Summary:\u00a0 Adam and his friend Ross decide to take a fishing trip.\u00a0 To Adam’s dismay, two little brothers manage to go along, too.\u00a0 Of course, with a mischievous six-year-old along, the trip is not quite what Adam had planned.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (12,110 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Canoe Trip<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The small, curly-haired boy moved back into the shadows of the hayloft.\u00a0 It was hot and stuffy up here but he felt more comfortable in hiding right now.\u00a0 He had heard the sound of his brother\u2019s voice below and, after his last prank; he decided it was better to remain unobserved until at least suppertime.\u00a0\u00a0 He scrunched himself into a corner and waited.\u00a0 He loved the barn.\u00a0 It was the ideal place for a small boy to play and to lose himself when his older siblings or his father wanted him for chores or a scolding.\u00a0\u00a0 Today he was hiding from his older brother.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t understand why Adam was so mad.\u00a0 It had only been a bit of fun to loosen his saddle cinch after he had checked it.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t even hurt.\u00a0 It was a new trick Joe had learned and, like all new things, he wanted to try it out.\u00a0 It had taken quite a lot of effort to get Sport to stand still while his small hands wrestled with the cinch. It had been worth the trouble to see Adam sit down hard in the dust, or at least he thought it had until he saw how angry his brother became.<\/p>\n In the barn below he could hear Adam cursing and he almost giggled.\u00a0 He wondered what would happen if Pa heard that sort of language.\u00a0 Would Adam get his mouth washed out with soap the way his other brother Hoss had just last week?\u00a0 Joe doubted it.\u00a0 Adam hardly ever got in trouble with Pa.\u00a0 Well, not since Mama died, anyway.\u00a0 It had been over a year now and Joe still sometimes found himself expecting her to walk into his room to give him a cuddle or read him a story.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is the little horror?\u201d\u00a0 Adam grunted to the other boy at his heels.<\/p>\n Ross shook his head with a grin. \u201cBeats me.\u00a0 He can disappear faster than a jack-rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n The two older boys gave the barn a cursory search and Ross seated himself comfortably on a saddle left carelessly in one of the stalls.<\/p>\n \u201cForget it, Adam.\u00a0 You\u2019re okay and so is Sport.\u00a0 It was only a joke.\u201d\u00a0 Ross tried to restore calm.\u00a0 He had no brothers and quite enjoyed sharing Adam\u2019s even to the point of wishing they would sometimes include him in their pranks.<\/p>\n Adam swore once more then relaxed a little.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess so.\u00a0 But that doesn\u2019t mean I won\u2019t clip his ear for him when I get hold of him,\u201d he complained, pacing back and forth.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll feel better when we get away on our trip,\u201d Ross soothed.<\/p>\n Adam nodded and hunkered down beside his friend.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be great, just the two of us.\u00a0 Four days of fishing, and no little brothers to annoy me.\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed his hands in anticipation.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t wait to try out the canoe.\u00a0 Young Wolf did a real good job on it.\u2019\u00a0 He nodded towards a beautifully crafted birch bark canoe, nestling in a corner of the barn.\u00a0 It was big enough to hold three or four people, but was slim and elegant.<\/p>\n Ross nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re too damn lucky.\u00a0 I could do with friends like that.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled and nudged Adam so hard that he pushed him over.<\/p>\n Adam pushed back.\u00a0 \u201cPa gave the tribe a lot of beef last winter and I helped drive them up to the village.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was a sorta return gift.\u00a0 You know how they like to repay a debt.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross snorted. \u201cThen your Pa should have the canoe.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned, imagining his middle-aged father paddling a canoe.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t see Pa in a canoe somehow, but we can make good use of it.\u00a0 If we paddle upstream for a couple of days then fish it will only take hours to drift back.\u00a0 We can get in two good days camping and fishing at Willow Bend.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross frowned as he thought over the plan.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t we have to carry the canoe around the falls?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWe can do that in a couple of hours.\u00a0 The canoe is real light and we can pack our stuff inside and take an end each.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be easy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross wasn\u2019t so sure but he let it ride for now.\u00a0 Adam hated to have his plans questioned.\u00a0 \u201cMy Pa said it was okay as long as we were back by Saturday.\u00a0 What about your Pa, is he okay with that?\u201d<\/p>\n Now it was Adam\u2019s turn to frown, \u201cWell\u2026I haven\u2019t exactly asked him yet,\u201d he admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut he said I could have some time off.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been working hard on the new corral and looking after Hoss and Joe all summer.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had no time to myself.\u00a0 I\u2019ll sure be glad when Joe starts to school next month.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross chuckled.\u00a0 The idea of six-year-old Joe being confined to a schoolroom was one to savor\u2026 unless, of course, you were the schoolteacher.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you haven\u2019t asked him then?\u201d he sighed as he got to his feet.\u00a0 He had a feeling that Mr, Cartwright would not be quite as easy to convince.\u00a0 Since Mrs, Cartwright\u2019s death Adam had become an unofficial babysitter.<\/p>\n Adam followed him out of the barn. \u201cI\u2019ll ask tonight at supper, and you can back me up.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n The voices faded and Joe cautiously crept from his hiding place.\u00a0 Ah, so Adam planned a fishing trip, he mused.\u00a0 Joe liked fishing.\u00a0 He\u2019d rather like to go along but he knew from the conversation that he wasn\u2019t likely to be asked.\u00a0 He began to plot.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2026 Little Joe\u2026 where are you?\u00a0 It\u2019s supper time.\u201d\u00a0 He heard his father\u2019s voice calling from the porch and anxious to keep on the right side of his best ally in his plans, he hurried to make himself known.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The four Cartwrights and Ross sat around the dinner table enjoying the wonderful aroma of Hop Sing\u2019s roast chicken.\u00a0 Ross and Adam talked quietly on one side of the table and Joe leaned forward from the other side to try to listen in.\u00a0 At the head of the table, Ben deftly removed the bowl of potatoes from his middle son\u2019s grasp and handed it to Ross.\u00a0 \u201cI think the rest of us would like a few, Hoss,\u201d he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re forgetting we have a guest.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged.\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t consider Ross a guest anymore.\u00a0 He was here more often than not.\u00a0 He moved his attention to the carrots and beans.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head; nothing distracted Hoss when there was food around.\u00a0 He was already almost the same height as his older brother and twice the size of his twelve-year-old classmates.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to have to leave you boys for a few days next week.\u00a0 I have some business in Genoa.\u00a0 It may take five or six days.\u201d\u00a0 He cast a wary eye on Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYou behave yourself for Adam, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced at Ross and screwed up his nose.\u00a0 Ross nodded and made encouraging signs.\u00a0 Adam sighed it was now or never.\u00a0 \u201cRoss and I were planning on going on our fishing trip Monday or Tuesday.\u201d\u00a0 He spoke slowly and deliberately trying to make it a foregone conclusion without actually telling his father it was.\u00a0 No one \u201ctold\u201d Ben Cartwright, least of all his sons.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his plate.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather you didn\u2019t,\u201d he said mildly as he turned his attention back to his roast chicken.<\/p>\n Ross raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 It looked like the trip was off.\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright rarely changed his mind once he had said no and mild as it was, it was definitely a no.<\/p>\n Adam sighed and laid down his fork.\u00a0 \u201cPa you said we could after the north fence and the corral were finished.\u00a0 I\u2019ve worked hard all summer\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben too set down his fork and turned toward Adam with a stern expression.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t say you couldn\u2019t go but now is not a good time.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather you didn\u2019t go while I was away.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam was about to protest further, but one look at his father\u2019s face told him it wouldn\u2019t be wise to pursue it right now.\u00a0 He subsided into a sullen silence for the rest of the meal and as soon as it was over excused himself and stormed up to his room.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a real good supper, Mr Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Ross gave an embarrassed shrug.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go talk to him.\u201d\u00a0 He followed his friend up the stairs and hesitated at the bedroom door.\u00a0 Ross had known Adam long enough to want to avoid his temper.\u00a0 He pushed the door open slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I come in without being killed?\u201d he joked.