Summary:  Little Joe and friends managed to arrange “the grandest sight the town has ever seen”, and it only required a little deceit and disobeying.  This prequel was written for the 3rd Quarter 2025 Chaps & Spurs Challenge where the required words were wreck, eruption, wall, declaration, launched. Rating: Teen  Word Count: 5822 

 

Fireworks, Friends, and Innocent Prayers 

by DJK

 

“It will be the grandest sight the town has ever seen!”  Little Joe’s declaration rang out clear and sure.  “Adam says you can see ‘em for miles around.  I’m telling ya the whole territory is liable to take note.”  

“Just as long as none of our fathers take note.”  Tuck’s observation was softer and carried his lack of confidence.  

“They’ll never know.”  Little Joe was quick to reassure his friend.  

“They might suspect.”  Mitch was chewing on his lower lip.  

“How many times do I gotta tell you suspecting and knowing are two different things.  Others will be suspecting all sorts of fellows, some lots older and maybe drunk.  If we don’t leave no evidence and keep our mouths shut, we’ll be fine.  Sherrif Roy will be looking for somebody with money in his pockets.  Everybody knows we ain’t got nothing but gullyfluff in ours except on Saturdays.  Pa and Adam say all the time how money don’t spend no time in my pockets.  They think I can’t save a red cent.  They don’t know it just takes the proper reason.”  

The twins both nodded.  Their mother was always despairing of her sons’ spendthrift ways.  

“Besides, the peddler having some to buy right here where nobody much has ever even seen ‘em and Tuck having money from his grandpa at the same time is a sign that it was meant to be.  Our folks won’t think we had any way of buying them.”  

“About the money…”  Tuck swallowed.  “My folks…” 

 “Don’t ask to see it every day, now do they?” 

 “No, but…”

“You told them you were starting to save for college to pay for the extra things just like Adam did.  They won’t even think about you using it for a prank, and we all agreed to save up and pay you back all but your share.”  

“I know, and I’m willing.  It’s just…”  Tuck took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.  He took the five-dollar gold piece from his pocket and thrust it at Little Joe. “Here!”  

Joe took the money and gave Tuck a large grin.  “Good fellow!  It will be fine; you’ll see.  It ain’t like we’re doing something illegal.  It won’t be; it’ll just be a little disturbing to some, and, well, we’ll have to be a little disobedient, but that’s not much.”  

“Ain’t like it’ll be the first time.”  Mitch’s observation brought nods and chuckles.  All the boys pushed memories of the times they had been caught in disobedience into the recesses of their minds.  

“Mitch and I’ll go buy them from the peddler just as soon as we all swear on our eternal honor never to tell a soul that we done it.”  

“The peddler will know who bought ‘em.”  Mitch’s entire body twitched.  

“The peddler will be long gone before we get it all set up and by the time he comes back around, if he ever does, nobody’s gonna ask him about selling something ages before.”  

“I suppose not.”  

“Look, fellows, there’s a risk in everything.  Tell me now if you’re afraid to take this one.”  

Glances darted from one boy to another.  In the end, none of the group was brave enough to back down in front of the others.  Vows of silence were taken on Tuck’s pocket testament, and Little Joe and Mitch darted off to find the peddler. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

They found the peddler’s wagon in the alley next to the Bucket of Blood with nobody else around. The peddler was irritated at the intrusion and dismissive of the boys’ request until Little Joe flashed Tuck’s gold piece; then he turned quite helpful.  Three large fireworks were purchased, the peddler threw in several strings of firecrackers, and a half dollar was received in change as Adam had taught both his younger brothers about dickering.  Everything was stuffed in a burlap sack that they had picked up in the trash outside of the livery.  

“Where are we gonna hide ‘em, Joe?”  Mitch deferred to Little Joe’s leadership in the plot as it had been Joe’s idea.  

“I’ve been thinking on that, and I’ve got just the place.”  Little Joe grinned.  

“You do?”  

“At our old cabin.”  

“Don’t your pa keep it locked up?”  

