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. We continue with our Special Guest cameos; Brett maverick and Samantha Crawford from the 1950's? 60's T.V. western Maverick. I don't own that show either.

Warnings: Mild CP in this chapter.

Re-cap:Adam and Alexandra continue their journey to San Francisco. This time they have meet up with Brett Maverick and Samantha Crawford. They sail to San Francisco from Sacramento on the paddle steamer the Chrysopolis. Adam has relayed the story of his and Alexandra's first meeting and the day he took his child home.

Hoss nodded before Adam turned and winked at Alexandra. Then father and daughter and walked down the corridor together.

Overland Telegraph Company...

To: Benjamin Cartwright

Ponderosa Nevada

Arriving home Saturday stop Bringing a surprise stop All good stop

Hoss

Elk

Utah Territory

End Flashback…

Chapter 13: Placerville to Sacramento; Steamboat Alex pt 2.

"Well, that's quite a story. You wouldn't think something so little and cute as a button could cause all that havoc," laughed Brett Maverick.

"Yeah, she was pretty cute even as a boy. Her blonde curls might bounce around now adding to her charm, but even with short hair and britches she was enchanting," smirked Adam.

"You never guessed she was yours?" asked Brett.

"No, not until the road. Alexandra is small for her age. The doctors said she has been a little delayed because of her contact to lead. I thought she was about seven when I first saw her. She or he didn't particularly look like Katherine, or me either for that matter; blonde hair, green eyes, pale skin. My father says she looks likes my mother did as a child, except for the hair colouring."

"Where is her mother?"

"Katherine is in a facility for the criminally insane. Her condition was caused by lead poisoning. Two years ago, she was charged with the accidental shooting of a young boy. That's why I was in town in the first place. I was so pre-occupied with the trial, I never thought we could have conceived a child all those years ago."

"Katherine never told you?"

"No, and I really don't know why. I wrote to her and her sister said she wrote to me, but neither of us has the letters. There are a few entries in her diary about Alexandra as she was growing up. Alexandra was told about me, but told I was as a friend and someone she should trust and find if she was ever in trouble. That's tells me that Katherine was at least thinking about me being in Alexandra's life in some way. I've tried to figure out why she didn't tell me or Alexandra I was a father. The only answers I can come up with is that she didn't love me and felt perhaps I would reject her. Perhaps she felt, I wouldn't not believe the child was mine, but would at least have the decency to care for her child in an emergency."

"You believe she's yours?"

"Oh she's a Cartwright all right. She has her mother's spunk and golden hair as well as the Cartwright temper and stubbornness."

"So, now you're going to San Francisco to see her mother? "

"Yes; recent evidence has proven that Katherine was not the shooter. Unfortunately the state will not release her due to her mental instability. I'm applying for custody and appealing against the states right to hold her indefinitely," explained Adam with conviction.

"It must have been pretty hard on the kid and you," commented Brett.

"It was; it nearly broke my heart when I saw her on the road. She looked like a lost little lamb, all dusty and dirty, tears streaming down her dirty little round face. those big green eyes staring up at me asking why; expecting a miracle. They get me every time. She was a determined little thing; still is," chuckled Adam.

Brett joined in with his new found friends mirth. He admired the man. What a road some people had to travel, he thought. Then his own story was very similar in many ways. A life on the road, with his Pappy and brother, trying to scratch out a living by means of the gambling tables and in some cases a good con or Bunco trick, played on those who deserved it; so his pappy had always told him. Brett pointed to Adams cigar. "You need to relight that."

Adam nodded, "Yeah thanks; it must have gone out during my story."

Brett struck a match and offered the flame to Adams half smoked cigar. "So, Alexandra was quite a little wildfire, though I see you've managed to curb some of that."

Adam laughed, "Some, and it's been a hard task, I can tell you, but I think I was a little unfair about her mother and Molly's parenting methods. They did a lot of good with that little girl. She as a heart as big as a continent and her sense of justice is strong. She is just a little impulsive when it comes to her reactions to certain situations. I hope she learns to think things out a lot more before she lets the worst of her imagination run away with her. I don't want to break her of her spirit; her true nature, just work on those gifts for good."

"From what I can see, you've done a great job, too. She as honest as the day comes."

"You mean blunt. Oh she can embellish, but takes it often too it becomes an outright lie, I put my foot down."

