THIS STORY IS WRITTEN FOR PLEASURE NOT PROFIT AND IS NOT MEANT TO INFRINGE ON ANY KNOWN COPYRIGHT
It had been a boring two weeks
for twelve-year-old Little Joe Cartwright, his family had been kept busy by
troubles with the logging operation that was part of his father’s business
enterprises. It meant Joe had been left largely to his own devices and he was
getting to be pretty sick of his own company. Usually in the long summer
vacation Joe spent a lot of his time with his friends but this year even that
had been denied him, Mitch was away in
Riding up into the woods early one afternoon Joe
reined in his horse and sat for a while looking out at the view of the lake
through the trees, it was a hot day, though here in the deep shade of the
mighty ponderosa pines it felt cool. Catching sight of a movement among the
trees Joe dismounted, tethered his pony, and went to investigate. Perhaps it
had been a deer or, thought Joe, boyish imagination taking over, perhaps a
bear. He was lost in thought, daydreaming about trapping a grizzly when he
emerged from the trees to find himself on the edge of a cliff. In front of him
was a sheer drop down to the valley below. Startled, Joe backed abruptly away,
he didn’t like heights.
“Careful you don’t fall.” Said a voice behind him
and Joe spun round to see a boy of about his own age, a red haired boy with a
cheerful freckled face and lively grey eyes.
“Where did you come from?” Joe asked, surprised to
see anyone out here, particularly a stranger.
“Oh, I’ve been here for ages.” The boy told him,
thrusting a hand forward for Joe to shake. “I like it up here, it’s a good
place to play. My names Ritchie, what’s yours?”
“Joe Cartwright.” Shaking hands Joe studied the boy.
“I don’t recall seeing you before.” He said. “You new around here?”
“I used to live near here.” Ritchie told him with a
grin. “I’ve been away, but I’m back for a short visit.”
“I don’t remember you.” Joe said. “Did you go to
school in
“No, my Ma taught me at home.” Ritchie told him.
“I’ve heard your name before though, any relation to a boy called Adam
Cartwright?”
“He’s my brother.” Joe laughed. “But he’s hardly a
boy, he’ll be twenty-five soon.”
“Must be nice to have a brother.” Ritchie’s tone was
wistful. “Always someone to talk to.”
“Not always.” Joe grinned ruefully. “Both my
brothers are too busy to even notice me at the moment, let alone hold a
conversation. It’s getting a bit lonely to tell the truth.”
“You could stay and talk to me if you want.” Ritchie
said eagerly. “I get pretty lonely too.” He grinned suddenly, eyes lighting
with mischief. “We could take a swim in the lake or we could explore a cave I
know, have some fun?”
Joe didn’t need much persuading, anything would be
better than spending yet more time by himself and Ritchie seemed nice enough.
“All right.” He agreed. “But I have to be home before six, my Pa’s pretty
strict about mealtimes.”
It was just after six by the time Joe returned to the Ponderosa. He was feeling tired but happier than he’d been for some time. He’d had a good time with Ritchie that afternoon, the other boy proving to be an entertaining companion. They’d swum in the lake, climbed a few trees. Ritchie had shown Joe his cave, he used it as a kind of ‘den’ he explained, his own private place away from his family. He kept a few things there, some books and a set of checkers. They’d played a few games and Joe was pleased to find that Ritchie was almost as good at the game as he was. Eventually, agreeing to meet in the same place the next day, the boys had parted, Joe not wanting to be late home.
****
Supper wasn’t a particularly interesting meal for
Joe, his father and brothers were too caught up in the happenings at the
logging camp to pay him any particular attention. A couple of times he started
to tell his family about Ritchie and the good time he’d had that afternoon but
Adam and Hoss cut across his words as new solutions to the problems of the
logging operation occurred to them. Eventually Joe gave up and just ate his
meal in silence.
Getting into bed, Joe wasn’t surprised when his
father came in to say goodnight. Even when life on the ranch was at its busiest
Ben had always tried to find time for all his sons. He was feeling a little
guilty now about how much he had left Joe on his own this school holiday.
“Did I hear you say something at supper about a new
friend you’d made?” He asked Joe, sitting down on the edge of the bed. His son
looked up in surprise, he hadn’t thought his father had heard anything he’d
said at the meal.
“His names Ritchie.” He told
Ben eagerly. “He’s about my age and he’s real nice,
“Of course it is, son.” Ben smiled at the boy’s
animated expression. “I’m glad you’ve found someone to talk to while your
brothers and I are so busy.” He ruffled his son’s hair affectionately. “I’m
sorry we’ve been neglecting you so much lately Joseph.”
“That’s all right
“All the same.” Ben said, tucking the bedclothes in
around him. “It’s no excuse for ignoring you. How about we take a day off on
Saturday and get in some fishing?” He offered. “Just you, me and your
brothers.”
“I’d like that
“Of course it would.” Ben said softly, turning down
the lamp. “Now, goodnight and pleasant dreams.”
“’Night
****
For the next three days Joe hurried through his
morning chores, eager to ride up into the woods and meet Ritchie. The two boys
were quickly becoming firm friends. Joe enjoyed his afternoons with Ritchie.
