Jacob and his grandson were both puzzled over Hawk’s intentions when he got on his horse and rode out of Bodine’s with them. Since he was heading back the way he had come when he first met up with them, Jacob wondered if he was going home with them. Finally, Jacob asked, “Where’re you headin’?”

“I just thought I’d ride back a little way with you and Thomas. Then I’ll swing over and ride down the river till I find a good place to camp.”

“Oh,” Jacob responded. “We was wonderin’. Thought for a minute you was fixin’ to go home with us. Didn’t we, Thomas?” Thomas just shrugged his shoulders. Jacob quickly continued, “You’d be welcome, if that’s what you was thinkin’. We’ve got a little farm ’bout twenty-five miles from here. We’ll be campin’ tonight and get home in the mornin’. We’d be tickled to have you.”

Hawk had to smile. Jacob’s invitation didn’t sound that sincere. He didn’t know what the situation at their home was like—they had never talked about it during their short acquaintance. He guessed that he might not be a welcome guest, if their farm was as small as he imagined it to be. “That’s mighty kind of you, Jacob, but I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of back at Bodine’s. So I’d best make a camp a little closer than twenty-five miles.” Having said that, he pulled Rascal to a stop. “I was glad to meet you and Thomas. I wish you luck with your farm.” He wheeled Rascal then and set off downriver at an easy lope.

“Whadda you reckon he’s up to?” Jacob asked, as Hawk rode away.

“I don’t know,” Thomas said, still a little undecided about the tall, broad-shouldered man. “I think ol’ Bodine might be fixin’ to get robbed.”

“You think so?” Jacob responded. “He didn’t strike me as a common outlaw.” He shrugged and added, “’Course, I wouldn’t grieve a lot if Bodine got cleaned out—the tight bastard.” He chuckled at the thought. “You don’t need to say nothin’ to your grandma about them two little ol’ drinks I had.”

* * *

Guiding Rascal back closer to the river now, Hawk continued to ride downstream. While there was still plenty of daylight left, he hoped to find the cabins that Jacob had mentioned. If he was right, and Booth and his three partners were here, they would most likely be occupying one of the cabins. No doubt, if he had stayed in the saloon, the other three would have soon come in to join the one he had talked to. That might not have been a position he would have liked to be caught in, since Tater would recognize him. There would have been four guns blazing away at him at once.