"Hmmm," said Brett. "Well…" he straightened, "It looks like the last of the passengers are boarding; it won't be long until we sail."

Adam looked below to the gangplank."A few likely contestants for the tournament?' observed Adam pointing out a rather fancy dressed gentleman in a grey morning coat and an impeccably pressed pinned stripped trousers. "You re-thinking your option of entering the game?" he asked.

Maverick drew another deep breath on his cigar, then turned it around and observed the glowing ember edges of the Cuban with its rich aromatic smoke lightly swirling into the air. "Nope; Californian Steam have employed me to oversee the games. Sort of a steward to watch out for cheats. While I would very much enjoy the challenge, this way I get to keep my money," he smirked.

"I don't fancy your job. There must be a few just about willing to do anything for the pot, five hundred dollars an entry and then one winner takes all; that's a mighty big temptation which could cause cheating... "

"Only fifteen thousand, each table round finalist gets to keep thirty percent of the table pot. But yes, fifteen thousand is a nice pretty sum, but I know some of these characters, most don't need to cheat. There are two or three better than me and at least half a dozen that I know their game. One look at me, and they'll most likely refrain from cheating."

"So your reputation precedes you," Adam dryly commented.

"Yep, but then only a tad better than my brother, Bart."

"He's not here is he?"

"No that would be a conflict of interest, however…" Maverick nodded to the young woman coming up the gangplank. She was tall and slender. Her strawberry blonde curls pinned up and arranged beautifully to one side of her face with a small hat positioned askew and dipped slightly forward, almost pointing at her small and delicate nose. She was dressed in a full stain skirt and matching shirt front. The burgundy and gold stripes of the material shimmered in the afternoon sun. "However, Brother Bart and I taught that one, just about everything she knows."

"Ohh, our little highway robber; Samantha?"

"Ah Uhh," acknowledged Maverick.

"She's a lot more interesting in that outfit," said Adam. "If she plays cards as good as she looks; then you may definitely have a conflict of interest."

"She plays well, but not good enough. She could get herself into some real strife."

"Like nearly getting herself shot trying to hold up a stage coach," asked Adam.

"Hmm," pondered Maverick.

They watched Samantha step onto the deck below them, and then head off into the direction where the deckhands were taking on the luggage. Samantha waited as they lowered a small trunk, and then gave one of the hands a coin, before he lugged it onto his shoulder and headed off to the passenger cabins.

"Looks like she's done a bit of shopping before boarding today," observed Adam.

"Samantha usually travels a lot lighter. She must have something else planned for San Francisco."

"Looks like you may need to have that little talk with her a lot sooner. Should we cancel dinner my friend?" asked Adam.

"No Cartwright, I'll be there. Sam too, after our talk, I can promise you that. See you at six. Thanks for the advice. Now if you'll excuse me." Maverick walked towards the starboard bow, cool, calm and collected.

Adam nodded, and then smirked, "Happy to help," he called out.

Adam turned and leant over the rails. He shook his head, and wondered about young ladies, ever growing up. He shook the musing from his mind and any thought that Alexandra may never grow out of her quest for adventure and mischievous nature. Instead he revelled some quiet time while he finished his cigar.

~oOo~

Meanwhile Alexandra was happily exploring the middle deck, she got to the bow and looked out across the bay and the afternoon sun as it slowly made its descent towards the horizon. She looked behind her and then up to the next level and top of the big steamer. In between the two huge black chimneys stacks was a small two storey building. The smaller of the two, was the wheelhouse of the captains' deck. Several large colonial windows enclosed the captains' wheel. Alexandra could see through the windows and tried to imagine herself at the big wheel. She envisioned herself as a Pirate sailing the seven seas looking for treasure and cussing at her men.

Alexandra looked around wondering how the captain and his crew got up there. Heading back down the starboard boardwalk, she noticed a very narrow stairwell. She stopped and hesitated, then searched the deck for her father. Confident that he wouldn't be able to see her beyond the huge paddle boxers covering the side paddle wheels, she stared up the stairs. Alex stopped on the third step, when she heard footsteps approaching. She peered out from behind the corner and spotted one of the crewmen carrying a trunk on his shoulder. 'Gosh he must be strong,' thought Alexandra as he lifted the trunk from his shoulders and gently put it down in front of a cabin. A pretty lady came up behind him.

