Telegrams.

5th story in the Alexandra Series.

Summary: You wanted to know the why, the when and the how Alexandra came about. Well here it is. Adam receives a wire from San Francisco. He embarks on a journey with Alexandra to bring Katherine home one way or another. He recalls the events of the past along the way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.

Re-Cap:

Flashback...

It was almost midnight by the time Adam snuck quietly up the stairs and into his dark room. He slowly clicked the door closed, then tiptoed towards his chest of drawers. Not wanting to disturb his father with any noise.

Adam nearly jumped out of his skin when all of a sudden his pillow grunted and then bellowed, "What In tarnation!"

"Pa?" he squeaked, "You're a wake!"

The large shadow that had obviously made himself comfortable on Adam's bed, moved and lifted the wick on the kerosene lamp. Adam wished that his father had kept the light low, for the expression on his face was scarier that anything he had ever seen in a long time.

"And just where have you been Adam Stoddard Cartwright?"

Adam gulped...

Chapter 5 : Over The Hills And Through The Woods To Momma's House We Go

"Pa, I..." Adam sagged knowing that lying was only going to get him in much deeper trouble. He was not sure just how much his father knew, but Adam was pretty sure his father had already determined where he had been tonight..

"Adam Cartwright, you seem short for words," said Ben as he stood up with his hand resting silently on his belt. "Would you like me to start the conversation, son? I'd say you snuck out..."

"I didn't sneak out Pa. I just didn't go to bed after I started reading. I went for a walk around town."

"You may not have snuck out, per say, young man, but you did not let me know where you were going. This town is not safe at night. It is a mining town, Adam. There are all sort of desperate men. So just where did you go?"

"The Star and Garter."

Ben's growl equalled his stern glare and pursed lips.

"Just to see the show Pa, honest, I..."

"How did you get in? I'm going to have a word with the..."

"No pa, I didn't sneak out here, but I kind of snuck in there," Adam said sheepishly.

"What, you snuck in?" Ben asked incredulously, his temper rising.

"Yes, well sort of. I paid Billy five dollars and was taken through the basements, and vomitories."

"Billy, who in tarnation is Billy? Vomitories, what are you talking about?"

"Yes that's what they are called; tunnels backstage and under the stage. I watched the show from backstage, well the lighting platform, actually. Pa it was fascinating. Billy, is a little younger than me PA. Billy mother is the actress Leena de Foe. I only watched the show, I didn't go anywhere near the gambling tables or the saloon, I just watched the play of Lady Godiva. But, Pa she wasn't naked. It was a rather good interpretation of the..."

Ben pointed his finger at his seventeen year old son, gesticulating as he listed Adams misdemeanours. "Adam Stoddard Cartwright, you left this room without permission and roamed the streets, the dangerous streets full of..."

"Now Pa, you're being a little dramatic," interrupted Adam.

"DO NOT TELL ME I"M BEING DRAMATIC!" he roared.

Adam cringed and unconsciously took a step back.

Ben took a calming breath, "I am not exaggerating my fear young man or my displeasure and disappointment to find that you went into a place I forbade you to enter."

"But Pa, I didn't see any of ... uhh those sorts of girls, actually I only saw Billy and the lighting men and then the play; Lady Godiva. Honest Pa, I just was interested in seeing the performance. I understand I disobeyed you and..."

"Good, then let's get this over with, lean over the bed."

"What Pa? No."

"NO!"

"Yes , I mean; don't you think I'm a little old for this type of punishment, I'm almost eighteen years old, Pa...sir."

"No I don't think you are too old for this, just as you were not of age to be permitted into that Sporting House."

"Pa, it was a theatre. I just saw a show, nothing more."

"I believe you, Adam, but it is also known as a sporting house. I forbad you from going there. If you think yourself so mature you should have at least told me you were going for a walk."

"You would not have let me."

"You are right. I would not have. So you intended to disobey me. You have until the count of three to bend over that bed. And iIf I hear another word you will find yourself over my knee like a twelve year old who is trying to talk himself out of what he has coming for the total disregard of my orders."

Adam, resigned to his fate, leant over the bed, giving his father a clear target of his cotton clad backside in the glow of the bedside lamp.

Ben pulled his belt through the loop of his pants, folded it in half and applied the first lick to Adam's backside.

Adam grunted, but refused to let his Pa now how embarrassed he was, or how much that damn belt hurt. He grabbed the other edge of the bedside and held on. Ben swung another four times in quick succession then stopped.

"Now get into that bed, and do not move until I come and get you for breakfast."

Adam quickly obliged, not believing his luck. He was expecting his father to give him the whipping of his life, especially after having been so unsuccessful at dissuading him, and annoying the man with his argument. His father's swing hurt enough, that was a given, but Adam had really expected it to be much worse.