The red haired youth turned out to be something of a daredevil, urging Joe on
to climb ever higher trees or swim further out from the shore of the lake.
Always one to rise to a challenge Joe found himself taking more risks than he
usually would, and certainly more than his father would have liked, but he was
having more fun than he’d had for ages. The only cloud on Joe’s horizon was
that Ritchie had politely turned down his invitation to join him and his family
for their fishing trip on Saturday.
“I’m sorry, Joe.” he said regretfully. “I just can’t
go with you, I’d like to but I just can’t.” All Joe’s efforts to persuade him
to change his mind were to no avail and finally he had to accept that Ritchie
wouldn’t be accompanying them.
****
Saturday turned out to be another very hot,
cloudless day and Joe thoroughly enjoyed the trip with his family. It was good
to be out with his father and brothers again, and not to have to listen to any
of their boring business talk. Ben had specifically forbidden all mention of
logging for the day and the family fell back into their normal easy banter. Joe
teasing and being teased by his two elder brothers as they waited for the fish
to bite. It was a successful days fishing as well, with a good catch for Hop
Sing to fry up for supper that night.
“It’s a shame your friend couldn’t come along.” Ben
said as he helped Joe pack up the picnic basket before they started for home.
“Did he say why he couldn’t make it?”
“No, he just said he couldn’t come.” Joe paused in
his task and looked up at his father. “I guess he might be shy of meeting you
all.” He said thoughtfully. “I asked him if he’d like to visit the Ponderosa
but he said he couldn’t go there either.”
“Perhaps that’s it.” Ben agreed. “You said he was an
only child didn’t you?” Joe nodded. “He lives with his parents I take it?”
“He talks about his Ma and Pa so I suppose so.” Joe
told him, “He doesn’t say much about his home though.”
Ben finished packing the basket and stood up,
brushing grass from his pants. “You know, I thought I knew most of the folk
round here.” He said “But I don’t recall a couple with a son called Ritchie.
What’s the boy’s last name Joseph and where do they live?”
“I never asked him
“I suppose not.” Ben smiled, turning to Hoss and
Adam who were sitting by the water’s edge talking desultorily. “Come on boys.”
He called. “Let’s head for home and our fish supper.”
****
By the following Friday Ben was confident that they
had the problems at the logging camp under control, leaving himself and his two
older sons free to devote some time to other aspects of the business.
Reluctantly Ben decided he’d better take a look at the books while Hoss rode
out to check on the herd and Adam headed for the mines to talk to the foreman.
On his way back home Adam decided to take the route
up through the woods, it was pleasant under the trees, out of the glare of the
sun. Riding along lost in thought he was surprised to come across Joe’s horse,
tethered to a tree by the side of the trail. So this is where the kid’s been disappearing too every afternoon,
He thought, reining in his own horse and dismounting. He looked around him, but
the trees were too dense to see much and there was no sign of anyone. He was
just about to call out Joe’s name when he heard the unmistakable sound of his
brother’s laughter.
Heading into the trees in the direction of the sound
Adam was soon able to hear his brother talking. It sounded as though he was
having a conversation with someone, Ritchie no doubt, though Adam couldn’t hear
the other boy’s voice. He could make out Joe’s words quite clearly though and
what he heard made him feel a twinge of alarm. “Is this far enough out ‘cause
it’s awful high?” Joe said, his voice holding a trace of fear. Adam picked up
his pace and finally burst out of the trees to see Joe clinging to the branch of
a tree directly overhanging a steep drop down to the valley below.
“Joe!” He exclaimed in horror. “Get back from there
now, and be careful.”
Heart in his throat he watched as his young brother
inched his way down the tree until at last he was safely on the ground. “What
were you thinking of Joe?” He asked angrily. Catching hold of the boy’s
shoulders he felt him trembling, immediately becoming aware of just how scared
Joe had been. Looking down at his brother’s pale face he moderated his tone.
“You could have fallen.” He said softly. “What on earth were you doing out
there?”
“Aw, Adam I was all right.” Joe grinned shakily,
unwilling to show his brother just how frightened he’d been. “Ritchie already
climbed out there and he was fine.”
“I think I’d better have a word with this Ritchie.”
Adam looked around but could see no sign of anyone. “Where is he?” He asked.
“He was right there.” Joe pointed to the edge of the
trees. “I guess he must have run off when you came.”
“Odd that I never saw him.” Adam said in puzzlement,
turning to survey the area Joe had indicated, the very place where Adam had
emerged from the trees. “Well, never mind him now, let’s get you home. It’s
almost time for supper anyway.” He finished, seeing Joe open his mouth to
protest.
As they reached their horses Joe turned to his elder
brother. “Adam.” He said, his tone beseeching. “You won’t tell Pa about the
tree will you? After all nothing happened. He might want to stop me coming up
here if he knows and then I won’t get to see Ritchie anymore.”
