Chapter 2!!! The story should get more interesting from here on. Disclamer: I own nothing

CHAPTER 2 The North Pasture

"This looks like a good place to camp." Adam announced nearly an hour after they left the ranch house.

The area Adam had chosen was an open area amiss the trees and close to a stream. Rocks formed a barrier in the stream, causing a pool of water to collect. The trees, though off to the right, gave shade to the two brothers as they unloaded the pack mule. They put the wires and other items for the fencing off to the side and hurried to put up the tent and get a fire started. It was five o' clock and the sun would be setting soon.

"Joe, why don't you go get some water to boil," Adam said, "While I get supper out."

"All right Adam." Joe agreed, happy that he had been allowed to come.

Joe grabbed the pot and hurried to the pool of water and filled the pot up.

He saw little minnows swimming in the crystal clear water and a frog

jumped in when he moved. Joe giggled and scooped his hands in the water in

an attempt to catch one.

"Joe!" Adam called, "Would you hurry back with that water?"

"Comin' Adam!" Joe called back.

He stood up from the pool and walked over to Adam carrying the pot of

water.

"Here ya go Adam." He said, setting the water down beside his brother.

"Thanks Joe." Adam said as he put the pot on top of the fire.

"What's for supper?" Joe asked, sitting down next to his brother.

"Chicken and potatoes." Adam told him, putting the chicken and potatoes

on the skillet. "And peaches for dessert."

Joe smiled happily at that.

"How long till its ready?" Joe asked eagerly.

"Be patient, Joe." Adam grinned, "It'll be ready when it's ready."

Joe frowned, but didn't push it.

It took only thirty minutes for Adam to cook the chicken and potatoes. By then, Joe was getting very impatient.

"All right Joe," Adam finally said, "Sit down and we can eat."

"Finally!" Joe exclaimed, plopping down onto the ground beside Adam.

Adam laughed and fixed two plates of chicken and potatoes. By then, the sun was starting to go down.

"Joe," Adam said as they finished eating. "I'm not sure if I should tell you this, but I think you're old enough."

"Tell me what, Adam?" Joe asked, confused.

"Before we left, Pa told me that Chuck had seen riders riding toward here." Adam told Joe. "We need to be on our guard."

"Gosh Adam." Joe said thoughtfully, "They were probably just travelers passin' by."

"Still," Adam replied, "Better safe then sorry. I don't want you leavin' my sight."

Joe looked downcast, but he didn't argue.

"All right, Joe." Adam said, "Time for bed. We've got a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"But Adam!" Joe argued, "It's barely 8 o' clock! Pa lets me stay up later then this!"

"But at home you don't have to wake up at dawn." Adam told him.

Joe frowned, but stayed quiet. Had he been at home he would have argued, but Adam could easily send him back home and he didn't want that.

Adam stood up and got their blankets out and laid them around the fire.

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Morning came quick for Little Joe. It seemed like he had just fallen asleep and now he had to wake up.

"Come on Little Joe!" Adam said loudly, shaking him. "Wake up! I told you we had to wake up early."

"Leave me be Adam." Joe muttered.

He turned over away from his brother.

"All right, Little Joe." Adam stood up over his brother. "I guess we've got to do this the hard way. You need a bath anyways."

"Huh?" Joe yawned, opening his eyes just a little. "What Adam!"

Joe was suddenly awake as Adam picked him up and carried him toward the pool of water.

"Let me go Adam!" Joe yelled, fighting against his brother's strong grasp.

"I don't think so, little brother." Adam laughed.

When Adam reached the pool of water, which was three feet in depth, he bent down and dropped Little Joe right in.

Joe went under, then came up sputtering.

"Here little brother," Adam laughed, extending his hand, "Let me help you."

Joe excepted the hand, but yanked Adam right down into the water with him. Adam, caught by surprise, tumbled forward and landed beside Joe who was cracking up laughing.

"Little Joe!" Adam exclaimed, wiping the water out of his eyes. "How could you?"

"You started it!" Joe exclaimed.

Adam just grinned and splashed Joe. Joe splashed back and soon an all out splash war began.

"All right Joe!" Adam laughed as he stood up, "We better get started on the fence!"

"Ah." Joe frowned, "Do we have to?"

"Yes we do, Joe." Adam helped his brother up and they walked over and sat on a log. "If we don't, Pa won't let you go camping anymore."

"Let's get to it then!" Joe exclaimed, jumping up.

Adam laughed and dragged Joe back down on the log.

"We better dry off first." He said.

Joe nodded in agreement. For five minutes they sat in silence. Joe was getting antsy. He kept wiggling in his seat.

"Are we dry enough Adam?" he asked.

Adam sighed.

"I guess Little Joe," he replied, "Come on. Let's get started."

He started to stand when the cock of a gun made him stop.

"If I were you," a deep male voice broke the silence. "I would sit right back down or your little brother just might get hurt."