"We will discuss this further in the morning Adam," said Ben turning to leave the room.

"Yes sir. Pa?" asked Adam.

Ben stopped and turned. "Yes?"

"Why... I mean; what?"

"Why did I go easy on you?"

"Not that easy Pa," complained Adam, wanting to rub at the sting like he did when he was twelve.

"Adam, I know you consider yourself a man. You have done a man's job this last year. A job you shouldn't have had to do. I want to treat you like the man you have become, but I don't want to lose the boy you still are. Consider my leniency a compromise, but I won't have you deliberately disobey me or take risks that could put your life in danger."

Adam nodded. "Thanks Pa, I'm sorry for disrespecting you like that."

"Get some sleep, Adam."

"Pa, just one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Billy... I… well… I didn't get my change, and so I thought I could see the Romeo and Juliet matinee tomorrow before our luncheon. I have to meet Billy in the morning, I don't suppose..."

"You won't have time tomorrow before the luncheon. You will have to make other arrangements with your new friend. Perhaps we can work something out for another day."

"Really Pa?" asked Adam excitedly.

Ben nearly laughed. Just minutes ago the young man was saying he was too old for his father's physical chastisement and now, in the soft light of the room, he looked like the youngster Ben remembered long ago. "Yes maybe at breakfast Adam. Now sleep and no more midnight adventures."

End Flashback.

"Oh no," exclaimed Joe. " It's good to hear that my perfect big brother gets in trouble with Pa too!," he laughed.

"Hmmm, Pa did the same thing with me, he would have done with you. I may have been nearly eighteen, but I was still his son; a son who had disobeyed him, snuck out in the middle of the night, in a wild mining town, thinking I couldn't get hurt. "True, I would have had the same very necessary talk."

"Yep. I tell you sitting down at breakfast wasn't too comfortable at all."

Joe grimaced, "That bad, huh?"

"Hmm, of course I made it worse by complaining to Pa that I was too old to be treated that way anymore. So he gave me the choice to take it like a man or a boy.

"So, you chose the belt. I think I would have too."

"Yeah, five didn't seem so bad. However..." said Adam in mock annoyance, "in all my indignation about Pa's proposal, I had forgotten just how high and how hard Pa could swing."

Joe laughed, "Sorry brother, I don't mean to make light of your misfortune, it's just nice to know you ended up there too. Alexandra needs to hear some of your boyhood stories. She told me you mentioned our prank on you when you took over teaching a while. It's only fair that she knows that you were a mischievous youth also, " teased Joe.

"Don't you dare!" said Adam with a small smile." I'd like to think staying perfect in her eyes is a plus at the moment; she gets too many ideas from you as it is."

"True," agreed Joe mischievously. "You tell her about her momma and how you met?"

"Yes she knows the story now. Her mother told her some nice things about her youth as well."

"So, in the end did you get to go to the matinee?"

"Well I did, sort of. I came clean about purchasing the matinee tickets and meeting a friend called Billy."

"You didn't tell him that Billy was really Katherine?"

Adam shrugged his shoulders. "I figure he might think she was a girl of ill repute and I really wanted to see her again, so I just said I met a friend my own age that was a stage hand at the theatre, Billy, who was getting me tickets for the matinee."

"So he let you go?"

"No not that day, but he let me meet Billy in the alley after breakfast. He said I could go the day after, if Billy could exchange the tickets and get one for him."

"Oh, supervision! Don't you love Pa when he wants to supervise your social activities?" said Joe rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, I do," agreed Adam sarcastically, " but, at least it was better than nothing. And I wasn't in any hurry to have to explain to Katherine, that the smooth and mature Adam Cartwright had his tail blistered by his father. So, I met Kate and told her about my father wanting to come, and that perhaps still we could meet after lunch that day for an afternoon walk and picnic."

"Walk, not ride," giggled Joe.

"Joe, I couldn't sit. It was bad enough during lunch with the mine owners."

"Gosh the whole thing sounds tortuous, ." moaned Joe, imagining a business meeting with his pa and some stuffy old mine owners would have been the most boring thing in the world.

"Actually the meeting was pretty interesting. The mine owners were good business men, who had the interest of the town and the new families at heart. I also heard a bit more about The Star and Garter, and how they were trying to get it less... well more respectable. A group of actors and performers were trying to buy shares in it and turn it around. However, the owner Frank Hallett wasn't too happy about it. The gambling tables and especially the night activities sported by the girls was a real money maker. But, the owners and the newly elected town council were putting pressure on him. I think Pa was happy about that, and more than willing to have me befriend Billy while I was there and attend a matinee, but I wasn't to go near the place at night."

