The Hostage

Springtime in The Smokies

It's springtime in the cove, and Christy sees the hand of God reflected everywhere, especially in the faces of her children. Christy helps Mountie with her recital of "The Cat and the Fiddle" and when David arrives, she leads the children in song . . .

A House "Warming" Party

God doesn't seem so wonderful, however, to Jonas Tatem, who sobs as he tosses several shovelfuls of dirt upon a casket which has been placed in a newly dug grave. After finishing the gruesome task, he dulls the pain with a swig of moonshine from a jug resting on his cabin porch. He then douses the cabin with the remainder of the brew, lights a torch and throws the blazing stick into the cabin. As Jonas leaves the homestead, the cabin bursts into flames and explodes as the fire comes in contact with the liquor . . .

It's a Pleasure to Meet You . . . I Think?

Christy and David take a break on their journey to Lufty Branch and relax by the river. They joke about the first time that Christy attempted the journey to the outpost services when Theo decided to sit halfway through his attempt to cross the river. Neil rescued her from the water and while her clothes were drying, he gave Christy one of his wife's dresses to wear. David vividly remembers the lavender color of the dress because it set off her eyes and made his task of leaving very difficult. Christy assures David that she's perfectly capable of making the journey to Lufty Branch by herself but David isn't so sure. He wonders why Christy must always try to prove how much better she is than a man when she knows that she already is. Their gab session is interrupted by the appearance of Jonas who requests directions to Neil's cabin. With his left arm safely hidden beneath his coat, he tells them that he was thrown off of his horse and has broken his shoulder. He wants to travel to Neil's cabin alone but Christy insists that she and David accompany him there. Jonas finally relents and stares at David who in turn, gives Jonas a rather suspicious look . . .

Marriage Is a Blessed State

As Christy, David and Jonas ride toward Neil's place, David tells Jonas that he'd hoped they'd find his horse by now. Jonas just shrugs and tells David that the horse is probably long gone by now. After discovering that David is single, Jonas praises the institution of marriage and notes that there is nothing like the love of a good woman . . .

Bearer of Bad News

Uncle Bogg arrives as Neil's place as the doctor is preparing to leave for the McHone's. When the area gossip comments about Rebecca Holt's new "bundles" of joy and asks about Tom McHone's ear infection, Neil humorously notes that there certainly isn't anything wrong with Bogg's ears. Neil is stunned when Bogg informs him of the death of Ellie Tatem. Although Ellie had trouble when she lost her son in childbirth, she was fine when Neil checked on her a couple of days ago. Bogg tells Neil that her husband, Jonas, is taking her death very hard . . .

A Quick Recovery

During the journey to Neil's, David glances back and sees Jonas push a low-hanging branch out of his face with his "bad" arm. He quickly hides his arm beneath his coat but David is on to him . . .

A Textbook Doctor

Alice returns to the mission and excitedly relates the news of the birth of Rebecca Holt's twins to Daniel. Daniel is not enthusiastic as he feels that Miss Alice has more of an opportunity to practice medicine that he does. Alice explains that his exclusion from attending the birth has nothing to do with his color as it is customary for a midwife to attend to births unless it is a difficult delivery. Alice urges Daniel to be patient when he continues to bemoan the fact that he can't learn medicine just from books . . .

The Game Is Over

Upon arriving at Neil's cabin, Christy discovers, after several unanswered knocks, that Neil isn't home. David orders her to go inside and fetch some bandages while he attends to Mr. Tatem's wounds. Christy doesn't like the sound of David's voice but doesn't argue with him. Down by the river, David informs Jonas that he's on to his little injury charade and Jonas acknowledges his accusation with a punch to David's face. The two struggle near the water and just as David appears to be gaining the upper hand, Jonas pulls out a gun and shoots him. Christy jumps when she hears the gunshot and rushes outside to see David tumble into the river. She tries to rescue him but Jonas grabs her and drags her away as David's body floats downstream . . .