"Thank you my good man," she said and handed the crewman a coin.

"I can take it in fer yer ma'am," he said.

"No need to, I can help the lady," said Maverick as he came suddenly up behind the pair.

The young lady whipped around and faced him. "Maverick… Brett, what are you…"

"Samantha don't look so surprised; you knew I was coming here. You have some explaining to do."

"I don't know what you are talking about," said Samantha feigning innocence.

"This your cabin," he asked pointing to the door, "Let's talk in there shall we?"

"Please, Maverick, I…"

Maverick took the key from her hand and with the other grasped her elbow. He opened her cabin door and guided Samantha in.

Alexandra came out from her hiding spot, curious as to what was happening. She approached the door, but decided that perhaps eavesdropping wasn't the nicest thing she should be doing, and that she still had some time to check out the wheelhouse, which seemed much more interesting. But, before she started back, the lid of the trunk that had been set outside of the door slowly rose.

Alex jumped back in fright. "What in the blazes?" she squealed.

A small child, a girl, popped her head up and put her finger to her lips."Shhh," she ordered.

"Who are you?" asked Alexandra.

"Wang Jai," whispered the girl, as she climbed from the small confines of the trunk. Wang Jai was no bigger than Alexandra. Her long black plait, smooth as silk, ran all the way down her back past her waist, and almost to the hem of her red Chinese tunic. Black stain pants protruded from the tunic, but stopped short at the ankles. The little Asian girl shuffled over to Alexandra, quietly so, in her soft flat black slippers. "Do you know the man that is with Samantha peng?" she asked.

"You are Jai and Samantha is your friend? asked Alexandra.

The little girl nodded. "You know some Chinese?"

"Some, my smiley uncle is Chinese."

"That man with Samantha, I only heard him, I did not see him, do you know of him. Is my Samantha san… my pengyou in danger?"

"I know him. He's a friend of hers, I think. He's a nice man. I don't reckon she is in no danger."

"What did he look like?"

"Tall, black hair and…"

"He did not have a hook for a hand?"

"No, he's the lady's friend I told ya already. His name is Mr Maverick."

"Ohhh yes, I am remembering now; the man that will lend Samantha peng the money."

"What for?"

"It is a long story, but I must not be seen. Samantha peng will be in much trouble if I am caught."

"Ya mean yer a stowaway?" asked Alexandra, liking the way this adventure was now panning out.

"Yes, it is important that know ones knows I am with Samantha, a bad man is …"

Their conversation was rudely interrupted by the argument coming from the cabin. Both children put their ears closer to the door.

"Samantha, I will give you to the count of three to explain," warned Brett Maverick.

"Three? Why that's…" complained Samantha.

"1, 2, 3…"

"I raise you five,"

"Cute," said Maverick.

The children heard a scuffle, then an "oof," then a; "you wouldn't dare!" Then; ' Oh yes I would, you dared to rob me, nearly got yourself shot in the process, now you dare to offer no explanation…" The sounds changed; two sounds merged one after the other. 'Thwump,' "Owe, what are you…" Thwump, "Owe… Maverick stop this at once!"

Both little girls looked at each other in confusion, their ears pinned to the door, they heard Maverick grumbling, "Damn petticoats, and what's with the ten inch thick bustle; come Samantha you really don't need that much padding…"

Both little girls bit their lip, on hearing Samantha's pleas. "Put my skirt down you fiend, why I'll…". Then cringed when they almost felt the vibrating sounds of; ' SMACK , and "oweeee!" and then, "Ahh that's much more effective!" came Maverick's voice. " Smack, oweee, smack, oweee, smack owee… " came Samantha's.

Alexandra looked at Wang Jai's concerned expression. "You said he was a friend; he is hurting my Samantha peng," Jai growled.

"Hmm, I think she did somethin naughty. My daddy only spanks me when I've done something naughty, or dangerous. Sounds to me like your Samantha peng, done tried ta steal Mr. Mavericks money," explained Alex.

"But she is not a bad person. She is helping to get back my money and get me to my Uncle in San Francisco, and she must keep me away from the bad man."

"Well, why don't she explain that ta Mr Maverick?"

"I do not know, but I will," said a determined Jai and went to open the door. It was locked and she shook on it. "Samantha Miss, Samantha Miss are you alright?"

