"Go ahead."
He watched closely while Tad climbed out of the wagon and Mike leaped
after him. Before leaving the wagon's shelter, Tad reloaded the rifle
and Joe nodded approvingly. Tad was no fool. The buffalo was down, but
nobody had proved that it could not get up and Tad wanted to be ready if
it did. Joe continued to watch, not joining Tad because this rightly
belonged to him. It was a prize worthy of note, and because he himself
had brought it down, it would help shape Tad's manhood if nobody else
interfered. Joe gave the youngster time to reach and admire his game,
then swung the mules to follow.