On a winter morning Rupert Bear and Bill Badger are playing when they trip over something. They lose their consciousness. The two friends wake up in Nevada 1869.

Rupert recognizes the area and says, “We are in the wild west. I have been here before. Let’s go to the sheriff. He will help us.”

Bill gets up and together they walk to the office of the sheriff.

Suddenly Rupert hears a familiar voice saying behind him, “If that isn’t Rupert Bear!”

The bear turns around and looks into the laughing eyes of Ponderosa foreman Candy Canaday.

“Rupert, who is that?”, is the amazing question of Bill.

“That is in fact the foreman of the Ponderosa and he is that cowboy with that funny and strange first name, Candy”, Rupert says a bit teasing.

Candy looks very insulted and he asks then, “Are we going to start this way? I wanted to take you along to the ranch. But that ain’t going to happen now.”

“Rupert, he is teasing us”, Bill calls then out who sees through the foreman.

“Shall we have a drink?”, Candy suggests.

They do that.

Suddenly sheriff Clem Foster comes into the saloon.

“Clem, come over here for a second”, calls Candy.

Clem comes and he asks, “Candy, what can I do for you?”

“This young bear here has insulted me very much. He said to his friend that I am that cowboy with that strange first name. What is the punishment for this?”, Candy asks pointing at Rupert Bear.

“That is no crime. Not even in his case, Candy. It is a very strange first name but we know how you are”, says Clem.

“So you can’t arrest him?”, Candy asks amazed.

Clem shakes of no and says, “Tough Candy. More luck next time.”

He leaves the saloon smiling. The two friends are roaring with laughter.

“Laugh at me as well. Nice friends you are”, Candy says indignant.

Rupert bents over to Bill and whispers into his ear, “We surely must tell this at the ranch. Then the Cartwrights can laugh along too. He works for them.”

Hereby the two must laugh even harder.

Candy feels that he has been had and says, “If you are finished with laughing we go home. And you say nothing to the Cartwrights!”

“We promise that Mr. Canaday”, Rupert says chuckling.

They leave the saloon. Outside Candy puts them on the wagon.

“Hold on tight well”, is his advice.

They do that. Behind him Candy hears them laughing loud. Unfortunately Candy doesn’t know what will be waiting for him the next few days.

Hoss and Little Joe Cartwright are outside when a very moody Candy comes rising upon the yard. From a very far distance they have heard the laughter.

“Now you stop”, Candy says to Rupert and Bill.

“Alright Mr. Canaday”, Bill says seriously.

Candy put both friends on the ground. Hoss and Little Joe hear this and they began to laugh right away too.

Candy looks amazed and says then, “So you believe those two little lads? Thank you very much!”

“Nobody here calls you mister”, Hoss says laughing.

The foreman doesn’t react at it and goes inside.

He says to his employer Ben Cartwright, “We have two very difficult guests. Rupert Bear and Bill Badger. Rupert said in town to him that I was that cowboy with that strange and funny first name. Because Clem couldn’t arrest him they laugh at me. And now Joe and Hoss too.”

“It is sure to come right. I just think that you are exaggerating”, says the rancher.

“Just go look outside if you don’t believe me”, Candy reacts calm.

Ben goes outside and sees that everyone is serious.

“Err Candy, I know you well enough, but from what you have told me. I find it a bizarre story”, he says to the foreman who has come amazed outside.

“I swear you Mr Cartwright. Those two little boys have laughed at me from Virginia City to here”, Candy says fierce.

Ben goes to Rupert and Bill.

“Hello Rupert. Nice to see you again. Who is that?”, he asks.

“This is my best friend Bill Badger. Bill, this is Mr Cartwright, the boss of that cowboy whom I don’t know. That are Hoss and Little Joe. That strange one also works for them”, tells Rupert.

With that strange one the bear means Candy. Everyone begins to laugh again. The foreman feels very inhumilated.

They go inside where the wood softly burns. Bill looks around the living room with big interest and Rupert too. Although this isn’t the first time that he is at the Ponderosa. Hop Sing comes into the living room with a pot of tea and cups.

“Sit down boys”, Ben says to the boys.

“Mr Cartwright, is Candy angry with us?”, is the question of Rupert to get security.

“No. Do keep in account that he will get back at you. So be aware”, is the advice of the rancher.

Candy looks as innocent as possible. He has indeed plans to get back at the friends. But he keeps silent. Though nobody knows what the next few days will go by different than expected.

Outside it is already pretty cold but inside it comfortably warm. It is nearly Christmas but suddenly both Rupert and Bill notice that there isn’t a single Xmas decoration to be seen at the Ponderosa. Nor outside nor inside.

“Mr Cartwright, mustn’t we trim a Xmas tree? Christmas isn’t nothing without a tree”, is the sudden remark of Rupert.

Ben looks at him and says, “You are right Rupert. Hoss, Joseph, Candy, take care that the tree from Miller comes here.. It is already reserved. We do here the rest.”

The three boys leave the ranch house.

When they have rode a while says Candy, “I don’t understand why we still don’t have a tree yet and everyone else do.”

The brothers Cartwright look at him with a look saying, “Easy boy. You didn’t think of it either.”

Candy understands what they want to say and reacts a bit fierce with, “That ain’t really my fault.”

He is clearly not himself and rides away alone.

“What is the matter with him?”, asks Little Joe.

Hoss shrugs his shoulders. The brothers ride on and forget the incident until they are home with the tree.

Meanwhile Candy still rides around. After he has left both brothers the foreman rides around until he comes near a deserted cabin. Suddenly his horse gets spooked of something. Candy tries to stay in the saddle but the horse throws him off.

He looks very indignant and yells while the animal runs away, “Come back. Come here.”