“Do I have your promise you’ll never do anything
like that again?” Adam asked, untying his horse and preparing to mount. Joe
nodded eagerly. “Then I guess I don’t see the need to tell
Giving his brother a grateful smile Joe swung up
into the saddle and headed off. Adam sat for a moment gazing into the trees
before following. A disturbing thought had just crossed his mind.
****
Adam put down the book he had been trying to read
and walked across to his father’s desk. Ben was taking advantage of the quiet
to do some of the outstanding paperwork. It was almost
“Could I talk to you about something?” Adam asked
his father, perching himself on the edge of the desk.
“Of course.” Ben closed the ledger he had been
working on and smiled up at his eldest son. “I was getting tired of these books
anyway. What’s on your mind Adam?”
“Actually it’s about Joe.” Adam told him quietly.
“And this friend of his.”
“Ritchie?” Ben opened his desk drawer and began to
put the ledgers neatly away. “What about him?”
Adam was silent for a moment, marshalling his
thoughts, it was a little difficult to tell his father what he’d begun to
suspect. “You know I met up with Joe on the way home this afternoon?” He began
and Ben nodded. “Well, I could hear Joe talking and laughing before I saw him.”
Adam hesitated; he had to tell this without mentioning the incident with the
tree. “But I couldn’t hear anyone answering him.” He said. “And when I got to
Joe he was alone, he said that Ritchie had run off when he heard me coming, but
I didn’t see anyone.”
“So what exactly are you saying?” Ben was puzzled.
“That Ritchie wasn’t there? That Joe’s making the boy up?”
“I’m saying it’s a possibility.” Adam stood up and
began to pace up and down before the desk. “We’ve never seen him, Joe hardly
knows anything about him, his last name, where he lives, things like that.”
“An imaginary friend.” Ben laughed shortly. “Joe has
plenty of friends Adam, he’s hardly likely to make one up.”
“Not normally no, I agree.” Adam said quietly. “But
then he’s never been on his own so much as he has the last few weeks.”
“It’s a little odd perhaps.” Ben said, getting up
from the desk and walking across to the fireplace. “But I’m sure Joe wouldn’t have
made Ritchie up. If it would put your mind at rest though.” He offered. “I’ll
ask Joe to find out a bit more about the boy, would that help?”
“It would.” Adam agreed, privately he wondered if he
was right, and if he was, what excuse Joe would come up with to avoid
furnishing any details about Ritchie.
****
“Morning Pa, Adam, Hoss.” Joe slid into his place at
the table and reached for the eggs, helping himself to a small portion. “If I
get my chores done quickly.” He said, turning to his father. “Could I take a
packed lunch with me and go early to see Ritchie?”
Ben and Adam exchanged glances, which didn’t go
unnoticed by Joe.
“I wanted to talk to you about Ritchie and what
happened yesterday.” Ben began and Joe immediately turned and glared angrily at
Adam.
“Oh, so you told him about the tree!” He accused,
temper rising. “Even though you said you wouldn’t!”
“What’s this about a tree?” Ben asked, looking from
his youngest son to his oldest.
“I caught Joe climbing on an old tree overhanging a
long drop.” Adam confessed, annoyed that his brother had jumped to the wrong
conclusion and landed them both in trouble with their father.
“Why would you do something like that Joseph?” Ben’s
tone was incredulous, he was well aware that Joe was wary of heights.
“I’m sorry,
“And if you knew how stupid and dangerous it was why
did you do it in the first place?” Ben asked. Joe didn’t answer, gaze fixed on
his plate. “Joseph!” Ben said loudly, beginning to get angry. “I’m waiting for
an explanation.”
“Ritchie dared me to do it.” Joe said softly.
“I see.” Ben looked down at the boy. “And do you do
everything Ritchie dares you to do?”
Joe’s silence was eloquent and Ben frowned in
annoyance. “Then I suggest you tell Ritchie that in future you’re not going to
be so foolish.” He told Joe evenly. “But you’ll tell him tomorrow, today you
stay right here on the ranch and think about just how silly it is to put
yourself in danger over a childish dare.”
“But,
“And I’d like to know why I wasn’t told about it
yesterday?” Ben continued, turning to Adam. “And why you seem to have made some
sort of agreement with your brother to keep me in the dark?”
Adam groaned inwardly, beginning to wish he’d never
said anything about Ritchie.
****
“So I’m in trouble with Pa for climbing the tree and
in trouble with Adam for letting on about it.” Joe finished with a sigh. The
two boys were sitting beside the lake and Joe had been explaining why he hadn’t
turned up the day before.
“So no more climbing trees?” Ritchie said, eyes
sparkling with amusement at Joe’s tale of woe.
Joe shook his head. “I had to promise Pa,” He told
him. “And I can’t break a promise.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to find something else to
do.” Ritchie stood up. “How about we go swimming today?”
“I’ve brought fishing poles.” Joe also got to his
feet and headed toward his horse to fetch them. “Thought maybe we could catch a
few fish today.”
“All right.” Ritchie agreed. He waited till Joe
returned with the poles. “How about tomorrow I show you a secret cave I know?”
He asked, taking the pole Joe held out to him and heading down to the water’s
edge.
