Following the Trail

Missing scene challenge June 2026

by

Beppina

1

After paying the waystation keeper enough to care for Cochise until he returned, Joe swung into Sport’s saddle. Salt Flats lay ahead, and he intended to reach the town before nightfall. Once there, he’d wire Ben and Hoss, then begin searching for Adam. He knew they would ride hard, and with luck, join him within two days. Until then, he’d gather supplies and follow every lead he could find.

Salt Flats had seen better days. Two tired saloons, a clapboard church, a handful of stores, a stage and a telegraph office were all that remained of its more prosperous days. The lowering sun cast deep shadows onto tired paintwork.

Joe found the sheriff without difficulty, but the news was discouraging. The horse thieves were dead in a rear cell, taking with them any hope of learning where Adam had gone.

A few short moments later, Joe watched the telegraph operator tap out the brief message. It wasn’t enough to explain what had happened, but it would bring Ben and Hoss to Salt Flats. That was enough.

The wire sent, Joe returned to the sheriff’s office. Shading his eyes from the glare of the road, he let his mind wander, thinking of the days since last seeing Adam and searching for any clues he might have missed.

2

“Pa! Pa!” Hoss yelled to the house, “It’s a wire from Joe.”

Ben emerged at a trot, worry showing as he met Hoss and a town boy by the hitching rail. Grabbing the missive from his son, Ben scanned the few words, his face darkening as he read the message, ‘Adam’s missing. At Salt Flats. Come quick. Joe.’

Scribbling a reply, Ben thrust the paper, along with a dollar, into the boy’s hand. “Make sure that goes as soon as you get back to Virginia City.”

“Yes, Sir, Mr Cartwright. Will do. Thank you, sir.” The boy turned his pony and galloped away. A dollar for delivering a message was a good payment.

“Saddle the horses, Hoss. We’ll need bedrolls.” Ben took command before shouting for Hop Sing, “Hop Sing, pack enough food for two days.”

Ready and mounted, father and son glanced back at their cook and friend.

“You come back soon, Mr Ben. You bring both boys. Hop Sing make fine feast for all Cartwright family!”

With a final wave, Ben and Hoss rounded the barn and disappeared on the trail to Virginia City.

“What d’you think’s happened, Pa?” Hoss ventured as they covered the first mile of their journey.

“I don’t know, Son. I should have guessed something was wrong. They were due back days ago.”

“Yeah, but you know Joseph, probably wangled Adam into stayin’ back in Salt Flats.”

“Yes, I do know how your younger brother manipulates and manoeuvres the both of you into some questionable situations.”

Hoss snorted back a chuckle. That was true; Joe could charm the birds from the trees if he chose to do so, even Adam was not immune to the youngest brother’s shenanigans. Hoss wondered just what Joe had gotten the two of them into this time.

The hours and miles passed. Conversation was at a minimum. At times, Ben was lost in thought about his sons. He couldn’t help wondering what had delayed them.

Now his fears were beginning to grow. Joe had talked Adam into plenty of adventures over the years, but Joe’s mischief usually ended up in nothing worse than some rough and tumble or inconvenience; this felt different. Had someone else crossed Adam’s path? Or was he blaming Joe unfairly? He wouldn’t rest until he had both sons back at home, where they belonged!

Day drew towards evening. The azure sky fading through gold and orange towards a lavender hue as the sun slipped away.

“Time we stopped.” Hoss pulled Chub to a halt by a stand of Ponderosa Pines that towered high above them.

“Another hour,” Ben countered, concern now clouding his face.

“No, Pa. The horses are tired, an’ I’m plumb starvin’!” Hoss argued back. “This is as good a place as any; water in that stream, shelter for us an’ some grazin’ for the horses. It’s gonna be a dry, hot ride tomorrow, hittin’ the desert an’all. Better to get some decent rest here and start with fresh horses.”

Ben frowned, but did see the sense in Hoss’ statement. “Very well, we’ll camp here. If we make an early start, we should reach Salt Flats around midday. You see to the horses, I’ll get a fire going and see what Hop Sing’s packed us.”

Fed and tired, Ben poked silently at the fire.

“You should get some sleep, Pa,” Hoss suggested.

“I will.”

Hoss studied his father for a moment.

“We’ll find Adam.” He spoke with quiet certainty.

Lost in thought, Ben nodded without looking up.

3

Joe had wandered around the town. He’d asked questions of anyone willing to stop and listen. The two dead thieves were well known in Salt Flats. All said murder wasn’t one of their skills, so he ruled them out. That meant someone else had taken his brother and then left Sport to roam.

On receiving his father’s return wire, he made his way to the Sheriff’s office. Hopefully, he could persuade him to form a posse and help in the search. Over a strong coffee, Joe sat in the small, stuffy office.

“My Pa’ll be here tomorrow,” he started, “we’ll start searching up where I was supposed to meet him. Can you ride in an arc and  meet up with us there?”

“Guess so. I don’t think you’ll find much, but we can look. I’ve got some men willing to help.”

“My Pa’ll give a reward if they find him. Sheriff, are there any prospectors out there? You know… Adam could’ve run into.”

“There were a few, some years back. Most gave up, dry diggin’s, not enough ore. You know, all work and no return. Some went to Virginia City, others to—” a shrug of his shoulders, “who knows where.”

4

Trees gave way to scrub, then in turn to sand and dust; featureless sandstone cliffs rose from the desert floor. Salt Flats appeared as a mirage in the distance.

“Almost there, Pa,” Hoss urged Chub to pick up speed, “an hour at most.”

“I hope your little brother is ready and waiting with his excuses,” Ben growled. He was tired, hot and worried.

“I bet little brother is just waiting for us to arrive. Prob’ly got Cochise saddled up and ready as we speak.”

“Well, let’s not disappoint him, eh?”

Within the hour, Ben Cartwright was reunited with his youngest son in the sheriff’s office. After a brief hug, Joe quickly explained to him what had happened and why they had split up. Joe admitted he wished he hadn’t hung back; maybe travelling together would have saved Adam from whatever fate had befallen him. Now, they were prepared to make a full search of the desert. With the posse, they could cover a much wider area. Buoyed up by the extra men, the Cartwrights set off in search of the missing Adam.

Joe tightened his grip on Sport’s reins as the posse rode into the empty desert. Somewhere beyond the shimmering heat lay Adam. He only prayed they weren’t too late.

                                           The End

27.06.2026

Episode Referenced: The Crucible Written by John T Dugan