~CHAPTER 17~

It was an odd turn of events to be sure. Odd... Roy harrumphed. More like downright unbelievable; in all his born days he'd never heard anything like it before. You could have knocked him over with a feather when the boys had revealed their suspicions to him. Benjamin Thomas Cartwright, his dear old friend... not dead after all this time. Throw any other cockamamie idea at him and he would've accepted it easier than he had that one. He had to admit it all made sense, though. If it really did happen the way they described, the plan was indeed an ingenious one. Anybody that looked at the crash of the buckboard would've told you no one could have survived it, and the finding of the coat made it all the more believable. Even though the plan of execution had been seamless, Roy couldn't have helped but have misgivings about being the one to tell the boys of Ben's death. There was no way he could've known, of course, but still... it hadn't set well with him.

It had been quite the startling revelation Adam had presented to him, with Hoss and Joe filling in places that were lacking, and he admired their alacrity, even if it meant getting him up in the middle of the night. It had taken until a few short hours before dawn for them to tell all that they had found out since their last meeting; it had taken Roy's mind almost that much time again to process it all. He smiled, remembering the boys' exuberance when he himself had felt as tired as Rip Van Winkle. He couldn't have been happier once he finally cleared the fogginess of sleep from his old brain and understood what they were trying to tell him.

No wonder each one of them looked more hopeful than any other time he could remember. He hoped that their theory was true, for their sakes if for nothing else. Just the thought of seeing them go through another funeral, even if only in their minds, made him miserable. They were good boys... boys. He harrumphed again... they were men now. And yet what he saw in their faces last night could've fooled him into thinking he was seeing the eager faces of the boys he had had the pleasure of knowing the whole time they were growing up.

While he and his men watched the barn and waited for the arrival of the gang, all of whom except one were coming Adam said, he and his brothers would head up to the camp in hopes of freeing the hostage. Simple... in fact that's probably what was making him so edgy. It almost seemed too simple, too easy. He felt an ever growing sensation at the base of his neck that something was going to go wrong. He shook his head at himself. You old fool. You're getting to be as bad as an old lady spendin' all her time in a rockin' chair. You otta have more confidence than that. It was a well thought-out plan, definitely one that had the Cartwright touch to it. He chuckled wryly and shook his head. Honestly, he didn't know what was keeping that eldest boy going, or any of them going really. He knew they all inherited that strong Cartwright constitution from their Pa, but still…

Before they left his home that morning in an attempt to get back to the Ponderosa before daybreak, Roy had suggested they all try and get some rest before the events the night would bring. Whether they'd take his advice or would even be able to, was doubtful. He knew he couldn't get back to sleep, and could only imagine how Adam, Hoss and Joe must've spent the rest of the morning.

The horse beneath him shifted as it continued on the little-used trail. "Easy there, Colt," he soothed. "Don't need both of us bein' jumpy. I am enough already for the both of us." The dapple gray beneath him quieted but still trotted nervously, as if sensing where they were going and what trouble they would more than likely find there. Roy took out his watch and looked at it, noting that he and his posse were right on time. The sun had just started its descent, the shadowed hollows began to fill with darkness.

Adam hadn't remembered the two men say an exact time when they had planned to enact their deed, but they planned on getting into position well in advance, just in case. Although going around the long way had taken extra time, he had been warned where the lookout had been stationed and made sure to take the alternate, although longer, route to the Ponderosa to avoid the chance of being seen. He heard the mounts behind him snort and his men blow into their gloved hands. There was no likelihood of a storm, though. Roy noticed there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but there was no moon either, just dim stars dotted the dark blanket.

Through the trees ahead he could see the form of the back of the ranch house take shape. Turning in his saddle, he whispered to his men. "We're gettin' close now. When we get there, stake your horses in the trees, and take your positions." The men nodded their affirmation before taking their rifles from their scabbards. Good men, all of them, and quite a fair-sized group for a posse. Never before had he seen such a show of support, when every single man he asked to volunteer had accepted most readily. Although he told them of the hostage situation and what was to be expected of them, he did not say who that hostage was suspected to be. Best to let as little a group as possible know, just in case... well, just in case their hopes were unfounded.