A "Small" Problem

Jonas pushes Christy inside Neil's cabin and warns her not to provoke him into shooting her. Christy begs the man to let her search for David but Jonas says no and shoves her into a chair. A frightened Christy begins to pray which only antagonizes Mr. Tatem further. When Sam Houston knocks on the cabin door, Christy tells the boy to go away. Sam Houston persists and Christy urges Jonas to let her talk to him. Jonas agrees to let her speak to Sam face to face but warns her if she gives him away that he'll kill both of them. Christy opens the door and Sam excitedly tells her about his latest arrowhead find, which he's eager to share with Dr. MacNeill. She promises to relay the message and tells Sam not to wait as she isn't sure how long Neil will be gone. Sam is reluctant to leave until Christy tells the boy that Neil has probably gone fishing overnight. Jonas is upset when he learns that Neil will be gone overnight until Christy offers to take him to Neil's favorite fishing hole. While gathering fruit from the table to take on their journey, Christy yanks the chain and cross off her neck and drops it on the floor of the cabin. As the two of them leave the cabin, Christy is startled when she sees Sam Houston who is still waiting for Neil's return. When Jonas reveals his plan to take the boy along with them, Christy uselessly begs him to change his mind. She explains to Sam that the man has business to discuss with Neil and that they are going to help him find the doctor. Christy tells the bewildered youngster that he is going to have to be very brave . . .

Kiddie Talk

Downstream, David who is laying face down and unconscious in the water, awakens. As they ride to Neil's fictitious fishing spot, Christy tries to strike up a conversation with Jonas. When she asks Mr. Tatem if he has any children, she is told to mind her own business . . .

Quick Fix

With one hand over his bleeding shoulder, David staggers inside Neil's cabin and searches through the array of medicines for a bottle of antiseptic. With a grimace, he pours the entire contents of the bottle over his wound and wraps a bandage around his shoulder to stop the bleeding. As he exits the cabin, he pauses and grabs a gun from the wall . . .

Petticoat Junction

When Jonas stops his horse to ask for directions, Christy tears off a piece of her petticoat and places it on a tree branch as a clue to their whereabouts. Sam, who is riding on the back of Jonas's horse, watches her and wisely says nothing . . .

Depressing News

After treating Tom's ear infection, Mary McHone offers to pay Neil with a bushel of corn. Eager to check on Ellie Tatem, Neil refuses her offer. Mary informs the good doctor that he won't find Mr. Tatem at home as he burned his cabin to the ground and took off. When Neil looks at Mary in disbelief she tells him that Tom's sister lives near the cabin and told him that Jonas went crazy after his wife killed herself. Mary mentions that a bottle of laudanum was found by Ellie's bedside, the same medicine that was prescribed for her after she lost her baby. She reminds Neil of his warning to her not to take too much of the sedative . . .

Doctor Death?

Christy tries to reason with Jonas, assuring him that any misunderstanding with Neil can be cleared up. Jonas assures Miss Huddleston that there is no misunderstanding and informs her that Neil is responsible for the death of his wife. Meanwhile, David, who is searching for their trail, discovers two hoof prints. Christy tries to convince Mr. Tatem that Dr. MacNeill didn't kill his wife but Jonas tells her that the medicine that Neil gave Ellie to make her well was the poison that killed her. Suddenly, Jonas stops when he sees a church in the nearby clearing. Jonas dismounts his horse and stares at the structure and wonders where they are. While Mr. Tatem ponders their whereabouts, Christy and Sam try to escape but unfortunately, Jonas manages to grab Sam before they are able to get away. Christy pleads with Mr. Tatem to let them go and points out that he would be long gone by the time they returned to the mission. Jonas wants to return to Neil's cabin but Christy argues that David would have been found by now. Jonas is upset and confused and isn't sure what the right thing is to do. When Christy tries to make a suggestion, Jonas points his gun at her and tells her to shut up . . .

