"It was," he agrees. "Steamboats on the river, there's always travelers comin' and goin', and well, to a kid seein' all those folk and all that fuss, plus fireworks? It's a very good memory," he says fondly.

He turns his attention from the sparks and fire overhead to nod at Hawthorn.

"I reckon I'll join you. It's been a long day in the saddle comin' south from Galveston and I could use the rest, if I'm bein' completely honest with myself."