Though the horse doesn’t listen to his owner. Angry as he is Candy tries to get up. But during his attempt the foreman notices that he has broken his left ankle. He crawls with a lot of pain and trouble to the cabin. Fortunately the door is ajar. Hereby candy can come in easily. In the cabin stands a bed where he goes to lie down on.

He gasps a bit and takes then his left boot off. It costs him more trouble than usually when he doesn’t have a broken ankle. Candy realizes that he deserted form God and everyone. In the cabin is there no water and food to be found. The foreman knows that he at the mercy of fate. Quite soon Candy falls fast asleep.

In the meantime Hoss and Little Joe have arrived in town. They know that Ben always reserves a xmas tree at the General Store. Hoss stops the wagon there. Little Joe jumps off the wagon and walks into the shop.

“Hello Joe. You surely come for that reserved Xmas tree?”, asks Miller, the owner of the General Store.

“Yes. It appears that Candy has forgotten to take it along”, is the answer.

“He hasn’t been here. Ben has reserved it weeks ago. You can take it right away”, says Miller.

Little Joe loads up the tree upon the wagon and they start with the return trip.

On the way says Hoss, “Pa has reserved quite a xmas tree!”

“You know what pa is like”, Little Joe chuckles.

Hoss nods.

At the Ponderosa his Rupert and Bill are together with Ben busy decorating the living room so that the ranch changes into a sort of a Xmas ranch.

“It is quite nice here. I do think though that we have teased Candy too long”, says Bill when they are alone for a moment.

“I think so too. As soon as he comes he must apology to him right away”, his friend reacts.

A moment later they hear the wagon coming. Ben and the friends go outside. To their amazing they do see a tree, but no foreman.

“Err…, I thought that I have sent the three of you away. But I only see two. What has happened? Where is Candy?”, the rancher asks amazed.

“Well, err…pa, we were with us three. But Candy suddenly got angry and he rode away. Ain’t he here?”, Little Joe asks on his turn.

“No, bring in that tree quickly”, says Ben, quickly changing the subject.

Hoss and Little Joe bring in the tree inside. Quickly the tree gets trimmed while from the kitchen comes the smell from the upcoming evening meal.

Soon Hop Sing has the food on the table but there is an empty place at the table.

“Where can he be? He knows that we always eat at the same time”, says Ben who has become quite worried.

“It can be that he has lost the way”, suggests Little Joe.

“That doesn’t sound like Candy. He knows the area well enough. I think that he has ran into a beautiful lady and has gone home with her”, is the idea of his brother.

“Is Candy away because we have laughed at him? He started with it”, Bill says suddenly.

The Cartwrights look at them and Ben says, “I don’t think so. There just has to be another reason for his disappearing. We wait till tomorrow. Isn’t he then not yet, then we go and look for him.”

They all agree.

After supper Rupert and Bill go to bed quite soon as they are dead tired.

Ben tucks them in and before he leaves the bedroom asks Rupert, “Mr Cartwright?”

“Yes?”, he asks amazed.

“When Candy comes will you wake us then?”, asks Rupert.

Ben nods smiling. The friends soon fall fast asleep. Everybody is deadly worried about Candy.

The next morning Candy still hasn’t come home.

After breakfast says Ben, “Joseph, we go to town. It might be possible that Candy is there. Hoss, you stay at home to look after them. Rupert and Bill, you stay here. I do not want to look for you also.”

“Alright. We do that Mr Cartwright”, they say at the same time.

Ben and Little Joe leave the yard looking for their missing foreman.

“Shall we go and look for Candy together?”, asks Rupert.

Bill hesitates and says then, “I think that Mr Cartwright will not find that alright.”

“What will Mr Cartwright find not alright?”, they hear a voice asking.

They turn around and see Hoss standing. Rupert explains what he wants but Hoss disagrees with it.

“It is our fault that he is away. We have laughed at him the whole time”, says Bill.

“Candy surely can take care of himself. Within a few days he is home again”, Hoss says calm.

Though he is worried too.

That’s why he suggests, “If I go along with you searching.”

The friends look at each other and they decided to let the plan fly away. But in unseen moment they see the chance to go away. They are going to look for their injured friend.

After a while Candy wakes up in the cabin. Now he really notices very well how cold it is at night. Outside it is already very dark and there is not much chance that they will find him. Sighing deep the foreman fall asleep again. But really sleeping is impossible for him due to the cold and his broken ankle. Besides his stomach is rambling very much. He already has missed a meal and it looks like that it will be more. The whole night Candy dozes away. When the morning comes Candy feels broken, cold and hungry. Deep in his heart he hopes that the Cartwrights will find him soon. But he also keeps in account that he has to stay here for a long time. He knows that at the ranch everyone is worried about where he is. But due to his broken ankle he can’t go back. And on top of all has his horse ran away.

Soon Ben and Little Joe reach Virginia City. The big worry is to be read from their faces. Miller stands outside when pa and son Cartwright riding by.

“Wasn’t the tree big enough, Ben? I have resevered the biggest for you”, says Miller.

“It is big enough but we didn’t come for that. Do you happen to have seen Candy by any chance? He is missing since yesterday. Nobody knows where he is”, Ben says calm.

“No, I haven’t seen him anymore since he went home with those two lads. Is there something with him?”, is the question of Miller.

“He behaved very strange yesterday. We got a row and then he disappeared trackless. Since then nothing has been seen or heard from him”, replies Little Joe.

“From whom has nothing been seen or heard of?”, a voice asks at a certain moment.

The voice seems to belong to the sheriff.

“Candy has been missing since yesterday afternoon. You haven’t seen him either, have you?”, Ben asks Clem.

“No. The lasts time that I saw him was with his two friends. But if I see him I will say to him that he must go back to the Ponderosa”, replies Clem.

“So Candy isn’t here either. Where for Pete’s sake can he be then?”, Ben wonders himself out loud.

“Maybe he is already at home again”, suggests Little Joe.