“Yea, but not the root cellar, and there’s an old metal bin attached to the stone wall down there that’ll keep them dry and safe.  Nobody goes there much, and even if somebody did, everything there looks swept clean and empty because it is.”  

“It’s on your land.  We said they should be somewhere not attached to anyone of us.”  

“It’s not like our houses or barns or even a line shack.  The root cellar doesn’t lock, so anybody could use it for stashing.”  Little Joe watched Mitch chew his lower lip.  “Nobody’s gonna look there let alone find them.  If they do, then it just wasn’t meant to be.”  

“Okay.  We better get back to your wagon.  Adam said before noon, and it’s almost that now.  The boys made it to the wagon before Adam and had the sack safely hidden before he arrived.  They weren’t afraid that the sack would be found when the wagon was unloaded because the price of Adam bringing them to town was that they would be unloading the wagon except for one barrel and two sacks of feed.  They would see that Hoss unloaded those first.  Adam smiled when he saw they had actually arrived on time and took them to the cafe for lunch. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Over the next two weeks the conspirators spent any time they had together plotting and making countless revisions to their plan.   

“Do you think us all being together the night it happens will have folks thinking it was us?”  Mitch knew his parents always suspected mischief quicker if he and Little Joe were together.  

“It being us is gonna cross some folks minds no matter what.  If we’re all supposed to be in our beds, well, Tuck and the twins living in town is gonna get them caught for sure when their folks hear the commotion and look for them before they can get back. My pa and your folks won’t hear about it tell morning, but you know when either of us has any of those boys staying over, some adult is bound to check at least once in the night if not more, especially if they don’t hear no noise.  We all have to be somewhere our folks can’t check.  If we’re out camping overnight, they may wonder, but they won’t be able to check and know for sure we probably done it.”  

“Joe’s right.”  The twins nodded agreement with Tuck’s statement.  “I’m just not sure we can get permission to camp out overnight.”  

“That is gonna be the hardest part.”  

Little Joe chewed his lower lip.  “If I can work my pa around, and he does the asking, we’ve got a chance.”  

“My pa will agree if your pa does.”  Mitch seemed confident.  

“We can get our mama to bring Papa around if you and Little Joe both get permission.  She has a real high opinion of Mr. Ben.”  

“Tuck?”  Little Joe knew Tuck’s father was the strictest of the lot.  

“I…  I think maybe I’ve got a way.”  Tuck sighed.  “If we get caught, I’m never going to be able to do nothing ever again because my father won’t trust me.”  

“Then we just can’t get caught.”  Little Joe gave Tuck’s shoulder a squeeze.  “We all will do our best to keep you out of it if something happens.  Besides, if anybody starts in asking questions, we just laugh and say as how we wished we’d had the money to do it.  Not having any money is going to be our saving grace.”  

“Tuck’s folks know he has some money.” 

“They know Tuck’s real committed to going to college.”  Little Joe gave an exaggerated sigh. “We’ve already hoed this row.”  

The boys relaxed.  It was true that none of their families would think that the boys could scrape up enough money to buy one firework let alone three, and probably nobody would think of Tuck’s grandfather’s gift as actual spending money.  

“You do have a plan for getting your Pa’s permission, don’t you, Joe?”  Mitch had decided to move on. 

Little Joe grinned.  “I got a plan, and Adam and Hoss are gonna help me, even if they don’t know that they are.” 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Little Joe dropped his chin and let his overly long hair shield his eyes.   He knew his elder brother and pa were close enough to hear if he spoke clearly to Hoss, and that – as much as both reprimanded him for eavesdropping- they would be listening.  

“Pa just don’t trust me like he does you and Adam.” Joe let his voice tremble, and then he sighed.  “I guess he never will.” 

“Now, Short Shanks, that ain’t so.  Pa trusts you about a lot of things.” 

“No, he don’t!  Not about important things.  Why…”  Joe let his voice break.  “He thinks I can’t keep out of trouble.  You all do!” 

