But when they rejoined Cole and John, he was made aware that it was prompted by other causes as well.
"The old curmudgeon sent back the mortgage, cancelled," announced Jesse excitedly. "I've thrown a jolt into old Hiram that he won't forget till his dying day. Now for the other Rozier! Come on. We must be in Ste. Genevieve day after tomorrow."
Realizing that the task would mean hard riding, the bandits lost no time in getting under way, passing through the town that Jesse might point out where the lion he had "bearded in his den" lived, to his fellows.
Twice during the night, the desperadoes were startled by the sound of rapid hoof-beats and reined into the bushes at the side of the road to discover who was riding so late.
The first one proved to be a solitary horseman coming from the direction in which they were going, but the second caused them deep concern.
Five men, with rifles carried across their saddle pommels, ready for instant use, dashed along the highway, bound eastward as were the bandits.
Never uttering a word, the men leaned forward the better to penetrate the darkness ahead.
"Do you suppose they're after us or are they just out on a little game of their own?" whispered Jim as the hoof-beats died away in the distance.
"Goodness only knows," returned the world-famous desperado. "They mean business, whoever they are. Just keep your ears open."
Fearing an ambush, the outlaws rode with the utmost caution, carefully examining any dark places along the highway before they entered.