They ride back to the where in the meantime Rupert Bear and Bill Badger have disappeared as well. Hoss has noticed that and he waits for the return of his father and younger brother.

In the time that Ben and Little Joe are in Virginia City, Rupert Bear and Bill Badger decide to look for Candy on their own. They know that it is against the will of their host but they take that risk. They walk around a bit when Rupert suddenly sees the horse of Candy standing.

“Look Bill, that is the horse of Candy. Come on, we go on that horse. Maybe he leads us to Candy”, says Rupert.

Quickly they walk to it. Via a tree they come upon the horse. Strange enough the horse brings them to the deserted cabin. Rupert stops the horse. Both dismount of the animal.

“Maybe Candy is inside. Let’s have a look”, whispers Bill.

Rupert nods. They hitch the horse and sneak to the door. They hesitate a second before they open the door.

Inside Candy has woken up and he hears some noise outside. He hears two familiar voices and thinks:’ Rescue. I will fool them for a moment.’ He comes up partly. He leans on his left elbow, while he draws his revolver with his right hand at the moment the door opens. Two faces look around the door and Candy falls sighing back on the bed.

“Candy! What are you doing here?”, the two friends ask at the same time.

“I live here”, the foreman replies while he puts his revolver back into his holster.

Rupert and Bill look at each other but they don’t believe him.

“Do you know what you have done to me? Because you have laughed at me for so long I broke my ankle. If you hadn’t done that I was now at home at the ranch. Now Mr Cartwright will be angry with you”, Candy rattles in one piece.

The friends think that he is speaking the truth and look amazed to the ground. Though they don’t see that the foreman is looking at them grinning to their very perplexed faces.

But he recovers himself quickly and he says to them, “You can make it up to me somehow.”

“What must we do Mr Canaday?”, asks Bill because they don’t dare to speak to him with his first name.

“Well Bill, here is my hat. Go home and tell them that I am here with Rupert and that my ankle is broken”, says Candy.

“We do have found your horse”, says Rupert.

“Take him along. Then you are there faster”, says Candy.

He gives Bill his hat. Bill directly goes away.

“Can I do something for you sir?”, asks Rupert.

“You don’t have any food and/or drink with you? I am hungry and thirsty”, replies Candy.

“I have here a piece of chocolate. Hop Sing gave us that. You may have it”, says Rupert.

He gives the foreman the piece of chocolate. It isn’t much but it fills his empty stomach a bit.

In expectation of help Candy goes to bed on the bed with his back against the wall. His friend goes to sit next to him. Both say nothing for a long time.

At the moment when Ben and Little Joe ride upon the yard they feel that something is wrong.

“Pa, our little guests are gone. I suspect that they are looking for Candy”, says Hoss.

Ben dismounts from his horse and hitches the animal. Little Joe does the same.

Ben looks a bit amazed somehow and says then to his sons, “That is now great. First our foreman disappears and after that Rupert Bear and Bill Badger. Promise me that you stay here.”

The brothers promise that. The rancher goes inside to think about everything.

Hop Sing comes to him and asks, “Mr Cartwright, something strange going on in house. Everyone just disappears. How come?”

“I wish I knew, Hop Sing”, Ben replies worried.

The cook disappears again to the kitchen.

Outside a familiar horse comes riding.

“Ain’t that the horse of Candy, Joe?”, Hoss asks amazed when they see the horse of Candy with Bill on it coming.

“Yes sure and the rider is Bill”, replies Little Joe.

Now the puzzle becomes bigger for the Cartwrights. They stop the horse and Bill nearly walks over Little Joe. But he gets stopped just in time.

“We have found Candy in a deserted cabin. He has Rupert with him and his ankle is broken”, Bill tells out of breath.

He gives the hat to Little Joe.

This one goes inside and calls to his father, “Pa, Bill has found Candy.”

Ben looks up and asks, “Where is he?”

“In a deserted cabin. Bill has come with the hat and horse of Candy. Only he has broken his ankle”, tells Little Joe.

“You stay here with your brother. I go and get him with the wagon together with Bill. Is Rupert with him?”, his father asks worried.

He nods.

Outside Ben gets the wagon. Hoss puts Bill on it next to his father.

“We go and collect Candy and Rupert. You point out where that cabin is”, Ben says to Bill.

With the wagon they soon reach the cabin where Candy and Rupert still are. Now Candy knows that there is help on the way he starts to feel a bit better.

Suddenly Rupert goes off the bed and he opens the door. He sees the wagon coming but says nothing to tease him. The door gets closed again and the bear crawls on the bed.

The foreman looks at him and asks, “You have seen something that I not may know. What is it?”

“Nothing Mr Canaday. I swear it”, reacts Rupert.

“Do you need something from me that you call me Mr Canaday?”, asks the foreman, while he looks at the bear.

Rupert looks at him amazed and asks, “That is not so. What gave you that idea?”

“Because everyone usually addresses me with Candy. It is very rare that they use my family name”, says Candy.

Then the door goes open and his boss comes into the cabin.

“Aha, so there you are then. You have given us quite the jitters Candy. Just let me have a look at your ankle”, says Ben.

“I am sorry Mr Cartwright. My ankle is broken”, his foreman says slowly.

The rancher is splinting the ankle while he says, “We will discuss it at home.”

He supports Candy getting outside. Rupert takes the boot along. On the wagon Candy crawls with big careful to a side. Ben puts Rupert on it. They ride to town where they are coming slowly but sure. Ben stops the wagon in front of the door of the practise of doctor Paul Martin.

“You stay here while I help Candy to inside”, the rancher orders his little guests.

They promise him that too.

Limping Candy goes to inside.

“Paul, here is a nice patient for you”, says Ben.

Paul looks amazed at the ankle of Candy and asks the foreman, “What have you done? You want to spend the Christmas days in plaster for sure?”

“I fell off my horse because he pranced. Hereby I broke my ankle”, says Candy while he sits down.