“Now, Punkin, it ain’t really that way.”  Hoss put his hand on his little brother’s shoulder.   

“Then what way is it?  Uh?  I can’t even go camping overnight with my friends because Pa don’t trust me.  You and Adam both went camping alone at my age.  You near about lived out in the woods at least in the summer.  Adam went with Ross all the time, and they got in trouble together, but Pa kept letting him.”  

“Now, things were a bit different…” 

“The only difference is Pa trusts you and Adam, and he don’t trust me because he thinks I’m bad.”  Little Joe shook off his brother’s hand and ran off toward the barn.  

Hoss sighed and looked around as his elder brother and father approached.  “Little Joe…”  

“We heard.”  Adam turned toward his father.  “Joe’s just upset that you didn’t give him permission to spend the night camping with his friends.  He’ll get over it.”  

“Will he?”  Ben sighed.  

“All them boys…well, they’re all good boys.”  Hoss slipped the observation smoothly in front of his father.  

“They are; it’s just that in a group they sometimes get… um, carried away.”  

“Well, they have done a few things.”  Hoss was glad that there were a few instances his pa had not yet found out about.  “Most boys get into a little mischief growing up.”  

“You’ve gotten into very little so far.”  It was Adam who made that observation. 

 Hoss grinned.  “Besides a couple of brothers, I ain’t hardly ever had anybody to pull me into mischief.  Mischief ain’t half the fun when you’re in it alone.” 

 “True.”  Adam grinned.  “If it hadn’t been for Ross, I would have a spotless record.” 

 Ben Cartwright cleared his throat and sent his eldest a what-did-you-just- say look.    Ben rubbed his chin.  “Perhaps…” 

 “You might reconsider?  I think all of those boys learned a lesson the last time.  Actually, I can think of something that might, well, give us less reason to worry.”  Adam tugged his right ear and exchanged a look with Hoss. 

 “Would you like to tell me what?” 

 “Well, it’s something between brothers.  I’m sure you remember what it was like between you and Uncle John.” 

 “I do.”  Something in Ben’s eyes told his sons that there might be things their father was remembering that would not help their cause.  “Well, I don’t like Joseph feeling the way he does.  Perhaps, I should at least give him a chance to present his side of things.” 

 “Ya could talk to him and see how he takes the rules ya set down for him and the boys, and if ya let him, I’m thinking he’ll want to live up to you trusting him.”  Hoss added an encouraging smile. 

 “It seems I need to talk to your brother.”  Ben strode off toward the barn. 

 Hoss looked at Adam.  “What brother promise are ya gonna get out of Joe?” 

 “No tobacco and no liquor.” 

 “Good!  Better throw in no firearms, there’s plenty around here for ‘em to borrow.” 

 “Right.” 

 “Joe ain’t never broken a true brother promise.  If we can take those three things out of the mix, there shouldn’t be no more risk of real trouble than there ever is when that pack is alone together.” 

 “The both of us will talk to Joe then if he brings Pa around?” 

 “Yeah.   Then we’ll tell Pa just enough to keep him from fretting all night.”  Hoss smiled again, and the brothers headed into the house. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

“Pa’s gonna talk to all the fathers, so if the lot of you can do your part, four days from now we’ll have our chance.”  Little Joe grinned.  “Um, just so ya know, I had to promise Adam and Hoss no tobacco, no liquor, no firearms.”  

Mitch shook his head.  “We don’t have no money for any of that anyway and none of us believe in stealing.    We won’t have time for that kind of fooling around neither.”  

“That’s why it’ll be an easy promise to keep.”  Joe’s grin broadened.  “Now, the deal is we have to camp near the old cabin, so if there’s bad weather or something we can go down in the root cellar and snug up.” 

 “The old cabin?”  Mitch chuckled, and the other boys joined in.   

 “Yeah, we have permission to go into the root cellar.  Permission for fishing but not hunting, and we can’t go swimming after dark.”   

 “Well, then we won’t be doing much actual disobeying, will we?”  Tuck smiled; walking a fine line was not the same as plowing right across it. 

