Rogerson was a grizzled, well experienced freighter with a well-developed sense about the people he hired on to haul goods out West. As he sat across the table from the young man calling himself "Eldon Forsythe" his sense was on all-points bulletin. Something about this young man didn't ring true, but he wasn't sure what it was about him. Of course, he could tell he was a young'un; hadn't even taken a razor to his cheeks and them as smooth looking as a baby's bum. Damn, what was it about this kid?

"So, as I was sayin', Mr. Rogerson, I've got a whole life's experience driving mules fer m'dad back home and I've got m'own mule with me. I've been waitin' m'whole life to be shut of si-vil-eye-za-shun and head for the West of this grand country. Can you help me out? I can match the best of 'em in makin' them mules pay heed!"

"Now, listen here, kid, er..Mr. Forsythe, I don't need no snot-nosed kid getting lost, losing my teams, or runnin' back home crying to mommy."

"But, Sir! I've been on my own for several years now! M' ma's dead and I'm tellin' ya, I know how to handle a mule team! You offend me, Sir!"

"Now, simmer down or I'll have ya thrown out faster'n yer behind can catch up to your head! You meet me tomorrow mornin' at, let's see, it's past midnight now...well...meet me at nine o'clock. That's in the mornin' mind. Go round the west corner of this block, down four blocks, and turn at Biron's Pharmacie. You'll see my place, Rogerson's Freight, about half-way down the block. Bring yer mule, too. If you can't drive, I might be able to help you out with a few dollars for it. I can always use another mule."

"My Jacob is not for sale, I assure you. I am not in a desperate way. Thank you, though. I shall be there at nine a.m. sharp. You'll see...I am one of the best!"

With that, young Forsythe pushed his chair back, held out his hand to shake on it with Rogerson. Rogerson grasped his hand and shook it hard to see if the kid would wince. To his credit he had strong hands and returned the squeeze without showing any signs of pain. Well, maybe the kid can do what he claims...

Eldon turned towards the doors and walked out of the saloon. Heading down the street, she made her way back to the stable. It being so late she'd decided she might as well bed down in the stall with Jacob. He was her only friend in the whole world, now, and had brought her much comfort over the past few weeks as she travelled to St. Louie. Silly ol', big ol' mule, anyway. Only good thing I ever got out of being married, besides the money. Besides, no sense in spending money on a room I'd only use for a few hours.

Turning into the stable, she quietly went along the stalls until she saw the big old long familiar nose of Jacob. He'd heard her and stuck it over the top rail.

"Hello, old friend. Don't mind spending one more night with me, do ya?" she whispered to him. She reached up and scratched him behind the ear. Climbing up and over the rails, she stood beside him for a minute to get her bearings in the dark. Jacob nibbled at her pocket for some tobacco, then, sensing no treats tonight, he turned away, back to munching on some hay.

Reaching over for her bedroll, she shook it out, then put it near the rails of the stall on a bed of fairly clean straw. As she settled into a comfortable position, her mind went back to the Byway and the woman who'd given her that look. Hoo-ee! I'll have to watch that one. Course, I'll probably never see her again. She'd see right through me, or maybe already has. Damn, she was beautiful. Never known anyone like that. Wonder if she's as filthy minded as my pa used to say about "loose" women? According to her pa, she and her brothers would burn in hell forever if they even thought about such women, let alone lay eyes on them. Of course, to her, he meant if she ever got any ideas about being one of them!

Drifting off to sleep, Eldon heard a soft snuffle from Jacob. Her mind began to drift into the airy realms of dreams with visions of raven-haired, green-eyed beauties. Her last conscious thought was I have to stop this! This is taking pretending to be a man too far!