The spanking that they could hear had come to a stop as soon as Jai started hammering on the door.

"Who's that?" they heard Maverick demand.

"Okay Okay, let me up, I'll explain. I'm going to need your help anyway," relented Samantha.

Just then another man could be heard yelling as he came down the decks hallway.

"I tell you the woman has my property and I demand that I be able to search her cabin."

"Very well sir, but you will keep your voice lowered and behave in a civil manner. The Chrysopolis is almost ready to sail and we have quite a few dignitaries aboard. You will act with decorum sir, or I will be asking you to disembark."

Jai's eyed went wide again, this time however they were dilated by pure fear.

"Quick it is him; I would know his voice anywhere. We must hide."

"Sure come with me, we can't hide in the cabin; theys gonna search it." Alexandra grabbed Jai's hand and they ran to the small stairwell and quickly rounded its corner, just before a large balding man and the captain came around the paddle boxes and into view.

The men stopped at Samantha's cabin where the captain lightly knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" they heard Samantha call.

"It's Captain Chadwich, Miss Crawford. I have a gentleman here, a Mister George. May we come in please?"

"I don't know any, Mister George, Captain," replied Samantha from behind her closed door.

The large man got annoyed and started thumping on the door. Alexandra gasped when she saw the thick glistening silver hook where the man's hand should have been.

"Open this door. You have something that belongs to me and I want it back," he growled.

Suddenly the door snapped open, and a very irate Samantha stepped out, keeping the door close to her back and the view of her room out of sight. She flicked her gaze back and forth between the intimidating passenger and the captain. "Sir, Captain, I do not know what you are referring to. Just what property are you talking about, sir? Did you tell the captain exactly what you are looking for?"

"No," blustered the man. "I need to talk to you. I know what you took; I expect it back or…"

Samantha turned to the captain. "Captain I have never seen this man before, perhaps he has me mixed up with someone else." She then turned to the man, calling his bluff in front of the captain.

He was so mad on spotting her he hadn't thought about his actions. In actual fact Samantha was willing to gamble that Mr George, whom she knew, would not be so willing to fully disclose his argument with her in front of the captain. "Sir, my trunk hasn't even been unpacked; in fact there it is right there. Perhaps you will have the captain search it for you, out here in the deck hall, in front of the other well to do passengers."

The big man blustered again, "No, well, I'm willing for you to search your conscience, Miss Walker and return my property by the time we reach port."

"Well Captain, as you can see, he has me mixed up with someone else. My names Samantha Crawford."

"It may be what you go by now, Samantha, but I'd know you anywhere. Captain I'm happy to leave it at that for the time being."

"Yes, Mr… ahh, George did you say your name was. I think the captain has better things to do and would not look favourably on you making a disgusting show of such a personal search." Samantha then leaned close to the man and whispered from the side of her mouth, "I'm sure he would not like to know exactly what that property is either. I'm sure if he found out; he may just throw you overboard especially when I explain the circumstances."

"She's mine," he hissed under his breath.

The captain had not heard their last comments, but did not like the man's demeanour towards the pretty and young Miss Crawford, and so intervened. "Miss Crawford, I am sorry to bother you. Mr George here has inferred that a valuable item of his has been stolen. I do not want any trouble on my ship. I have employed a detective and steward especially for the poker tournament tonight; perhaps he can sort out this mess. Mr George if you'll come with me sir, perhaps I can find Mr Maverick."

Samantha almost lost her composure on hearing Brett's name. She was glad now she had insisted he stay in her cabin while she handled the situation. Hook Hand George, would have surely kicked up a fuss had he known they were friends. The Captain most likely would have stopped her from entering the tournament, or even had her arrested should they have found Jai. Samantha eyed the trunk, hoping her little friend had got back in to hide, and had not suffocated, while they were being delayed. "Thank you Captain. Yes this detective person sounds like a good idea. I wouldn't mind talking to him myself. Mr George here seems determined to harass me; I may need your man's protection."

"Yes, ma'am, I will send him along once Mr George has spoken to him. Now if you don't mind, I have a ship to set sail."

"Thank you captain and I have a trunk to unpack."

Both men turned and walked off in the opposite direction to each other; the captain walked towards the bow and Mr George headed towards the stern. The two little girls were hiding. They quickly scuttled up the stairs and out of view around the wheelhouse outer wall, and then sat quietly as the captain called out to his first mate.

