He had searched, God alone knew. Fire in his veins, the endless quest had sobered him up. He felt burned and he could smell the sunshine on his skin. Endless, fruitless. He had scoured the places where they had played, the caves, the rocks, the streams. All he could think about was his brother. The sun was low in the sky and the light had already turned as he came into the yard and put up his horse. Heaven knew what his father would say to him. The house had an odd deserted feel as he came onto the familiar porch and entered. The second he came in he was jumped. Scamp had her arms around his neck and was kissing him over and over again.
"Little Joe! Thank God!"
"Where's Pa? Adam?"
"Pa's gone to find you! Adam's in with Hoss. In God's name, what were you thinking of?"
"I had to find them, Scamp."
"But you didn't?"
"No," he answered, lowering his head. "I didn't."
"But it was insane! Anything could've happened to you!"
There was a movement by the table and he felt eyes upon him. He could barely look at him.
"You lied to me, Little Joe."
"I had to, Hop Sing."
"You had to lie?"
"You don't understand. I had to find them."
"So you lie to Hop Sing."
"I'm sorry, OK? I didn't want to. But I had to."
The old retainer approached and just looked at him. Joe was already taller than him. The boy stared at the floor.
"I always say to Mr Ben and Mr Adam, Little Joe naughty boy, but he good boy. He never lie. Always honest, never lie."
"I'm sorry, Hop Sing!"
Hop Sing said nothing. He turned away and walked back to the kitchen. Joe gazed after him, tears in his eyes.
"Is Hoss OK?"
"He's been asking for you, Joe. He was upset you lit out. The doctor's been with him and he's sleeping. I was with him but Adam's there now. I heard you at the door."
"How is he?" Joe asked, starting for Hop Sing's room.
"He's gonna be fine. Doc got the arrow out. Don't go in," she added, putting her hand on his wrist. "The doctor's given him medicine and said he must sleep."
He jerked his arm away. "I wanna see him."
The siblings stood over their stricken brother. His shoulder and chest were tightly bound but he looked peaceful. Adam motioned to them and they hovered by the fireplace.
"Where the hell have you been?" he hissed. "Pa's got every single hand combing the place for you!"
"I went to find them."
"You stupid little fool! You could've gotten yourself killed!"
"OK, OK, Adam. I know it was dumb."
"Dumb? Dumb?! It was more than dumb, little brother, it was suicidal!"
"I said, OK!"
They were still murmuring.
"We got home before Hoss and Pa. When Pa found out you were gone, he went berserk. Hop Sing told him you'd said Pa told you to go find them. You lied to him."
"I've already had this from Hop Sing."
Adam shook his head. "Pa's gonna whip the hide off you, Little Joe."
"He won't. He wouldn't."
"I wouldn't stake my life on it, Joe. I'm going out. I'm gonna fire some shots. Try to tell people you've come back."