“Sounds good.” Joe smiled, following his friend and
settling down beside him. “Though I guess I’d better not tell Pa where we’re
going, he might not approve.”
“That’s agreed then.” Ritchie grinned eagerly. “Just
one thing though, can you bring some candles from home? It’s really dark in the
cave.”
Joe agreed to supply the candles, telling himself
that the caving expedition would be fun and managing to suppress the slight
feeling of apprehension that had risen in him when Ritchie said how dark the
cave was.
****
“Evenin’ Joe.” Hoss looked up from grooming his
horse as his younger brother dismounted beside the stable. “You’re cuttin’ it a
mite fine, supper’s almost ready.”
“The fish were biting so good I guess I forgot the
time.” Joe cast an apprehensive glance toward the house. “Has Pa said anything
about me being late?”
“Not yet.” Hoss finished his task and led the animal
toward the stable. “But I saw him lookin’ at the clock a few times, best get
your horse put away quick and go tell him you’re back.”
Hastily Joe complied, following Hoss into the house
around fifteen minutes later.
“Good evening, Joseph.” Ben looked up from his copy
of the Territorial Enterprise. “I see we are going to have the pleasure of your
company for supper after all.”
“Sorry I’m late.” Joe gave his father what he hoped
was a penitent look. “But I caught lots of fish, see.” He held aloft the
afternoon’s catch.
“Very impressive.” Ben couldn’t help smiling, his
young son looked so proud of himself. “Did you catch all those yourself?”
“Some are Ritchie’s.” Joe admitted. “But he didn’t
want them, so I brought them home with me.”
“Well go and give them to Hop Sing and then get
washed up for supper.” Ben told him. “And quick about it.”
Obediently Joe headed for the kitchen to give the fish to the Chinese cook. Entering the room he found it deserted, Hop Sing must have gone out the back for something. Taking advantage of the cook’s absence Joe quickly opened the cupboard where he knew the candles were kept. Hurriedly extracting three he thrust them hastily inside his shirt and then reached into the cupboard once more for the oilcloth wrapped package that contained the matches. He’d just stowed that away in his pocket and straightened up when Hop Sing returned.
“Look at all these fish I caught for you Hop Sing.”
Joe said with a wide smile. “Aren’t they fine specimens?”
“Velly good fish Li’l Joe.” the Chinaman returned the smile, but he had seen the boy’s furtive movement as he entered and a glance at the cupboard revealed a slightly open door. “Go get ready, supper soon.” He shooed Joe out of the kitchen, resolving to check the contents of the cupboard as soon as he had gone.
****
“That was a wonderful meal Hop Sing.” Ben said,
pushing aside his empty plate.
“Sure was.” Hoss agreed. “Wouldn’t be any left would
there?”
The little cook smiled indulgently and scurried off
to fetch Hoss another serving.
“I don’t know how you eat so much.” Joe grinned.
“That’s your third helping!”
“I had a busy day, little brother.” Hoss told him,
as Hop Sing returned with a plate piled high with food. “Not just sittin’
around fishin’ like you and your friend.”
“Make the most of it Little Joe.” Adam put in,
pouring coffee for himself and his father, “It’s back to school the week after
next.”
“I know that.” Joe grimaced. “I wish the holidays
could go on for ever.” He said wistfully. “Though it’ll be kinda nice to see
Mitch again.”
“You’ll have to introduce him to Ritchie.” Adam said,
watching for his brother’s reaction. “Perhaps you could all go fishing
together?”
“Perhaps we could.” Joe said eagerly, then frowned suddenly, remembering what Ritchie had said when they first met. “There might not be time though.” He told Adam. “He’s only here for a short visit.”
“Oh?” Adam raised his eyebrows quizzically. “Well,
when’s he going home Little Joe, and come to that where is his home? You don’t
know much about this boy considering you’ve been spending almost every
afternoon with him do you?”
“I don’t interrogate him if that’s what you mean.”
Joe rejoined in annoyance. “I go to see Ritchie to have fun, not to cross
examine him.”
Adam regarded his young brother’s angry face with
mixed emotions, he still had his doubts about Ritchie, if there had been
another boy up there in the woods the day he’d found Joe climbing the tree he
was sure he’d have seen him. But Joe was normally a truthful boy, especially
with his father. Drinking his coffee thoughtfully Adam decided that the next
day he’d ride up into the woods again and see if he could catch sight of
Ritchie.
****
Completing his morning chores, Joe headed in for
lunch. He was pleased to find that the meal was just soup and bread as Hop Sing
was in
Reaching the spot where he had arranged to meet
Ritchie, Joe found that the other boy had not yet arrived. Taking advantage of
the solitude and the warm sun, Joe stretched out on the grass and relaxed. He
could have sworn he had only closed his eyes for an instant when he heard
Ritchie’s voice.
“Hey there, Joe.”
Looking up Joe grinned at the boy standing above
him. “How did you creep up like that?” He asked. “There was no sign of you a
moment ago.”
“Guess you must have dozed off.” Ritchie laughed,
reaching out his hand to pull Joe to his feet. “Ready to go exploring?”