"Mr Gordon, find Mr Maverick please and bring him to the wheelhouse; I'd like to speak with him."

"Yes sir."

"Oh and Mr Gordon, I want you to keep an eye on a passenger for me; A Mister George, I have a gut feeling about him, not a nice one," he directed. 'Though he may well have an honest complaint,' the Captain thought silently to himself. He'd speak to Maverick about the young lady and the possibility that she had in her possession a valuable item that didn't belong to her.

"Oh! A problem that I should know about, Sir?" asked Gordon.

"Perhaps, I'll fill you in, later, John. We may have to wire ahead before we sail. I don't like having to get the law involved, but I may have no choice. Perhaps Maverick will have some ideas."

Alexandra looked at Jai… "Oh no," she whispered, "they might have to get the constables in San Francisco."

"Samantha peng, she could go to jail, yes?"

"Yes and you; you're a stowaway. I'm gonna have ta hide ya. Yer best go ta our cabin. Here is the key. My daddy will be able to help."

"No, Samantha said I must not tell anyone I am with her," Jai said in a panic.

"Okay, okay, for now. Still we'll have ta think about it, I don't like tellin' lies ta my dad. I won't tell him, but I gotta warn ya he's real clever at figuring stuff out. Look, my daddy won't let yer rot in jail. I reckon our cabins the safest place, ta hide fer now. I'll stall the captain iffin I can. Hide good though, like I said my daddy's as good as any detective, well exceptin' fer maybe Little Joe." she added.

Both waited until the captain and his first mate finished their conversation.

"Very well, sir. I'll go look for Maverick. Dawking's is supposed to report for duty in the wheelhouse in ten minutes, Sir." Gordon marched off and disappeared down the stairwell.

"Fine, I'll wait," said the Captain. The captain walked to the point of the top deck and stood, lighting up a cigar as he took in the sights of the sun sitting on the harbour.

Alex and Jai crawled around to the side door of the wheelhouse and went in. Once there they stood up and could see the captain with his back to them.

"You better go now," said Alexandra, "Some dawk man is coming to drive the ship. Best sneak out that way," she said pointing to the opposite door from the one they had snuck in. "Stay close ta walls until ya get ta cabin 13; that's ours."

"Come with me?' asked Jai.

"I would, but I reckon my daddy will come looking fer me soon. That way he won't be at the cabin when you get there. I reckon you got about… errr…. 15 minutes or so. Go now," ordered Alexandra, then whispered, "don't worry; I'm good at lollygagling. Daddy says I pro-castrate and could talk the leg offa chair. Theys won't find you."

Jai nodded and then crawled out of the wheelhouse and ran for the stairs. She was about to head down the starboard hallway, when she spotted a tall man wearing a large yellow coat and black hat coming towards her. She stopped and waited.

Adam who had now come looking for Alexandra came walking past Samantha's cabin just as Maverick came out and started hauling her trunk back into the room.

"Ahh Maverick, you haven't seen Alexandra have you?"

"Nope, however, I found the person I was looking for. I'd like you to meet her. Actually I may need your help. She has got herself into a bit of a situation, I'm not sure what exactly, but knowing Sam it could get a lot worse if I don't intervene." Maverick leant down and started to pull in Samantha's trunk.

"Oh okay! Can I help you with that, Maverick?" He asked indicating the trunk.

"Yes thanks, Cartwright."

Adam grabbed the other end and they easily lifted it into Samantha's room and sat it on the floor.

Samantha directed Adam and Maverick with the trunk. "Just put it there, gently now…" she ordered.

"Please!" chastised Maverick.

"Oh of course please, and thank you, Brett. This is stressful enough, though so stop treating me like a child."

"Well stop acting like one," quipped Maverick stepping in front of her and blocking her way to the trunk.

Samantha ignored him as she pushed past him. "Thank goodness the captain didn't search my trunk. I knew Mr George wouldn't want that, exactly. He would have been hoping for a private search of my cabin, and have a look around." … rambled Sam as she waved her arms about."He would have set me up, planted something to have me arrested or thrown off this boat, then he would have found…"

Maverick grabbed her hands and Samantha immediately stopped talking. Adam watched on wondering if this was what Alexandra was going to be like when she grew up. At least she may stop dropping her 'G's, he thought.