"I take it Pa got the contract then, that would have made him very happy."

"Pa got the contract, there were a few details that needed reviewing and negotiating. They wanted delivery dates bought forward, so with my help we talked about re-arranging schedules and time management. They were impressed with me too; so impressed they offered to pay pa's expenses for the rest of the week if we stayed while they drew up the new contracts."

"So you got to spend the whole week with Katherine."

"Yes, we went on picnics, and walks and rides. We talked about our families and childhoods. Kate showed me some of the mines and in particular the natural hot springs up near the lead mines. She also had a love of literature. She was very funny, Joe, very much like Alexandra. Kate could find the adventure and a challenge just about in any scenario. She always looked on the brighter side of things, always played the glad game, before looking at the bad stuff. Like when her mother found out she was with child and her father wouldn't marry her mother. Willameena made sure they were looked after, and she adopted Molly. Kate said the best thing about all that lousy stuff was that she got a big sister out of it and got to travel around the country playing in theatres, carnivals and meeting interesting people. Her eyes just lit up when she talked about all the good things she had in her life."

"Sort of saw the silver lining in the clouds."

"Yes."

"Alexandra is very much like that Adam. It's a good trait to have."

"It's why I find it very hard to be disappointed with her; annoyed yes, angry sometimes, because she can get a bee in her bonnet over the littlest thing, and not listen. She may find herself in all sorts of adventures and danger, but I will never be disappointed in who she really is. I'm saddened that I didn't know she existed; I wish I'd had those early years with her."

"You mad at Katherine for that?"

"Yes, a little. I've been reading her journal, so her reasons are a little clearer, but I haven't really come to terms with her motivations yet."

"You wanna ear big brother, I'd be happy to listen. I'd love to hear more about Katherine anyway. The picnics and the shows... Hey did Pa figure out Billy was a girl... Katherine?"

"Nope, well not until the last night, though I think he suspected and was somewhat relieved when he found out. He noticed how close Billy and I had become. He watched Romeo and Juliet with me, knowing Billy was playing Romeo. He thought the lad did a good job, a little effeminate, but then Shakespeare's youths could be very much like that, he said."

Adam and Joe laughed.

"Pa knew Shakespeare?" asked Joe.

"Yes, some it seems."

"Its' late Joe, I'd be happy to tell you more. It's been good talking like this with you. Maybe we can get the rest in tomorrow before I leave."

"Sure Adam, if not tomorrow, the trail ride offers some quiet nights for good story telling. One thing, though, I'm glad you're taking Alexandra. I really am. You're a great father and I know it's hard for you. If I can help, just let me know. I'd do anything for both of you." said Joe before heading to the stairs.

Adam stayed a moment revelling in Joe's heartfelt offer. Perhaps there had been times when he's misjudged Joe; his mischievous nature and hi- jinks had often seemed so self absorbing and egotistical. But at times like these, Adam realized Joseph Francis Cartwright was a young man of honour, growing wise and very much in his own way; just like the rest of them.

~oOo~

Alexandra woke up warm; too warm. The morning sun was streaming through her window, and she wondered how late in the morning it really was. She jumped out of bed quickly, grabbed her drawing from the night before and ran to her father's room. When she got there she found his bed made and the room as clean as a whistle. She turned and ran down the stairs and into the empty dining room; the whole house eerily quiet. The table was almost bare, however it was obvious that everybody had had breakfast as Hop Sing hadn't cleared all of the dishes away yet. Alexandra checked the grandfather clock by the study wall. She panicked when she saw it was almost eight am and went to find Hop Sing, hoping he could shed some light on everybody's absence. Her heart dropped when she saw dishes in the sink still unwashed. She wondered if her father had left without her. Surely he would have waited to say goodbye or at least explain to her why she couldn't go. But, then she had stayed up so late, drawing, and perhaps her dad wanted her to sleep. She wandered to the kitchen door, by this time feeling a little lost and teary.

Alexandra chewed on the hem of her night dress searching for Hop Sing from the door. She craned her head and checked the vegetable garden; he wasn't there. It wasn't until she saw the steam from the bathhouse and laundry, did she feel some relief. She started to wander over barefooted, when Hop Sing suddenly appeared with a load of washing, mumbling in half Chinese and half in English.

"Washing to much washing. How Hop Sing supposed to get everything ready so fast. jiao jue ,Hop Sing xing ji ,qi ji. Think Hop Sing miracle worker. Still not do dishes. Mister Adam need this need that; must catch stage coach. Little Missy dress need cleaning also, must have today. No school, leave little Missy asleep."