 “No, we won’t, only leaving the campsite without permission. We’ll hardly be doing anything wrong at all.” 

 “We meet after chores?” 

 “Yeah.  And Hop Sing is gonna send plenty of provisions.” 

 Hop Sing’s anticipated contributions brought a cheer from both of the twins as well as Mitch. 

 “Can he send some of his cookies?  Molasses and ginger would be best.” 

 “Or them chocolate ones with the nuts.” 

 “Sure.  Probably both and some of his lemon ones too, and he won’t want me bringing back even one.” 

 “Don’t have to worry about that!” 

 The boys heard their folks calling and ran off to join their families for the return home from church. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Thursday, the twins were the last to arrive at the lake.  “Nobody’s gonna be wondering where we are until near lunch tomorrow.”  The two swung down from their shared horse.   “Our mama sent some food along too.” 

 “So did Mitch and Tuck’s mamas.  You know, if we eat everything they and Hop Sing sent, we’re liable to sink straight to the bottom of the lake if we even try to go swimming.” 

 “Well, then we better go swimming before we start eating.  We got plenty of time before we need to head to town.”  The other four boys gave Tuck’s suggestion a rousing cheer of agreement and started shedding their clothes as they ran toward the lake. 

 Later as they lay drying in the late afternoon sun and munching on Hop Sing’s cookies, Tuck sighed.  “Even if we weren’t gonna do nothing else but stay camping this would have been a real fine idea.” 

 “Yeah.”  Agreement echoed around the group. 

 Little Joe sat up.  “Mmmm, we… well, we don’t have to do nothing else really but have the good time our folks agreed for us to have.”  The other four boys stilled. 

 “We paid a lot for them fireworks, Joe.”  Mitch’s observation was hesitant and softly voiced. 

 “I know, and well, if we don’t… well, it will take some time, but I’ll see to it that everybody gets all the money they put in back.”  Little Joe did not mention that he was probably the only one of them who could afford to cover the loss.  “It’s not like they’ll rot or anything.  I’ll put them to use sometime or some way where the other price won’t be so high.” 

 “You said how Adam said they are really something to see.” Joe was not sure which twin had spoken, so he looked at them both as he answered. 

 “He did.  He saw them more than once when he was back East.” 

 “And Hop Sing told you that they have been making and using them for hundreds of years back in China, so they must be safe.”  Tuck always was the one most responsible about being safe. 

 “Yeah, they have, so they must be, and we’re gonna be real careful, so things go right, and we don’t wreck nothing nor start any fires.  Hoss and Adam have trained me real well about fire safety.” 

 “Our pa too.”  The twins had also risen into a seated position. 

 “I’ve been thinking how some folks might even think of it like, well, like a gift to the folks of the town.  You know, to get to see something like that.”  Mitch looked around at the faces of the other boys. 

 “Yeah, they might.” 

 “Joe?”   The question as to why Little Joe would consider not following through with the plan hung in the air. 

 “There ain’t no way to guarantee we won’t get caught or found out and if we do…”  Joe paused and licked his lips.  “It ain’t the tannings, though that will be bad, it’s, well, losing our folks trust even for a while… that’s a mighty price to pay.” 

 A minute passed in silence. 

 “Yeah, but…”  Tuck took a deep breath.  “I’m ready if all of you are.” 

 The boys all nodded and started to dress. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

“I thought ya told Pa we might not make it home tonight.”  Hoss had heard Adam tell their father that they might have to spend the night at the lumber camp.  

“Things went more smoothly than expected for once.”  Adam finished tightening his cinch. 

 “Must’ve been real smoothly considering we’re gonna be home way before dinner.”  Hoss gave his brother a raised eyebrow. 

 “Not if we take a slightly longer route.” 

 “One that will take us by the lake right around the old cabin?” 

 “Well, if we tell Pa that things seem fine, it will help set his mind at rest.” 

 “Adam, if Little Joe sees us…” 

 “Perhaps it would be better if he didn’t see us.” 