“Just wait at the wagon Ben. It will take a while. I shall examine Candy in total for a second. He looks terrible”, says Paul.

Ben leaves the practise and goes to the wagon.

“We must wait here for Candy. It will take a while according to Doc”, says the rancher.

The friends offer their apology which Ben accepts.

The ankle of Candy gets set in plaster while Ben with his little guests waits outside.

He says toethem, “It was wrong to look for him. But I do know that you meant well anyway.”

“We felt guilty. If we hadn’t laughed at him for so long this never would have happened. Really true”, says Rupert.

“Who says that?”, Ben asks amazed.

“Candy says that”, replies Bill.

Ben starts to laugh and says, “He only says that to tease you. I suppose to get back at him by being super polite to him. I will help you. Say nothing about this to Hoss and Joe.”

At that moment the sheriff comes walking by.

“Hello Clem”, says the rancher.

The authority carrier asks, “Hello Ben, boys. What are you doing here at Doc? Is one of the men injured?”

“Yes. That cowboy with that strange first name”, says Rupert.

Ben and Clem start to laugh.

“He wanted that I arrested Rupert because he had called him that. Are they staying at the Ponderosa?”, Clem asks when he has finished laughing.

Ben nods.

He gives them each half a dollar and says, “Go and get something at the General store. Clem and I must discuss something.”

He puts them both on the ground. They run to the General Store while Ben and Clem watch them.

Paul Martin examines Candy in total.

While his ankle gets set into plaster asks Candy, “How long must I walk around with that plaster, Doc?”

“At least till February. You may count yourself lucky that your leg isn’t broken. I don’t understand how you could have spent the night in the cold”, Paul replies calm.

“I wonder that myself too”, the foreman says a bit exhausted.

It is clearly to see that he hasn’t slept much the previous night.

Paul looks at him and says, “I think that as soon as you get home look up your bed. Ben will say that too. I will give you a couple of crutches and then I see you again in a week or four.”

Leaning on the crutches Candy leave the practise. Outside he sees his employer talking to the sheriff. Rupert Bear and Bill Badger are there too his erbij.

When Candy is with them the sheriff asks with a wink to the friends, “Must you be notable again for once Mr Canaday?”

Candy looks stupidefied and asks on his turn, “Why does everyone suddenly call me Mr Canaday and not Candy?”

First he looks at Rupert and Bill, then at Clem and says after that, “You surely must have been speaking with this couple? They also address me with Mr Canaday.”

“Candy, they are just polite to you and him. Climb on the wagon. Then we go home. You need your rest very hard. Besides we certainly may not waste the precious time of Clem”, says Ben.

Candy says nothing and climbs on the wagon.

On the way home Candy says nothing to the friends. Though he is up to something with the both of them. He does know that he will be teased a lot by Hoss and Little Joe. He knows the brothers well enough.

As soon as they ride upon the yard Candy notices how well visible the very nice Christmas decorations are. Carefully he comes off the wagon and he limps after the others into the ranch house inside. Hoss and Little Joe look silently at the foreman. Everyone is very involved in this case. There hangs a strange atmosphere in the house.

“Candy, can I see you in private for a moment?”, Ben asks direct.

They walk to the office part.

“Sit down”, says the rancher.

The foreman does that and puts his crutches on the ground. Patiently he looks at his employer.

“I am not used to this behavior of yours. Is there something?”, is the question of Ben.

Candy shrugs his shoulders and says , “I am just not myself for now. These are just not my days.”

He stares at the ground and keeps silent. Ben sighs and keeps silent too.

After a while he says, “Go and rest for a while. You do look tired.”

“Alright Mr Cartwright”, says the foreman.

His eyes almost close down of exhaustion. He gets his crutches and goes to his bedroom.

“What is the matter with Candy?”, asks Hoss.

“He self says that he doesn’t have his days but I suspect that there is more. He is so quiet”, Ben says worried.

They decide to leave him alone for the time being.

Meanwhile Little Joe keeps himself busy with Rupert and Bill who feel very sorry for Candy.

The youngest Cartwright notices that and says, “Candy has worked far too hard the last few weeks. So now he needs rest. Within a few days he is himself again.”

“Really?”, asks Rupert.

Ben says, “Really. It is time for lunch.”

Hop Sing has set the table in the meantime.

“Can you still throw lasso Rupert?”, Hoss asks after a while.

“Yes sure. Must I give a demonstration later on?”, asks Rupert.

“Of course you must do that. Little Joe and I go to the herd later on. Do you feel like going along?”, Hoss asks looking at the two.

Rupert and Bill look at each other.

Bill asks, “Alright. May we Mr Cartwright?”

“If Hoss and Joseph promise to look after you well you may go along”, says Ben.

That gets promised.

After the lunch Hoss and Little Joe saddle up two quiet horses for their little guests and their own horses too. Ben watches them go. Upstairs Candy is still asleep. At the ranch it is quiet.

Quite soon the Cartwrights reach the herd which must be driven to the ranch.

“Rupert, just let show how well you can handle your lasso”, says Little Joe.

Rupert gets his lasso, throws it and catches that way alose walking calf.

Hoss and Little Joe look at each other and the latter says, “I hadn’t expect that you still could do it.”

“Can you teach me that too?”, Bill asks at that moment.

“Just come along”, says Little Joe.

They go away from the herd. Hoss and Rupert remain by the animals. Rupert comes off his horse and walks to his caught calf. He strokes the animal and takes then the lasso off his neck. The calf runs straight back to the herd. Rupert rolls up his lasso and climbs on his horse. The lasso gets hanged again near the saddle.

In the meantime Little Joe instructs Bill how he must throw lasso. After throw a few times wrong Bill also controls the art of throwing lasso. Via a different way they go back and soon they stand behind. Hoss and Rupert.

