two son, eat everything, if you come back too late," laughed Hop Sing.
"Right Hop Sing, we will do our best to be on time," called Ben as the three men headed out the door.
"Now's our chance," grinned Jamie, hearing the exchange, as he opened the back door.
Both boys made a quick dash for the stairs and up to Hoss' room. As Jamie closed door and started rummaging through his drawer, Matt had a bad thought.
"Jamie, Hoss wouldn't get mad and give us a tanning, if he found out, would he? He's a big man, looks twice the size of your pa.
"Naw, don't you worry none about Hoss, he's just a big old teddy bear. I can promise you he will not even know the money is missing." Stuffing the money in his pocket, Jamie stuck his head out into the hall to see that no one was around before leading the way down to talk to Hop Sing.
oOo
Well, if it ain't Red and the Stranger. Thought your daddy, told you to scat. I figured your card playing days were over, right along with your sitting days, or didn't your daddy blister your hide?" laughed Silas.
"Ya, well we got money and we want in, so whatta ya say?" smirked Jamie.
"Pull up a chair and put your money on the table. It's your hide not mine," growled Silas.
Two hours later there was a pile of bills in front of both Jamie and Matt, when the swinging doors opened and in walked doom.
"I'll be dadburn! What are you doing in here, little Brother? The two of you ain't supposed to be leaving the ranch. Pa's hopping mad, and I'm even madder. I done found my money gone, and you done made Hop Sing so mad he's a yelling bout going back to China," boomed Hoss.
"Now hold on there, Hoss. I just borrowed the money... I can explain, and look at this here pile, that fixes things don't it," said Jamie.
"FIXES THINGS... FAT CHANCE, LITTLE BROTHER. I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT I THINK ABOUT YOUR LITTLE BORROWING SCAM," shouted Hoss, as he advanced on the small table at the back of the crowded saloon.
Hoss picked up Jamie, placed his foot in the now empty chair and put Jamie face down over his knee. Matt froze, as he stared at the large hand raining thunderous swats one right after the other on Jamie's behind. The whole room stared, as Hoss stopped spanking moved his foot and plopped the well spanked boy back into his chair, before taking two steps and reaching down and lifting Matt out of the chair. Without a word he placed his foot in the chair and drew the kicking and yelling boy over his knee.
"Stop... please... stop... you can't do this. Mr. Hoss stop..." pleaded Matt, as he watched faces all around the saloon erupt in to loud roars of laughter.
"Matthew, Matthew wake up, your having a nightmare, come on; wake up before you wake the whole house."
Matt lay on his belly kicking and squirming with one hand trying to shield his behind, and the other clinched tight around the pillow, "No Hoss, please," he shouted once more then jolted awake, and looked into to Hoss' face.
"You was having a dozy of a nightmare there, partner. Care to talk about it," came Hoss' gentle reply as he sat down on the side of the bed.
Matt sat up on the edge of the bed now rubbing his eyes,
"It was just a dream, just a dream,... sorry for waking you, Hoss sir."
"Don't you worry none about , what was it you was a dreaming about?"
"It's okay, I'm okay now... I'll be okay, night sir."
"Night Matthew, I'm mighty glad I could help. See you in the morning."
Hoss had no more then got the door closed good, than Matt sat up and waited to hear Hoss' own bedroom door close. He shot across the hall. Slowly opening Jamie's door he asked, "You awake?"
"Yea, come on in," came the sleepy reply. Matt came across the floor and climbed up onto the end of Jamie's bed.
"I got a problem, will you hear me out and help me figure out what to do?" asked Matt.
Jamie sat up and rubbed his eyes,. "Sure; I'll try shoot."
"Well, you know how your pa said that my Mom and Dad will be here by the end of the week..." started Matt.
"Ya, so I guess, facing your dad's got you worried?'" said Jamie in a low whisper.
"Well, some, but that's just part of the problem. He's going to be so disappointed in me. First for taking off like I did, then for worryin' mom. And, to make things worse, I forged his name on the sale paper after I done promised not to ever do that again..."
"Good glory you are in a mess," reasoned Jamie.
"Then on top of all that, I lost twelve dollars of the money that was for the horses in the card game. I thought I could win it back and no one would ever know. Dad's not going to be happy. Remember the other day when I told you he was not my real Pa? Well I sorta feel like in the three years since we met, all I have done is cause him trouble. I set out on this trip to prove I was a man, but all I did was prove was that I'm just a rotten kid. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to bother with me anymore," sighed Matt, as tears came to his eyes.