“Yep.” Joe affirmed. “I’ve got the candles and
matches in my saddlebag, I’ll just get them, then we can go.”
In a short time the two boys were heading along the
edge of the steep valley where Joe had first met Ritchie. Bypassing the cave
where they had played checkers Ritchie led Joe along a wide ledge, pausing
eventually at the entrance to what looked to be an insignificant cave, not very
deep.
“Not much exploring to do here.” Joe spoke nervously,
though the ledge on which they stood was quite wide the drop down to the valley
below was sheer, and he could see the rocky boulders that awaited anyone that
might fall.
“Doesn’t look much does it?” Ritchie agreed. “But
just watch this Joe.”
Obediently Joe watched as Ritchie headed to the very
back of the cave then seemed to vanish from sight. “Hey where’d you go?” he
yelled.
“Come back here and see.” Ritchie’s voice seemed to
come from nowhere. Joe headed to the last place he had seen his friend, on
close examination what appeared to be the back of the cave was in fact a
curtain of rock and he soon found Ritchie squeezed in behind it.
“This is the entrance to lots of caves.” Ritchie
told him excitedly. “And they’re my secret Joe, I don’t think anyone else knows
about them.”
“Except me.” Joe grinned
“Well you’re my friend.” Ritchie said. “It’s been
good having you to talk to these past couple of weeks Joe.”
“I’ve enjoyed it too.” Joe told him sincerely. “It
was pretty lonely till you showed up. I’ll miss you when you go home. When is
it you’re leaving?”
“Oh it won’t be long now.” Ritchie said softly, then
he smiled broadly. “So let’s make the most of our time,” He said. “Get the
candles out, Joe and let’s go explore.”
****
Adam found Joe’s horse where his youngest brother had left it, securely tethered by the trail. Smoothing the animal Adam looked around him, he could see no sign of Joe and didn’t have a clue in which direction the boy had headed. Finally he decided to walk up to where he’d met Joe before and see if he could find him there. He walked slowly pausing several times to listen, but all he heard was the sound of birdsong and the occasional scurry of small animals in the undergrowth. Coming out of the trees he looked about him, but there was no sign of his brother. Standing looking down into the valley Adam cupped his hands to his mouth, “Joe!” He called. “Joe!” But there was no answer and finally in frustration Adam was forced to retrace his steps back to his horse and head for home.
****
The two boys had ventured deep into the cave
network, Joe holding the candle aloft glad of its flickering light. It was cool
in the cave, out of the sunshine and Joe shivered a little, wishing he’d
thought to bring a jacket.
“Look up there.” Ritchie pointed. Looking up Joe saw
dozens of bats clinging to the cave roof, wings folded about them, waiting for
night when they would take to the wing.
“Shouldn’t we be getting back?” Joe asked his
friend. “I daren’t be late for supper.”
“Just a little further.” Ritchie begged. “We’ll be
out in time for you to get home.”
They continued a little way into the cave and had
just rounded an outcrop of rock when the candle flickered wildly as though a
draught had caught it. Startled, Joe stumbled on the uneven floor and dropped
the candle. Left in utter darkness he felt panic rising.
“Ritchie?” He said, feeling about him. “You there?”
“Right here Joe.” His friend’s voice was next to
Joe, causing him to jump. “You got those other candles?”
Joe groped in his pocket, extracting another candle,
but when he felt for the package containing the matches he was dismayed to find
it missing. “I must have dropped the matches.” He told Ritchie in alarm, unable
to stop the slight quiver of fear in his voice.
“It’ll be all right.” Ritchie told him reassuringly.
“We just turn around and follow the wall, that should lead us back to the
entrance.”
Trying to quell his fears Joe groped about until he
felt the cave wall under his hands. Turning he began to feel his way along.
“You all right Ritchie?” He asked urgently, hearing no sound from the other
boy.
“I’m fine Joe.” Once again Ritchie’s voice startled
Joe, his friend sounded so close, almost right next to him.
What Joe didn’t realise was that he had become
disorientated in the pitch blackness of the cave and was in fact moving away
from the entrance. Walking slowly forward he suddenly found emptiness below his
feet and felt himself falling.
****
“Where on earth has the boy got to?” Ben asked for
the third time in as many minutes, he looked again at the clock, almost seven
and no sign of his youngest son. “Well we can’t hold supper any longer.” He
declared, heading for the table. “Come on boys, we’d better eat, I’m sure the
young rapscallion will be along at any moment.”
Hoss and Adam joined their father at the table where
Hop Sing, returned from his trip to town, set out the meal. None of the three
Cartwrights ate much, each waiting for the sound of Joe’s horse in the yard, a
sound that never came.
“I don’t like this.” Adam said at last, voicing all
their thoughts. “He’s nearly an hour and a half late and it’ll be getting dark
in just over an hour. I think we ought to go look for him.”
“Look where?” Ben queried anxiously, worry beginning
to take hold. “Do you have any idea where he went?”