<\/p>\n Adam was staring out of the window and he whirled around at Ross\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0 He looked angry for a moment then, seeing it was Ross, his face relaxed into a smile.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, I forgot you were here.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross flopped on to the bed and lay back, lacing his hands behind his head, his dusty boots on Adam\u2019s quilt.\u00a0 \u201cSo, the trip\u2019s off for a while,\u201d he said calmly, not wanting to start Adam off again but needing to voice his disappointment.<\/p>\n Adam frowned and pushed his friend\u2019s feet to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cMind my quilt,\u201d he grumbled.\u00a0 Then he shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhy should it be off?\u00a0 Pa didn\u2019t say I couldn\u2019t<\/em> go, just that he\u2019d rather<\/em> I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross sat up abruptly.\u00a0 \u201cHe meant no and you know that as well as I do, better in fact.\u201d\u00a0 He saw Adam\u2019s expression and closed his eyes in supplication. \u201cAdam\u2026!\u201d he almost wailed.<\/p>\n Adam sat down next to him and began earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be gone Monday.\u00a0 We can slip away and by the time he gets back we\u2019ll have had our vacation.\u00a0\u00a0 What can he do then?\u201d<\/p>\n Ross laughed mirthlessly.\u00a0 \u201cKnowing your Pa, he can do plenty.\u00a0 I\u2019ll remind you of what you said when you have to face him.\u201d\u00a0 He knew he was saying the wrong thing but he wanted to go as much as Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIf you want to risk it then I ain\u2019t gonna argue, it\u2019s your hide.\u00a0 When do we leave?\u201d<\/p>\n He received a strange look from Adam as his friend got up and put a finger to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cOh, we can decide that later\u2026\u201d he spoke as he crept to the door and yanked it open.<\/p>\n Hoss fell into the room and stumbled over his brother\u2019s feet only barely managing to recover his footing.\u00a0 Adam grabbed him by the arm and swung him around.<\/p>\n Seeing his older brother\u2019s furious expression Hoss tried to wriggle out of his grasp.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026I wuz\u2026 j\u2026 just\u2026\u201d\u00a0 he stuttered.<\/p>\n Adam hauled him up by his shirtfront and glared at him. \u201cYou were just eavesdropping, that\u2019s what you were just!\u201d he spat at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about time you little brothers were taught some manners,\u201d he threatened.<\/p>\n Ross moved swiftly to separate them.\u00a0 \u201cHey, cool off, Adam.\u00a0 No harm done.\u00a0 Hoss won\u2019t say nothing about what he heard.\u00a0 Willya, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0 He firmly pushed Adam backward and faced Hoss, who had managed to release himself from his brother\u2019s grasp and was rubbing his arm.\u00a0 He looked up at the older boys with a sly smile.\u00a0 \u201cNah, course not.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam almost exploded with anger, \u201cWhy, you little\u2026that\u2019s blackmail!\u201d<\/p>\n Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIt sure is, but I don\u2019t see we have a choice.\u00a0 If we don\u2019t go along with it, your Pa will stop the trip anyhow.\u00a0 It\u2019s either go with Hoss or don\u2019t go at all, \u2018cos when your Pa hears how you planned to deceive him, you\u2019ll spend the next ten years right here in this room.\u201d\u00a0 Ross knew full well that like his own father, Ben Cartwright would not tolerate lies.<\/p>\n Adam swore a little too loudly and both of the other boys shushed him and looked anxiously toward the still open door.\u00a0 After a few seconds of awful silence when they quite expected Ben to appear and bring down the heavens upon Adam\u2019s head, they relaxed again.\u00a0 Ross closed the door and leaned back against it as if to stop any further interruptions.\u00a0 Hoss planted himself firmly in front of his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cWell, do I get to go, or do I fetch Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s expression was as black as thunder as he reluctantly nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, but you don\u2019t tell a soul, especially Little Joe.\u00a0 He stays with Hop Sing and if he doesn\u2019t know we\u2019re going he won\u2019t make a fuss.\u201d\u00a0 He swung around on his brother angrily.\u00a0 \u201cNow, get out of here and keep your mouth shut.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss left in triumph.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t often manage to best Adam and it felt good.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was nothing else we could do,\u201d Ross said quietly, hoping to cool Adam\u2019s temper.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have to be so damned right all the time?\u201d\u00a0 Adam growled. Then, seeing Ross\u2019s slightly hurt expression, he laughed and both were soon back to making plans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you go, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Adam can take care of the boys for a couple of days.\u00a0 Your cousin needs you more than they do.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing\u2019s head bobbed in agreement.\u00a0 \u2018Numbah five cousin sick.\u00a0 He be bettah in four, maybe five, day.\u00a0 Mistah Adam send message to Virginia City if he need me,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n Ben smiled and gathered up his pack.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be back by Saturday,\u201d he said as he went out into the yard.\u00a0 He promptly forgot Hop Sing\u2019s imminent departure as he fell over the sawhorse which Joe had dragged to the porch so that he could climb to the porch roof to look at an old bird\u2019s nest he had spotted.\u00a0 He cursed under his breath and continued on his way to the barn.<\/p>\n Adam had spent the morning in a state of nervous tension waiting for his father to leave.\u00a0 If Ross arrived before Pa was well away there would be difficult questions to answer.\u00a0 It would be hard to explain why Ross was here on a workday without telling a lie.\u00a0 Pa seemed to take ages in the kitchen packing supplies for the trip and talking to Hop Sing.\u00a0\u00a0 Finally, Adam was able to wave goodbye and give a sigh of relief.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe were standing beside him and Hoss glanced across and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat time\u2019s Ross comin\u2019 over?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019s Ross comin\u2019 today?\u201d\u00a0 Joe piped up quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cNever you mind.\u00a0 You go see Hop Sing while Hoss and I finish up the chores,\u201d Adam said sharply.<\/p>\n Joe considered the proposal for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cNope, I\u2019d rather help you.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s washin\u2019 floors and stuff,\u201d he said with a perverse grin on his face.\u00a0 He delighted in giving Adam headaches.\u00a0 He guessed he his brothers didn\u2019t want him around and that made him more determined to stick with them.<\/p>\n Adam sighed.\u00a0 The last thing he wanted right now was Joe under foot but then he didn\u2019t want an infamous Joe tantrum either.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, but do as you\u2019re told and keep out of the way.\u00a0 We\u2019re in a hurry.\u201d\u00a0 He started to walk quickly away and Joe had to run to keep up with his long strides.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy you in a hurry?\u201d he asked innocently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you ask so many questions?\u201d Adam retorted sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cPa says that\u2019s how you find out stuff,\u201d Joe replied as he skipped along beside his older brothers.<\/p>\n Adam made no comment but set to work on the barn chores while Joe chattered alongside him and constantly peppered him with questions.\u00a0 Ross arrived as the brothers were finishing the morning tasks and while he chatted to Hoss, Adam slipped inside to fetch the rest of his gear.\u00a0 He looked in the kitchen for Hop Sing but there was no sign of him.\u00a0 So much the better, if Hop Sing didn\u2019t see them leave he couldn\u2019t complain and hold them up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m packed and ready,\u201d Ross announced.\u00a0 \u201cAre you boys ready yet?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI am, but Adam\u2019s forgot sumthin\u2019 and he\u2019s gone back in the house.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe tugged at Ross\u2019s sleeve, \u201cWhere you goin\u2019?\u00a0\u00a0 Can I come?\u201d he asked in rapid succession.\u00a0 Ross always had more time for him than either of his brothers.<\/p>\n Ross smiled at the earnest little cherubic face.\u00a0 Joe could really turn on the charm when he wanted and those curls and his still slightly chubby baby face gave him an air of innocence that few could resist.\u00a0 Stooping down to Joe\u2019s level and putting an arm around him, Ross tried to explain.\u00a0 \u201cNot this time, little buddy.\u00a0 We\u2019re goin\u2019 fishin\u2019 and camping and sleeping out overnight for a few days.\u00a0 You\u2019re kinda little to do that just yet.\u00a0 Your Pa wouldn\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face crumpled and tears of disappointment and frustration formed in his hazel eyes.\u00a0 Ross could often be persuaded with tears and Joe intended to use every weapon.\u00a0 Adam was unaware of the conversation or he might have been a little more sensitive as he rejoined them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re all set then.\u201d\u00a0 He bent down to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHey, little buddy, you go inside to Hop Sing and we\u2019ll be back in a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s disappointment turned to anger.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think tears would work on Adam, so he went for a different route and stamped his foot.\u00a0 \u201cI am NOT little!\u201d he yelled as he flew at Adam and began pummelling him with his fists.<\/p>\n Adam held him at arm\u2019s length with a maddening grin.\u00a0 \u201cHey, hey, cool off.