Chapter 8:The White Wolf
From the Adam Cartwright, Father of Five Series: I do not write for Bonanza but love to pretend~Thank you!
Warning:This chapter may hurt you more than it will hurt me~fair warning~ OTK...
By: Carolynjames
"Please Uncle Joe, just one more story," Michael pleaded and pulled on his uncle's arm.
"Yea, Uncle Joe, and can it be about more Indians?" Jack begged.
Uncle Joe sighed while rolling his eyes up into his head as if to search for a story in the Ol' memory bank ..."Okay boys, I believe I've got one more then it's off to bed. But you gotta promise after this story, tip toe tip toe off to bed."
"We promise", the twins agreed in unison, leaped to the blanketed floor, and rolled onto their belly's to hear another bedtime story.
Joe Cartwright loved his nieces and nephews. Now that school was out, many warm summer days and nights gave way for frolic and play. Joe and wife Amy would often help Adam by inviting a child or two for an overnight stay. He enjoyed telling them stories as much as they liked hearing them.
On this particular night, the twins were especially interested in Indian encounters.
Standing slightly hunched over with a dramatic flare~Joe Cartwright began his story~
"Now, like I said before, befriending an Indian can be a real risky thing if you dont understand who you're dealing with. You have to know something about the tribe and to respect their boundaries. It's taken them a long time to trust a white man and most Indians still dont. And who could blame 'em. So, this story Him about to tell you may just keep you up all night…"
"Honey, Joseph, do you think maybe you shouldnt tell the boys 'this' story? Maybe you could think of one that will calm them and lure them to sleep. It would be nice for everyone to get a good nights rest," Amy encouraged as she continued knitting her blanket.
Joe looked hesitantly towards his sweet little wife, pinched his lips, furrowed his brow...then slapped his knee. "Ah, they'll be fine sweetheart, these two are braver than the bravest I've ever known."
"Please, we'll be okay Aunt Amy, nothing scares us. Ain't that right Michael?" Jack boldly announced as he raised his chest.
"Yep, nothing scares us at all." Michael agreed with a nod.
Amy just shook her head and gave into a smile~
"Alright Boys, now that's settled." Joseph playfully back at her with a wink. "Now, the first encounter was at night when Adam and I were out in the desert…" Joe continued on with his lengthy story watching carefully for drooping eyes. Sleepy they were not.
After this last story, Michael and Jack became more excited than before as the fair wise one predicted. They began to wrestle and wiggle all over the floor. Eventually engaging Uncle Joe into the ruckus with Jack jumping onto his back while Michael hung tight to Joe's leg. With roaring sounds and the shouts of 'playful' gunfire the once beginning peaceful night turned fright.
Joseph kicked up his heals as Jack began to tickle under his arm...and right at that real ticklers spot by the rib cage...well everyone knows Joe will lose all control when tickled. His arms flared wildly tossing one twin to the side and throwing the Tickle Offender onto the couch where Amy's sewing kit took a tumble onto the floor. Sweet and patient Aunt Amy was tired and didn't know wether to burst in tears or begin a battle of her own.
"Now boys, Joseph...BOYS Please"...Amy cried out...finally to be heard over the noise. All three had stopped to look at Amy standing over the trampled sewing basket.
Joseph froze, looking most perplexed..."Did... we... do... that?"
Amy gave her most severe reply~glaring silently with one "Eye" on her husband while reaching out for her nephews hands in compliance to follow her.
"Boys, I can see your Uncle Joe has gotten you all riled up, but it is time for you both to go to bed. You'll have to try your best and fall asleep. Morning will come earlier than you think and Uncle Joe will be taking you home first light." Amy motioned for the boys to scoot on into the guest room and nodded to Joseph for support.
The twins moaned and groaned.
"Come on now, Aunt Amy's right, it's time to go to bed. Now, you didnt forget your promise to me already did you? A Cartwright man never forgets his promise. Joe reached out to ruffle their blonde curly hair, slipping cautiously past his bride.
"No sir. We'll go to bed. Goodnight Aunt Amy. Goodnight Uncle Joe." Both boys reached up to give their Aunt and Uncle a kiss as the walked to their room.
Amy announced that she was going to bed but not before advising her husband to stand guard the twins bedroom door until they fell asleep. Unfortunately, Joseph did not sleep warm and snug with his wife that night. The twins found every reason to get out of bed several times before Joe reached his tolerable limit of parenthood. Recognizing a familiar tone in their Uncle's voice, like father Adam, finally sent them into a slumber and Joseph to the closet nearby landing, the couch.
Morning did come early, for Joe and Amy least-wise. The two newly weds were not used to parenting and having children wake them up before the rooster crowed. Joseph laughed and thought of how funny it must be for his big brother Adam, raising these five children. Life sure changed on the Ponderosa when the orphaned-Scott children came to him a year or so ago. Joe was sure happy to be apart of it and welcomed his new nieces and nephews with open arms. Amy quickly fell in love with them too. She and Joe were hopeful to have children of their own one day soon.
"Bye Aunt Amy, we love you," The twins shouted back, as Joe drove the team away.
The trip to the Ponderosa took a little less than two hours and Joseph was able to squeeze a few more stories in before retuning the boys to the ranch.
Adam caught eye of the wagon while out working on the timberline. Ben continued giving the instructions to the foreman as Adam waved Joe towards him.
"Good afternoon boys. Joe. Good to see you! How was your trip?" Adam shook hands with his younger brother as he watched his boys leap out of the wagon.
