Chapter 8

As the seasons change and the world turns I begin to realize that our little family has grown in the wisdom and knowledge of the ages...no sorry that's The Waltons.

The following day Adam and Hoss were good to their word. They broke camp early in the morning and began on the road back to Walnut Grove with the boys.

They also decided to leave Almanzo back at Walnut Grove. They'd have a good long think before deciding to kidnap anyone again.

As they walked along Almanzo prattled away as much to himself as to anyone. Adam suddenly turned to him.

"Will you shut the hell up," He yelled.

Almanzo froze in his tracks and scowled, a lump of buttered scone protruding from inside his right cheek.

"Ok, you didn't get bacon for breakfast today, we get it but don't keep going on."

"You haven't given me bacon all week..." Almanzo muttered plaintively.

"No stop," Adam put a hand up. "We are releasing you and these boys and you can go back to which ever poor sod is cursed with feeding you. Just stop moaning now because we're nearly at your home town."

They began moving off again.

"I'm just saying that if you happen to kidnap someone again it's as well to make sure you have enough provisions because you wouldn't want them falling sick from lack of nourishment before you could claim a ransom. That's all I'm saying. I'm helping you," Almanzo mumbled as he walked along.

Adam was about to speak again when a large man suddenly jumped down from a tree. On his way down he hit Hoss on the back of the head with a baton. The big man crumpled to the ground. Others soon came on the scene and surrounded the travelers. They brandished knives and grinned through dirt stained teeth. Adam kept Albert and Andy behind him as the bandits closed in.

"Drop your weapon," one particularly nasty looking ruffian said.

"Drop your weapon or I'll swear I'll cut those two little runts up and hang their carcasses on a tree."

The others laughed heartily.

Adam dropped his gun. He had no choice. Once the threat of gunfire was no more they attacked like dogs. Two or three of the scoundrels took Adam on and brought him to the ground. One took hold of each of the boys and went through his pockets.

They then took on Almanzo. He head butted the first one and threw the other over his shoulder. Almanzo then charged into the three holding Adam. He knocked them down like skittles and pounded their faces until they were dazed. One larger man took him from behind and tried to get him into a headlock. Almanzo stood up and threw the man over his shoulder. Then he pounded him unconscious.

Hoss got slowly to his feet, rubbing at a nasty bump on the back of his head.

Adam looked on as the bandits lay all around half dazed and moaning in pain.

Almanzo was just beginning to get his breath back.

"Walnut Grove is this way," he pointed and began to shuffle off in that direction.

The two brothers stared after him.

~o~

Charles, John and the rest of the little band of travelers finally made it to the camp of the badly spelled Shoshoni tribe.

I'm not any good at descriptive writing so you'll just have to use your imagination. Along their journey there were trees and flowers and western stuff like abandoned wagon wheels and carcasses of dead mules.

And cactus...there was cactus.

Yeah anyway...they walked through camp feeling more than a little nervous. Warrior braves stood and watched them as they passed. Charles tried to stick his chest out and march ahead of the rest of them but he caught his foot on a sticky up tree root and went flying. One of the braves, a very tall strong man caught him and pulled him upright.

"Thank you But when I want your help I'll ask for it," Charles said in a huffy voice.

They soon found Ivan. He was sitting by a campfire wrapped in a woven blanket. A young woman was attending to his needs.

"You get away from him," Laura snapped. "No doubt you were one of those lecherous nymphs who forced your attentions on him."

The young woman's face was suddenly full of anxiety and remorse.

"Please I could not help it. He looks so like Illya Kuryakin. When was I to do."

Nelly stepped forward. "Well your penance seems real. Perhaps you will mend your ways."

She looked back with sincerity in her bright almond eyes.

"I can promise you, neither me nor any of my twelve beautiful sisters will ever touch your men again. We are deeply sorry."

Laura looked back and fixed her Pa with a big smile.

Charles and John tried to smile back.

They all sat cross legged around a large open campfire. Women came back and forth to attend them bringing food and water. Bringing waffles and bacon and pop tarts and scrambled eggs and coffee...

Sorry, little tip. Never write fan fiction when you're hungry.

