Ben watched his twins sitting on the settee. They were using their secret language of nods and pointing, so he knew they wanted something.
"Are you going to tell what you want?" Ben asked smiling.
"Pa, can we go with you to Sacramento?" Joe asked flashing his million dollar smile at him.
"Not this time," Ben said smiling.
"You always say that," Jax said pouting.
"Jacqueline don't pout," Ben admonished.
"Why can't we go?" Joe asked.
"I'm going to be too busy to watch you. Adam and Hoss have too much work to go. Plus you both are still restricted to the yard," Ben said.
"It's only one more week and we'll do two, if you let us go," Jax tried.
"The answer is no and that's final" Ben firmly.
"Yes sir," they both grumbled as they walked out the door.
Ben had to smile as they left. He would love to take them with him, but what he said was true he was too busy to watch them and heaven only knows what they would get themselves into in the big city.
"I told you he said no," Joe said.
"Well I like to take the honest approach first," Jax said.
"Yeah, it just means more trouble when he finds out. He just said no incase your hearing isn't good. So now we are disobeying him on top of everything else."
"He said no to Sacramento. There is another S city farther away," Jax said smiling.
"Jax, you're the smartest person I know. San Francisco here we come," Joe said.
"We need a solid plan, because if we get caught…"
"Jax, no matter what we ain't gonna sit for a long time after this."
"I meant if we are caught before we get there, it won't be worth the trouble. If I am getting a whipping, I at least want to really earn it," Jax said smiling.
"First we need to wait until Pa is gone. Between Pa and Adam they'll know we are up to something," Joe said.
"We are also going to need a distraction of some type, to keep Adam and Hoss away for a day or so."
"We need food, money, and a rifle for protection."
"I should dress like a boy. I think that would be safer. I also want to look at some maps; we can stay close to the main road, but not on it."
"Who are you going to ask?
"Adam, you know how he always wants us to learn new things," Jax said. She would never admit it but she liked book learning as much as Adam did.
"Better you than me."
"Where are we going to get the money?"
"The emergency money in Pa's desk."
"I don't like the thought of stealing."
"We can't go without money. Plus Pa is always saying the Ponderosa belongs to all of us. So the money should too," Joe said trying to convince himself along with his sister.
"I don't think Pa will agree, but we need it."
"What should we worry about first?"
"I guess the most dangerous part, the money. Are you doing it or am I."
"My plan, my hide," Joe said.
"So how are you going to do it?"
"Pa always leaves the drawers open when he at his desk, I'll just wait until he is busy doing something else."
"You're forgetting Adam and his eagle eye."
"We have to wait until they are all busy, that's where you come in."
"Great, what do I have to do?"
"No idea. We need to think about it."
The twins had no idea that the opportunity for getting the money and setting up the distraction would come from Adam and Hoss that very night.
Jax was setting the table, Joe was playing checkers with Hoss and Pa was sitting at his desk when Adam walked in fuming.
Ben was surprise when Adam walked up to Hoss and yelled,
"What were you thinking?"
"Sorry brother I have no idea what you are talking about, "Hoss said surprised.
Adam glared at his younger brother.
"I told you to put those steers in the north pasture. I went to look and it's empty. So I start looking for five hundred head of cattle wondering where you put them. Finally, I find them in the west pasture. I distinctly remember telling you not to use that pasture."
"Adam, I decided," Hoss started.
"Hoss, I didn't ask you to decide. I asked you to do something…"
"Look older brother," Hoss said standing up. Joe took the cue and ran behind Ben's desk not wanting to get between the two of them if this argument turned physical. His quick thinking made him realize this may be the perfect opportunity to get the money.
"Boys," Ben tried walking away from his desk.
"No, there is no excuse. I told you the fence in the west pasture wasn't fixed yet and because you wanted to save time and go to town today. You just decided to be lazy."
"Adam if you would stop and listen..." Hoss said his voice becoming angry.
"I swear you're as bad as Joe and Jax trying to get out of chores." Adam said walking away. Hoss grabbed his brother by the shirt and lifted him up, making Ben walk over not wanting them to fight.
"Adam, Hoss stop this now," Ben bellowed.
"If he would stop yelling and listen, I could explain what I did," Hoss said.
"Go ahead son," Ben said. "Adam let your brother speak."
"I put them in the west pasture because many of the cows are ready for birthing, I didn't want to chance losing some of the calves, just so I could appease your demands. I also mended the part of the fence that was broken, so you have no right to me call lazy. I work hard everyday and resent that you said that."
"You could have told me," Adam said.