"I can't help you with the money. I would if I could, but if you're in the mood, I will tell you something that I've never told anyone before. It might help you decide what to do," offered Jamie.
Matt climbed under the covers next to Jamie and waited for the story to begin.
"Well first off, you already know that I wasn't born to my Pa neither. My real Pa was a rainmaker, and we travelled a lot. After my Pa died, Dusty took me in. We continued to travel and try and make rain. We did pretty well too for a while, then we got conned, and everything I ever owned got burnt. Mr. Cartwright got me re-comp... well, got me what I was owed, but me and Dusty had nowhere ta live. Mr. Cartwright gave Dusty a wranglin' job and took me in. He treated me real good and I really liked it and all. Then it came time for this big round up and I really wanted to go, but Mr. Cartwright, he wanted me to go to school and all. He figured it was real important. I fussed some, but finally I went. Well, it weren't long till this fella, Frank Snider, was pushin' and itchin' to fight me, and in no time he had me convinced that, maybe I was just a stray that the Cartwright's felt obligated to take in; you know jist felt sorry for me. It weren't so, but I got to braggin' and boasting as how I could use any of the guns to hunt with, cause I was just like one of the family. I wanted to show old Frank up so bad, that I snuck a very special gun of Pa's out and went riding over to Frank's showing off. Trouble was on the way back a big cat spooked my horse and threw me and the fancy gun in the pond. I knew I was in a mess. When I fished the gun out of the water it was busted. I rode home trying to decide what to do. When I got home no one was around, so I put it back in the rack hoping nobody would notice.
That bought me about two days of quiet. Then everyone came home. I tried to talk to my friend Dusty, but Joe came in carrying a gun. I tried get it and put it away for him but I was too late. The second Mr. Cartwright bellowed, HOP SING!; I knew my goose was cooked. I should have owned up right then, but when I came through the door and he asked me if I knew anything about the broken gun I panicked and...I lied.
The next day at school Frank started making threats to ride out and ask Mr. Cartwright, if I really had permission to have the gun. I had to fight him, there was no other choice. Then that afternoon when I was standing out at the pump cleaning up my face, cause Hop Sing can fuss more then a ma, Pa rode up. Seeing my face, he was worried and started asking questions. I was jist so mad. First I declared that I was not going back to school, then while I was at it, I told Pa that I busted the gun. I confessed that I just up and took it. I was quick to add that I hadn't meant to break it.
I remember him saying; 'no one thought you did, but you knew you were doing wrong. Then you lied to me, but you owned up to it and that's right and proper,' I thought I was home free, then he turns and says...
"Jamie, I suppose I could just let it go, but this is too important a thing," he paced, while I squirmed, then he dropped a boom. "Jamie, winters coming on, we will need lots of wood he says, in addition to you other chores you will start sawing wood, about four cord ought to do it."
"I then bust into a fit, yelling at Mr. Cartwright; I owned up to breaking your darn old gun and that's all your gonna get. Then, I stomped into the house and up to my room. In myself pity, I was convinced that I had been punished enough, and that I would be better off on my own. I left a note and a watch chain and was gone," sighed Jamie smiling at the look of shock on Matt's face.
"I gotta make a trip to the outhouse, you gonna wait here?" asked Jamie jamming his feet into his slippers.
"I might as well come too, or I'll just have to go soon as you come back. Let me get my boots," smiled Matt slipping back into his room and meeting Jamie on the landing. Both boys jumped, as the clock struck three am. They took turns waiting outside the outhouse door before heading for the back door once more.
"Want some hot coco, while I finish my story?" asked Jamie.
Matt smiled; hot coco was his favorite. "Sure if it won't get us in any trouble."
"Na, no trouble, unless we leave a mess in Hop Sing's kitchen. Reach over there in that tin and get us some cookies, " said Jamie passing Matt a plate.
Jamie stirred the coals in the stove and shoved in a couple of sticks of wood, glad that Hop Sing always banked the fire in the stove before retiring.
"Now where was I," asked Jamie placing the pan of milk on to warm.
"You just up and left, leaving the watch chain for payment of the gun; right?" answered Matt pulling out a chair and sitting down with the cookies.
