The Night of the Screaming Forest
By
Matthew Spence
Chapter One: Trouble at the Timberline
Cue the theme music as the Wanderer arrives in Virginia City…
The sun had barely crested over the Ponderosa when Ben Cartwright received the telegram that would upend his day—and possibly his entire ranching empire.
The government was ready to sign the contract: a major lumber deal that would ensure prosperity for the Cartwrights and supply wood for railway ties, military posts, and expansion into the untamed West. But just as Ben was preparing to ride into Virginia City for the final handshake, Hop Sing came rushing in.
"Mr. Ben! Little Joe—he not come back last night!"
Ben's stomach turned. Joe had gone out to check on the timber boundaries near the southern edge. Artie Gordon, an old friend of Adam's and now an agent with the Secret Service, had been visiting and tagged along to sketch the landscape—and maybe impress a saloon girl or two afterward.
Neither had returned.
Chapter Two: Enter the Specialists
James West leaned against the railing of the Virginia City stage depot, eyes sharp under his black hat. He'd arrived ahead of schedule, summoned by a coded message from Artemus that never came.
When Adam Cartwright approached, his expression confirmed Jim's suspicions.
"Joe and Artie are missing," Adam said, skipping pleasantries. "I've got a feeling this isn't just some ride gone long."
"I was supposed to meet Artie this morning," Jim said, scanning the street. "He was working on something—said he might have uncovered a plot involving biological sabotage. Didn't give me much detail."
"Sabotage?" Adam frowned.
"They're calling it a virus. Designed to infect pine trees, kill them from the inside. Perfect way to ruin a lumber deal if someone wanted to."
Adam's face hardened. "And there's only one man who stands to benefit if the Ponderosa loses that contract."
"Jedediah Crowley," they both said at once.
Crowley owned the Red Fork Ranch, bordering the Ponderosa. His greed was only matched by his pettiness—and he'd made no secret of wanting the government contract for himself.
Chapter Three: Pine Shadows and Prison Cells
Tied to a post in a musty horse barn, Joe Cartwright struggled against his ropes. "You alright, Artie?"
Artie Gordon was across the room, in slightly better shape but with a bruised eye and a foul mood.
"Nothing a drink and a stage performance won't fix," he muttered. "They hit me with the butt of a rifle. Not very gentlemanly."
Joe winced. "What do they want?"
"Not us, exactly. Just to keep your father from signing that contract." Artie nodded toward a crate in the corner. "They've got a canister marked 'Project Dendron.' Fancy way of saying tree virus. If they release it in the heart of your forest... the Ponderosa's done."
Joe's eyes widened. "We've got to stop them."
"That's the idea. Preferably before the crazy man in charge comes back with a sprayer and a twisted sense of botany."
Chapter Four: Smoke and Steel
Back at the Ponderosa, Jim and Adam had mobilized. Adam rode north to search for Joe and Artie while Jim paid a visit to a nearby trading post—disguised, naturally.
Under the guise of a traveling fur trader, Jim intercepted a shipment addressed to Red Fork Ranch. Inside: rubber gloves, masks, and a copper sprayer with a symbol Adam recognized from his studies back East—quarantine biohazard.
"We've got proof," Adam said. "But it won't matter if we can't stop them."
They rode through the night.
Chapter Five: Showdown at Red Fork
At dawn, Jim and Adam infiltrated the Red Fork compound. A storm was brewing—both in the clouds and in the tension rising around the barn.
Inside, Joe had loosened his ropes just enough to free Artie.
"I hope you've got one of your gadgets," Joe whispered.
Artie grinned, pulling a small device from his boot. "Do I ever."
Moments later, the barn exploded in chaos as a concussive pop from Artie's smoke capsule filled the room. They slipped out as gunfire erupted.
Outside, Crowley himself stood with the sprayer, preparing to test it on a nearby pine.
"Not today," said Jim West, drawing his pistol and stepping from behind a tree.
Crowley snarled. "You can't stop progress!"
"No," Jim said, "but I can stop lunacy." A well-placed shot shattered the sprayer's tank, releasing the virus harmlessly into the fire Artie had set in the barn hay, incinerating the contagion.
Adam tackled one of Crowley's henchmen, and Joe decked another. In minutes, the fight was over. Crowley was in chains. The virus, gone. And the Ponderosa was safe.
Epilogue: Whiskey and Pine Needles
Back in Virginia City, the government contract was signed. The Cartwrights celebrated with steak, potatoes, and a round of drinks.
"To peace and pine trees," Artie toasted, raising his glass.
"To friends with fast hands and faster horses," said Jim, smiling at Adam.
Joe clinked his mug. "And to never letting Artie lead a trail ride again."
Ben shook his head but smiled. "You boys saved this ranch. I won't forget it."
Neither would the West.