At fifteen, Joe burned in his ambition to be accepted as a man. Surrounded by his father, two much older brothers and a sister - a girl - and even she was older than him - he was sick and tired of being the youngest. The baby. The desire to be taken seriously grew and grew until it became almost intolerable to him.
Until that day.
Early one June morning, not long after the twins' sixteenth birthday, Ben told them they were going to ride fence.
"Oh, good!" cried Scamp. "Riding!"
"Now you watch us. It's really not hard. You just have to check the barriers and fences and make notes of any that are damaged."
"It's boring rather than hard," Hoss grunted.
"We don't mind," said Joe. "We won't be bored."
"Once you've done it a few times you will be," Adam said.
But the twins delighted every time they were given responsibility. It made them feel important. Joe was longing to leave school and his father had promised to think about it that year. It could not come quickly enough for the boy. But Joe had continued his friendship with Abe Mottram and his gang and his father was loath to let him leave. He feared for him.
Scamp begged Ben to let her stay and allow Adam to continue giving her lessons. But she insisted on being treated the same as her brothers and she was so quick to learn that her menfolk found it a joy to teach her. She was strong after years working and playing on the ranch and worked twice as hard as anyone else.
Ben laughed and tousled their hair. "Your brothers are right. It's not the most exciting job. But it has to be done. We split up, one of us on our own – only now it'll be three by two – to cover more ground."
"Give me Scamp," said Adam. "She's worth twice as much as any boy."
Scamp beamed with pride and Joe tried hard to hide his jealousy.
"OK, Hoss and Joe can come with me. Got your pocket watch, Adam?"
"Yup."
"We'll separate at the oak trees at the northern fence. You know where I mean?"
"Right, Pa."
"And we'll meet up there at one o'clock. Five hours is enough for one day."
They set off after breakfast, the twins brimming with enthusiasm.
"Thanks for choosing me, Adam," said Scamp.
Adam laughed through his nose. "You work harder than Little Joe."
"Oh, Joe works hard!"
"Yes, he does, but you work harder."
Scamp had never felt so proud.
Joe was enthusiastic but sore. He had wanted to go with Scamp but she had seemed more interested in accompanying their older brother. He had to work hard to hide his resentment but Ben guessed how he was feeling. Joe knew he was being unreasonable. Scamp and Adam had always been close.
"Don't worry, Joe," said Ben. "We'll meet up with them at one o'clock and you can compare notes."
Joe finally smiled. "Yes, sir."