Alex couldn't make out what he was exactly, but she was certain the comments related to her father, being in a hurry to catch the stage, and her needing a clean dress for school. "So dad, did leave without me, without even talkin to me, without even askin me what I wanted ta have him say ta my momma, without even the drawin' an all...he's a mean rotten father...the bum!" she fumed. "I'm never gonna..." Alexandra didn't finish her sentence as she burst into tears, ran for her bedroom and threw herself on the bed sobbing, believing her father had left her behind.

Alexandra cried as she lay on the bed, mumbling to herself. "I'm sorry momma; I thought daddy woulda let me come. I guess he wants ta get there fast, and I'd be in the way an all. But, he didn't even say good bye and now he ain't even got the drawing." Alexandra sat up and scrubbed her eyes, before unfolding the drawing that she had scrunched up in her hands in her haste to get back to her room. She smoothed out the wrinkles and flattened it out on the bed before getting up and carrying it like it was a golden treasure chest over to her desk.

"Suppose I could get Uncle Joe ta post it to you, momma. The pony express is faster than any old stage coach anyways. Uncle Joe told me so, why...I..." Alexandra stopped when she spotted the map. Like the night before she traced her finger along the Carson City to Sacramento route. A determined expression dawned on her face. Within seconds she was dressing and packing.

"I'll need some clean clothes for when I get there. Best take a dress, but only one. I need some water and some food too, oh and money... ceptin I got no money...Hmmm." Alexandra did up the last of the buttons on her britches and tucked in her shirt. She folded the drawing neatly and put into the small rucksack she had packed her spare clothes in. Deciding the petticoat was taking up too much room she pulled it out and tossed it back into her cupboard. She then grabbed her hat and coat and tiptoed down the stairs.

Alex laid her ruck sac on her grandfather's desk before dropping to her knees and opening the safe, slowly recalling the numbers she had often heard Hoss recite when his father sent him to the safe. It wasn't often that Hoss handled the hand's wages but when he did her Uncle Hoss seemed to remember things better when he said them out loud. He always recited the combination as he turned the dials. Alex imitated him; kinetically. Recalling his big form, she perched herself on one knee, put her tongue to one side of hers moth as she turned and chanted; 23 left, 36 right and past zero ones then left again to 16. Just like magic; the safe opened. Alexandra lifted a large bundle of cash from the cash tin inside. She took two twenty dollar bills and returned the rest. Alex then stood and wrote an IOU; To Grandpa. IOU; 40 dollars. I will pay you back when I get home with Momma. She put the note in the safe, locked it and headed for the kitchen.

Hop Sing was still outside in the laundry, and unbeknownst to her was indeed cleaning and ironing Alex's best school dress along with several of Adams shirts. Once laundered and pressed, they were being neatly folded and packed into the two carpet bags Adam had given him that morning before he rode into to town to meet Marty.

Alexandra grabbed three apples, some cheese and cookies. She filled up two canteens with water, and then headed to the barn with her load. Carlapicio was happily munching on her morning feed. Uncle Hoss must have done her morning chores while she slept in. Just as well, thought Alexandra, "We got big journey girl, and yer gonna need yer strength." Alexandra found a nose feed bag and filled it with chaff and a dipper of oats. "You cin eat grass most of the way girl," she said patting the little white mare. She soon had her saddled and attached the ruck sac and feed bags to the back of her saddle and flung the canteens over the horn.

Alex wondered whether she should take her small rifle. She had promised her daddy she wouldn't touch it without adult supervision or in an emergency. "Well this is an emergency. I might jist need it to defend myself, or shoot a rabbit fer dinner." With her mind made up Alex ran back to the house and grabbed the small riffle, a box of bullets and returned to the barn.

Alexandra led Carlapicio from her stall, and quietly walked her pony around the back of the barn and out the side gate past the small yard corals. She stopped when she got to the road and pulled the map out of her coat pocket. She looked at the land marks; the tall pine and the rock faced left of the cross roads ahead. She mounted Carlapicio and trotted comfortable the five yards to the sign and looked up. How easy was this? She thought to herself. There on the tall post were several wooden palings fashioned like big arrows and pointing in three different directions, Carson City, Virginia City and Goat Springs. Goat Springs was the first stop the stage would make. If she hurried she might just make it before lunch. Alexandra folded the map back up and confidently turned her pony's head, then cantered off in the direction of Goat Springs; first stop and then onto San Francisco and her mother.

Of course it was also highly likely that she would run into her father once there, but be damned with those consequences, she thought. Fact was she intended to give her dad a real piece of her mind. He might bring up this trust thing again, well he was sure too. But, as far as Alex was concerned trust went both ways. And she'd trusted him to at least tell her about her momma. "Nothing gonna to stop me from seeing you momma. I done listened to ya all last time. But, nobodys gonna stop me this time; no sheriff in no jail, no lawyers, no Molly, no doctors and no Adam Cartwright, even iffin he is my dad."