A Dear Neil Letter

Jonas drags his hostages into an abandoned cabin. Christy mentions to her captor how close she is to Neil and proposes that she write a letter and have Sam deliver it to the doctor. Jonas isn't fooled by her suggestion and points out that Neil will return with an army of men. When Christy suggests that she tell the doctor to come alone, Jonas warms up to the idea of writing a letter, especially the part where Neil would trade his life for hers. Christy tells Mr. Tatem that he misunderstood her, she only wants him to listen to Neil and let him explain what happened to his wife. Jonas won't listen to reason; he feels that Neil killed his wife and that he shouldn't be allowed to get away with murder . . .

Something Wicked This Way Comes

When Fairlight comes to Neil's with a basket of herbs, she stops in her tracks when she sees the overturned furniture and splattering of blood on the opened book. Daniel's appearance startles her and she grabs a large stick to defend herself. Daniel calms her down and after glancing around the disheveled cabin asks the frightened woman what happened. Fairlight tells Mr. Scott that whatever it was, it's something terrible . . .

Missing in Action

Back at the mission, Neil stares at a bottle of laudanum while Alice tries to console him. Neil can't believe that he, a man who is suppose to be a doctor, would give a severely depressed woman a sedative. Alice assures him that he isn't at fault for the woman was troubled even before the death of her child. Her words do little to console Neil who claims that he kills more people than he helps. Alice tells Neil that he's neither a miracle worker nor God but a very good doctor in spite of what she may have said in the past. The phone rings and Ruby Mae hurries to answer it. Daniel rushes inside the mission and informs the doctor that someone has lost a lot of blood at his cabin. Ruby Mae hands Alice the phone and tells her that it's El Pano. After listening to the caller, Alice hangs up the phone and announces that Christy and David never made it to Lufty Branch. As they start to organize a search party, John Holcombe and Uncle Bogg burst in with the news that Sam Houston, who was out searching for arrowheads around Neil's place, never came home for supper. They quickly organize the search, leaving Daniel to wait for news at the mission . . .

Plan B

That evening, Jonas starts a small fire in the cabin while Christy and Sam lay on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs. When Jonas starts brooding by the window, Christy softly whispers to Sam, asking him if he has an arrowhead in his possession. Jonas hears their voices and wonders if Christy is trying to pull another trick. Christy tries to play the innocent but she realizes that Jonas discovered her earlier attempt to mark the trail when he displays the torn pieces of petticoat that he found when he watered the horses. When Sam starts to cry, Christy begs Mr. Tatem to allow her to tell the boy a story to calm him down. Jonas agrees and while she tells the story, Sam slips the arrowhead out of his pocket and hands it to her. Turning so that her front is to Jonas, Christy retrieves the arrowhead from Sam. Jonas cuts the story short and tells the two to go to sleep. Sam falls into a troubled doze but Christy is unable to sleep and can only pray that David is all right . . .

Dear Neil

The next morning, Christy pens a letter to Neil, reading aloud the words to Jonas as she writes them. Sam returns from watering the horses in time to see Jonas roughly retie Christy's hands behind her back. After Christy assures Sam that Mr. Tatem won't hurt him, Jonas forces Sam to read Christy's letter aloud. Christy tries to hint to Sam not to read the last line but Jonas urges the boy to read the entire letter. Jonas becomes angry when he hears that the last line in the letter tells Neil to bring help and that the cabin is surrounded by woods and he grabs Sam and instructs him to tell Neil to come alone and to come quick . . .

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

That morning, when Fairlight arrives to teach the children in Christy's place, they worry that their beloved teacher will never return. Fairlight urges them all to keep the faith and passes out a piece of Christy's special paper to each student. She instructs them to write a letter to Christy, Sam, and David to tell each of them just how special they are. When Mountie bemoans the fact that she can't write, Fairlight confesses that she can't either and encourages the little girl to draw a picture of Christy in her classroom. Fairlight smiles as the students eagerly begin their assignment . . .