“Throw now your lasso across my brother”, Little Joe whispers Bill in the ear.

He looks at him amazed but does it anyway. Wit the a nice pitch Bill throws his lasso across Hoss.

“Hey, what is that now again?”, Hoss asks amazed.

Then he and Rupert heard loud laughter behind them. Little Joe and Bill come closer.

Bill says, “I that there stood a bull. But it turned out to be you.”

“Very funny. Little Joe, this was your idea for sure?”, Hoss reacts indignant while he makes himself loose from the lasso.

“What gave you that idea? I would never do that to you”, Little Joe says laughing.

They drive the herd to the Ponderosa where they arrive at twilight. They pout the horses in the stables and after they have dissaddled the animals and taken care of them they go inside.

“Hello boys. How was it?”, Ben asks with interest.

“Great Mr Cartwright. I have even caught Hoss with my lasso”, Bill tells excited.

“So, I must know more about that. Whose idea was that?”, asks the rancher asks laughing.

“Little Joe said that I had to do it. Hoss didn’t like it much but we”, says Bill.

“How is it with Candy?”, asks Rupert.

“Go and have a look of he is already awake. You know where his room is”, says Ben.

They go up the stairs to the room of Candy.

They knock at the door and a sleepy voice calls, “Come in.”

Rupert opens the door and they go inside.

“Hello Candy. How is it with you?”, asks Bill.

Candy goes to sit and asks, “A bit better. What have you been up to together this afternoon?”

“We have driven the herd to here with Hoss and Little Joe. He taught Bill how to throw lasso. He caught Hoss with it”, Rupert tells in detail.

Candy must laugh about it too.

“Do you need something?”, asks Bill.

“No, you must ask Hop Sing if he makes hot chocolate milk for you. He will do that for sure. While you do that I get dressed and I come downstairs too”, says the foreman.

The two friends run downstairs and ask the cook if he wants to make hot chocolate milk for them.

“Of course Hop Sing make hot Chocó but tonight. Then you sleep well. Okay?”, asks Hop Sing.

Rupert and Bill nod.

When Candy comes downstairs Hoss says, “There is our race walker.”

Candy has an answer right away at it.

“You are easy to catch with a lasso”, he says grinning.

Everyone except Hoss laughs.

“I assume that those two have informed you”, he says to the foreman.

“No, a gnome did that”, is his answer.

“Pa, I believe that our foreman is cured again. He has ready tongue again”, reacts Hoss.

In the meantime Candy went to sit down on the settee and he looks at Ben.

“Mr Cartwright, must I stay at home now with that ankle?”, he asks.

“You stay here until your ankle is healed. We will manage without you”, Ben says to his foreman.

Candy nods.

“Candy, shall we see who can walk the fasted?”, Little Joe suggest then.

Candy replies, “No, I wouldn’t like to see that you lose Little Joe!”

Again everyone laughs.

Little Joe looks indignant at his father but this one says, “Joseph, you ask for it yourself.”

Candy starts to smile but Little Joe doesn’t react at it. He knows what their foreman is like.

The whole afternoon in the open air has given both Rupert and Bill a big appetite. Silently they eat but though the sleep gets the overhand by them.

“Just a while and those have dozed off”, Hoss says looking at them.

“It has been a long day for them anyway”, replies his Father.

Then Hop Sing comes out of the kitchen with two mugs hot chocolate milk.

Hoss asks, “Hop Sing, do you have such a mug of hot chocolate milk for me too ?”

“Hop Sing only made for two little boys at request of Candy. Mr Hoss big boy wait for hot chocolate milk”, replies Hop Sing.

He puts the mugs near the boys and disappears again to the kitchen.

Ben looks at his two little guests and says, “I notice that you are already feeling quite at home here.”

They nod at the same time. Candy is silent but his boss notices that the foreman is up to something with them. Hoss and Little Joe too see that.

“Candy, I need your signature for a second. Can you come?”, asks Ben.

Candy gets his crutches and limps to the office of his boss.

“Sign here please”, says the rancher.

Candy looks amazed but does put down his signature at what seems to be a written document. But it turns out to be an unwritten piece of paper.

Candy puts the pen down and asks curiously, “Where was that for, Mr Cartwright?”

“You will notice that later”, is the answer.

Candy isn’t very helped with this answer so he put it next to him for the time being. Also towards his sons Ben keeps silent about this very important document.

When Rupert Bear and Bill Badger have gone to bed Ben says, “We still have to organize the Christmas party at the Ponderosa. We do this each year and so this year too.”

“It would be especially for those two laughers upstairs nice if Santa would drop by”, Candy suggests.

“Who must play for Santa then?”, Ben asks who already knows the answer.

“Little Joe doesn’t come in the considering but Hoss could be a perfect Santa. If he can play for Easter Bunny, then the role of Santa is also something for him”, laughs Candy.

Little Joe starts to laugh too but at first Hoss protests heavily. But a moment later he gives his approvement too.

“Do not say to Rupert and Bill about who Santa is”, says Ben.

“And not to Clem either. He teams up with them”, advises Candy.

He yawns and has trouble to stay awake.

“I think that you better can go to bed too. Tomorrow you must look after Rupert and Bill. We have to work” , the rancher says to him.

“What? I must look after those two bandits? I really won’t survive that, Mr Cartwright”, claims the foreman.

Hoss and Little Joe look at him and must laugh at his reaction. Candy keeps silent, gets his crutches and goes to his bedroom. He thinks smiling, ‘I will get back at them tomorrow.’

The following morning Ben says to his two little guests, “You stay at home after breakfast.”

“Who must look after us then, Mr Cartwright?”, Rupert asks curious.

“Mr Canaday. We must work”, Ben replies calm.

The friends look at each other which makes Candy worried.

Little Joe says, “Candy, then you aren’t alone either.”

“Little Joe!”, Candy just says.