“His horse was up in the woods, tethered by the
trail.” Adam told him. “I went up there earlier to see if I could catch sight
of this Ritchie.” He explained seeing his father’s questioning look. “But I
couldn’t see either of them.”
“I’ll go and saddle the horses.” Hoss got to his
feet and headed for the door. “We’ll go see if he’s up there.”
As Hoss closed the door behind him Hop Sing
approached Ben from the kitchen. “Not know if this help.” He said, his expression
mirroring the concern in Ben’s. “But Li’l Joe take candle and match from
kitchen.”
“Candles and matches.” Adam echoed, “Then he’s
obviously out to explore somewhere dark, a cave I’d say.”
“There are a number of caves up in those woods.” Ben
frowned. “We’d better take candles with us as well, he may have got himself
lost in one.”
****
In the cool inky blackness Ritchie crouched beside his friend. He was sorry to have to do this, knowing the terror that Joe would go through when he came round to find himself trapped in the cave. The pit he had fallen into was deep, with sheer sides, quite impossible to climb, Lord knows he’d tried. It would be a hard few days for Joe, knowing that the cave was very difficult to find, especially if you had no idea where to start looking, and Ritchie knew that Joe hadn’t told his family where he was headed. The Cartwrights would search long and hard, Ritchie was sure about that, longer than his own family had searched for him. It would be hard on them losing Joe. Ritchie remembered Adam Cartwright, how he had adored his tiny baby brother. He could recall seeing the family together in town, the baby held securely in his mother’s arms, the other two boys walking beside their father. Yes, he was sorry to do this, but he had been alone for so long and he really needed a friend.
****
“There’s not a lot of daylight left.” Ben said,
dismounting from his horse and tethering it alongside Joe’s. “It might be best
if we split up and search, cover more ground that way.”
Glancing anxiously at the rapidly darkening sky Adam
led his father and brother up through the woods, beneath the cover of the trees
it was almost completely dark and they were glad of the light from the lamp
that Adam had brought along.
Emerging from the trees the three diverged, Hoss and
Ben heading right and Adam left along the edge of the drop down into the
valley.
As Ben had said there were a number of caves in the
area and with daylight fading fast Adam hurried to check as many as he could
find. He paused every few minutes to call his youngest brother’s name and
listen for any reply. In the distance he could hear his father and Hoss doing
the same, but he heard no answering call.
“We’re almost out of the woods.” Hoss said, catching
his father’s arm as they came to the end of the tree line. “I’m pretty sure
there’s no more caves in this direction. We’d better go back and join Adam.”
Ben nodded in agreement, his mouth dry with fear.
They had searched all the caves along the way, though most of them were just
small openings in the hillside, hardly worthy to be called a cave. It was
almost dark now and Ben’s concern for his youngest child’s safety was growing
with each passing moment.
****
Adam held the lamp high and looked around the small
cavern. Something at the back of the cave, near the wall, caught his attention
and he walked over for a closer look. Crouching down on the rocky floor and
placing the lamp carefully beside him he examined the objects he’d found. There
was a set of checkers, their bright black and red colours shining in the
lamplight and beside them a couple of books. Adam picked one up and examined
it, a copy of Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Ivanhoe’ the binding damp and mottled with
mould, it had obviously lain here for a long time. Carefully opening the volume
he saw the inscription on the flyleaf, ‘To our dear son, John Richard Jackson
on his 12th Birthday 10th February.’ memories surfaced in
Adam’s mind, a red haired boy of his own age who had sat near him in church
occasionally. John had been a solitary child, he hadn’t attended the
****
“Adam!” Hoss called, spotting his brother through
the gloom, “Find anything?”
“No sign of him.” Adam said, his eyes on his father,
Ben was close behind Hoss, his face drawn with anxiety. “And it’s too dark to
keep on looking.”
“We ain’t tried the cave along the ledge.” Hoss
started off down the hillside past Adam. “The one you can see from down in the
valley, don’t look like much but we’d better give it a look see.”
Remembering the cave from the viewpoint of the
valley floor Adam didn’t think they’d find Joe there, it was a shallow cavern,
hardly a place you’d need a candle to explore. Reaching the entrance the three
Cartwrights could see at a glance that no one was there. Adam held the lamp
aloft and scanned the walls as Ben and Hoss turned away in defeat.
“Guess we’ll have to wait till morning.” Adam said
dispiritedly. He was moving to join his father and brother when the lamplight
revealed something on the floor at the back of the cave. Picking up the object
Adam found himself holding a pack of matches. “
“So he was here.” Hoss’ tone was desolate. “But he
ain’t here now is he?”
“But why would he light a match in this cave?” Adam
thought aloud. “It wouldn’t have been dark in here. I wonder...” He walked to
the wall of the cave and moved slowly along it. “Well I’ll be.” He said in
amazement, finding the secret entrance. “Look at this.”
“You reckon he went in there?” Hoss asked staring at
the narrow opening.
“I think so.” Adam answered. “I’m going to check.”
“I’m coming with you.” Ben told him, then turned to
his middle son. “We have to assume that your brother may be in trouble.” He
said. “So you get on back to the horses Hoss, and fetch some rope and a canteen
of water.”