~oOo~

Adam slowed Sport down as much as possible as he rode into the yard. It was almost 8.30. He and Alexandra needed to get moving for the hours ride to Carson City, if they were to get there in plenty of time for the noon stage.

Adam was disappointed; he had gone into town to try and catch Marty before she left for the Devlins, but he was too late. He took the time to write a letter to her, explaining his early departure and the delicate situation regarding Katherine and the marriage certificate. He would post it when he got to Carson City. It would get there with the pony express by the next day. Adam then stopped at the mercantile. Sam Potter was more than happy to open up early for him. Adam picked up some supplies for the stage coach ride and picked out a new dress and bonnet for Alex to travel in, just in case Hop Sing was not able to get her best dress laundered and dried in time.

Adam rode into the yard and dismounted, trying Sport to the hitching rail, ready to pack the horse with the saddle bags, and the light luggage they would be taking with them.

Hop Sing met him at the door. "Ahh, Mr. Adam, all laundry done. Hop Sing pack for you. All except little miss extra petticoats, not dry yet, but soon. Also have packed some food just for one day. Keep Little Miss happy in between stops."

"Thank you Hop Sing," said Adam as he turned around and headed back to Sport and tied the bags onto the saddle. "Alex can ride in front of me. I'll leave Sport at the Carson City Livery. Hoss can go pick him up when he has time." Adam patted Sport's rump as he tied the last of the bags on. "Okay, I need to wash up, and get Alexandra washed and ready. Has she had breakfast yet, Hop Sing?"

"No, Hop Sing not see Little Miss yet. Let her sleep. Hop Sing get all work done when she sleep, not get any work done when she awake."

Adam laughed. "How did you ever cope with all three of us Hop Sing?"

"You Big boy, you Big help. Little Joe, keep me plenty busy, though just like Little Miss, and Mister Hoss, only sometime. Big job with Mister Hoss; not letting him eat everybody's supper." laughed the happy Chinese cook.

"Okay, well I'll wake her up," said Adam.

"I fill tub with water. She really should have a good wash."

"Thanks, Hop Sing."

Both men headed off into different directions, but stopped when Joe, Ben and Hoss rode into the yard.

Adam stopped. "Everything Okay, Pa?"

"Yes. we're almost done in the north pasture, just the weanlings to brand, and then horses to round up and broken in. Hoss is going to take the small chuck wagon up while they finish up. Tomorrow they will start on the horses."

"Oh vely sorry Mr Cartwright; you too early have not loaded small wagon yet," apologised Hop Sing.

"Sorry pa, he's been helping me."

"That's alright we can do it, Hop Sing. Besides this way we get to say good bye," smiled Ben.

Ben followed Adam into the house, while Hoss and Joe headed to the kitchen and Hop Sing to the bath house.

Adam took off up the stairs while Ben headed over to his office and to the safe. He opened it up and pulled out the cash tin, intending to give Adam some extra funds in case he had not the time to withdraw from his account at the bank.

Meanwhile Adam walked into Alexandra's room. There he found an empty bed, and a dishevelled wardrobe. He went to her desk, and found several discarded drawings of the Log House.

Ben stared at the promissory note, while Adam scratched his head and looked at the empty bed, starting to get an uneasy feeling.

"Alexandra!" they yelled in unison.

~oOo~

It didn't take all five adults in the Cartwright household to figure out where Alexandra had headed. Though, anybody else looking on at the scene would have been at a loss to figure out anything amongst all the shouting, the accusations and threats; all the chaos.

Alexandra's not upstairs... Alexandra has left an IOU in the safe, how did she even know the combination... Pa, that's not important now. Hop Sing when was the last time you saw Alex? I not see Little Miss...She says something about her mother in the note, she took forty dollars... She's going to San Francisco. What? How? She wouldn't even know how to get there... Well I might have told, her well... What? Are you insane, little Joe! Don't call me insane ...No she...You idiot... I'm not... and neither is she; she had an old Ponderosa map... Iffin everybody will stop yellin' fer a moment... I'm not Yelling! Not my fault little miss fast asleep, Hop Sing busy with laundry... Ni hao, feng le; hello crazy people; I not to blame just doing my job... I'm not blaming you Hop Sing. Well yer can't blame me Adam you should have talked to her, she was...Yeah Adam the little gal, must be plumb scared... I was going to talk to her...That kid will be the death of me... Joe why...

" STOP!" yelled Ben. "She can't have got too far. Boys mount up. Hop Sing stay here in case she comes back."

"Hop Sing not go nowhere; got to get small chuck wagon ready, remember. You think Chinese people miracle workers; can do everything; watch little miss; do laundry, feed workers and chicken; clean house..." mumbled the cook as he headed to the kitchen.