When the Cartwrights are away the friends help with the dishes. Meanwhile Candy installs himself at the office and makes up the guest list for the Christmas party. As soon as Candy is alone with Rupert Bear and Bill Badger he sees his chance clean to take revenge.

He says to them, “You still owe something.”

They look at him but don’t dare anything to say.

The foreman goes on, “I hire you as my hands. You must do what I say.”

“Alright Mr Canaday”, they say at the same time.

They find him very help needed and treat him like that too.

At the table they make the invitations for the Christmas party for the friends of the Cartwrights at the Ponderosa.

“Does the sheriff come too?”, Bill asks at a certain moment.

“I think so. Why you ask that?”, Candy asks on his turn.

“Then we can complain about you to him”, Rupert says laughing.

“Just leave that out of your mind. I think that Mr Cartwright won’t like that either”, Candy reacts strict.

They think that Candy tells the truth and decide to keep silent to the sheriff.

While at the Ponderosa Candy keeps himself busy with Rupert and Bill the Cartwrights are in Virginia City.

In the Silver Dollar Saloon asks Bruno Ben, “Are you still holding the Christmas party at the ranch?”

“Yes sure. Candy is at home busy with the invitations with our two little guests”, replies the rancher.

“Is there something with Candy?”, the barkeeper asks amazed.

“Haven’t you heard yet? Candy is now champion race walking at crutches. He has broken his left ankle”, Little Joe says laughing.

“Don’t pester him so. He already has it so hard at the moment”, is the comment of Hoss.

“You do that just as hard as too”, reacts his brother.

“Hoss, mustn’t you go somewhere else?”, asks Ben at that moment.

Hoss thinks hard and replies then, “Oh yeah. I do see you later.”

He leaves the saloon and goes to the dress maker. On the way he runs into the sheriff.

“Hello Clem”, Hoss says polite.

“Eh Hoss, how is it with Mr Canaday and his two companions?”, Clem asks smiling.

“Good I hope. He is now looking after them. Order from pa. If you want him, he and Little Joe are at the Silver Dollar”, replies Hoss.

“Give Candy my regards”, says Clem and he walks to the saloon.

Meanwhile the snow falls down at Virginia City. It looks like the snow will remain there till after Christmas. When Clem comes into the saloon first he shakes off the snow from him. After that he goes to the bar where the Cartwrights are standing.

“Ha Clem. Also sheltering for the snow?”, asks Little Joe.

“Hello Ben, Joe. I heard of Hoss that Candy must look after those two. Aren’t you a bit hard for Rupert and Bill?”, the sheriff asks smiling.

“I rather think for Candy. He claims that he won’t survive that”, replies the rancher.

“Sometimes Candy can so very exaggerate”, is the reaction of Little Joe.

“It is about time that we go home we again, Joseph. Or otherwise foreman will become deadly worried. Bye Clem”, Ben says smiling.

They leave the saloon and go in the direction of the Ponderosa.

By the snow the Ponderosa has become totally white. The lights outside make sure that a sphere of peace and rest beams out. As cold as it is outside, so warm is it inside.

When Ben and Little Joe ride upon the yard they are speculating about the kind of mood Candy.

“He is overwork according to me”, says Little Joe.

“That sounds a bit overrated to me. Looking after at two little boys is even for him not difficult”, his father reacts sober.

They dismount and a hand puts the horses Buck and Cochise in the stables to take care of them.

When coming inside Ben calls to Hop Sing, “Hop Sing, is there fresh coffee already?”

The cook comes out of the kitchen and says, “Mr Cartwright just wait for coffee. Hop Sing make right away.”

The rancher nods and the cook goes into the direction of the kitchen again.

“Hello boys. Has Mr Canaday looked after you well?”, Ben asks Rupert and Bill.

“No, Mr Cartwright. He is so in command to us”, says Rupert.

“You mustn’t believe them Mr Cartwright. I am not in command to them at all. I swear”, Candy reacts indignant.

“You know that children always tell the truth”, reacts Little Joe.

“Mr Cartwright, must I take that?”, asks the foreman amazed.

“Boys, go and see if Hop Sing has the coffee ready”, Ben says to his little guests.

Both go to the kitchen.

“All goes according to plan. How is it with the guest list and the invitations?”, Ben asks whispering.

“Here is the list and the invitations are on the table. We must keep those two out of the way of the sheriff”, says Candy.

“Why? What have Rupert and Bill done now for Heaven’s sake?”, asks Little Joe.

“They want to complaint to him about the way I treat them”, Candy explains.

The Cartwrights don’t believe him to his big amazing. The foreman gives up and keeps silent.

From the kitchen comes the smell of fresh made coffee. Ben goes to check the guest list in his office. At the settee Candy sits to read when Rupert Bear brings him a cup of coffee.

“Mr Canaday, here is your coffee”, the bear says polite.

“Thank you lad. Do you remember when you were here with your broken ankle? Have I teased you then? I am sure of not”, Candy says seriously.

Rupert nods and says, “You did so.”

The foreman looks amazed at him and says, “I am sure I didn’t!”

Rupert gives up and brings his host a cup of coffee. He leaves the living room.

In the office says Rupert to the rancher, “Mr Cartwright, I didn’t know that Candy was so stubborn. He denies that he teased me when I was here with my broken ankle. He did that though.”

“He knows that too. Her loves to tease you. I think that we should bring the sheriff up to date about it. Don’t you think so too?”, Ben asks while he takes a sip of his coffee.

Rupert nods and goes to the kitchen to get this friend.

“Bill, Mr Cartwright wants to see us. It is about him”, Rupert says softly so that Candy can’t hear it.

They walk to Ben who already has a plan in mind. Little Joe and Candy feel that there is something about to happen.

“Boys, come over here for a second”, the foreman orders them.

The friends stop and look at him.

“You aren’t not going to talk about me. Understood?”, Candy asks a bit strict.