"If you weren't acting like a mad man I woulda," Hoss said.
"Sorry, brother," Adam said putting out his hand. Hoss shook it and returned to the game.
"Joe, what are you doing over there," Hoss asked.
"Staying out of the line of fire."
Everyone started laughing.
Actually, Joe used this diversion opened the drawer and took some money.
Supper was the quieter than usual because the twins weren't talking much. They had to much to think about. Ben was talking about what needed to get done while he was gone on the trip and he thought they were pouting because he wouldn't let them go.
"What's wrong with you two," Adam asked.
"None of your business," Jax said sharply.
"Jacqueline..." Ben warned. He didn't allow rudeness at his table.
"Just asking. It looks like you were pouting over something," Adam said smirking, which annoyed Joe.
"No we're still trying to get over your childish display this afternoon," Joe said smiling. Making his twin spit her milk trying not to laugh across the table hitting Hoss.
"Sorry, Hoss."
"It's ok, kiddo," Hoss said trying not to laugh.
Adam just glared at the both of them. Joe and Jax couldn't look at Adam without laughing, which made Adam glare even harder. Hoss knew it was going to turn into an argument the twins would lose so he said.
"So Pa, when do you expect to get home?"
"Probably about two weeks," Ben said and added firmly looking at his oldest and two youngest, "Hopefully the war going on at this table will end by then."
"It's not our fault," Jax said still laughing.
"Adam's pouting because what I said a few minutes ago," Joe said laughing even harder.
"You're right, for once," Adam said starting to laugh along with his sister and brother.
Supper finished as normally after that. After supper Joe and Hass went back to their unfinished checker game. Adam sat down to start reading when he was interrupted by Jax,
"Do you have any maps from Nevada to California?"
"Sure, why?"
"I want to see how Pa is getting to Sacramento. Will you help me plot it out?"
"Let me go get some," Adam said. Adam brought down survey maps that he had gotten the last time he was in Sacramento.
Jax and Adam spent the next three hours going over the maps.
"So once you get to Sacramento, how would you get to San Francisco?" Jax asked but was interrupted by Ben.
"Sorry, it's time for bed."
"Pa, I really want…"
"I'll show you tomorrow," Adam promised. She gave Adam a huge hug and told him thanks.
Joe and Jax gave hugs and said good-night. As they walked up the stairs, Ben said,
"Ten minutes, I want the lamps off and quiet. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir." They said.
Joe ran into his room and opened the talking hole,
"I got it," Joe said.
"The money?" Jax whispered.
"Yeah during the fight."
"I have the route almost plotted."
"Adam also gave us our distraction."
"Breaking the fence."
"Yep, poor Hoss. You know Adam will rake him over the coals about it."
"So are you changing your mind?
"No way. You?"
"Nope."
The next morning Ben was packing his bags when there was a small knock on his door.
"Come in." He knew exactly who it was.
"Hi" his twins said. They always came in and watched him pack. Today the pouting was at a maximum.
"The subject is closed," Ben said severely before they asked again about going.
"We know, but we're wondering if Hoss could be in charge," Joe said.
It was a running joke between the three of them. As usual he laughed,
"Not old enough, yet," Ben said.
"Is he ever going to be old enough," Jax said.
"Yep, the minute you both turn eighteen," Ben said.
"So you're going to be gone for two whole weeks?" Joe said.
"Maybe, three weeks. It just depends on how the negotiations are going."
"Can you remind Adam that our restriction and extra chores end on Friday?" Jax asked making Ben laugh again.
"Already did, just make sure you don't do anything to have them reinstated," Ben warned. "You know my policy, if Adam has to punish you; you'll get double from me when I get home."
"Which is double jeopardy," Joe said laughing at the other running joke between the three of them.
"Nope, it's part of the sentence handed down by Adam," Ben said laughing again. "Alright you two, you have chores and I need to finish packing."
The twins hugged their father and ran out of the room. Those two really kept him on his toes
The entire family took Ben to the stage. Before he got on he looked at his two youngest,
"Promise me that you will listen to Adam and Hoss."
"Yes sir." They said.
"Ok," Ben said giving them one more hug before getting on the stage.
The four of them watched the stage drive away.
"Time to get back," Adam said. The ride home was quiet like always when Ben left his four children. Adam knew he had a lot more work to do, Hoss knew Adam would expect more out of him, and the twins would miss him plus Adam could be a bear when he wanted to.
As Adam was unhooking the buckboard he said, "Jax and Joe I need you to white wash that the smoke house."
"So it begins," Joe said under his breath making Jax laugh.