Two Home One to Go

When Alice and Neil see David stumble out of the woods they rush over to him. Inside, Neil examines the wound and notes that although a lot of blood was lost, the bullet passed cleanly through. David explains that he followed the trail until there were no more markers and managed to sleep through the night. He tries to get up to resume his search for Christy but Alice holds him down saying that he did the right thing in returning to the mission. As Alice begins to bandage his shoulder, a commotion starts outside and the trio hurry to see what is going on. When the community sees a disheveled Sam on horseback with Daniel, they assume that the man is responsible for his appearance. Sam quickly explains that he fell down while he was running and Daniel fixed him up. He then announces that his teacher has been kidnapped . . .

So Much for Plan B

While Jonas delivers Sam to the mission, Christy manages to cut her ropes with the aid of the arrowhead. She runs to the door and opens it only to find that Jonas Tatem has returned. After he throws her against the cabin wall, she hits him and tries to escape. Jonas manages to catch her and after a struggle he tells her to get inside . . .

A Promise Is a Promise Unless Made Under Duress

Sam tells Neil that Jonas plans to kill Christy if he doesn't come quickly and alone. When John asks his son if he's holding back any information, Sam hesitates and tells his father that he promised not to tell. After Alice assures Sam that a promise made under duress has no power at all, Sam tells the group that Christy told him to bring help . . .

Was It Something I Said?

Back inside the abandoned cabin, Jonas is furious at Christy for trying to escape. He kicks the door and throws some furniture and tells Christy that men just can't trust women for when they promise to stick by you they only turn around and leave. When Christy points out that Ellie didn't leave him that she died, Jonas tells her that his wife didn't kill herself. Christy quickly agrees with Jonas but the tone of Christy's voice leads Mr. Tatem to believe that Christy is blaming him for his wife's death and he angrily points the gun at her . . .

What Part of "Alone" Don't You Understand?

Ignoring Sam's instructions that Neil should go to the cabin alone, the men grab their guns and head off to the rescue. Neil tries to stop them, reminding them of Jonas's warning but to no avail. Alice tries to prevent David from accompanying them but he insists on going. Daniel offers to give him a ride and everyone heads toward the cabin . . .

Rescue 911, Cove Style

Jonas asks Christy why his wife would want to kill herself for they were happy together before the baby came. Times were hard but it wasn't his fault and his wife could have shaken herself out of her depression. Christy assures Jonas that his wife's death was neither his nor Neil's fault. She tells him that he was a good man who loved his wife and son and that she understands how it feels to lose a child, how it can make a person do desperate things. Jonas looks at Christy in disbelief for how can she understand what it's like to lose a child when she isn't even married. Christy tells Mr. Tatem the story of her little sister, Amelia, who died of scarlet fever when she was two. Christy explains that when her sister died she also blamed everyone for her death. Jonas thinks that she understands his actions but Christy quickly explains that she learned that no one was to blame for her sister's death. Amelia didn't really die for she lives on in her heart and in every child in her classroom. Their discussion is interrupted by Neil's voice outside stating that he came alone as instructed. Jonas opens the door a crack and at first sees only Neil's lone figure but quickly discovers the presence of the others when one of them fires a shot. Enraged, Jonas slams the door and warns them that he told Neil to come alone and that he'll kill the first man who comes any closer. Alice is appalled at the men's behavior and berates them for believing that they have the right to take a life that God has created. She tells them that Jonas deserves their compassion not their judgment. Neil, too, begs them to put down their weapons and urges them to think about Christy and what might happen to her. When David chimes in, Christy is overjoyed when she hears his voice, and tells Jonas that he isn't guilty of murder. When the men cock their guns and aim them at the cabin, Alice angrily reminds them that God is watching their actions and if they commit this terrible sin it will be a stain on their lives forever. Alice's words finally sink in and the men lower their guns. Inside, Christy tells Jonas that he isn't alone for he has friends both inside the cabin and out. Finally, Jonas unties Christy and hands her the gun . . .

Caroline Kent