Joe rode Cochise like the wind. He was aware of his brothers fast behind him but he did not care. He was only too aware of Marie's innocence. She may appear a sparky, spirited young woman, often more like a boy, but he more than anyone knew her vulnerability. She had had no romantic experience at all. It was only very recently she had accepted any vestige of her femininity, for the first time scorning her nickname – although they still tended to call her it – and more readily accepting female apparel for special occasions. And the first encounter she had – was with that animal. Joe clenched his fists until his knuckles were white.

The thought of that man laying his filthy paws on his sister, terrifying her, made him feel murderous. He had never known her to be truly frightened before. He was proud of her for fighting him off, but what if she had not been able to? He would tear him limb from limb. His brothers recognized the signs but were finding it difficult to keep up with him. After a couple of miles, Adam kicked Sport on, catching up with Joe and grabbing his reins.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"You're going to drive Cochise into the ground. I know you're angry, Joe, but don't take it out on your horse!"

Joe allowed himself to be slowed down and they eventually stopped by a creek. Cochise drank thirstily, his coat steaming.

"Rub him down, Joe!" Hoss said angrily, handing him a cloth he had in his saddlebag. "Don't let your animal suffer!"

Joe loosened the cinch and rubbed the sweat off Cooch's neck and flanks. "I don't know how you two can be so calm!"

"We're not," Adam said. "We're just as angry as you. It's just that we don't see the point in crippling our horses before we get to town."

"And what are we going to do to him when we find him?"

"Give him a damn good beating," Hoss replied. "Let him feel the terror Scamp felt last night."

"What if he's already left?" Hoss asked.

"We'll go the stables first," Joe declared. "It's early yet and he won't have left last night. And he must've stayed somewhere. Hoss, you go to the hotel. I'll go to the stables. Adam, you go to the saloon and check who's got the guest rooms."

If the older men thought it strange their little brother had made himself boss, they said nothing. If it helped cool the fire in his veins, so much the better.

For the first time in his life, Joe found himself thanking the heavens they had such early starts at the Ponderosa. They had breakfasted at half past six, left fifteen minutes later and had covered twelve miles in half an hour. They could tell by the familiar landmarks where they were. It was a quarter past seven when they set off again, their horses partially rested. Keeping their mounts to a more manageable canter, they should hit town in another twenty minutes.