"Pa she'll be headed to Goat Springs," said Joe.

"Come on, Hoss you think you can pick up her trail?"

"Easy Pa."

All four men headed out the door, mounted up and galloped out through the gates.

" dum didley ahh tadar dum," hummed Hoss, wondering why that tune always came into his head whenever all four of them rode out of the yard.

An hour later they stopped at the cross roads to Goat Springs.

"She's stayed on the road, Adam, though it gets a little narrow from the turn off here, and a little bumpy at the bottom of the ranges," announced Hoss.

"How long ago did you think she passed Hoss?" asked Ben.

"We're only an hour behind at the most, I reckon. She's going a steady slow pace; looking after Carlapicio. She's a good girl."

"Good girl, I'm going to wail her backside when I find her," growled Adam.

"You and me both, son; giving us a scare like this," supported Ben.

"We can probably get ahead of her if we take the range path. It cuts through just out of Goat Springs," said Joe.

"Yeah he's right. Watch for landslides though fella's. I'll lead," ordered Hoss.

It took all of thirty minutes to intertwine their way through the thin trees on the tall hill that overlooked the road to Goat Springs. They got to the top and looked down the sloping mound to where they could see the narrowing road weave its way through at the bottom.

There no more than a mile away, was a small figure wearing a big hat and sitting atop a little white pony. Alexandra was slowly meandering her way around the small bends and curves in the hard dirt path. She sung some ditty that echoed off the walls of the long range beside her. "Over the hills and through the wood to momma's house we go..."

Adam wanted to rush down the hill and catch up with his daughter, but the loose rocks on the sides could easily injure their horses. So the four of them slowly walked their horses, down and diagonally across the range, finding the sure footing on the sides. Once at the bottom, they hoped to find themselves ahead of Alexandra. They had seen her disappear around a bend about a hundred yards back. Now they waited; four men tightly abreast on horseback as the child, still humming to herself, suddenly appeared from the bend and stopped dead in her tracks.

As usual Alexandra's first reaction was to bolt, however she hadn't come this far to take the risk of hurting her horse, or be outrun by the four horsemen in front of her. She needed a place to hide. She quickly scanned the area, then jumped off Carlapicio, and ran for the trees opposite the hills.

The four Cartwrights immediately spilt up; their instincts deciding on the course of their actions and tasks. Adam headed off into the trees and quickly dismounted to give chase. Hoss and Joe, made their way to the small pony, who in fright had pivoted and was heading back the way she had come. Carlacipco sensed trouble, and wasn't sticking around to be involved. Ben just watched for a moment shaking his head at his granddaughter's audacity, her stubbornness and her recklessness; a true Cartwright.

Ben waited for his youngest son's to return with the pony, before they followed Adam, who they could hear yelling as he chased the child through the thick bushes. They came upon a standoff not more than four yards from the road. Adam stood in a small clearing while Alexandra hid behind a rock.

"I can see you there Alexandra! Now get out from there and come here," demanded Adam.

Alexandra's stubborn face popped up from the rock. "I ain't coming. I'm goin ta San Francisco ta see momma. You're a rotten mean father; yer said yer take the drawing. I heard yer say you was going in the morning and yer left without me. I knowed you was having ta get there fast, and so do I. And I knowed I might slow yer down an all, but I need ta see her. I need ta tell her things afore...to say...I gotta a map and enough cookies ta last me two days I reckon, so I'm going ta see my momma and tell her I love her. I'll tell her I love you too, cause I do, even though yer mean, fer leaving me behind and not caring what I think. I won't tell her that part, though, cause I reckon she'd be worried iffin she thought yer didn't care and she don't need ta be worryin... well... cause yer look after me real good and all and I know yer love me and all. Yer always thinking yer doing what's best for me but this time yer done got it wrong. Staying at the Ponderosa is not what's not beatest for me or my momma. She wants ta see me, I know she does. So yer a rotten mean Yankee Granite head father and a...a... dirty double crosser bum head!" she yelled in anger and frustration. After reeling off as many insults she could design, Alex took another big breath."I'm going ta Sam Francisco and yer can't stop me, cause I will jist find a way ta get there no matter what yer do, cause I got a map! See here it says; I jist... "

Besides Joe's giggle coming from behind, Alexandra ramble was the only other sound in woods. She continued to yell from the top of the bolder, holding up the map up, making more threats and sassing her father. There was only one way Adam was going to calm her down enough to get a word in edge wise. Applying his flat palm to her sassy little bottom was the only way to break through all that melodramatic banter she became possessed with delivering. He had no regrets about it , of course catching her was going to be his problem. She was small but mighty in disposition and speed. He found his opportunity when Alex held the map up again pointing to the Californian border. Adam took his chance to catch her unawares; he dived towards the boulder.