“Yes sir.” Hoss hurried off and Ben and Adam headed
into the cave.
“Joe!” Ben called as soon as they squeezed through
the entrance. “Joseph!”
****
Ritchie heard the man’s voice echo along the rocky corridor and sighed. It seemed Joe’s family had somehow found the cave entrance. Beside him Joe stirred slightly and groaned, but he remained unconscious.
****
Ben and Adam walked far into the cavern, stopping every
now and again to call Joe’s name, hoping desperately to hear some response.
“Look over there.” Ben said suddenly, pointing to
one side. Adam held the lamp higher and saw what his father had spotted, a
half-used candle lying on the cave floor.
“The matches were outside.” Adam’s voice was soft,
echoing slightly in the rocky depths.
“So if Joseph didn’t have that candle anymore, he
couldn’t light another.” Ben said, following Adam’s train of thought. “He’d
have been in complete darkness.” The thought of the terror Joe must have felt
was like a physical pain to Ben. “And where’s Ritchie?” he asked suddenly.
“They were meant to be together.”
“I don’t know where he is.” Adam replied, his voice
was even but he was unable to suppress a sudden shudder that ran through him.
Just ahead of them Ben became aware that the cave
split into two separate caverns, he hesitated and looked at Adam.
“I’ll take the right one,
Ben nodded, waiting till Adam had lit the candle,
then heading off to the left. Adam went right, holding the candle high. The
flame flickered wildly as he walked and the light was much dimmer than that
from the lamp. He had hardly gone more than ten yards when he spotted the edge
of a pit in the floor, approaching cautiously, he gazed downwards and recoiled
with horror at the sight revealed in the dim light of the candle flame.
****
“Pa!” Ben turned swiftly as he heard Adam’s call.
“Pa, I’ve found him!”
Within moments Ben was by Adam’s side, looking down
into the pit where Joe lay motionless.
“We’ll need that rope.” Adam said looking up at his
father. “If you go back and meet Hoss I’ll lower myself down and stay with
Joe.” He saw his father’s anxious look at the still form of his youngest son.
“He’s alive
Ben let out a deep sigh of relief, putting the lamp
down on the edge of the pit he turned to Adam and was shocked at the look he
saw on his son’s face. “What is it?” He asked anxiously. “Adam are you all
right?”
“I’m fine.” Adam waved his father away. “Go get the
rope Pa, let’s get him out of there.”
As his father lit another candle and headed off
toward the cave entrance Adam gingerly lowered himself down into the pit.
Letting himself drop the last 3-foot he was soon at his brother’s side.
“Joe?” He said softly, gently examining the injured
boy. He found no sign of broken bones, from the lump he found on the side of
the boy’s head it appeared Joe had been knocked out by his fall down into this
hole. “Joe.” His tone was a little louder and Joe stirred slightly, but didn’t
wake. Pulling the boy into his arms Adam finally allowed himself to look
around. He was relieved to find that he and Joe were alone, no sign of whatever
it was he had seen beside his brother when he had first looked into the pit.
Gradually as his eyes adjusted to the way the lamp standing on the cavern floor above him threw its shadows down into the pit, Adam became aware that they weren’t completely alone. In the far corner, huddled against the wall, was a pitiful pile of bones, human remains.
****
Ben and Hoss soon returned with a rope and they
hauled first Joe and then Adam from the pit. With Joe cradled in his father’s
arms the Cartwrights made for the open air. It took them a while to get the
unconscious youngster down the hill to where the horses waited patiently. By
the time they reached the Ponderosa Joe was beginning to show signs of waking,
Hoss was despatched to fetch Doctor Martin from Virginia City while Ben and
Adam took Joe up to his room.
“Pa?” Joe asked uncertainly, opening his eyes at
last as Ben settled him into bed.
“I’m here, son.” Ben gently stroked Joe’s head.
“You’ll be fine, just had a nasty fall in that cave you were exploring.”
“The cave?” Joe was still dazed, trying to recollect
what had happened. “Did Ritchie come and find you?” He asked. “He’s the only
one who knows about those caves.”
“Just rest quietly till the doctor sees you.” Adam
said hastily before his father could answer. “We’ll tell you all about it
later.”
Obediently Joe closed his eyes and drifted off to
sleep.
****
“A nasty lump on his head, but I think he’ll be fine
in a day or so.” Doctor Paul Martin smiled as he closed his bag and turned to
Ben. “Just keep him resting quietly in bed tomorrow and he can get up the day
after if he feels well enough.”
“Thank you Doctor.” Ben opened the bedroom door.
“Stay with Joseph.” He instructed Hoss who was hovering outside awaiting the
doctor’s verdict. “I’ll just show Doctor Martin out.”
“Sure
****
Closing the door behind the doctor Ben was about to
return to Joe’s room when he was stopped by Adam entering the room from the
kitchen. Unaware of his father’s presence Adam was deep in thought. He put the
coffee cup he was carrying down on the table and sat down heavily. “Adam?” Ben
spoke softly, alarmed at the expression on his son’s face.