\u00a0 You aren\u2019t coming with us no matter what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n His arrogant tone only served to make Joe\u2019s frustrated anger turn into a real tantrum.\u00a0 Despite the little boy\u2019s struggles, Adam held on to him until he could fight no more and he collapsed in tears.\u00a0 Adam now felt sorry for him and hugged him while talking softly.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, we\u2019ll take you someday when you\u2019re older, but Pa would have my hide if I took you on an overnight trip in the mountains at your age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe probably will anyway, when he finds out we\u2019ve gone,\u201d Ross muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n Adam pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHere, blow your nose and dry your eyes properly.\u00a0 You be a good boy for me and take care of the ranch with Jake and Hop Sing and I\u2019ll take you to town when I get back,\u201d he suggested gently.<\/p>\n Joe shrugged off his brother\u2019s hand raced for the house, calling over his shoulder, \u201cI hate you!\u00a0 I\u2019ll get back at you!\u201d<\/p>\n Ross put a hand on Adam\u2019s arm \u201cWas it wise to promise him a trip to town?\u00a0 I gotta a nasty feeling when your Pa finds out about this trip you\u2019ll be lucky to see town before you reach twenty-one.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam groaned.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think about it.\u00a0 Joe\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 Once he and Hop Sing start doing things, he\u2019ll have a good time and forget about us.\u201d<\/p>\n It was another hour before all the preparations were done and the boys set off.\u00a0 Hoss carried his pack and Ross and Adam slung the canoe between them.\u00a0 They laughed and joked with each other and none of them looked back to see a pair of green eyes watching them from an upstairs window.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe waited until they were out of sight and then he picked up his jacket and pocket knife, and carefully propped a piece of paper against his washstand.<\/p>\n \u201cGon wiv Adam\u201d was all it said in Joe\u2019s untidy lettering.\u00a0 Mama had taught him how to do his letters and he was quite proud of his note. He crept down the stairs and into the yard.\u00a0 No one was around.\u00a0 He skirted the barn and fell into place about two or three hundred yards behind the older boys.\u00a0 Every time they stopped to rest the canoe he gratefully sank to the ground.\u00a0 Their legs were longer than his, and even though the weight they were carrying slowed them down, the little boy had a hard time keeping up with them.\u00a0 He was mighty relieved when they reached the river and stopped to re-pack the canoe and put it into the water.<\/p>\n He sat down to rest and then an awful thought struck him.\u00a0 How was he going to keep pace with the canoe?\u00a0 The river wound its way between rocks and bushes with no clear path for him to follow.\u00a0 He made a tough decision.\u00a0 He had to remain undetected until nightfall or Adam would send him home.\u00a0 He would strike out on his own and take a direct route cutting off the bend in the river.\u00a0 He waited until the canoe had been pushed off from the bank and was almost in the middle of the river before setting off up the steep slope that led to the regular trail.\u00a0 He knew the area reasonably well and guessed at the spot where his brothers would make camp.\u00a0 He had been there several times with his father but never to stay overnight.\u00a0 Now and again he would get a brief glimpse of the river and if he saw the canoe and its occupants he was spurred on.\u00a0 If not, he was despondent.\u00a0 At times he felt very grown up and quite brave and at others scared and tired.<\/p>\n The older boys had to paddle hard to make headway against the current and it was almost dusk by the time they moved inshore to make camp.\u00a0\u00a0 The area was thickly wooded and Hoss was despatched to find firewood and get a fire started while the older boys rigged up a rough shelter from fir boughs and some rope they had brought with them.\u00a0 All three worked hard and soon they had a half-faced camp with a blazing fire on the open side.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam damped down the fire a little and put the coffeepot on to boil.\u00a0 He unpacked the supplies Ross\u2019s mother had given them and the ones he had taken from the pantry and set about preparing a meal.<\/p>\n The light from the fire and the cheerful voices as they went about their tasks helped Joe to find the location of the camp and he arrived just as Adam called that supper was ready.\u00a0 The smell of frying bacon was more than he could bear.\u00a0 He had forgotten food in his hurry to get away and hadn\u2019t eaten all day.\u00a0 He had remembered water but his canteen was almost empty now.\u00a0 He crept to the edge of the camp and then stopped.\u00a0 Suddenly his bright idea didn\u2019t seem so bright.\u00a0 Adam was gonna be awful mad at him, he thought.\u00a0 His older brother could get real scary when he was angry.\u00a0 He tried to attract Hoss\u2019s attention but his brother was too intent on the contents of the frying pan.\u00a0 He moved forward slowly hoping Hoss would see him and at least stand between him and their older brother but luck wasn\u2019t with him.\u00a0 He had almost reached the fire when Adam glanced up.\u00a0 The older boy\u2019s jaw dropped to see Joe standing not three feet from him.\u00a0 For a moment he was dumbstruck.\u00a0 He thought his little brother was miles away at home with Hop Sing.<\/p>\n Joe took advantage of the moment\u2019s silence to risk a tired and very tentative grin, which faded as he saw the older boy\u2019s expression.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s black brows knitted together and his dark eyes smouldered with anger as he got slowly to his feet.\u00a0 Joe gulped.\u00a0 His brother towered over him and the little boy began to wonder if this time he had gone too far.<\/p>\n On the other side of the fire Hoss had glanced up and was watching, fascinated, as his two brothers stood facing each other like combatants in a duel.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how Joe had got here but, judging by Adam\u2019s expression, he was going to be lucky to come through this encounter unscathed.<\/p>\n Adam grabbed Joe by his arms and lifting him slightly off the ground, shook him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat on earth are you doing here?\u201d he yelled, making Joe flinch and Ross rush across to see what was happening.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes widened and he went very pale.\u00a0 He stuttered for a moment but he was so scared the words wouldn\u2019t come.<\/p>\n \u201cI asked you a question,\u201d Adam growled angrily. \u201cAnswer me!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026I followed you,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 He tried to wriggle free but Adam was gripping him tight, so tight that it hurt and tears welled up in his hazel eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re hurting him, Adam,\u201d Ross said quietly,\u00a0 \u201cLet him go.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook Joe fiercely. \u201cI oughta tan his hide!\u201d he exploded, but he did loosen his grip a little and Joe could once more put his feet on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you realise how stupid it was to follow us?\u00a0 You coulda had an accident and no one would\u2019ve known where you were,\u201d his voice now low and controlled.\u00a0 He closed his eyes in frustrated anger mixed with relief: the dangers were endless but Joe had survived them all.\u00a0 He supposed he should be grateful for that at least.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, dey would,\u201d Joe pouted. \u201cI writed a note.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019ll find it in my room,\u201d he finished defiantly.<\/p>\n Ross gently pried Adam\u2019s fingers from the little boy\u2019s arms and put a comforting arm around Joe\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYou go get something to eat,\u201d he said gently.<\/p>\n Joe glanced at both of the older boys with a mixture of apprehension at what they would do with him and relief that he didn\u2019t have to walk any further alone.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s tired and scared, Adam.\u00a0 That\u2019s a helluva walk for a little kid, he must be worn out.\u201d\u00a0 Ross led his friend to the shelter and sat him down.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like<\/em><\/strong> to wear him out,\u201d Adam grunted as he sat down.\u00a0 \u201cOf all the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ross made soothing noises and sat down beside his buddy.\u00a0 Both rested their chin in their hands and thought.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do we do now?\u201d\u00a0 Ross finally broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cHow the hell should I know?\u201d\u00a0 Adam snapped back.\u00a0 \u201cIf we take him home the trip\u2019s off, and if we don\u2019t Hop Sing will have men out searching and Pa back from Genoa before you can blink.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross drew in a breath, \u201cMaybe not.\u00a0 If Joe\u2019s note says he\u2019s with us, Hop Sing might think he left with us, and anyhow we can\u2019t go back until tomorrow and by then if he\u2019s sent for your Pa it will be too late.\u00a0\u00a0 Anyway you look at it, you\u2019re in trouble, buddy, and we might as well enjoy the trip.\u201d\u00a0 He gave a wry grin. \u201cIt might be your last.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, very funny,\u201d Adam snapped.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, though.\u00a0 Might as well be hung for something worthwhile since I\u2019m gonna be hung anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe had been surreptitiously eavesdropping and he allowed a small smile of triumph to creep on to his face.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean I can stay?\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 Adam still looked angry.<\/p>\n His older brother turned on him making him shrink away toward Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, you can stay.\u00a0 But that don\u2019t mean I\u2019m not mad at you.\u00a0 You do exactly as I say or I\u2019ll give you a spanking,\u201d he threatened.