"What is this all about Sam? You do have something valuable that belongs to him, don't you? What, a necklace? Sam I can't believe to would stoop to petty larceny, just to get a stake in a poker tournament," frowned Brett, now appearing quite concerned about her troubles.

"Oh Pifittf; it's not what you think, Brett."

"So this is Miss Samantha Crawford; our little stage robber?" asked Adam, "Nice to meet you. You're lucky that we get to meet in person and you're not nursing a rather nasty bullet wound." Adam cocked his eyebrows in displeasure at the young woman.

"I'm sorry about that, but boys…"

"Boys?" chorused both Adam and Maverick.

Frustrated Samantha puffed, "I keep telling you it's not what you think, If you'll let me…" She said pulling her hands from Brett's. "I'll explain and then I could use your help, both of you that's for sure, but for now"… Samantha moved them out of the way of the trunk and opened the lid, "I need to get Jai… Holly hell! She's gone."

"Who?" asked Maverick.

"Jai, the little girl," Samantha went to the cabin door, opened and looked out; left and right down the hallway. "Jai was banging on the door, when you were…ah…" Samantha looked at Adam and blushed. "When you know.. you talking to me about the hold up. "

"Sam you kidnapped a child?" Maverick yelled.

"Not a child, Brett, though she is a child, but not Hook Hand Georges' child, she's his slave."

"Samantha, I know that's not a nice reality, but you can't kidnapped a man's indentured servant, just because you don't ethically agree with it."

"He's right, ma'am," interrupted Adam. "Unfortunately the law is on Mr George's side. If he has the indentured papers you can be charged."

"Jai is only ten years old. He doesn't have papers, I'm sure of it. I offered to by them; if he had them he would have sold them to me; sold her. Jai says he stole her. Her parents were killed in an accident while worker on one of the Delta basin developments. A family friend was to return her to San Francisco to her uncle. The company the family worked for paid the wages owing and a little compensation to get the child back to San Francisco. The family friend lost the money in a poker came to Hook Hand, and then signed over the little girl as a waver when he lost again. Hook Hand refuses to take the child home to her family. I really believe he uses her. He cons people like me; a soft touch to have us playing a couple of hands. If we win we get Jai, if we don't he just moves on and does it again. He got a real bunko going, on I tell you," explained Samantha with spite and disgust for the man.

"So you lost to him in a card game trying to win the child's so called indentured papers?" asked Brett.

"Yes which don't exist!" yelled a frustrated Sam. "But I can't prove it. I lost eight hundred to him in a card game just outside of Yulle. I had already paid my passage to San Francisco and paid my stipend for the competition. I just needed a stake, so I could play in the tournament. I'm good enough to win a table round, which would have given me enough money to find Jai's uncle and even give him the money that Jai was entitled too."

"So you kidnapped the girl and hid her in your trunk?"

"I had to hide her. I don't know what Hook Hand would do, and of course I couldn't pay for a fare for her. I don't have any money. Just as well I hadn't. I didn't know Hook Hand was going to be here. He's obviously here for the tournament. I hope he's on my table for round one. I'd love to get my money back and more, then shove it in his fat ugly face."

"Name callings not going to get you anywhere, Samantha; a planned attack will. It sounds to me Hook Hand has a few skills, he's beat you once; he could beat you again," worried Brett.

"I think he cheats. I don't know how. Anyway it doesn't matter, he's not going to get the chance is he. I don't have a stake. Oh please Maverick lend me you Pappy's thousand dollar bill. Your Pappy would approve; it's a life or death situation."

"Has Hook Hand hurt Jai?" asked Brett.

"No, I asked Jai that. He treats her okay, but gets her to play the poor little indentured servant part, wanting to get back to her poor family, so he can pull at a suckers heart strings. But Jai has heard him talking. He'll get tired of her. He said when that happened he was going to send her to one of the Chinese camps somewhere in the Dakota territory. You know… you know what they'll use her for there, Brett. You have to help me."

"Okay Sam, but nobody can know I've backed you. We'll both accused of a set up," agreed Brett.

Sam jumped up and grabbed Maverick around the neck and smothered his check with kisses. "Oh thank you, thank you Brett. I won't lose I promise. "

"That's not what I'm worried about. You could get hurt. If this Hook Hand George suspects anything between us… well I don't want to have to shoot anyone and I don't want you caught in the cross fire," Brett said sincerely.

