Chapter 5

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my story. I'd like to give a special shout out to Kirstan and the Mary Poppins fan who followed both my stories. Thank you so much.

But thanks to everyone guests and members who took the time to read my story. I hope you enjoy its conclusion.

I heard a piercing scream and a scuffle upstairs, I didn't care for the gun pointed my direction. I've had my sixty years in this world, if they want ta end it here they can just go ahead and do it. I ran up them stairs two at a time. I pushed past the two on the landing and ran into little Joes room. His bare legs were kicking as the ruffian held him up laughing at the little boys distress. I took him from the large man and he clung to me as I carried him down the stairs.

"It was only the kid," one of them told the leader as they trudged their way downstairs. I sat Joe on my lap and tried to keep him warm as he was only wearing his nightshirt. I could feel his little body shaking as he surveyed the scene around him with big eyes.

"Piglet, get me another brandy," the leader barked at Hoss.

"Yes sir," Hoss nodded and hurried over to the decanter.

"Maingy scag," Adam muttered under his breath.

The man turned.

"What you say to me boy?" He walked deliberately slow as he squared up to Adam. He took hold of Adams shirt front.

"I asked you what you said boy."

Adam didn't repeat. Just when I was thinkin Adam was gaining sense at last, the man reached up and punched Adam across the room.

He landed in a heap by the fire place.

"That's what you get for stealing my gun." He grinned.

~o~

I was trying to take Joe from round my neck so that I could go to Adam. Meanwhile Hoss was coming back with the brandy. He saw his brother laid prone by the fire place and before anyone could stop him Hoss gave Adams attacker such a kick, I don't think he'll ever enjoy a saloon girl again. He went down like a sack of potatoes holding himself and whimpering. Short of helping him the other three stood laughing at their leader as he rolled in agony, tears coming to his eyes.

~o~

Hop Sing, still on the floor was starting to come round. He took note of all he needed to and then he nodded to Adam. I pulled Joe behind the desk as Adam and Hop Sing went at it. They launched themselves at the men. The three standing were caught off guard and toppled to the floor, guns skidding across the planks. Fists were flying in all directions. I crouched lower over Joe as he was trying to pop his head over the side of the desk to see the action. Hop Sing knew that Asian fighting and he had some strange moves these varmits had never seen before so he made short work of the biggest man knocking him into oblivion. He then started in on the next villain swinging punches at him and blocking his counter attacks with ease. Hop Sing is a man to have in a fight, make no mistake.

Adam was throwing punches and doing his best until the man Hoss had kicked joined in on the fight. He got behind Adam pinning his arms behind him so that the other man had free reign to knock him out. They were making short work of Adam until the front door suddenly burst open and Ben joined the fight. As Adam dropped to the floor and Hoss slowly pulled him under the kitchen table, Ben attacked with a fierceness I never knew he had. Between them Ben and Hop Sing smacked manners into these ruffians. They were in a bruised and battered heap as Ben and Hop Sing stood over them. All looked to be resolved and safe. I stood up from my place behind the desk and returned Ben's nod with a smile of relief. Suddenly a gun went off making everyone jump. Ben turned and kicked the leader in the face knocking him out cold. His gun hand fell limp to his side, the gun still smoking.

And then...Hoss looked up at us in horror at the blood on his hand. A second later he crumpled to the floor, it was the most awful sound. We couldn't move, we all just stood there. Adam was the first to his side as a pool of blood began to form at his shoulder.

"Oh Jesus Adam," He whimpered fearfully as his little body began shaking from pain and shock.

"It ok buddy, it's ok." Adam's face lost all colour as he began to rip his shirt up to get a better look.

Ben was beside him then.

"Mrs Jennings, we need bandages," he muttered as he slowly turned his son. There was so much blood at his back, I never saw so much blood.

"Mrs Jennings."

I jumped realising what he'd asked me. I ran to the kitchen tearing it apart, forgetting where everything was of course. Finally I found the swabs of clean linen. I felt sick to my stomach. The sight of his chubby little chest covered in blood was too much to bear but all emotion had to wait. I held Hoss still while Adam and Ben pressed pads of linen to his wounds and wrapped a bandage tight round his chest to keep it in place. Hoss whimpered softly as they worked and Ben muttered words of encouragement as tears ran down his own face.