<\/p>\n Joe waited until Adam wasn\u2019t looking and then nudged Hoss and gave a big grin.\u00a0 Joe lived for today and it looked like today was pretty good.\u00a0 He\u2019d worry about Adam\u2019s threat tomorrow when he wanted to do something else he\u2019d been told he couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Hoss shook his head in exasperation.\u00a0 His little brother sure did take risks.<\/p>\n Joe had camped overnight with his father once or twice but this was a big adventure for the little boy, to be with the older boys and no parent.\u00a0 He watched what the others did and tried to copy them until they began setting out bedrolls.\u00a0 His face fell, he hadn\u2019t thought to bring anything other than his canteen and his jack-knife.\u00a0\u00a0 He bit his lip and tried to decide what to do.\u00a0 He caught Adam\u2019s sleeve and tugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat now?\u201d\u00a0 Adam snapped, still thoroughly out of sorts at having his trip spoiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t got no blanket,\u201d Joe whispered nervously.<\/p>\n Adam swore softly and then remembered Joe was listening.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you ever repeat that,\u201d he ordered.\u00a0 Hoss was already rolling himself into his blanket and there wasn\u2019t much to spare.\u00a0 Adam could hardly ask Ross to share his so he gave a deep sigh and pointed at his own.\u00a0 \u201cYou can share mine, but you keep still, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Adam,\u201d he whispered again.<\/p>\n All night Adam cursed his little brother.\u00a0 The pine boughs were fine with a blanket on top but mighty uncomfortable without and with only one blanket it was nigh impossible to sleep on it and cover themselves with it.\u00a0 He turned out of bed early and began preparing breakfast.<\/p>\n \u201cWith one extra and Hoss\u2019s appetite, I guess we\u2019d better catch some fish today,\u201d Ross grinned as he joined his friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou feeling any better about it this bright and sunny morning?\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n Adam grunted.\u00a0 \u201cYou fetching water or standing around discussing the weather?\u201d<\/p>\n Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I guess that answers my question.\u00a0 I\u2019m on my way, oh master.\u201d\u00a0 He ducked out of Adam\u2019s reach, laughing.<\/p>\n Hoss woke as soon as the smell of frying bacon reached him.\u00a0 He stretched and rolled out of his blanket to hunker down beside Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHe looks kinda cute when he\u2019s asleep, don\u2019t he?\u201d he asked, pointing at the bundle that was their little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah, a real pretty picture,\u201d Adam replied grumpily.<\/p>\n Hoss sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll look after him, he won\u2019t be no trouble.\u00a0 I know you and Ross wan\u2019ned to be on your own and I\u2019m sorry I spoiled it.\u00a0 He wouldna come if I\u2019d been home.\u201d\u00a0 He felt bad that his brother\u2019s trip had been ruined and he could think of no other way of helping out.<\/p>\n Adam grunted something unintelligible and then slapped some bacon on a plate.\u00a0 \u201cWell you can start by waking him up and making him eat.\u00a0 I\u2019m not having him whining all day that he\u2019s hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss took the plates and retreated to the shelter to wake up his little brother.\u00a0 Adam was sure gonna be difficult to live with.\u00a0 He was beginning to wish he hadn\u2019t asked to come along.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A couple of hours later the disagreements had been forgotten, although Adam was still a little out of sorts.\u00a0 They had paddled upstream and then carried the canoe around the waterfalls, now on the other side they searched for a good place to fish.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ross discovered a creek running into the main river and the fast flowing water had cut little bites into the bank which were teeming with fish.\u00a0\u00a0 The two older boys put the canoe in the water, tethering it safely to a small sapling on the bank and settled down to catch supper.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe watched for a while until Joe began to get bored.\u00a0 He had paddled in the creek, climbed a tree to get a better view of the river and generally annoyed Hoss.\u00a0 Now, he wanted excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we take the canoe out?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Adam, we could take a look, see if there\u2019s any place else to fish,\u201d Hoss joined in.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 No way,\u201d he said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cAw\u2026c\u2019mon, Adam,\u201d Hoss begged.<\/p>\n \u201cI said no and you two had better listen and listen good.\u00a0 It\u2019s my canoe and you are not<\/em> gonna wreck it.\u00a0 Go find something else to do or help catch supper.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross raised an eyebrow at the two younger boys, warning them off.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s mood had only marginally improved since breakfast and the peace was still pretty fragile.\u00a0 For a while the two subsided into silence again.\u00a0 Hoss attempting to fish with a rather short piece of string and no bait on his hook and Joe built a dam across one of the small switchback streams that fed into the creek.<\/p>\n Ross and Adam relaxed and both leaned back and rested their eyes.\u00a0 Joe was so intent on building his dam that he didn\u2019t notice that the water rising behind it was beginning to seep away in another direction.\u00a0\u00a0 Didn\u2019t notice that is, until a wild shout from his older brother startled him and he fell back into the pool showering Hoss with icy cold droplets.\u00a0 He scrambled hurriedly to his feet as an irate and very wet Adam advanced toward him.\u00a0 The water stopped from its natural course had built up into a deep pool and had eventually broke through its natural bank and cascaded down hill on a new route. That route had led it down Adam\u2019s neck and back as he lay resting on the riverbank.\u00a0 Joe decided that running was his best option and he took off at full speed into the trees with Adam at his heels.<\/p>\n \u201cThink we oughta go after \u2018em and stop murder being done?\u201d\u00a0 Ross asked lazily.<\/p>\n Hoss yawned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cAdam won\u2019t catch him.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s too fast.\u201d<\/p>\n They both lay back and closed their eyes and sure enough a puffing and panting Adam returned a few minutes later without Joe and flopped down beside them.<\/p>\n Ross turned his head and squinted at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you spent enough time around him to know better than to get all het up?\u00a0 It don\u2019t do no good and you come off worse\u2019n he does.\u00a0 This is supposed to be a vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I\u2019ll stop worrying and let him do what he likes and you<\/em> can chase after him,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n About an hour later Joe crept back to the riverbank and nudged Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHe okay now?\u201d he asked pointing at Adam who was snoring softly with his hat over his eyes.<\/p>\n Hoss put a finger to his lips and got to his feet, he didn\u2019t want another upset with Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHow about we go see if we can catch a rabbit for supper?\u00a0 They ain\u2019t caught much fish and I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n No rabbits materialised to walk into Hoss\u2019s rather rickety traps and no more fishing was done.\u00a0 At least, when the younger boys returned Adam seemed to be in a better mood.\u00a0\u00a0 Supper was sparse and Hoss made sure everyone knew he was still hungry when he finally curled up in his blanket.\u00a0 Adam grumbled a little at a second night of sharing a blanket, finally accepting that there was no other way he allowed Joe to snuggle in close so that they both could keep warm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOur last day,\u201d Ross groaned as he rolled out of bed.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow we\u2019ll have to start back if we are going to be home before my Pa as well as yours gets mad.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam added coffee to the pot and set it on the fire.\u00a0 \u201cDepends on how accommodating Hop Sing\u2019s going to be,\u201d he mused.\u00a0 \u201cIf I can persuade him not to say anything then Pa need never know.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou go missing for four days and take your little brother with you without telling him and you expect him to cover for you?\u00a0\u00a0 Sorry, buddy, I don\u2019t think so,\u201d he chuckled \u201cAnd I doubt you\u2019re gonna keep Joe quiet about it, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019d better<\/em> keep quiet if he knows what\u2019s good for him,\u201d Adam muttered darkly.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, how about we leave them here to fish today and we try to climb Martis Peak?\u00a0 We always said we would and it\u2019s a beautiful day.\u201d\u00a0 Ross gazed upwards at the soaring peak above the river.<\/p>\n Adam frowned.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I shouldn\u2019t oughta leave them on their own.\u00a0 Hoss is only – \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is near thirteen and bigger than you.\u00a0 Stop worrying so much.\u00a0 You were doing stuff on your own and looking after him when you were much younger.\u201d\u00a0 Ross put on his most persuasive expression.\u00a0 This was supposed to be a vacation and all Adam had done was complain and worry about his brothers.\u00a0 Not having any brothers of his own meant that Ross\u2019s sense of responsibility was somewhat diminished.<\/p>\n \u201cWeeell\u2026 alright, as long as Hoss doesn\u2019t mind.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said reluctantly.<\/p>\n Hoss not only didn\u2019t mind he thought it would be better to be away from his older brother for a few hours.<\/p>\n For the first couple of hours after Ross and Adam left the two younger boys fished and then splashed in the stream.