With bursts of energy, Michael and Jack raced towards their father. "Dad, may we go out riding. We really miss our horses."
"Whoa now, dont you have a hello for your ol' Dad?, a warn out Joseph scolded."
Michael and Jack stood corrected and began again. "Sorry Dad, we missed you. We had a great time with Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy. He told us lot's of stories."
"Yeah, a lot of stories. Really good stories too." Jack chimed in trying to sugar up his grumpy and tired uncle.
"Hmm, Sounds like a night filled with Adventure. It would be nice to hear one of these stories after dinner tonight." Adam stated as he studied over his lil brother inquisitively.
"One story,hmh... one story, how could you possibly get by with telling just one." Joe grouched as he took in a deep yawn.
Adam placed his arm around Joseph's shoulder and popped out a laugh, "You see Lil' brother, One story is enough to dream on ~any more than that could keep the mind awake all night."
Joseph grumbles, "Now you tell me."
Adam continued to get a rise out of his lil brother even though deep down Adam had to learn his lessons the hard way just as Joe had.
"Boys, your horse ride will have to wait. It will be time to wash up and have lunch."
"Aw dad, we don't care bout eatin right now." Jack whined. "Yeah, we just wanna ride."Michael added.
"Adam gave the boys his firm glare that No, means No." The boys fell silent causing their Uncle disbelief. 'Now, how did 'Ol Adam get pop's power...and I get nothin but tickled and a sleepless night.' He thought to himself.
"And Joe, I believe Hop sing is looking for you to join us. He made your favorite, beef stew."
"Well now, I cant pass up an offer like that, Can I?" Joe answered with a his first smile of the day.
Ben rode in on his horse just about the time Adam and the boys were loading up.
"Hello Joseph, I'm glad you're here son. Adam and I need to talk with you about a matter regarding a certain wolf showin up in the territory. He's bein tracked heavily by many of men. More fear than harm done I'm afraid too. People are worried about it killing off their cattle and they're putting traps out everywhere. Now we're finding traps placed about the ponderosa property. Adam, one of the ranch hands had to free our steer from a trap this morning."
"Did he give the location, Pa."
"Indeed, he did. Don't you worry son. The Forman sent several men that direction to see if their were more."
"Well, this is what we were afraid of happening. I'll see if I can't get some of these landowners to a meeting tonight before the Piute find trackers on their territory. Let's say 7pm? How bout you Joe, think you could make it."
"Sorry, Adam, after I fill my belly with hopsings stew, I need to hit the road and head to bed early tonight."
"Joseph, it's not even noontime and your thinking about bedtime already. What's the matter, are ya sick son."
"No Pa, just too many stories and too many little boys who didn't want to fall asleep last night."
Jack and Michael quickly put their heads down, hopeing to miss another glare from Adam. Unfortunately as they climbed into the wagon, they didn't miss the look of their grandfather. The boys were learning fast the silent language of the Cartwright men.
Adam drove the wagon as Joe rode the horse towards home. They continued to discuss the rising problem between the trackers and White Wolf.
"I know some Piute that wont be happy if the White Wolf is caught in a one of those traps", Adam added.
"Isn't a Piute and Indian Dad?" Michael interrupted.
"Yes, son, the Piute Indians are our friends. We share many borders of land with them out on the Ponderosa. They do not take kindly to killing other animals on the range, especially the White Wolf. They consider this wolf a powerful animal, sacred to the Indian.
"Maybe we can help find the White Wolf before the trackers get to him. Then we could take him back to the Piute," Jack enthusiastically offered nudging his twin for added approval.
"Woah...woah..." suddenly the wagon came to a complete stop.
Adam quickly turned in his seat toward his ten year old boy sitting next to him. He knew Jack's free spirit and creativity along with his ability to run off without permission, despite the consequence's that followed. Wisdom told this father, act now and state your intentions loud and clear.
"Jack, you listen to me very carefully. I see that look in your eyes. This is not a child's affair nor is this a bedtime story. The white wolf is a wild animal and can be very dangerous. You and your brother will remember your boundaries and stay close to the ranch until the White Wolf is found or out of harms way."
Jack looked over at Michael clearly insulted by his fathers inability to realize a good plan when he heard it. "Sure I remember."
Adam's temper rose to his son's challenge with a swift movement pulling Jack to a stance in front of him and continued their conversation in a low whispering growl, "Son, you will not test me further on this subject if you know what is good and safe. You will take me in all seriousness when I say that I will warm your bottom at the very thought of any suggestions, comments, or slightest action regarding the Piute Indians, White Wolf or trackers. Now, have I made myself clear?"
Jack dropped his head, clearly frightened by his fathers tone only able to answer with the slightest, softest, "Yes, Sir."
Sensing his sons fear, Adam fully embarrassed Jack and kissed the top of his forehead. "Son, I'm sorry to be so harsh, but I feel it necessary in regards to your safety. It's time for us to head home. I'm sure the others are wondering where we are.
Adam took one last second to confirm his orders to Michael who had been sitting silently in the back wagon.
"I trust that you have heard and heed my warning Michael?"
"Yes Sir", came a loud and clear voice from the back.
The Cartwright Father of Five rode back to the Ponderosa in silence with his two ten year old twin boys. An erie feeling began to settle deep in the pit of Adam's stomach. Unsure to wether or not his fear of being a father just got the best of him or wether his intuition told him that Jack was not entirely settled when concerning the White Wolf. Remembering back in his own childhood days when the Adventure out weighed a sound tanning. So he thought until his father actually caught him. So he thought before the remorse and sore bottom would remind him...always... until the next time.