"Something funny," Adam asked.
"Nope," They both said and walked to get the white wash.
They started white washing the smoke house.
"Want to leave tomorrow?" Joe asked.
"Sounds good, Adam promised to help me with the maps again. As long as he does, we should be ok. Working at the smoke house has its advantages," Jax said walking in getting bunch of jerky. Joe followed her example. "Now we need some biscuits and beans. I'll ask Hop Sing to show me how to make biscuits if you'll finish white washing this."
"Adam won't be too happy," Joe said.
"Let me ask Hop Sing first and then I'll ask Adam," Jax said.
"You owe me for this white washing job."
"Just part of the plan, brother," Jax said running to the kitchen.
"Hi Hop Sing," she said smiling.
"Daughter number one go wash hands before come in here," Hop Sing scolded.
"Sorry," Jax said running into the bath house to do just that.
"All clean," Jax said smiling. "Are you making biscuits today?"
"You know today baking day."
"Can I help? I want to learn how."
"Number one son say it ok?"
"I wanted to ask you before him."
"Number one son say ok, Hop Sing say ok."
"Thanks," Jax said and ran into the barn at full steam. Adam was getting Sport ready to go help the men in the field.
"Is something wrong," Adam asked concerned because of the way she ran into the barn.
"No, I wanted to ask you something and I knew you were going to leave in a few minutes."
"Jacqueline, you know better than to run in here like that, it could spook the horses," Adam said scowling.
"Can I help Hop Sing with the baking today?"
"Is this because you don't want to white wash the smoke house?"
"I want to learn and I'm doing Joe's chores after I am done. In return he's doing the white washing."
"I better not hear either of you bickering over this tonight."
"You won't. I promise."
"Ok," Adam said getting on Sport. Something was going on and he needed to find out before those two got into real trouble, but right now he had work to do.
Jax and Hop Sing baked all afternoon. Jax kept messing up so they had to make extra biscuits and cookies. Hop Sing didn't care, he was happy that the little girl wanted to help. Usually she worked in the kitchen when it was some type of punishment. Today he saw the happy girl that came into his kitchen wanting something.
Joe finished the white washing right before supper. Adam came over and inspected,
"Good Job."
"Thanks."
Jax as promised finished Joe's chores for him. Adam was feeling guilty that something was up with the two of them. Hoss was always complaining that he didn't give the twins a chance.
Hop Sing started bringing the food out.
"Little girl make biscuits."
"Really," Hoss said. "They're great Jax."
"Thanks, I needed to learn sometime," Jax said.
"Yeah, on the day we had to white wash the smoke house," Joe said smiling.
"Smart, little sis. I hate when Adam make me do stuff like that."
The supper was full of smiles and jokes. Jax and Joe wanted to keep the mood light tonight, so Adam would help with the maps again and he wouldn't expect anything.
Adam sat at his father's desk to start working on the books.
"Adam, you promised about the maps," Jax said hopefully.
"Jax, I really…" but stopped looking at his little sister's sad face. "One hour."
"Thanks."
Adam pointed out everything they needed to find their way to San Francisco. Jax felt confident she could get them their safely as long as Adam didn't figure things out too quickly.
"Ok you two, bed time," Adam said a couple hours later. "Ten minutes and lamps off."
Joe and Jax hugged both of their brothers and walked up the stairs.
Jax opened the talking hole tonight.
"Ok, I have the trail plotted out," Jax said smiling.
"Once we are sure Adam and Hoss are asleep, we'll break the west pasture's fence. I have a lamp set up at the edge of the barn so we can see. We need to take some oats, so the steers will come out."
"Sounds good."
Their planning was interrupted by Adam voice from downstairs,
"Ten minutes up. Night."
"NIGHT," they yelled back.
Adam sat at the desk feeling that something was wrong; he just couldn't put his finger on it just yet. He knew better than to say something to Hoss. Hoss always protected the twins and felt that he picked on them. Maybe Hoss was right. Adam went back to the books. As he went to his room he stopped at each of the twins rooms and found them peacefully asleep. Again he felt guilty for suspecting something.
Thirty minutes after Adam's lamp went out the twins decided to make their move. They used their favorite method of climbing out the window and down the roof. Each time they moved they looked back to see if a lamp was turned back up.
Finally they were at the end of the pasture and Joe used the matches to start the oil lamp. Before going to bed Joe had Cochise and Miss Lily in the corral. They rode bareback to the west pasture and broke the fence the cattle took the children's clue and started their very slow escape. An hour later they returned to the house and were in bed. Adam and Hoss slept right through their first part of the adventure.