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s attention span was short and by mid morning he was bored again.\u00a0 He wandered over to the canoe and sat in it.<\/p>\n \u201cGet outta there!\u201d Hoss shouted.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019ll get mad at you agen.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cHe cain\u2019t see me and anyhow, it\u2019s tied to the bank it ain\u2019t goin\u2019 nowhere.\u201d\u00a0 He picked up one of the paddles and tested it in the water, splashing as he pretended to move the canoe.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s real easy to paddle, Hoss.\u00a0 I bet we could do it better\u2019n Ross and Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss strolled over to the bank and looked down at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but we cain\u2019t, it ain\u2019t ours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAin\u2019t really Adam\u2019s, neither.\u00a0 The Paiutes gave it to Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe continued to make the canoe rock.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u00a0 You can\u2019t tip it over even if you try.\u00a0 C\u2019mon, Hoss.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take it up the stream a bit.\u00a0 There ain\u2019t no danger here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss hesitated; it might be fun and he was bored.\u00a0 Anyhow, where did Adam get off to tellin\u2019 him what to do all the time?\u00a0 He was grown up now.\u00a0 Well, almost…<\/p>\n Joe saw the hesitation and his eyes sparkled.\u00a0 Hoss was nearly there. Like always, he could talk his brother into most anything if he tried hard enough.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAdam won\u2019t be back for hours.\u00a0 It\u2019s a long climb.\u00a0 We got plenty of time to go upstream we don\u2019t have to go nowhere near the river.\u00a0 You\u2019re stronger than Adam anyways.\u00a0 You can take care of us,\u201d he pleaded, knowing Hoss would be flattered.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSure, I can.\u00a0 Now, you gotta do exactly what I say, Little Joe,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n Joe grinned and nodded.\u00a0 He\u2019d won.\u00a0 He always did with Hoss.<\/p>\n Hoss untied the canoe from the bank and tossed the rope inside.\u00a0 He climbed in carefully and seated himself opposite his little brother.\u00a0 The canoe began to drift out from the bank and the calm water into the faster flowing part of the stream.\u00a0 At first the boys paddled upstream and enjoyed the freedom of playing with the canoe but before long both wanted more excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s faster over there,\u201d Joe pointed,\u00a0 \u201cAnd it gets better downstream.\u201d\u00a0 He waved at the ripples he could see in the distance beyond the camp.<\/p>\n They turned the canoe and for a while let it drift with the water down toward the main river.\u00a0 When they were about fifty yards from the point where the stream joined the river, Hoss pulled hard on his paddle and swung the canoe across the flow of water to slow it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d better head back,\u201d he said with a frown.\u00a0 \u201cAdam wouldn\u2019t like us going into the river.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam won\u2019t like us being in his canoe,\u201d Joe scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go take a look. You ain\u2019t scared, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I ain\u2019t,\u201d Hoss retorted angrily.<\/p>\n He turned the canoe again and allowed it to drift into the river.\u00a0 Here, the banks were wide apart, maybe a hundred yards or more, and as the canoe drifted into the middle of the flow it began to pick up speed.\u00a0\u00a0 The river was fairly smooth and for the first two or three hundred yards the boys simply fooled around and enjoyed the ride.\u00a0 Neither of them looked ahead as the banks became steeper and more tangled with trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Joe, it\u2019s getting rougher. Maybe we oughta head back,\u201d Hoss suggested as the canoe began to lurch on the white water and fall into the troughs.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, Hoss, this is fun!\u00a0 It\u2019ll be smooth again in a minute.\u00a0 There\u2019s just a few rocks is all,\u201d Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n For a long time afterwards Hoss wondered why he ever listened to his younger brother.\u00a0 Within minutes the canoe was rocking violently and the waves were splashing over the sides.\u00a0 Hoss tried to turn the canoe and paddle upstream but all he succeeded in achieving was half a turn leaving them moving sideways downstream and rapidly gathering speed.\u00a0\u00a0 He tried hard to pull against the current but it was now more than he could handle.\u00a0 His little brother was unaware of the danger until Hoss yelled at him to bail out some of the water and help paddle.<\/p>\n Joe glanced up, still unconcerned.\u00a0 \u201cWell, which d\u2019you want me to do?\u201d he yelled back.<\/p>\n \u201cPADDLE!\u201d Hoss almost screamed.<\/p>\n Joe stared at his brother and then at the rough water, a definite fear now showing in his eyes.<\/p>\n The canoe was gathering speed at an alarming rate and Hoss\u2019s heart missed a beat as he heard a dull roar and he remembered\u2026 the waterfall; over a hundred feet of tumbling water dropping into the canyon below. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Far above the drama unfolding on the river, the two older boys scrambled ever higher.\u00a0 Both of them had rifles slung over their shoulders and every now and again they caught a glimpse of some game but never for long enough to make hunting a real possibility.\u00a0 Neither really cared about a hunt, being free to walk and talk was all they wanted.\u00a0 They had covered many subjects and were now engrossed in a discussion about the lack of suitable female companions in Johntown and the surrounding countryside.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of a couple of days fishing what we need is a trip to Placerville,\u201d Ross suggested.\u00a0 \u201cOr maybe even Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, fine chance of that,\u201d Adam scoffed.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I get home from this one I\u2019ll be lucky to see the outside of my room.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross laughed loudly.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you ever gonna persuade your Pa to let you go to college if you can\u2019t escape to Placerville?\u201d\u00a0 He dropped down on a grassy knoll.\u00a0 \u201cI need a rest.\u00a0 This is a harder climb than I figured,\u201d he gasped as Adam stopped and sat down beside him.<\/p>\n Adam drew his knees up to his chin and clasped his hands around them.\u00a0 \u201cIt was all set, then with Marie being killed an\u2019 all, I gave up on it, but I\u2019d still like to go someday.\u00a0 Maybe in the fall,\u201d he said wistfully.<\/p>\n Ross lay back and squinted at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cBet there are some pretty girls in Boston, lots of \u2018em,\u201d he mused.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, all with chaperones; old biddies like Mrs. Trent and Mrs. Trimble, who\u2019ll make me sit in the parlor and make small talk all evening.\u00a0 Or spy on us from the windows when we sit on the porch.\u00a0 Won\u2019t even be able to steal a kiss,\u201d he sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t recall you havin\u2019 much trouble when you was sparking Caro,\u2019\u2019 Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cNever knew why you gave up on her for Maria.\u00a0 I mean, she\u2019s guarded like a prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it didn\u2019t last long anyway.\u00a0 There aren\u2019t any really nice girls around here.\u201d<\/p>\n Again Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMe, I\u2019m not looking for a nice<\/em> <\/strong>one.\u00a0 Nice ones come with Mamas and Papas.\u00a0 Last time I went to Placerville with Pa there were a few not so nice ones I wouldn\u2019t have minded a few hours with.\u00a0 Pa kinda keeps a tight rein on me when were there though.\u00a0 I guess he knows me too well.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBet you\u2019d be too shy, anyhow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you believe it.\u00a0 Wait until Dutch Pete gets them girls he keeps promising,\u201d Ross boasted.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and there\u2019s another place I\u2019m not supposed to go,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cPa yelled at me last time \u2018cos it was after midnight when I got home.\u201d\u00a0 He pushed to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, old man.\u00a0 It\u2019s still half an hour to the top and if we don\u2019t move we won\u2019t get back down again before dark.\u201d\u00a0 He held out a hand to haul Ross to his feet.<\/p>\n He stood for a moment looking across the valley.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful up here.\u00a0 You can see for miles.\u00a0 The camp\u2019s well hidden in the trees or we\u2019d be able to see Hoss and Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross stood at his shoulder and followed his gaze.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, what\u2019s that down there?\u201d he pointed towards the river.<\/p>\n Adam was turning away but he looked back to see what Ross had spotted.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like a boat\u2026\u201d he said lazily.\u00a0 Then he snapped around.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the canoe.\u00a0 My<\/em> canoe\u2026\u201d\u00a0 His eyes widened and his mouth opened in shock. \u201cIt\u2019s heading for the falls \u2026Oh my God, the boys are in it!\u201d he screamed.<\/p>\n He started to run although he knew it was futile.\u00a0 It had taken all morning to climb this far and would take more than an hour to reach the river again even at speed.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam crashed through the undergrowth, heedless of the damage to himself and his clothes, his one wish to get to his brothers fast.\u00a0 His heart was beating faster and faster as he ran.\u00a0 The thoughts ran through his head: his little brothers were being drawn over the falls; he should have taken more care; he could do nothing to save them\u2026\u00a0 Once or twice he glanced up but as he descended towards the river, the canoe and its occupants became lost to view.