Little Joe gives them unnoticed a wink.

“We really wouldn’t dare that, Mr Canaday”, they claim at the same time.

“Are you coming boys?”, they hear then the rancher asking.

Rupert and Bill put on their coats.

“Joseph, I take them along for a ride with the horses”, Ben says to his youngest son.

“Okay pa. I will keep our patient occupied”, replies Little Joe.

The threesome go outside. Ben gets the reins of the horses. He puts both friends on it.

On the way to Virginia City he explains the whole plan, “We do as follows, you tell Clem what Candy has done to keep you busy. I give him a paper which Candy has signed last night. Clem shall make a document of it in which states officially that Mr Canaday never may tease you ever again.”

“Do you think that Candy will fall for it?”, Bill asks worried.

“You bet. We have done this before with him”, replies Ben.

In the meantime Hoss is trying on his suit as Santa at dressmaker Frank Wilson. Also Wilson has heard the news about Candy.

“I think that now whole Virginia City knows how fast Candy can walk”, says Wilson.

“Don’t let him hear that. He has an answer ready then”, is the comment of Hoss.

Though he finds the situation also laughable.

“Now Candy can come to rest. He has worked far too hard the last couple of weeks. It was his idea to let me play for Santa”, Hoss says when he has tried on the suit.

“You can also say that it is his fault. Are you taking it with you or are you to get it later?”, asks Wilson.

“I come to get it later”, Hoss says and he says goodbye.

Outside he notices how cold it is. That’s why he quickly gets his horse and he rides into the direction of the Ponderosa. Meanwhile the snow falls down in big flakes. This is the cause of it that that Hoss cannot really give his horse Chubb the spurs. Though he comes home soon. After his horse has been out in the stable Hoss enters the warm living room.

“Ha Hoss. If you are looking for pa and/or our two little guests, they are away for a ride”, says Little Joe.

“Is there still coffee left?”, his brother asks while he his hands warms at the burning wood fire.

“Shall I get it?”, Candy asks grinning.

“No, thank you. I get it myself”, Hoss reacts directly.

He walks to the kitchen and pours himself a cup of coffee in.

Back in the living room Hoss says to the foreman, “Your big friend Clem Foster sends his regards.”

Candy casts his eyes down and says sighing, “I could have known that.”

The sheriff is playing patience when the door goes open. The snow waves inside. He doesn’t notice that Ben with Rupert and Bill watches.

“Look boys, so this is the work of a sheriff in Virginia City at a cold winter day”, Ben says to tease Clem.

The friends start to laugh.

“You may not insult a sheriff when he is working, Benjamin Cartwright!”, is the direct reaction of Clem.

Here by they must laugh even harder.

“Boys quiet. Or otherwise Clem won’t believe you”, Ben warns them.

They stop with laughing right away. Clem interrupts his game.

“What can I do for you?”, he asks seriously.

“Tell him what Candy does to you”, says Ben.

“Candy says what we must do. Because he has broken ankle and we have laughed at him for so long we must do his chores”, tells Rupert.

“If I understand well I must step in now”, replies Clem.

Ben nods and gets the empty paper with the signature of Candy from his inside pocket. Clem receives it and makes up the document.

“Would you like to wait outside for a moment?”, Ben asks Rupert and Bill.

They do want that.

“Give this to Candy at the Christmas party. He certainly won’t give a protest. Hoss and Little Joe don’t know about this either. By the way Hoss is playing for Santa”, Ben says at a quiet tone.

Clem nods smiling.

At home the friends play a long time outside. The whole yard lies full of snow and they make a big snow doll. What they don’t see is that Hoss and Little Joe are also coming outside. The Cartwrights sneak out of the kitchen. Little Joe gets some snow and forms a snowball from it. At the sign of his brother he throws it at Bill. This one falls but Rupert takes revenge by throwing a snowball at Little Joe. Soon there is a snowball fight busy between the Cartwrights and their little guests. By the laughter Ben and Candy go to take a look outside.

While they are watching Candy says, “I thought that your sons were grownups all along.”

“I thought so too but it seems that we are wrong about that”, replies his employer.

Suddenly a snowball comes flying in the direction of Candy . He can avoid it just in time. It is suddenly deadly quiet at the yard. The foreman suspects who wanted to pelt him and goes to inside.

He asks Hop Sing, “I almost got pelt but I am not sure by whom. Can you skip the dessert for our little guests and for Hoss and Joe too?”

“Mean of Candy to tease little ones so. Hop Sing not join in your teasing”, reacts the cook.

“What are they doing to me all day? That is certainly allowed, is?”, the foreman asks indignant.

“Candy asks to be teased”, is the answer of Hop Sing.

Candy limps to the living room and goes to read again.

It is quiet around the Ponderosa. Hop Sing is very busy with the preparations for the annual Christmas party that is being held at the ranch. Hereby he gets assisted by Rupert and Bill, who thwart Candy by this. At a certain moment they are alone.

Rupert hears Candy saying to Hoss, “Those two still think that I am still angry with them. Just let them be in that delusion for a while.”

“They are quite quick-witted though. Soon they discover that you have cheated on them”, says Hoss.

“They won’t. Rupert and Bill are afraid for the consequences”, Candy says laughing.

Hoss laughs along and they leave the eating room part. They don’t know that they have been eavesdropped. Rupert whispers the conversation to Bill.

Bill says, “We just ignore Candy.”

They walk to Ben and tell what they have heard.

“Don’t let Candy notice anything. This afternoon you go to Virginia City to deliver the invitations. Just tell the sheriff about that conversation. He will support you”, replies the rancher.

They like that.

After lunch Ben brings his little guests to Virginia City where he leaves them behind with the message, “At four o’clock or Hoss or Little Joe comes to get you again at the office of Clem.”

“Alright. Bye Mr Cartwright”, says Bill.

