‘He died before I was born.’ The child’s face brightened. ‘He was a sailor, an officer aboard a man-o’-war. He took a pirate ship single-handed—’ As if he had said too much, his face closed over. ‘Or at least I think that’s what he did. Mama gets sad when I ask her questions and Netty says I shouldn’t talk about those that are dead and buried.’

Caleb thought about his own father. A good, honourable man who should have died peacefully in his bed, surrounded by a family who loved him, not alone and unregarded on a train platform in Washington.

‘If you never have a father then you don’t miss him,’ Danny said but the expression on his face belied the upbeat tone.

Caleb undid the string around his neck and handed the key to Danny. ‘Can you pass me my Colt, Danny? Your ma said she locked it in my chest.’

Danny’s eyes widened. He took the key and knelt in front of the box. The well-oiled lock clicked and Danny stood up, holding the weapon by the stock.

‘It’s heavy,’ he said.

‘It’s a Colt revolver, 1861 pattern,’ Caleb replied, taking the gun from the boy. He cracked it open and found it had been unloaded. It needed a clean after the dust bath it had been subjected to the day before.

‘Can I see?’

Caleb gave it to Danny, who took the weapon in both hands, then raised it, pointing it at Caleb.

Caleb erupted upright, ignoring the shriek of pain from his leg. ‘Never, ever point it at anyone,’ he said.

Danny’s mouth fell open and he dropped the weapon on the bed as if it were red hot. ‘I—I’m sorry,’ he stuttered.

Caleb fought the pain and held up a hand. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you. There are rules for handling weapons and that is the most important. If you like, I can teach you how to shoot it.’

Danny’s eyes widened. ‘Could you?’ But the moment of hope was overcome by another thought. ‘Mama won’t let me.’

‘Mama doesn’t have to know.’

‘Our secret?’ The boy smiled.

‘Our secret, but it will have to wait until I’m on my feet again. Say, can you do another favour for me?’

Danny nodded.

‘Pass me that satchel.’

Danny picked up the leather satchel that accompanied the iron-bound box on Caleb’s journeys. Caleb unbuckled it and took out the rolled oilcloth that contained the cleaning equipment for the Colt.

Danny came closer, his eyes wide and curious.

‘Danny!’

His mother’s voice made the boy start and before he could escape, Mrs Greaves appeared in the doorway.

‘I said you had a day off school to rest. Now go back to the house and stop bothering Mr Hunt.’

Danny slipped under his mother’s arm with a last cheeky smile at Caleb.