 “That’s sneaky and untrusting.” 

 “No sneakier than our baby brother and his friends have been known to be.” 

 “Well, yeah, but I thought we was trusting him this time.” 

 “We will verify and then trust.  We’ll both sleep better that way.”  Hoss shook his head.  “Don’t you tell me that you haven’t been considering it.” 

 Hoss shrugged.  “I’ve got faith though.” 

 “Keep that faith and think of us as Joe’s guardian angels.  Unseen and protective guardian angels.” 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Adam and Hoss arrived at the lake and took a hidden position that gave them a direct view of the cabin.  They were in time to see the boys saddling their horses. 

 Adam snorted.  “They’re headed out.” 

 “The question is ‘headed where’?” 

 “Care to guess?”  

 “Give it a few minutes.”  They did.  “To town.” 

 “Now why do you suppose they have a sudden desire to go to town?  Nobody appears injured, ill, or endangered.” 

 Hoss shrugged.  Adam turned to remount, but Hoss stopped him with a hand on his arm.  “Don’t.” 

 “Don’t what?  Put an end to an obviously planned escapade?” 

 “Maybe it’s just a harmless bit of mischief.” 

 “You think we should ignore…” 

 “Remember when you and Ross, and that kid with the glasses…” 

 “Albert.” 

 “Yeah, Albert.  Remember when the three of you took it into your heads to sneak off hunting treasure up to…” 

 “Of course.  Wait!”  Adam turned to stare at Hoss.  “You don’t know about that!” 

 “Sure, I do.”  Hoss grinned.  “Knew about it before you headed out.” 

 “But…”  Adam sputtered.  “You were eavesdropping!” 

 “I was keeping quiet ‘cause I was watching a fox and her kits.  The three of you were too busy trying to make sure that Pa and Ma neither one heard ya to pay me no mind.” 

 Adam snorted and then relaxed.  “I’m not surprised that you didn’t tell Pa, but…” 

 “Thought about blackmailing ya into taking me along.” 

 “That wouldn’t have surprised me either.  Why didn’t you?” 

 “Thought better of it.  It just… well, it just seemed like I should let ya do with your friends that once.  Prayed a lot while ya was gone that Pa wouldn’t catch ya.”  Hoss’s grin widened.  “That’s probably the reason he didn’t, my innocent prayers.” 

 “You can rest assured that you weren’t the only one praying those prayers.” 

 “I imagine those boys are sending some like prayers God’s way.” 

 “If they’re not, they should be. You’re dancing around the bush about something.” 

 “I know ya think ya got to keep ‘em safe…” 

 “Don’t you?” 

 “Yeah, and it worries me some… what might happen if what they’re planning goes sidesways and one of them gets hurt, but…  well… maybe it’s just…” Hoss shrugged as his voice faded. 

 “You wish that just once it might have been you and a group of friends.”  Adam knew that Hoss had never really had the opportunity to have a friendship like Adam’s with Ross and Joe’s with Mitch let alone having a whole set of friends like Little Joe.  The children around when Hoss was growing always seemed to be significantly older or younger or girls. 

 “Like I said mischief ain’t as fun when you’re in it alone.”  Hoss’s face grew serious.  “Maybe… well, maybe Joe would like a chance at not having two big brothers that are near as protective as a mama bear with her cubs.” 

 Adam rubbed the bridge of his nose and then tugged his left ear.  “We could follow on the sly and keep an eye out.  If it’s something harmless like soaping a few windows, well, then we let things be and keep our brother’s secret.”  Hoss nodded.  “But if it looks like…” 

 “Them mama bears have a real reason to worry, then we swoop right in.”  Hoss smiled and then gave Adam a nudge with his elbow.  “Even then we try to keep Pa out of it?” 

 Adam returned his smile.  “Yeah.   If that happens, you can tan two of them, and I’ll take care of the other three.” 

 “Adam!” 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Little Joe slipped from the saddle and tied his mount firmly.  His fellow conspirators did the same making sure that none of the horses could be seen from the road.  Gathering their supplies, they rehashed their plan in soft whispers. 