"Right! it was my Pa's watch chain, only thing I had left. Figured I owed it ta Mr Cartwright fer breaking the gun and everything he done for me. Probably owed him more, but it was all I had. Anyway, I guess I was gone for about seven or eight days. I had me a job working at Timmins' livery over in Mill City. One day, I looked up and there stood Mr. Cartwright. I threw up my defences right then and there. I told him I guess he had come after his horse, and then when that didn't satisfy him I started ranting about there being nothing at the Ponderosa, that I needed. He could take the horse and I would wire him my first month's pay for everything else he done give me, then we was squared.
Pa jist stared and let me have my say, calm as all get out. Then he coolly said, he thought there was something for me at the Ranch, and how they all wanted me to come back. He said I was being pig headed.
I spat very hatefully about how I had tried it and didn't like it, and how he hadn't payed me no more mind then he had too...Then I shouted that I could talk to him the way I was, cause he didn't have a hold on me; not one particle. Truth is I was being downright rude, and disrespectful. I stomped away turning my back on him," said Jamie stopping to pour the coco into mugs and placing them on the table.
"I'm not sure whether that was brave, or stupid," said Matt as Jamie sat back down.
"Both I guess," laughed Jamie."Mr. Cartwright, let out a big sigh and walked toward the open door, and I went back to my raking. Suddenly the rake went flying, and Pa took hold of my arm and before I knew what was happening he sat down on the stack of feed sacks and proceeded to whale the tar out of me. The harder I fought the harder he whacked. I don't know how many swats I got, but I remember that my backside was stinging and a burning; let me tell you. I wasn't gonna sass not one word. Then Pa stands me up and pokes his finger right in my face and says...
*Now, young man I am going to try this one more time and you are going to listen to what I have to say. As long as you only worry about yourself and your problems, that all you will ever do. But, as part of a family your problems might not always be first, cause others have their problems too and you might have to worry about them. I didn't choose my sons they were born to me, but I did choose you. You might consider that a point in your favor. Now as a parent, sometimes I am going to tell you to do things you don't like. I'm older than you. I know more, it's as simple as that. Now I try to be fair, and sometimes I make mistakes, so you might as well expect them, cause I am human, but so far I don't think I've been unfair, so if you decide to come back, and I sure hope you do cause I want you too... the wood cutting stands, you will just have to except that discipline along with everything else we have to give."
Then he reached down and put my watch chain back into my shirt pocket and turned and walked back to his horse, leaving me standing staring into space."
"So you got on your horse and headed for home right?" replied Matt looking up to see tears in Jamie's eyes.
"No, I just stood there for the longest time. Then Mr. Timmins came out and told me to get back to work. Later that night in my bed of straw in the loft I thought a lot about it. Then all the next morning, I was moving mighty slow, Mr. Timmins call me over and he says; " Son if you want an old man's advice you need to get on your horse and get on back home where you belong."
"When I said; he's not my Pa, he laughed and says; "Couldn't prove it by me after what I seen yesterday, boy people who don't care don't ride for a day and pour out their hearts just to hear themselves talk, and they sure as hell don't take the time to light a fire to get no account orphans to listen; now, are you going to get on your horse and get going or am I going to have to take a stick to you for wasting half a day and getting nothing done?" laughed Jamie, at his impersonation of the old timer.
"I thanked Mr. Timmins and got my horse and rode hard. I made it to the Ponderosa long pass midnight, and decided the best way for me to show Mr. Cartwright I was sorry was to get started on the wood cutting. Come to find out later, that he and Hop Sing had been anxiously waiting for me all day. Well, I guess the rest is history."
"So your tellin' me that I'm wrong about my dad, he chose to be my father and so even though, he'll be disappointed, he'll be understanding?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm sayin'," smiled Jamie.
"Thanks Jamie, I know it was hard for you to talk about, but it did make me feel better," smiled Matt as they both stood and placed their dishes in the sink.
"You're welcome, Matt. Now let's get back to bed. Oh and Matt you might try talking to my Pa in the morning about the money problem; might make it easier when you have to tell you dad, cause Pa's already punished us for the gambling, so he could be an understanding ear," said Jamie as the two of them reached the top of the stairs.
"It ain't the punishment so much... it's the money. Twelve dollars is a lot. My Pa works hard, I shoulda known better than ta risk it."
"Like I said; talk ta Pa, he has lots of good ideas; maybe he can think of a way you can pay your Pa back."