“Pa!” Adam looked up sharply. “I didn’t see you
there.”
Sitting down in the chair next to his son, Ben
looked searchingly into Adam’s eyes. “Want to tell me about it?” He asked
gently. “It has something to do with Ritchie, doesn’t it?”
Adam nodded, he knew his father was puzzled.
According to Joe’s account Ritchie had been with him in the cave, right next to
him when he fell, yet there was no sign of the boy. “I have to go back up to
that cave.” He told Ben, fiddling with the coffee cup. “There’s a skeleton in
that pit.”
“A skeleton!” Ben exclaimed in dismay, casting a
quick glance toward the stairs.
“Joe didn’t see it.” Adam reassured him hastily. “He
was unconscious the whole time I was down there. The thing is
“What!” Ben was astounded. “You’re telling me you
believe Ritchie was some kind of ghost?”
“I do.” Adam said calmly. “You see Pa, I found some
books in one of the caves I searched, they belonged to a boy I remember from
church years ago, when I was Joe’s age. A boy called John Richard Jackson.”
Adam saw from the shock in his father’s eyes that he
remembered John Jackson and his family. It had been this time of year twelve
years ago that the red haired boy had failed to return home one day. His
parents and the townsfolk of
“And you think this skeleton is the
“I think so, but I need to go check.” Adam told him.
“I intend going up there tomorrow.”
“Mind if I come along?” At his father’s question
Adam looked up and smiled, he wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone but he had
been dreading entering that cave alone.
“Be glad to have you with me.” He said gratefully.
****
In fact four men entered the cave the following day,
Ben had decided that it would be a good idea for Sheriff Roy Coffee to come
along and he in turn had asked that Doctor Martin be present. Prepared with a
rope ladder, which they anchored securely at the top of the pit, the four were
soon standing over the pitiful remains.
“It’s certainly the skeleton of a young person.”
Doctor Martin bent close to examine the bones. “There’s remains of clothing
here as well,
“Remember it as clear as yesterday.”
“I’d say this is him.” The doctor told them sadly.’
To Adam the scenario was all too easy to imagine,
the
“Poor kid.” He said, remembering the boy he had
known. “He must have been terrified.”
“Nasty way to go.”
Even in the dim light cast by the lamps Adam saw his
father pale at the Sheriff’s words, imagining the fate that could so easily
have befallen his own youngster.
“You knew the family didn’t you?” Adam asked the
Sheriff as they started to leave.
“A little.”
“Do you know if his family ever called him Ritchie?”
Adam saw his father look round at the question.
“Oh, no reason.” Adam said dismissively, certain now
that he was right.
****
“Don’t you think it’s a little far fetched?” Ben
asked, rubbing down his horse.
Father and son had returned to the Ponderosa,
leaving the Sheriff to arrange for John Jackson’s remains to be removed from
the cave. They were talking in the stable rather than the house as neither of
them wanted their conversation overheard by Hoss or Joe.
“It all fits.” Adam said, leaning on the stall
watching Ben. “The boy was called Ritchie, we never saw him. Joe swears he was
in the cave with him, yet we didn’t see him.”
“It could still all be a coincidence.” Ben insisted.
“Perhaps Joe’s friend got scared when Joe fell, ran off.”
“I don’t think so.” Adam paused, thinking back to
what he had seen. “When I saw Joe.” He said. “Before I called you, there was
something in that pit with him
“Something?” Ben queried, looking searchingly at his
son. He saw the barely suppressed shiver that ran through the young man as he
remembered.
“I can’t really describe it.” Adam’s voice was
halting. “A kind of dark, amorphous shape, and a feeling of intense cold. I’m
certain it was
****
A few days later Adam watched as hands from the
ranch blocked up the entrance to the cave system. Ritchie’s body had been
removed to
Adam and Ben had decided that they would say nothing
to Joe or Hoss about the discovery of the skeleton. When Joe asked about
Ritchie they had told him that the boy had gone back east with his family and
that he was sorry for deserting Joe in the cave.
Joe had accepted the explanation readily enough, his
friend Mitch was back from
As the men finished their task, Adam wondered if he wasn’t being a little over cautious in sealing the caves off, he was pretty sure that now the body had been removed there would be no reappearance of ‘Ritchie’, but better safe than sorry he decided. This way he was certain no one else would venture into the caves and perhaps meet the same fate as the boy.
Heading back to the Ponderosa he couldn’t help
thinking about Ritchie, and the thing he hadn’t told his father. When he had
seen the dark shape next to his young brother Adam had been filled with intense
feelings, terror, despair and an overwhelming sense of loneliness, he was sure
those sensations had emanated from Ritchie. The experience had left him shaken
and even now in the bright sunlight he found it hard to forget.
Riding into the yard of the ranch house he saw both
his brothers sitting on the porch talking to Mitch. He could hear Joe giggling
at some remark his friend had made. Dismounting from his horse and crossing the
yard to join them, Adam gave silent thanks that his little brother was safe at
home, not lying alone in the darkness like Ritchie had done for so very, very
long.
THE END.
©
Kathleen Pitts 2000
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