“Everyone got their lucifers?”  Little Joe kept his voice to a whisper. 

“Sure.”  

“Yeah.” 

“Of course, we do.” 

“Then we just need to fill the pails.  Tuck, are you sure that we picked the best spots?” 

“I worked it all out.  They should meet just as they go off.”  Tuck was the best mathematician in the school.  Even Adam thought he’d do fine in college especially at mathematics. 

“Jeff and Jeb, you know…” 

“We know.  We know.  We each got a watch, so we’ll be sink… sink..cro…” 

“Synchronized.”  Little Joe supplied Adam’s word for matched timing.   

“Yea, that.”  Jeb looked at his twin.  “We set them off and get the people coming out, and a minute later  Kaboooom!”   

“The two of you best hot foot it….” 

“We will.  We will, and if it looks like we can’t make it, we’ll hide out ‘til we can sneak back.  We know every hidey-hole and backway in this town.” 

“Okay.  Let’s get set up.”  Little Joe gave the final order like a general deploying his troops. 

The boys scattered without noticing they were now under observation. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Adam and Hoss stood silently hidden on the residential edge of town. The boys had stopped just beyond the farthermost homes.  

“They’re filling water pails.”  Hoss spoke into his brother’s ear.  They could see the boys but could not hear any exchanges. 

“Yeah.  Now, just what are they planning to douse?”  Adam’s face held a frown. 

“Water don’t do no real damage.”  Hoss was not frowning, but his face held no smile. 

“Fire does. They’re each carrying something.  Three of them are anyway.  Can you see what?” 

“Ain’t got a clue.  The twins just lit out into town.” 

“The other three are splitting up.  I don’t…” 

“They’re staying on the ground, so nobody’s gonna fall and break their neck.” 

“I don’t know…  I don’t like…”  Adam stared through the night and tugged his right ear.  He and Hoss watched intently for a few minutes. 

The sound of small explosions came to everyone’s ears. 

Adam and Hoss exchanged startled glances and realized they were too late to act in prevention and would just have to pick up the pieces if needed.  Little Joe, Mitch, and Tuck went into action.  A minute later three lucifers were lit and three fuses set alight.  The fireworks were simultaneously launched into the night sky.  Three explosions echoed through the darkness, and then each firework exploded into thousands of burning sparks: red, green, gold.  The combined eruption was gigantic and rained multi-colored fire down onto the town for over twenty seconds, but not a spark reached even the highest roof or tree.   

“Fireworks!”  Adam uttered the single word and then shook his head as a wide smile overtook his face. 

“God Almighty!”  Hoss stood staring at the sky open-mouthed as did all the conspirators and thirty to forty townspeople. 

When the display faded, Adam slapped Hoss gently on the arm.  Hoss chuckled softly.  “Don’t see no fires nor any wreckage.” 

“And I don’t hear any angry mobs.”  Adam shook his head, but his eyes sparkled. 

“Then I guess us mama bears can…” 

“Wait and follow them back unbeknownst to the little…” 

“Adam!” 

“We’ll see them safe back to the camp and then…” 

“We can’t go home.  Pa thinks we’re at the lumber camp.” 

“Line shack three.  Two bunks and plenty of food.  Stabling for Sport and Chubby too.”  

“Good thinking.” 

“Here come the twins.” 

Hoss nodded and mounted.  Adam did also.   Minutes later they followed the boys back through the night. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Hoss’s feet hung off the end of the line shack’s bunk, but it was more comfortable than a bedroll on the ground. 

“It were a glorious sight.” 

“It was.” 

“They were taking care.” 

“It appeared so.” 

“Nothing went wrong.” 

“No doubt due to your innocent prayers.”  Adam’s sarcasm was mild in tone. 

“So, it all stays a secret?” 

“How do you think they got three fireworks?” 

“People sell fireworks.” 

“To people with money.” 

“You’re not thinking them boys stole ‘em.”  Hoss’s voice had become indignant. 