Alexandra scratched her head, in annoyance. "Corse the map finishes here an all, but I reckon there should be sign posts. I could always buy a bigger map in Placerville... I... ahhh..." she screeched when she saw her father's face suddenly appear in front of her. Alex quickly turned and tried to scrabble up the nearest tree. She was half way up the trunk when her father grabbed her leg and yanked her down into his arms.

Alexandra started kicking and yelling, "yer let me go, it ain't fair; yer left without me, so I'm going. Put me down you... you, Adam Cartwright, you ... OW!"

Alexandra didn't get to finish her tirade. Adam promptly sat down on the boulder that had once been Alex's safe haven and put her across his knee. He then applied a short sharp smack to her wriggling backside. "Are you going to stop your sass," SMACK, he asked applying another swat her britches, "and listen to me..." SMACK, "for a minute." SMACK."As usual, Little Lady, you let..." SMACK, "your imagination run amuck." SMACK. "And then act without thinking." SMACK.

"OW! OW! OW! it weren't my imagination...OW! You done left without...OW! Me!" wailed Alex, punctuating each word with a kick.

SMACK! "If I left without you..." SMACK, "then what am I doing here..." SMACK, "now?"

"OW! OW! OW! . You..." Alexandra abruptly stopped the yelling, kicking and wriggling and sniffed as the tears ran down her cheeks. "Huh, Daddy?"

Adam felt her relax and quickly stood her on her feet in front of him. "I'm here Alexandra Willameena Cartwright. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere without you. " said Adam softly.

Alexandra suddenly let out a wail and sobbed as she threw herself into her father's chest. she stepped back and through a stream of tears, and runny nose, she started to babble, barely stopping to take breath. "I thought you done left me. Little Joe said you was gonna talk ta me. I heard what Mr. Knoble said about momma, and I knew yer wanted ta get there fast. I didn't know iffin yer was gonna take me, so I done the drawing. I wanted you take it to momma and show her how beautiful our home is, and I thought you might take me, but I kinda thought too that yer mighten be able. And then when I woke up and everybody was gone an all, I just told myself that you shoulda taken me and that you musta forgotten me. And then I was mad, because I won't be a nuisance. I can get there by myself, cause I had a map an all, and Carlapicio is a strong little horse even though she is small. I figured I didn't need ta catch up to yer; I would jist take it easy like, so I packed my sack. I packed a good dress, but couldn't get a petticoat in but I got some biscuits. I even packed my rifle and some bullets, but it was an emergency dad, so I figured it would be alright and took money out of grandpas' safe. I watched Uncle Hoss open the safe a plenty of time. He remembers the combination out loud, sort a like a song. I'm real good at rememberin' songs. 23 left, 36 right and past zero ones then left again to 16. I left an IOU for him and all. That way I could buy a new map, and Carlapicio some feed iffin I needed to, I ..."

Adam put his finger on her lips, trying not laugh when from the corner of his eye he saw his father slap Hoss on the back of the head, mumbling something about remembering the safe combinations out loud. "Shhush... now." he said wiping the tears away from her cheeks with his thumb. "And just what were you going to do when you got to San Francisco, Alexandra?"

"I was gonna go to the jail and see momma, then probably find you. I figured I'd be in trouble a bit, but still I would get to see momma."

"You don't know where the jail is. And your momma may have been moved by the time you got there."

"I woulda asked at the jail, dad. How hard can it be ta find a jail; yer jist find the sheriff of San Francisco and... "

"Alexandra, San Francisco is a very big place. it doesn't have a sheriff, it..."

"It don't have a sheriff?" she asked incredulously. "Iffin it's a big place, dad, it should have a sheriff. You could be sheriff maybe dad, then..."

"Alex it doesn't have a sheriff, the city has a police department. They are like a lot of sheriffs."

"That's good then, because..."

"Because it's dangerous and you would not have easily found your momma."

Alexandra nodded as she scrubbed at the new tears that formed in her eyes, thinking that she may never see her momma again. " I... Am... Did I done wrecked my chance ta go to San Francisco. Are you gonna send me back home, dad?"

"No Alexandra, I had decided to take you last night. "

Alexandra again threw herself into her father's chest and hugged him, "Thank you, daddy. Thank you, you ain't a mean father or a dirty double crosser bum head, I take that back."

Adam pattered her back, "I didn't mean to neglect you Alexandra, but you were still asleep and I had to go into town real early to organise some things before we could catch the noon stage. You let your imagination run away with you again. I know that when you get worried or excited you tend to do that but you have to try and work on not doing that. We also need to have a little talk about your bad language too, little lady and the rifle. You can't just jump to the wrong conclusions. You could get yourself into real danger Alexandra. You're a little girl, not a wild west cowboy or cow girl..."

