Mitch Cartwright was with his father Adam Cartwright in Virginia City to get the mail. Near the Bucket of Blood saloon the rough cowboy Jack McGee stood observing the boy. ‘That lad can deliver me lots of money. I am going to take him hostage at the saloon’, Jack thought. Hij put his thoughts into actions straight away. In an unseen moment he grabbed Mitch and shot down Adam. He fell on the ground. Next he dragged Mitch to the Silver Dollar saloon where they went inside. After the assault Adam drew his revolver but saw then that Jack was holding Mitch tight. Roy saw the injured Cartwright and went straight to get doctor Paul Martin.
At the Silver Dollar Jack said, “Everybody except Bruno the saloon out!”
All visitors ran out of the building. Mitch got thrown harsh at the ground and being held within range.
“Let the boy go. he is innocent”, said Bruno.
“Mitch innocent? Don’t make me laugh. Due to him I don’t have a sister anymore”, Jack said furiously.
“Who is that then?”, Mitch asked amazed.
“Kate Wilcox”, said Jack.
Mitch knew enough and got an idea.
“That woman kicked me to pieces and told my pa that she was pregnant. and only to be able to marry him. She couldn’t cook at all because once she made oatmeal with salt for me while Hop Sing prepares that with sugar. I always may help him and come into the kitchen . Uncle Hoss isn’t allowed that of Hop Sing because Uncle Hoss always tries to steal food. And stealing is not allowed of the law”, said Mitch.
Jack came towards the boy and said irritated, “Now you keep your tail-board shut or otherwise I hit it shut.”
Mitch went to stand near the window and looked protracted outside and then especially upstairs. After a while Jack came to stand near him and looked also outside.
“Do you see those beautiful birds there up high in the sky?”, Mitch asked pointing at nothing in the sky.
Jack looked but saw nothing.
After a while Jack hit the young Cartwright with his rifle so that Mitch fell and ended up injured under the swing-doors of the saloon. Adam and deputy Clem Foster had come nearer. Adam pulled his son near him.
“Daddy!”, Mitch said confused.
“Mitch, who are inside there?” the deputy asked
“Only Bruno and that cowboy. He says that Kate Wilcox was his sister. Daddy, you know the wicked stepmother”, Mitch told.
Adam nodded.
“Adam, first we get that guy and then you let treat your son”, said Clem.
Adam and Mitch agreed. The threesome sneaked back to the saloon where Jack was already getting quite drunk. Mitch went inside and drew his revolver. He got followed by his father and the deputy.
“Are you there again nuisance?”, Jack asked slurring.
“Yes, may I?”, was the counter-question of Mitch.
Jack shook of no. He shot at the boy but Clem delivered him a single trip to the Eternal Hunting fields. Adam took Mitch into his arms and kissed him. Next Mitch lost his consciousness.
Mitch woke up in bed in a room at the International House. Adam sat near him.
“What has happened? Where am I?”, Mitch asked confused.
“Jack McGee shot you down at the Silver Dollar saloon. Clem shot him dead. I brought you here so the doctor could take care of you. We are at in The International House”, Adam said calm.
“I have such a headache”, the young Cartwright said.
“That could be right because Paul has stitched your head with twelve stitches. Do you want to go home?”, Adam asked.
Mitch nodded.
“Then we go home”, said Adam.
Mitch got up slowly and went along with his father.
Underway home Mitch said, “When we come home they see that wound of mine at once. Uncle Hoss, Uncle Joe and Candy will go and tease me again as usual.”
“Yes, but because of you Clem could eliminate that cowboy. I am as proud as a peacock of you and grandpa and mamma will be that as well”, Adam answered.
“Has that guy hit you as well?”, asked Mitch.
“The bullet came just passed my arm. It is just a grazing wound. I will survive and you too. You are only eight but you have been injured so many times and got over it time and time again. Uncle Joe used to get injured also a lot. You look like him what that concerned”, Adam told.
“What you mean eh”, Mitch said indignant.
Adam stopped the wagon and looked amazed at his son.
“How do you mean?”, he wanted to know.
“First you are as proud as a peacock at me and then you compare me with Uncle Joe. What a heavy insult for my own personality”, Mitch explained.
Adam started to laugh hard.
He hugged his son loving full and said still a bit laughing, “I will never say anything like that again about you and Uncle Joe.”
They rode ahead home to tell the others about all the happenings of their not very boring afternoon in town.