They watch him go while he rides back to the ranch. The whole afternoon they are busy with delivering the invitations. They deliver the last invitation at the sheriff.

“Sheriff, here is your invitation for the Christmas party at the ranch”, says Rupert.

He gives the card to Clem.

The sheriff gets it and asks, “Thanks boys. Sit down. How is it at the ranch?”

“Alright except the trick which Candy has delivered us”, says Bill.

Clem looks up and asks amazed, “What sort of trick?”

Rupert tells of the eavesdropped conversation.

Clem listens patiently and says then, “That is really something for Candy. We shall make him pay. He gets with Christmas. Till then you are my deputies.”

He gives them each a deputy star.

“They come to get us at four o’clock. May we use this star at Candy?”, asks Rupert.

“Surely at him”, is the answer.

Around 4 o’clock Little Joe comes riding with the wagon into town. He stops in front of the office of the sheriff.

“Clem, there is Little Joe. Shall I say that he may not park there?”, asks Rupert.

The sheriff nods. The bear steps outside.

Little Joe asks him, “Are you and Bill going home with me?”

“Mr Cartwright, you may not park here. That is forbidden by the sheriff”, says Rupert.

“Why?”, Little Joe asks amazed.

He jumps off the wagon and goes inside.

“Clem, what is that for a new rule? May I not even park the carriage or the wagon in front of your office?”, asks the young Cartwright.

“That may not anymore indeed. From today on that is a new rule. Go along with this bandit and keep a close eye on him”, says Clem.

Little Joe leave head shaking the office with Rupert and Bill. They go home quickly.

At home Little Joe says to Ben, “Pa, Clem has made up again a new rule. You may not park a carriage in front of his office anymore.”

“We must keep a close eye on him of Clem because we are the deputies of him”, says Bill.

“So now Little Joe is your target?”, asks Candy.

“You too Mr Canaday. Especially you. The sheriff told us to do so”, replies Rupert.

Candy looks at him dazed and says, “Don’t forget that you are still my hands. Even though you are deputies.”

“Have all invitations been delivered?”, asks Ben.

They nod.

That evening Rupert and Bill get send to bed by Ben shortly after supper. Hoss goes to get his Santa suit. Meanwhile the others take care of the last preparations for the annual Christmas party at the Ponderosa.

“Candy, tomorrow at the party you watch your hands as you call them?”, Ben asks his foreman.

Candy nods. In the house there hangs a strange but relaxed atmosphere.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The annual Christmas party at the Ponderosa is at full speed going on, There is plenty of food and drinks. Everyone is having a great time to great satisfaction of Ben Cartwright.

At a certain moment the sheriff asks Ben, “It is about time that Candy gets that document. Don’t you think so too Ben?”

The rancher nods and asks calling, “May I have some peace and quiet?”

It becomes deadly quiet at once. All present look at Ben and the sheriff.

“Candy, can you come over here for a second?”, Ben asks his foreman.

Candy limps to his boss. He doesn’t notice that Rupert and Bill look at to him. Full of expectation Candy looks at Ben and Clem.

“Mr Canaday, I must admit that the last few days you have been a bother for your nearest entourage. Especially for two innocent boys. In fact you should be going behind bars. But seeing that I don’t want to get a row with Mr Cartwright here, I have put everything in a document. Here you are Mr Canaday. Would you like to read it out loud?”, asks Clem and he gives Candy the document.

Candy goes to sit and reads then out loud,

The foreman looks amazed at the sheriff and asks, “How dare you to deliver me such a rotten thing. Those little ones do know about it for sure?”

“They were in the conspiracy too together with me and Clem. Do you remember a few days ago when I needed your signature? That was for this”, Ben says laughing.

Rupert and Bill come to stand by it.

Rupert says to the foreman, “Mr Canaday, we are sorry that we have laughed at you and teased you.”

“I accept your apology. At 1 condition: that you don’t address me anymore with Mr Canaday but just with Candy”, replies the foreman.

“Deal”, says Rupert.

Bill nods and says, “Alright Mr Canaday.”

“I warn you Bill Badger”, Candy says threatening.

Everyone laughs about it.

“Candy, you know what happens when you tease them”, reacts Clem.

Candy nods. Suddenly Santa appears in the middle.

“Are here two little boys?”, he asks.

“Here are the little culprits”, says Candy while he pushes Rupert and Bill to him.

“I have heard that you have become the victims of a joke played by Candy. To make it up you get this present”, says Hoss alias Santa.

Rupert and Bill each get a belt with a holster.

“Thanks Santa. Now we can really keep an eye on that”, says Rupert.

Again everyone laughs. The only one who can’t appreciate it is Candy. This to great joy of his two ‘hands’.

The holidays are over. Despite that the Cartwrights are looking well after them Rupert and Bill do long for back to Nutwood a bit.

On afternoon Bill says to Ben, “Mr Cartwright, we are going to play outside.”

“Alright boys”, says the rancher.

They dress up warm and go outside. The snow starts to disappear slowly but sure. At some spots it is slippery. The friends make a slide.

Rupert says suddenly, “If Candy slips here he breaks his other ankle too.”

Bill reacts with, “Sure do.”

They yell it out of pleasure. Fortunately there is none of the Cartwrights or Candy present to hear it. Especially Candy would have negative comment about it. But because they must laugh so they slip themselves and lose the consciousness. Sometime later they wake up. To their joy they are back in Nutwood again.

“Bill, we are back again in Nutwood. They shall be very worried about us at home”, says Rupert.

At that moment Father Bear finds both boys.

“So, there are you then. We are looking for you for days”, says Father Bear.

There has passed a few days since their ‘disappearing’.

“We were at the Ponderosa, father”, Rupert tells excited while they walk home.

There wait Mother Bear and Miss Badger full of worry for the return of their little sons. In detail Rupert and Bill what they have experienced the last couple of days.