Once they had eaten their fill of bacon and grits (poor Almanzo missed out there)

Chief Winnamocha came and sat with them bringing his advisors.

"We must find the man Adam of Ponderosa. He has done great wrong to our tribe. He has taken the sacred stone of Rath from it's resting place. If it is not returned great sickness and death will plague our people for a hundred years," The chief said.

Charles and John nodded and tried to think of something intelligent to say.

There was a long silence finally broken by Ivan.

"It wasn't my fault. I was just hired by Adam Cartwright to bring these people out into the desert so that he could apprehend one of them."

"Who does he want to apprehend?" John asked.

"Don't interrupt the man John," Charles suddenly spoke out.

"We don't need to hear all the details this very minute."

"I'm sorry Charles. I guess I'm just gettin anxious to know what this is all about."

Ivan continued.

"Adam Cartwright is trying to locate a long lost brother called Little Joe Cartwright. As the story goes their father died suddenly and he left behind a great farm and loads of money. Well just after the funeral little Joe Cartwright got the local banker to open up the bank and he took all the money and galloped off into the sunset on his little horse Cochise."

Laura frowned. "You had a little horse called Cochise hadn't you Pa?"

"No Laura...that was...Cockroach. I had a horse called Cockroach when you were little."

Caroline smiled. "No Charles I remember. His name was Cochise, a little paint pinto. A fine animal. You rode him into town that day you lost 20,000 dollars in one sitting on a card game at the saloon."

They were all looking at Charles now. He sat with his arms folded, big red face and saying nothing to no one.

Chief Winnamocha went on.

"We must find Adam of Ponderosa and bring back sacred stone of Rath. We ask for your help."

"We'll help you in any way we can." John agreed.

"It wasn't 20.000 dollars it was 19,900 dollars and that guy cheated," Charles blurted out suddenly.

~o~

Almanzo sat at the table, napkin in shirt. He had been eating for a full hour. Eliza Jane poured him another cup of coffee.

"What's for dessert sis?" He asked around a mouth full of blueberry pie and cream.

"I have a strawberry and cinnamon pie just cooling on the stove," She smiled.

"Would any of you cut throats like some more coffee?" She asked.

"Eh, no ma'am that was just fine, and thank you," Hoss said.

"You can sleep out in the barn tonight. There's plenty of straw and bedding and I have a lamp I can let you have."

"Or the hotel in town has plenty of rooms," Almanzo spoke up.

It wasn't so much the kidnapping. He was worried at the amount of food Hoss Cartwright liked to consume.

Eliza Jane tapped him on the shoulder.

"Don't be rude Almanzo, it's raining outside."

The brothers were soon heading to the barn with blankets, a lamp and a can of fresh coffee.

"Ain't it funny she let us sleep in the barn Adam considerin we kidnapped her brother?" Hoss asked.

"Yeah it doesn't make much sense. Just be grateful for badly written fan fiction Hoss."

~o~

Charles awoke to find an empty space on the mattress beside him.

He got up, perspiration glistened on his tanned well toned chest. Ohhh Yeah.

He left the tent in search of his wife. Caroline was never much good at hide and seek. She stood a little off to one side staring out at the forest.

"Darlin." Charles put his arms around her. He could feel her stiffen against his embrace.

"What is it?" He asked.

She pulled away from him.

"Charles, I can't help feeling that you haven't been entirely honest with me."

Guilt clouded his face like a shadow.

"Caroline, speak, tell me." He asked.

"Charles...That cinnamon cake I made tonight, you said you liked it but I could see it in your face...oh Charles." She collapsed in his arms sobbing.

"Caroline, your cakes have always been hit and miss. But I have always been honest with you. That cake you made tonight, it had just the right moist consistency and a pleasant after taste so yeah l deemed it satisfactory."

Caroline smiled up at him. "Oh Charles, lets never argue again."

"No Darlin," he wrapped his arms about her and kissed the top of her head.

~o~

Adam hadn't meant to disturb anyone, unfortunately as he opened the door he upset a broom that was placed close by and it clanked to the floor.

Eliza Jane came running out in her long frill nightie and her curlers.

"You monster, I knew it. You've come to ravage me in my sleep," She said.

Adam put a match to the lamp on the table as he spoke.