<\/p>\n A little over an hour later Adam and Ross stood on the river bank trying to recover their breath as their eyes scanned the river and its surrounds for signs of life.\u00a0\u00a0 Ross was holding his friend\u2019s arm in an effort to stop him diving in to the water.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to go down stream, below the falls,\u201d Ross said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThe canoe must have gone over.\u201d\u00a0 His voice was calm but shocked.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIf it went over, then\u2026 it\u2019s a hundred feet down and rocks at the bottom\u2026 Little Joe only just learned to swim properly.\u201d\u00a0 His voice shook as his mind sent him pictures of what had happened to his brothers.<\/p>\n Ross pulled at his arm.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think about it, let\u2019s go and search.\u00a0 Maybe they\u2019re okay\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He knew it was an impossibility\u2026 well, maybe a one in a million chance that anyone could survive that drop and the undertow of the falls.<\/p>\n Twenty minutes later, at the base of the falls, the two boys stood silently side by side each one scanning the river for any sign of life.\u00a0 There was none.\u00a0 After about five minutes Ross pulled at Adam\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they came over that then they wouldn\u2019t have surfaced until much further downstream,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s walk on down.\u00a0 You look on the far bank and I\u2019ll look this side.\u201d<\/p>\n For fifteen minutes they walked and found nothing then Ross spotted the canoe, or what was left of it.\u00a0 He scrambled down the bank and pulled the bow section ashore.\u00a0 It had broken off about two feet from the front and smaller pieces were floating in the water nearby.\u00a0 Apart from the bow, no piece was bigger than a dinner plate.<\/p>\n He shook his head and looked up at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go back and pack up the camp.\u00a0 We\u2019ll need supplies if we are going to walk any further down river, it\u2019ll be dark in an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t voice his thoughts.\u00a0 There was no way either of the boys could have survived the drop and even if they had, the undertow would have drowned them.\u00a0 Somehow, he had to be strong for Adam and get him home.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t imagine how he was going to tell Mr Cartwright.\u00a0 He must think that all of them were safe at the ranch.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face was ashen as he allowed Ross to drag him back along the bank to the path that led up the side of the falls.\u00a0 At the top Ross stopped for a breath before heading on toward the camp. Adam was so upset that he wasn\u2019t watching the river or where he was going and when Ross stopped suddenly he cannoned into the back of him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that over there?\u201d\u00a0 Ross yelled at him, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the water thundering over the falls.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere?\u201d Adam yelled back as he tried to follow Ross\u2019s pointing finger.<\/p>\n Ross moved closer and pointed again.\u00a0 \u201cThere!\u00a0 That tree, the one that\u2019s fallen into the river!\u00a0 I saw something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s shivered.\u00a0 His fingers were numb and he didn\u2019t know how much longer he could hold on.\u00a0 It seemed like hours since he had made a grab for the branch of this old tree.\u00a0 The canoe had passed close by and he had taken a chance. Holding on to Joe\u2019s wrist with one hand, he had let go the paddle and launched himself at the half-submerged tree.\u00a0 The pull of the current was too strong for him and the canoe had been wrenched from under them, leaving him hanging on to the tree.\u00a0 It had taken super human strength to pull first Joe and then himself from the water to perch precariously on the branch.<\/p>\n He looked around him.\u00a0 In theory, it should have been possible to inch their way along the tree to the bank.\u00a0 In practice, every time they moved the tree sank lower and moved further out into the stream.\u00a0 Hoss hadn\u2019t said as much to Joe but he knew it was only a matter of time before the tree broke free from the bank and followed the canoe over the falls.\u00a0 Their only hope was rescue.\u00a0 Their only rescuers, Adam and Ross, might not be back for another couple of hours and by then he and Joe would have been here all afternoon.\u00a0 Even if the older boys searched soon they might not find them until after dark.\u00a0 He felt Joe shiver beside him and tried to pull him closer.<\/p>\n \u201cWe gonna die, Hoss?\u201d\u00a0 Joe said in a small voice.<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, no.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss tried to inject some warmth and optimism into his voice.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019ll find us soon and then we\u2019ll be in hot water not this freezing cold stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really think he\u2019ll find us soon?\u201d\u00a0 Joe persisted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m awful cold.\u201d\u00a0 The need to be found more than cancelled out any fear of what his older brother might do when he discovered the canoe had gone.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, course he will and he\u2019s gonna be madder\u2019n a hornet \u2018bout his canoe.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss replied.\u00a0 He glanced up at the mountain, closed his eyes and prayed that he was going to be alive to hear his older brother yell.\u00a0 At this moment Hoss would have given anything to hear Adam\u2019s voice, no matter what it was saying.<\/p>\n As if in answer to his prayer a sound came across the water.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2026Hoss\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice, full of relief and urgency.<\/p>\n Hoss opened his eyes and gasped.\u00a0 Adam was standing on the bank about thirty feet from where he and Joe were clinging desperately to the tree.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re okay, Adam!\u201d he yelled back.<\/p>\n Adam and Ross took in the scene, first with relief and then with growing alarm.\u00a0 Knowing the boys were unharmed was one thing; rescuing them, quite another.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s instinct was to get to his brothers as fast as possible and he put one foot on the tree roots but as soon as he transferred his weight to the tree it shifted, tearing more roots from the bank.\u00a0 He sprang back quickly as the soil washed away at his feet.<\/p>\n Ross caught his friend\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019re desperate to get to them.\u00a0 So\u2019m I.\u00a0 But we could do more harm than good by rushing it.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go back to camp and get some rope.\u00a0 You keep talking to them and keep \u2018em still,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n Adam nodded but didn\u2019t turn around.\u00a0 \u201cHoss!\u00a0 Stay as still as you can and keep Joe still,\u201d he yelled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll get to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross was back in a couple of minutes with ropes.\u00a0 \u201cIf we throw one to Hoss he can tie it around Joe and we can haul him in,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied vehemently.\u00a0 \u201cIf he fell into the water pulling him through it could drown him or he could hit his head on those rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross looked at his friend with a mixture of exasperation and despair.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, what d\u2019you suggest?\u00a0 That tree ain\u2019t gonna hold to the bank forever and they\u2019re<\/u> both cold and scared.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rubbed his ear and stared out at the churning water.\u00a0 \u201cWe throw a rope to Hoss and he ties it around both of them.\u00a0 Go get a third rope,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat for?\u201d\u00a0 Ross asked puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cJust go get it!\u201d Adam growled as the tree moved again and his composure snapped completely.<\/p>\n Ross turned away, a little hurt and worried.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t think what Adam was planning.<\/p>\n Adam cupped his hands around his mouth.\u00a0 He had to make Hoss hear and understand what he planned to do.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2026I\u2019m gonna throw two ropes, one for you and one for Joe.\u00a0 Tie one around under Joe\u2019s arms and then put the other around both of you.\u00a0 That way if you both slip Joe will still have you to help him,\u201d he called.<\/p>\n Hoss nodded; then finding his voice, he yelled back that he understood.<\/p>\n Ross returned with the extra rope and mystified handed it to Adam.\u00a0 Adam began to tie it around his waist.<\/p>\n \u201cYou surely aren\u2019t gonna try and get out to them?\u201d\u00a0 Ross gasped.\u00a0 \u201cAll three of you will go over the falls!\u201d he said in horror, the prospect of watching such a tragedy filling his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cTie my rope around one of those trees back there and you hold on to the others.\u00a0 If the tree goes they\u2019ll have better chance if I\u2019m there to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross shook his head but followed instructions.\u00a0 Now was not the time to argue with Adam; he had that determined and stubborn look on his face.<\/p>\n Slowly, Adam transferred his weight to the tree, secure in the knowledge that if it went Ross would hold the ropes with his two brothers until he could get to them.\u00a0 Ross had wrapped all three ropes around a solid tree trunk and now held two in his hands but with a back up of an anchor if he needed it.\u00a0 Adam inched his way along the thick part of the trunk feeling it move as he moved.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t dare look back to see how much more had come away from the bank; the trunk had certainly dipped lower in the water.