Cattle-buying Trip

By Tennessee

"Boys, I'm going on a buying trip to look for some cattle."

"When will you leave, Pa?" asked Adam.

"In a few days," Ben said.

"Can I go with you?" begged Little Joe.

"No, son, your brothers need you to help on the ranch."

Hoss said, "Pa, we can do the work on the ranch."

"Hoss is right," agreed Adam. "We can do it."

Ben looked at Little Joe and told him he could come along on the buying trip.

"Thank you, Pa!"

Ben and Little Joe had a lot of work to do to prepare for their trip. Finally they got everything done and Ben announced they would leave the next morning at first light. "We will be gone for eight days. Are you boys sure you can do all the work on the ranch?"

"Yes," answered Adam and Hoss.

"I will help them," said Hop Sing.

"I know you will." Ben looked to his youngest son. "Little Joe, you need to get a good night's rest. You should head to bed now."

Little Joe told everyone "good night" and went to bed.

Adam asked his father, "What way are you going on this trip?"

Ben answered, "The way we went last time, Adam. We all should go to bed now."

Little Joe was up before Ben and when Ben came out of his room, Little Joe was at the table. "You ready, Pa?" Ben said yes and they put their things on a horse they were taking along to carry their things and their food. Then they got on their horses and went on their way. Adam and Hoss were still asleep but Hop Sing was there to tell them to have a nice trip.

They rode all day and that night they ate by the fire and went to sleep. And they got up early the next day. When they got to the cattle ranch Mr. Greenwood greeted them and Ben introduced Little Joe.

"Where's Adam?" asked Mr. Greenwood. "Is he sick?

"No, he stayed at the ranch this time."

"Oh, well tell him hi for me. Ben, we will have to camp a day or two to see all my cattle and for you to pick some of them to buy."

That night they stayed with Mr. Greenwood, and the next day they went out to see some of the cattle. They looked at all the cattle on that part of his land. That night they all stayed at their camp, and the next day, too, was taken up inspecting the cattle. When they had seen all the cattle Ben picked the cattle he wanted to guy and gave Mr. Greenwood the money for the cattle and asked him to send them up to the Ponderosa next week. And Mr. Greenwood said, "Yes, next week will be fine."

"We need to start for home now," said Ben and he and Little Joe said goodbye to Mr. Greenwood and started for home. They made camp for the night right before dark, and they ate and got ready for bed. Ben went to the horses to get something. One horse jumped back and hit Ben and Ben fell on a rock and hit his head. Little Joe heard Pa call his name and he ran to him. "Pa! Are you hurt?"

Ben said, "Help me to the fire, son."

Ben had a big knot on his head and a big cut, too. There was blood running down Ben's face. Little Joe got some water and some rags to clean Ben's head. There was a lot of blood coming out of his cut.

Little Joe said, "Pa, I don't know what else to do."

"You are doing great, Little Joe. Just keep putting the rag on my head."

"But Pa, it is still bleeding."

When daylight came Ben called to Little Joe. "Listen to me, son. I need you to go and get me some help."

"But Pa, I don't know how to get back to the Greenwood ranch."

"Little Joe, ride as fast as you can to the Ponderosa and tell your brothers I need help."

"But Pa, what if I can't find my way out of here?"

"You can, son. I know you can. You are a big boy now."

Little Joe got Ben some water and food and rags. The bleeding had stopped a little. Little Joe got on his horse and Ben said, "I will be fine. You go now."

Little Joe had tears in his eyes as he was riding back home. He rode as fast as he could. At the Ponderosa Adam and Hoss were working outside. When they saw a horse coming fast and they saw that it was Little Joe, they both ran to him.

"Pa's been hurt and he needs help!"

"Where is he at?"

"I don't know how to get back to Pa."

Adam said, "Little Joe, I know the way Pa goes and I can find him.

Hoss got the wagon and the horses ready. Adam ran inside to get Hop Sing. And Hop Sing got everything he needed to help Ben then ran to the wagon and they were off. Adam rode his horse and so did Little Joe. Hoss drove the wagon.

When they reached where Ben should have been, Adam said, "He's not here."

Little Joe said, "I know now." And he took off and everyone followed him. When Little Joe saw Ben he yelled, "Pa is over here!" And they all jumped down and ran to Ben.

Little Joe said, "I'm back, Pa, and Adam, Hoss, and Hop Sing are here to help you."

Ben said, "I knew you could do it, son."

Hop Sing said, "Hoss, get me some water. Adam, go get the clean rags on the wagon." Hop Sing put a rag around Ben's head and said, "We need to get him home now. He needs to rest."

Little Joe asked, "Will Pa be okay?"

Hop Sing said, "Yes, it will take time for his cut to heal but he will be fine."

Adam and Hoss helped Ben into the wagon and they were on their way home. When they got to the Ponderosa they helped Ben in the bed. The know on his head was going down now.

Hop Sing said, "You lot a lot of blood. You need a lot of rest."

Bend said, "How were things here?"

"Everything was find here, and all the work got done. Adam and Hoss did a great job."

Ben said, "My sons are all great and Little Joe was a little man when I got hurt. He took care of me, Hop Sing."

"The boys would like to see you."

Ben said, "Send 'em in."

When the boys came in they all asked Ben if he was okay and he said yes.

"Oh, Adam, Mr. Greenwood asked to say hi to you. Adam and Hoss, you did a great job on the ranch while I was away. You boys are going to be great men one day."

They all said, "Pa, you are a great man and we learn from you. We have you to thank for how we've turned out."

Ben said, "I love you guys."

And the boys said, "We love you too, Pa."

Hop Sing came in and said, "He needs rest now."

They all said good night to Ben and Ben went to sleep right after they left.

For the next few days Ben stayed in bed. The cut on his head healed. On the third day in bed Ben couldn't take it anymore and said, "I'm getting up today to do some work."

Hop Sing said, "Your head is getting better. You can get up, just take it real easy with work for a day or two."

Ben said, "I will." He went outside, but the boys had already completed all the chores. And Ben looked at the boys and thought of the boys when they'd been younger. He thought about how fast they were growing up. And Ben thought of the Ponderosa, too, and about their life there. And how happy they were there.

When the boys saw Ben they waved to him. And Ben smiled and thought of how life has good and bad times. And he looked at the boys again and thought of how great their lives on the Ponderosa were now.

The End