~o~

Adam rode like the wind and brought the doctor and the sheriff. The men were taken away by the sheriff and his deputies. The one that shot Hoss met with several accidents on his way out to the wagon. The doctor headed upstairs with Ben. I put Adam sitting by the fire and made him drink a cup of sweet coffee. He had a nasty bruise on his cheek and a cut on the back of his head from where he was punched and sent across the room. Suddenly I remembered, oh God, little Joe. I whirled around frantically calling his name and then I caught sight of something under Ben's desk. I went and peered down under it. All I could see was a mop of curls. He was clinging to the leg of the desk, his eyes riveted to the floor.

"Come on," I held my arms out to him and he clung to me. I carried him across the room and brought him to sit by the fire.

~o~

There was a knock on the door. It was past midnight. We stood as Hop Sing went to answer it. Mrs Cuthbert walked in, Marvin sauntered in behind her as if nothing had happened.

"Good evening Adam, we heard what happened and come to offer support," she smiled.

To me she said "kindly tell the master of the house that I am here and wish to speak with him."

I caught Adams wrist as he went to move.

"Get the hell out of here," He growled at Marvin.

"Adam, go and tell your father," I told him.

But Adam was moving towards Marvin.

"ADAM," I snapped.

He stopped. I went and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Please, you're fathers been through enough tonight."

"Yes ma'am," he nodded as he turned towards the stairs.

Ben must have heard. He came down, his face looked as though it had aged ten years and he had a smear of blood on his left arm. As he reached the bottom step he gave Adam a quick hug.

"Darling, such a terrible thing. We came as soon as we heard. I'm sending my physician round first thing in the morning. These local doctors, all they're fit for is delousing local urchins."

She went to hug him but Ben stood rigid glaring at them coldly.

"Madam, kindly get that boy out of my house," Ben muttered.

"Ben, surely you're not blaming Marvin for this, he's just a boy for heaven sake."

"If I have to speak again I will throw him out myself."

Marvin moved very quickly towards the door.

"Didn't wanna stay anyway, I'm gettin outta this dump."

Mrs Cuthbert followed close behind.

"Now darling, Mr Cartwright was just upset. He'll see things a lot different in the morning."

"No I won't," Ben said as the door closed after them.

Mr Cartwright then turned to us.

"I want to.. I want ..."

We knew he was sorry he didn't have to say it.

"Mr Cartwright, you need some coffee." I put him sitting down as he wiped his face and tried to recover himself. Joe sidled up to him. He smiled at the little boy, running a hand through his curls.

I went to the kitchen and made a large plate of chicken sandwiches. I put it down in front of the lads and made them eat. The colour was slowly returning to Adams face.

~o~

Suddenly the doctor was on the stairs. We all stood holding our breath.

"Is there a Mrs Jennings?" He asked.

I was on the second step before he could finish.

"He's asking for you."

I walked quietly into the dimly lit bedroom.

He looked so small and helpless in the bed and paler than I had ever seen him.

I went to the side of the bed and gently took his hand.

"Mrs Jennings, are you mad at me?" He asked in a small voice.

"Of course not, why should I be mad at my soldier" I smiled trying to hold back my tears as I stroked his hair.

"I done kicked that man Mrs Jennings. That weren't very Christian thing ta do," His voice slurred as he tried to make himself understood.

"I think God will forgive this one Hoss."

"Now young man, she's not mad at you so you can go to sleep now." the doctor told him.

"Mrs Jennings?" His eyes were closing.

"I don't wanna sound like no sissy but ye know, I..."

I stroked his cheek as sleep finally took him.

I know Hoss, I love you too," I said as I kissed the top of his head.

~o~

I'm writing all of this five days after it actually happened. I couldn't write at the time. How could you put into words the sight of that little boy lying on the living room floor. We were beside ourselves with shock and worry. It was a terrible time for all of us. Now thankfully Hoss is recovering. He's getting stronger every day and should have the stitches removed by the end of the week.

The men were sentenced to prison, the man who shot Hoss was sentenced to hard labour.

We don't know what has come of Mrs Cuthbert and Marvin and quite frankly, nobody cares.

30th September One month later.

It's not good enough, it just ain't. How can Ben let him go to Boston by himself, he's just a baby. What if the stage is robbed.

I packed sandwiches for his journey and as I packed them into his carpet bag I gave him a talk on the dangers of loose women reminding him that he's a good Christian boy. Mr Cartwright told me to ease up on him but I don't care what shade of red his face was turning. I was going to make sure he don't forget his morals. I don't want to hear about no actress taking advantage of him.

Oh Adam, the sight of that stage moving off was just too much for me. Mr Cartwright patted my shoulder telling me he'd be home for the holidays. Little comfort.

Hateful man, sending him across the world all by himself. I swear I won't sleep a wink until he returns.

The End.