They were no more than twenty yards from the house, the outline of the barn coming into view now, one they would watch closely for some time to come.

Adam looked out the window at the ever darkening sky and hoped that Roy and his posse would appear soon. He put his hand into the customary pocket for his watch, and to his surprise found an empty lining. Strange... he didn't remember taking it out. But then again, he didn't remember putting it in either. He quickly rifled through the rest of his pants pockets and then those of his coat, no watch to be found in any of them. He shrugged it off; maybe he had forgotten to put it in his pants pocket, maybe he'd left it on his nightstand. He couldn't recall the last time he had seen it. Rubbing his eyes, he now wished he had forced himself to try and sleep a bit more that morning as Roy suggested. He had gotten a few snatches of rest when they had gotten back from town; so had his brothers, but he didn't know what good it had done them. They felt sure the intensity of the adrenaline that ran through each of their bodies was enough to keep them going for some time to come.

"Hey, Adam." Joe's voice from the bunkhouse door brought him out of his thoughts. "I think Roy's coming."

"Alright, Joe. I'll be right there," he answered from the dark behind the desk in the great room as he turned from looking out the front yard window. Adam couldn't quite keep the nervous desperation out of his voice, and Joe noticed.

As his brother passed through the door he still held open, Joe reached out and touched Adam's arm to stop him. "You ok?" he asked as he peered closer at his brother through the gloom.

Turning to him, Adam replied huskily, "I'm fine, Joe." Joe reached out and grasped Adam by the forearms.

"Don't worry, Adam. We'll get him back. Pa's coming home." To Joe, there was no point in trying to keep the exuberance out of his voice. In his mind, the hostage they were going to rescue was none other than their Pa, and they were going to be able to see him again, to touch his strong arms in an eager hug again, and to look into the warm eyes that were thought lost.

Adam smiled gently at his younger brother before giving Joe's hand a reassuring pat. Joe smiled once more before going over and opening the bunkhouse's back door that lead to the rear of the house as Adam followed behind. Hoss materialized from the shadows of the house and met them as Roy's party drew up, among whom were Charlie and several of the Ponderosa hands in another healthy show of their loyalty to the Cartwright family. All movements were made quickly and quietly. Even though it was just past dusk and the awaited time was not for some time, all felt the innate need to remain quiet and secretive as if the very pines had ears. Few words were needed once all had dismounted and prepared to take their positions. Adam had conveyed it all to Roy that morning, and he in turn had informed the men of where they needed to be and what they should do when their quarry came.

The Cartwrights were all ready to leave on their mission. Since they needed to walk a fair piece on foot so the horses wouldn't attract attention, they planned to leave almost as soon as it got completely dark. As the time approached and Adam, Hoss and Joe entered the woods where they had left their saddled horses. Roy followed them and watched as they mounted.

"I sure do wish I was goin' with you boys," he said, regretting that he couldn't be in two places at once.

"It's alright, Roy," Joe answered as he checked his gun one last time.

"I know, but... you don't think you should take a coupla the others a long with yuh?"

"No, Sheriff. Reckon we can handle it by ourselves," Hoss replied, knowing full well that they alone should be the ones to go up. Roy nodded understandingly.

"You just be careful, yuh hear?" The concern in his voice was evident.

"We will," Hoss nodded. Roy handed him the reins to the extra horse they were taking with them. Even in the dim moonlight, Roy could make out Ben's saddle on the familiar buckskin. Please let it be him he thought to himself before the three turned and faded into the dark forest, leaving Roy alone.

Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I'll hopefully have another up soon. Things are picking up and won't really let up from here on out, and yes a bit more frustration on the parts of those involved yet to come as well. ;)

Thank you again cma1, AureaD, BJ2 and BettyHT for all of the wonderful reviews! It's great reading your thoughts and inputs on the turn of events.