There was a moment of silence. Adam was a little uncomfortable, though had to smile. It was obvious that these two had strong feelings for each other, but had never admitted it or acted upon it; and maybe never would. Adam didn't want to see either of them at risk so came up with his own suggestion. "I'll lend you the money Samantha," he offered.

"You will, Mr Cartwright… I don't even know you why would you do something like that for a stranger?"

"One that intended to hold up a stage coach," he reminded her. "Because, Miss Crawford I believe you. You had to be pretty desperate to pull a gun and attempt to rob that stage, impulsive, but desperate. I believe you and I believe you believe Jai's story and that's good enough for me. You can offer to buy Jai's papers. "

"Thanks Cartwright. Breaking My Pappy's thousand dollar bill would have looked suspicious. However, I don't think this Hook Hand will let anyone buy the child's indenture."

"He won't; she's too much of a goldmine to him, she's the pin to his stings.; I'm not even going to offer. That's why I've hidden her."

"Fine," said Adam. "I'll back your stake, Miss Crawford."

"Please call me Samantha."

"As long as you call me, Adam."

Maverick clapped his hands and rubbed then together. "Right now we have the pleasantries out of the way. I think we should plan our approach."

"I agree. I will enter the tournament too, that way we both can come at this Hook Hand George," suggested Adam.

"Hmm, Okay," agreed Brett. "We'll still meet for dinner, Adam. Sam you come looking for me on the advice of the captain. "

"Won't they think your helping Mr Cartwright, though?" asked Samantha.

"They may, but they have also already seen us together," said Brett. "They may not let him enter, but if we can get him in the game we'll have a better chance of pulling this off."

"He's right," added Adam. "Besides that way the dealers will be watching me to see if Brett and I have a ruse going rather than you, Samantha. And we can all keep our eyes on an keep his eye on this Hook Hand George."

"Okay good, good. Now I've just got to find Jai. I can't have Hook Hand accidently run into her, or the captain; she can't be caught as a stowaway. Where could she have gone?"

"Well she can't hide in your cabin either. When we find her…" started Brett.

"Bring her to my cabin I have a little girl around the same age, Samantha."

"She probably is hiding close by," said Brett. "We'll find her."

"She probably took off when that rotten scoundrel of a low life son of a bit… "

Samantha's' rant was interrupted and censored when all of a sudden an almost deafening booming horn sounded.

"What the?" All three asked as they went to the door and went out into the deck.

Another horn sounded in response then another, then bells started clanging. The panicked voices of crew members could be heard yelling out and finally after the fifth thunderous horn blow they heard the captain yelling; "What in the blazes!, Dawkings you fool! Belay the warning; false alarm," he called to another crew members, "False alarm… false alarm, belay. Secure the bollard ropes; lower the anchor back down; what fool cranked that up; belay the warning; false alarm," came the shouts to down the line from one crew member to the next.

"Dawkings you imbecile, why are you pulling the fog horns?"

"I didn't do anything Captain, I just got here, someone else must be in the wheelhouse, Captain.".

"Well find them. They've caused absolute chaos."

Suddenly a small figure in very loud shoes ran out of the wheelhouse, trying to make it to the stairwell.

The captain caught sight of them out of the corner of his eye. "Who… Grab her!" yelled the Captain, just before a child's squeal was heard.

Samantha's eyes went wide, "Jai, ohhh no…" she cried running towards the sounds of the struggling pair above them. Adam and Brett followed.

"Blast yarr! Put me down yarr big bag of lily-livered barnacle! Yarr scurvy moth eaten scud face of a sea snake pirate!"

It was now Adam's expression that turned from confused surprise, then anger, then resignation. " Nope that's not your 'she' that's my she… my 70 pounds of trouble 'SHE' is Alexandra Willameena Cartwright.

TBC Chapter 14; Steamboat Alex pt 3.

A.N. Okay another post, though I had trouble, the site kept giving me error readings. Most of this has been betaed, though I added a bit more. Thanks Lajoci for the thumbs up and the edit. One more instalment to go on this leg of Adam and Alex's journey. I just have to figure out how they beat Hook Hand George and just how Alex and Jai will be involved, though I have a pretty good idea. Thank you for all the reviews too, people.