\u00a0\u00a0 Hoss and Joe watched in silence, both too scared to move and both praying that Adam wouldn\u2019t slip.<\/p>\n Finally he reached out a hand and clasped Hoss\u2019s wrist.\u00a0 \u201cYou okay?\u201d he asked tersely.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, just cold and wet,\u201d Hoss shivered.<\/p>\n Adam carefully lifted the rope that held the two together and fixed it securely around Hoss alone.\u00a0 \u201cYou start moving back along the trunk.\u00a0 Joe and I will wait until you are nearly there then I\u2019ll bring him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 Ross has the rope.\u00a0 If you slip he\u2019ll pull you in.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded and began to inch his way back long the tree trunk.\u00a0 The extra weight of Adam at the thinner end of the trunk had made the tree bend further into the current and as Hoss started to move the roots gave way again and the tree sank lower plunging Adam and Joe into the icy water up to their waists.\u00a0 Adam grabbed hold of his little brother and hung on in case the tree came away and he had to risk swimming for the bank.\u00a0 This time it held by one strong root.<\/p>\n Hoss was almost at the bank when Adam gave Joe a squeeze, \u201cOur turn now, little buddy.\u00a0 You stay close to me and move as smoothly as you can, not too fast, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded, his eyes wide in his pale face.\u00a0 The trust in his older brother; total.<\/p>\n Very slowly, Adam inched his way along the trunk following Hoss at what he hoped was a safe distance.\u00a0 He was relieved to see Hoss was almost at the bank.\u00a0 At worst, now, he would fall into the mud.\u00a0 He and Joe still had a long way to go.\u00a0 His arms ached with supporting his young brother and clinging to the branches.\u00a0 Hoss reached the bank and jumped off the trunk in relief.\u00a0 The loss of his weight made the tree lurch suddenly and Adam who had been transferring from one branch to another lost his grip.\u00a0 He and Joe were thrown into the maelstrom of water churning beneath the tree.\u00a0 At the same moment the jerky movement pulled the tree clear of the bank and with the two boys still entangled in its branches it began its race downstream to the falls.<\/p>\n Hoss heard Ross\u2019s yell as he hauled on the ropes holding Joe and Adam.\u00a0 He ran to help him but he was cold and stiff and his muscles wouldn\u2019t work as well as usual.\u00a0 Both boys tried to pull in on the ropes but it was as much as they could do not slide into the water.\u00a0 The banks were wet and muddy and keeping their feet was a difficult task.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see them!\u201d Hoss screamed.<\/p>\n Adam felt himself being tugged downwards.\u00a0 He held his breath and tried to fight his way to the surface again without losing his grip on his little brother.\u00a0 When he finally broke the surface of the water his lungs felt as though they would burst.\u00a0 He was relieved to see that Joe was still with him and still conscious.\u00a0 He attempted to transfer Joe\u2019s hands, which were gripping his wrists, to his shoulders but Joe would not let go.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, buddy, I gotta swim,\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n Finally Joe understood and moved his arms until he was circling Adam\u2019s neck.\u00a0 Adam kept one arm around his brother until he was sure Joe had a good grip and the rope was securely around him too.\u00a0 By this time, Adam could feel the undertow and hear the thunder of the falls so loudly that all communication was impossible.<\/p>\n He began a strong crawl toward the distant bank but still the branches impeded him as the tree raced for the drop.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath and motioning to Joe to do the same, he dived under the tree, not realizing that this was the moment when Hoss had been searching for him.\u00a0 As he cleared the branches and surfaced again he felt the welcome pull on the rope helping him toward safety.<\/p>\n Hoss jumped up and down in excitement and fear.\u00a0 \u201cThere!\u201d he yelled at Ross and renewed his pulling on the ropes.\u00a0 It took several minutes before Adam and Joe were ashore.\u00a0 Both sprawled out on the mud gasping for breath, Joe\u2019s face pale and frightened and Adam\u2019s almost comatose.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s run down the mountain, followed by the traumatic rescue had left him exhausted and in shock.\u00a0\u00a0 As soon as he was warm he fell into a deep sleep.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe dozed too but both woke well before their brother.\u00a0 Ross stoked the fire and kept watch over them, checking every so often to ease his worries.\u00a0 When the younger boys woke up he brewed coffee and even allowed Joe a little as there was no other hot drink available.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d better see what I can cook for supper,\u201d he said, gathering together their meager supplies.<\/p>\n Hoss glanced up guiltily.\u00a0 \u201cWant some help?\u201d<\/p>\n Ross shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou rest.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna have some tough questions for you two when he wakes up.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe moved closer to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be real mad, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n Ross raised an eyebrow and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe sure is.\u00a0 His canoe is spread over half of the Truckee basin and you scared him to death.\u00a0 I hope you both got tough hides or a damn good explanation.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss ducked his head and hugged his knees.\u00a0 Joe looked frankly scared.\u00a0 Both boys watched their older brother for signs that he was waking and when he did stir they jumped, making Ross laugh.<\/p>\n Adam sat up and rubbed his eyes as memory slowly returned he looked across at his two brothers.\u00a0 \u201cYou two okay?\u201d he asked quietly.\u00a0 At their nods his eyes narrowed and his brows drew together.\u00a0 \u201cWhat on earth were you doing?\u201d His voice was stern and low.<\/p>\n Joe looked at Hoss, hoping his big brother was going to answer.\u00a0 Adam, in this mood, scared him.\u00a0 Hoss in turn looked at Joe hoping for inspiration or divine intervention.\u00a0 Neither was forthcoming.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2026 we borrowed the canoe, just for a few minutes we didn\u2019t mean to go out in the river,\u201d\u00a0 Hoss explained hurriedly then ducked his head again.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t mean to\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice almost dripped with sarcasm,\u00a0 \u201cTook itself, did it?\u00a0 You\u2019re so weak you couldn\u2019t paddle against the stream and you just floated into the river.\u00a0\u00a0 More likely you\u201d<\/em> – he swung around on Joe making him flinch – \u201cpersuaded Hoss to go out there for the fun of it.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t that how it happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Neither of the younger boys spoke or even looked at him.\u00a0 When Adam was this angry it was better to keep quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you realise you could have drowned if we hadn\u2019t seen you from the ridge?\u00a0 I oughta take a switch to both of you,\u201d he stormed eyeing up the willows that grew near the bank and making Joe retreat even closer to Hoss.<\/p>\n Hoss hated to have anyone mad at him but he took exception to the idea of Adam giving him a tanning.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t,\u201d he said belligerently.\u00a0 \u201cPa would get mad at you then\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He stopped as he realized that it might be better if it was Adam who did the punishing rather than if their adventure was reported to their father.<\/p>\n Adam folded his arms and smiled smugly.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, he might at that.\u00a0 So I guess I\u2019ll just have to leave it to him to punish you.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss glared at his older brother but subsided into silence, which continued for the rest of the evening.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss stayed together and every now and again sneaked glances at Adam\u2019s angry expression hoping his temper would cool before they went home tomorrow.<\/p>\n The next morning Adam woke them before first light and sternly told them to pack everything up as they would be carrying it.\u00a0 Without the canoe they had a long walk home.\u00a0 He crouched down beside Ross who was cooking pancakes or at least something that was supposed to pass for them.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry they\u2019ve ruined our trip for you,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t know how lucky you are not having any brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross grinned.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I\u2019d kinda like some.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t ruined, maybe a little different, that\u2019s all.\u201d\u00a0 He cocked his head on one side and surveyed his friend.\u00a0 \u201cYou really gonna tell your Pa what they did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou bet I am.\u00a0 They both deserve a thrashing,\u201d Adam stormed back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda thought the idea was to get back before your Pa so he didn\u2019t know you\u2019d sneaked off.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t he gonna be a bit put out with you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam groaned.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess so.\u00a0 But what else can I do?\u00a0 I can\u2019t let them get away with it.\u00a0 They could have been killed and my canoe is in pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAh, so that\u2019s what\u2019s eating you; the loss of the canoe.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 C\u2019mon, Adam.\u00a0 We did some pretty scary things when we were their age.\u00a0 Our folks didn\u2019t always get to hear about them and we\u2019re still alive to tell the tale.\u00a0 Give \u2018em a break.\u00a0 Your Pa\u2019ll come down pretty hard on \u2018em if he gets to hear about it.