“I don’t want to.  It’s just…”  Adam rubbed the bridge of his nose.  “No, I don’t believe that they stole anything.” 

“Are ya gonna ask Little Joe or just have a little faith in the lot of them?” 

“He wouldn’t ever forgive me if I asked, or at least he’d never forget.”  Adam sighed.  “Don’t suppose you have any blind faith you can loan me?” 

“Sure, I do.  Buckets and buckets.”  Hoss sighed.  “Ya ain’t even a little mad, are ya?” 

“No.”  Adam rolled onto his side, pulled up his blanket, and smiled in the darkness.  “No, I’m only his brother; I can just be proud.” 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Epilogue 

 There being no room between his brothers on the buckboard’s seat, Little Joe sat in the back with Adam’s luggage and a rather large box with Chinese writing on the outside. 

 “Adam?” 

 “What?” 

 “What’s in the box?” 

 “The box?” 

 Little Joe rolled his eyes, turned around, and thrust his head between his brother’s shoulders.  “The big one ya brought back from San Francisco.” 

 “Oh, that box.  Just something I picked up in Chinatown when I took that package from Hop Sing to his number… umm, number whatever cousin.” 

 “Something for Hop Sing?” 

 “No, rather, not just Hop Sing, though I’m sure he’ll enjoy the contents.” 

 Hoss gave his older brother a sideways glance.  “Who else is gonna be enjoying the contents?” 

 “Oh, Pa and you and Joe and any number of other folks.” 

 “Adam!”  Little Joe’s voice had become demanding.  “What’s in there!  I’m gonna…” 

 “Keep your hands to yourself!”  Adam threw a stern look over his shoulder. 

 Little Joe huffed and then settled into a pout. 

 “Now, Joe, ole Adam can’t resist teasing sometimes.  I bet it’s a real good surprise in that box.  We’ll know in good time.” 

 Little Joe sighed.  “I guess.”  He took to studying the Chinese symbols on the box.  Suddenly he sprang up, sitting ramrod straight.  “Is it… Adam!” 

 “What, Joseph?”  Adam had started to smirk. 

 “They sell fireworks in Chinatown, don’t they?” 

 “They do.  The Chinese make most of the fireworks for sale any…” 

 “Are there…?” 

 “Yes.” 

 “YEOWEE!” 

 “Ya brought back a box of fireworks?”  Hoss had brought the horses to a halt and turned to stare at Adam. 

 “I heard so many people talking about the fireworks that appeared in the night sky that I thought it would be only fair that those who had no opportunity to see the wonderful sight have a chance to view some.  Besides, we needed a grand way to celebrate Pa’s birthday next week.”  Adam turned his gaze on his baby brother.  “I think you’ll enjoy them, Joe.  Seeing fireworks for the first time is exciting.”  Adam’s gaze shifted to Hoss. 

 “I…”  Little Joe took a moment to sallow. “I can’t wait.” 

 “Me neither.”  Hoss’s voice held an odd challenge. 

 “You’ll have to make sure and invite your friends, the ones you were camping with the night the fireworks went off in town.  All of their families should be coming to Pa’s party.” 

 “Yeah.  You know, we could all help ya with setting them off.” 

 Adam rubbed his chin.  “I think it would be better if you just saw to it that the five of you have front row seats to the show, so to speak.” 

 “But…”   

 “You all don’t know anything about setting off fireworks.  They can be dangerous, Joseph.  I think it best that just Hoss help me.  Maybe a hand or two if needed.” 

 “We’d be real careful.  We can be careful, you know.” 

 Adam caught Hoss’s eye and quickly looked away.  “Actually, I do, still I think this first time you best stick to being part of the audience.  Pa will think it best.” 

 “Okay.”  Little Joe settled back down, and Hoss restarted the horses. 

