She gritted her teeth. What must be, must be.
"I'll fix you some lunch."
"Thank you, darling. Tad, walk with me, will you?"
"Sure, Pa."
Tad beside him, Joe walked up the river bank. He swallowed hard. If there were a fort, or even a house—But there wasn't any and he couldn't build any. Joe turned to his son. He looked down in the wide, trusting eyes, and he felt both proud and fearful.
"Tad, you must take over."
"Sure, Pa." His face was eager.
"I don't think you'll have any trouble. But if you do, if anyone at all comes, don't try to defend the wagon. Walk away and let them have it."
"Suppose they come after us?"
"Then," Joe said grimly, "shoot and shoot to kill!"