\u201d\u00a0 He raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna come down pretty hard on you, too.\u00a0 Sneaking off without his permission\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He raised a hand to still Adam\u2019s protest, \u201cYeah, I know he only said he\u2019d rather<\/em>\u00a0 you didn\u2019t, but mentioning that is likely to get him even more riled.\u00a0\u00a0 Taking the boys with you and then not watching them\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed his chin and surveyed his friend.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d say you\u2019d be in as much, if not more, trouble than they would.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam waved a hand at him dismissively.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not letting them get away with it,\u201d he said firmly.<\/p>\n Hoss, who had overheard part of the conversation, felt a definite sinking feeling in his stomach.\u00a0 He should have stopped Little Joe.\u00a0 Why did he always let his little brother talk him into things?\u00a0 He wished with all his heart that he had never come on this stupid trip.<\/p>\n The trip down the riverbank to the main trail was accomplished in silence, each boy lost in his own thoughts.\u00a0 Joe struggled with the pack Adam had given him to carry and at the point where the track joined the road he protested.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m tired, can\u2019t we rest for a bit?\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n Adam gave him a firm push toward the road.\u00a0 \u201cWe keep walking for another hour before we make camp or we won\u2019t be home before nightfall tomorrow.\u00a0 If you\u2019re tired then it\u2019s your own fault.\u00a0 You could have been sitting in a canoe all day if you hadn\u2019t wrecked it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross gave him a sympathetic glance and Joe hurried forward to walk with him.\u00a0 After a few minutes Ross leaned over and took one of the packs Joe was carrying.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll give you a hand for the last bit if you\u2019ll help me set up camp,\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n Adam grunted his disapproval but said nothing.\u00a0\u00a0 He still hadn\u2019t decided what to do when he got home.\u00a0 If they made it back before Ben then he had hoped to persuade Hop Sing to forget the whole thing.\u00a0\u00a0 But now he wasn\u2019t so sure.\u00a0 His brothers shouldn\u2019t be allowed to get away with what they had done, he decided.\u00a0 Then a small voice inside reminded him that neither should he.<\/p>\n The following morning he was still undecided as the four trooped wearily into the Marquette yard.\u00a0 Alice was on the porch to meet them and to Ross\u2019s utter disgust she threw her arms around him and hugged him as though he had been gone a year instead of a few days.<\/p>\n \u201cCome inside and have some pie,\u201d she invited.\u00a0 \u201cYou must be hungry and it will save you cooking when you get home.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s head shot up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u00a0 Where\u2019s Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n Alice was bustling around the kitchen and she spoke over her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Jake said something about him looking after a cousin in town.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Marquette had followed them into the kitchen, his expression serious.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Jake came by the day after you left and asked if we knew where you were going.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t seem to know much about your trip; especially that the youngsters were with you.\u201d\u00a0 He raised an eyebrow at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHe was worried about Joe, thought maybe he should have kept an eye on you.\u201d<\/p>\n A flush came to Adam\u2019s cheeks and he looked down at the tablecloth.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, well\u2026\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n Paul nodded wisely.\u00a0 \u201cYour Pa thinks you\u2019re at home looking after your brothers, don\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 he asked slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I never said\u2026\u201d Adam started, then seeing Mr. Marquette\u2019s disbelieving look he nodded.<\/p>\n Paul Marquette shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I guess no harm came to any of you, so what he don\u2019t know can\u2019t hurt him, but you see it don\u2019t happen again or I might have to have a chat with your Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam breathed a sigh of relief and tucked into the apple pie with renewed vigor.<\/p>\n On the final leg of their trip Adam impressed on his brothers that neither was to breathe a word of what had gone on in the past five days.\u00a0 \u201cIf Pa don\u2019t ask then we don\u2019t say anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean you ain\u2019t gonna tell him \u2018bout the canoe and the river and stuff?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked, his eyes wide and his heart beating fast.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if he asks?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded vigorously.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna lie to Pa?\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t think of anything worse and Adam never got in trouble.\u00a0 Joe stretched the truth occasionally but he couldn\u2019t imagine Adam doing so.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not gonna lie, but I\u2019m not volunteering the truth, neither.\u00a0 He won\u2019t be home until tomorrow and he won\u2019t even know we\u2019ve been away and that\u2019s the way it\u2019s gonna stay,\u201d Adam retorted.\u00a0 Somewhere at the back of his mind there was a niggling doubt: Jake knew, and Mr. Marquette knew and his brothers would have to keep quiet and the canoe was sure to be missed and\u2026the list of possible ways of discovery was endless.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben arrived home early, pleased to be back.\u00a0 Business trips were fine but he preferred to be home with the boys.\u00a0 It was remarkably quiet when he rode into the yard and he guessed that with chores done Adam had probably suggested a swim or something.\u00a0 He stabled Buck and noted that the horses were in the barn so the boys couldn’t be far away.<\/p>\n Jake was working in the corral and Ben wandered over to watch. “Boys gone swimming?”\u00a0 he asked.<\/p>\n Jake looked up and frowned then walked over to where his boss was standing.\u00a0 “Had a feelin’ you didn’t know about it,” he said mysteriously. “Adam went on that trip with Ross.\u00a0 You know, the one they’d bin plannin’.\u00a0 Seems Hoss went with them and young Joe followed.”\u00a0 Jake went on to explain the circumstances and his trip to the Marquettes to check.\u00a0 “I guess I shoulda gone after them but I weren’t sure if you’d said it was okay after all.”<\/p>\n Jake watched his boss’s expression with growing dismay.\u00a0 Ben’s eyebrows drew together and he began to look blacker than a summer thunderstorm. “I told him he couldn’t go.\u00a0 I told<\/em> him and I sure didn’t say the boys could go with them.\u00a0 With Hop Sing away\u2026” he stopped, realizing he hadn’t told Adam Hop Sing would be in town.\u00a0 “You wait until he gets back.\u00a0 He’ll not move out of this yard for the next six months!” Ben stormed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The three boys walked into the Ponderosa main yard in the middle of the afternoon.\u00a0 It all looked peaceful.\u00a0 A couple of horses were tied up by the barn and at the sight of the buckskin, Adam\u2019s heart plummeted.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019d said Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0 He was certain Pa had said he\u2019d be home on Saturday.\u00a0 He saw Jake come out of the barn and begin to untie Buck.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Pa\u2019s in the house.\u00a0 He said to tell you to go right on in when you got back,\u201d Jake said with a raised eyebrow.<\/p>\n Adam swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cIs he\u2026is he mad, Jake?\u201d<\/p>\n Jake nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe asked where you were and I had no choice but to tell him, boy.\u00a0 He\u2019s been working up into a temper for the past hour or so.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t keep him waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss and Joe had both gone deathly pale and as the three moved across the yard they ducked behind their older brother.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam tentatively pushed open the planked door and stepped into the great room.\u00a0 Ben Cartwright was standing in front of the fireplace his feet planted wide apart and his thumbs firmly hooked into his front pockets.\u00a0 The stance was so familiar to the boys that each knew a lecture or worse was to follow.\u00a0 \u201cWell?\u00a0 Do you have an explanation for your absence?\u201d he started.<\/p>\n Adam glanced nervously around him. “We went on the fishing trip,” he said carefully.\u00a0 “You know, the one I told you about.”<\/p>\n Hoss closed his eyes and prayed.\u00a0 \u2018Told’ was a bad word to use with Pa.<\/p>\n Ben drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 “And I told<\/em> you several times you couldn’t go.\u00a0 Are you telling me you disobeyed me and took your brothers along too?” He spoke coldly in a very low voice and Little Joe hid behind his brothers.\u00a0 Pa was real mad.<\/p>\n Adam’s next words made his brothers move away from him in anticipation of the lightning about to strike.\u00a0 Joe marveled that his supposedly intelligent brother could make such a dumb statement and Hoss was frankly scared for him.\u00a0 When Pa was this angry answering back was a death sentence and Adam had just signed his own.<\/p>\n “You didn’t say we couldn’t just that you’d rather we\u2026 didn’t…” he started.\u00a0 Then, seeing his father’s eyes almost bulge out of his head in outrage, he swallowed hard and dropped his glance to the floor.\u00a0 He had realized his mistake too late.\u00a0 Eighteen years of hard won experience had failed him and he was now in too deep to redeem himself.\u00a0 He waited for the axe to fall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE END<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n