"Like Annie Oakley, she done this show in Elk once..."

"Not like Annie Oakley, Alexandra, she's not a real cowgirl either, she's a performer, one that can shoot well."

"And look after herself dad, momma said she was real smart at looking after herself around all them men's and Indians and she is a real good horse rider too, she... "

"Shush; you can tell me all about Annie Oakley once we're on the stage."

"Which you're not going to make if you don't get going now," said Ben.

Adam stood up and took Alexandra's hand and walked towards his father and brothers. "I think it best we continue onto Goat Springs. We're only a couple of miles away. The stage stops here first anyway. It should pull in about two or three o'clock this afternoon. We'll still be on schedule. Toby will let us freshen up there. Hoss can you follow us and take Sport back home? Pa can you take Carlapicio? Joe, I need a special favour of you."

"Sure Adam. Hey I'm sorry about Alexandra, I thought I was doing the right thing. I had no idea she would take off."

"I know Joe, I just snap when I get worried. I guess a bit like Alex when I think about it." Adam shook his youngest brother's hand and then slapped him on the back. He pulled out a long envelop from his heavy tan coat. "I didn't get to met up with Marty. She is at the Devlins. Could you take this letter to her? It explains everything."

"Sure Adam, I'll put her mind at ease."

"Thanks."

Hoss transferred Alexandra's pack to Chubb's saddle horn. "Bye Pa, see you around supper time," he said, then handed Alexandra's small rifle and Carlapicio reigns over to his father.

"Good Hoss," said Ben then turned to Alexandra and Adam. "Take care both of you," he smiled before bending down to give Alexandra a huge hug.

"Bye Grandpa... OW," she yelped when Ben's large hand made a stinging contact with her dusty backside.

"That's for taking money from the safe. You stay out of that safe, my pistol is in there. I'll have to reset the combination."

"Ow... " pouted Alex as she rubbed the sting out her tail. "I don't need the money, now grandpa you can have it back," she offered trying to make amends.

"No you may keep it, in case you need it... Or you may buy your momma something special with it and give her my love. Just no more taking money that doesn't belong to you. It could get you in real strife."

"Even iffin yer leave a IOU? It's a real legal document," stated Alex.

"It is, but they cannot be trusted, so no more. Come here and give me another hug. You know I love you right?"

"I know grandpa, I love you too."

"Right then, Pip Squeak, here give Carlapicio a kiss good bye," said Joe.

Alexandra ran up and kissed her pony, then caressed her neck. "Thanks girl, you did real good fer yer first adventure. Don't worry, we'll have another one real soon; when I get back." she said. Alexandra then turned around and jumped up into Joe's arms. "Thanks Uncle Joe, sorry iffin I got you inta trouble with my daddy, though I got myself in worsa; I guess."

"You sure did Pip Squeak. Let's make a deal; next time you come up with a hair brained idea, run it past me first, and I'll tell you whether it's a good one or a bad one."

"Yeah he'd know, Pumkin, he's done been involved in a lot of harebrained ideas over the years," chuckled Hoss.

"Some that you readily joined in Hoss. As for you Alexandra, no more hair brained ideas at all," warned her grandfather. "From now on it's going to mean double trouble for you. Your father is going to wear his hand out before you're fourteen, and the real trouble starts. You mind me now, because I will not hesitate to put you over my knee and paddle your backside, just so your father can have a break."

Alexandra giggled.

"It's no laughing matter, Young Lady; you gave us all a scare."

"I wasn't being sassy grandpa. I was laughing happy, cause I knowed yer jist saying that cause yer love me and yer care about my daddy and me a real lot. My momma's gonna be right happy I'm with you all; knowing I'm loved to infinity."

"That you are darlin. Now get going, you three. See you soon, Adam. Keep us informed."

"Thanks Pa." Adam mounted sport while Hoss mounted Chubb. Adam then hoisted Alexandra up off the ground and sat her front of him. "Comfortable my little Annie Oakley?"

"Not very Dad, my bu...bottom hurts," groused Alexandra, pouting as she dropped back to look up into her father's face.

Adam pecked her on the nose. "Bad luck."

TBC Chapter 6 ... The Journey.

A.N. Sorry this has been so late coming, but I've been playing with it and real life just got real hectic. Be warned it may be another two weeks before I can update. Once again, Lajoci's help and advice is a godsend. All mistakes are my own. I'vealso taken artistic licence with Annie Oakley. She actually wasn't born until 1860. I could have named the explorer Jeanne Baré who is recognized as the first woman to have completed a voyage of circumnavigation, though she disguised herself as a man.