"Eh no ma'am. Certainly not. Hoss being a big man, he needs an extra blanket. Would you have an extra blanket ma'am please?"

Eliza Jane scurried over. Her curlers bobbed up and down as she moved.

"Shhh, my brother is a light sleeper. He will hear."

Adam took a step back as she approached.

"I only want an extra blanket ma'am."

"I know what you ruffians are about, make no mistake. You will murder Almanzo and the children if you don't have your wicked way with me. Then be done with it. Take me."

She lay down and spread herself across the length of the table.

Adam stood there and scratched the side of his neck.

"Eh, it's ok. Hoss can have my blanket. I'll sleep with my jacket on."

Eliza Jane raised her head as the door banged shut.

"Ugh stinking bandits in the house and I'm still fully intact."

~o~

The next morning a huge party of riders left the camp. Chief Winnamocha rode ahead with Charles, John and Ivan.

The rest of the party consisted of the ladies, Mr Edwards and Percival.

Taking up the rear was Chief Winnamocha's entire army of warriors. The Chief was determined to face Adam of Ponderosa and return the sacred stone to its rightful place at the grotto near the foot of their camp. He and his warriors talked and planned through the night and they were ready to face the fiercest battle.

Charles tried to ride ahead of everyone and he rode bare chested even though as John told him there was a distinct nip in the air.

After many hours of riding in the intense afternoon heat and a stop for afternoon coffee and a slice of Caroline's excellent chocolate fudge brownie cake they made it to Walnut Grove.

Instinctively Charles knew that his long lost brothers would find his house and wait for him there. Sure enough as the large party rode up towards the little house the door opened and Adam stepped out. He looked directly at Charles but before he could speak Chief Winnamocha got down from his horse and approached.

"Adam of Ponderosa, many moons I have searched for you. Many of my people have died along the way. I ask that you give back that which you have taken. Give back the sacred stone of Rath and no blood will be spilled this day."

There was silence, Chief Winnamocha's warriors sat poised and ready.

Adam frowned. He fished in his pocket and pulled out a small black, shining stone.

"What this?" He asked, holding it up.

The chief gave a slight nod in answer.

Adam tossed it and the Chief caught it in his hand.

Charles watched with a growing sense of dread as Chief Winnamocha pocketed the tiny stone, walked slowly to his horse and got back on. Without another word he turned his horse and slowly headed off in the direction they had come. His army followed suit.

Adam glared at Charles. "Hello, little brother."

"Well, this is a family affair obviously so I'll be off now." Ivan smiled as he turned to leave.

"Yes, we really must go too," Percival smiled as he took hold of Nellies horse and turned away too.

Charles immediately looked to his friend.

"John?" He squeaked.

"So long Charles, see you at Church." John galloped off so hard a trail of dust rose up after him.

Adam moved forward and took hold of the bridal. "Get down from that horse."

Charles did so immediately and stood looking sheepish as Hoss came up to join them.

"Pa, who are these people?" Laura asked.

"Tell her," Adam commanded.

"That's your uncle Adam and that's your uncle Hoss half pint," Charles said in a small voice.

Adam let go a sigh of resignation.

"I take it all the money is gone little brother."

Charles could only nod his head.

"I see. According to Ponderosa rules little brother what is the penalty for stealing?"

Charles looked down at his fingernails and mumbled something incoherent.

"I can't hear you." Adam snapped.

"A trip to the barn," Charles almost wailed.

"Yes that's right. Well. I think now is as good a time as any don't you."

Charles mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?" Adam yelled.

"I said I'm a grown man," Charles mumbled a little louder.

"Well when you act like a grown man I will treat you like one. Now shall we..."

Adam lead Charles towards the barn with Hoss following along behind.

Laura watched them go with growing concern.

"Ma, Uncle Adam isn't really going to take his belt to Pa is he?" She asked.

Caroline smiled "Of course not darling, they're grown men."

They both listened as yelping and crying could be heard coming from the barn.

"Or maybe yes he is but it doesn't matter Laura. It doesn't matter because they are brothers and they're all together again and life is wonderful."

"Oh Ma, you're so right."

Laura and Caroline went arm in arm into the house as the yelping in the barn continued long into the night.

The End.