 

LCLCLCLCLC 

 

Since Little Joe had neither grumbled, whined, nor pouted after his first request to help set off the fireworks, Adam relented and got permission for all five of the boys to assist him and Hoss in setting up and setting off the fireworks display.  The boys all followed Adam’s orders to the letter, and Tuck followed Adam around like a faithful puppy discussing trajectories and other points of scientific interest.    As soon as dark descended, the party guests seated themselves with clear views of the night sky, Adam gave a speech lauding his father and then gave calm commands to his troops that resulted in an impressive fireworks display that lasted almost five minutes.  The audience was duly impressed, and Ben Cartwright strutted about with a proud smile adorning his face. 

 The partygoers then departed as most had a considerable ride to reach their homes.  Little Joe and his friends, though, spread bedrolls in the fragrant hay of the loft.  Adam was going to pay them four bits a boy to provide a cleaning up crew with the bonus of lunching on party leftovers including the spare cake Hop Sing had baked just to make sure no one left less than stuffed full. 

 “Mitch?”  Little Joe was lying nearest his best friend and whispered softly as Tuck and the twins were already asleep. 

 “What?” 

 “Adam said we did a fine job helping.” 

 “We did, of course, his making us promise on Tuck’s pocket testament after giving us that long lecture, well… we couldn’t do much else.  Besides Hoss said that Adam meant it when he said that he’d kill us all if we didn’t mind.” 

 “He meant it.”  Little Joe knew his friends were often intimidated by his elder brother, so he added some clarification.  “Not actual dead but just wishing we were.  We’re all in his good books now, though, and after tomorrow we can do some paying back to Tuck.” 

 “Yeah.  Things worked out real fine.” 

 “Mitch?”  Little Joe’s whisper had become even softer. 

 “What?” 

 “I think, well, it can’t be, but I got this feeling that Adam and Hoss, that the two of them know about us and the first fireworks.” 

 Mitch leaned his head closer to Joe’s.  “You knew they’d probably suspect, but like you’re always saying suspecting and knowing are two different things.” 

 “Yeah, but I think they know.” 

 “Did they say… ask…”  Little Joe shook his head.  “Well, then why do you think they know?” 

 Joe shrugged.  “Some things they’ve said and how they looked saying them.” 

 “But if they knew…” 

 “That’s it.  If they knew, they would have at least blistered my ears but more probably my behind what with Adam thinking that fireworks can be dangerous, not to mention riding around in the night and disobeying Pa.” 

 “He did lecture us a lot about being safe.”  Mitch chewed his lip.  “That eldest brother of yours is a hard one to figure.  Weren’t they up to the lumber camp that night?” 

 “That’s what Pa said.” 

 “Then they couldn’t know.  There weren’t no evidence.  If they had found the fireworks beforehand, they would never have left them for us to use.” 

 “I know.  That’s what I keep telling myself.” 

 “Adam wouldn’t have let us help tonight; he did, so he couldn’t be mad at us.” 

 “No, he ain’t mad.”  Little Joe sighed.  “I can’t ask nothing without giving us away, so I guess unless Adam or Hoss up and say something some time we’ll just never know.” 

 “I expect not.”  Mitch grinned.  “Maybe when you all are old and gray, you can ask, or they’ll just up and tell ya they knew.” 

 “Adam’s always saying no matter how old I get, he’s always gonna be older, bigger, and holding me to account.” 

 “I guess it’s that way with big brothers.”  Little Joe heard the wisp of wishfulness in Mitch’s voice. 

 “Yeah.  Did ya see how Tuck was following Adam around?” 

 “Yeah.” 

 “And the twins were near about hanging off Hoss.” 

 “Yeah.  Ya know, Joe, them brothers of yours aren’t all that bad.” 

 “I know.”  Joe cleared his throat.  “You know that you can borrow them anytime, don’t ya?” He giggled softly.  “Just remember they both have swift and heavy hands when they’re big brothering.” 

 “Joe!”  Mitch snorted.  “Say ya prayers and go to sleep!” He rolled on his side and pulled his blanket tighter. 

 Little Joe did just that.  And thank you for both my brothers, and if they know, thank you for whatever reason they decided just once not to tend to it themselves.