In the start of the book, disappointed with the alert and restriction practiced by the two men, Jethro analyzes his dad to Abe Lincoln. Jethro's sister Mary has as of late passed on because of the carelessness of Travis Burdow, and when a furious swarm composes to chase down the young fellow and hang him for his wrongdoing, Jethro's dad Matt Creighton intercedes, asking the men "to keep their hands free of further carnage". Despite the fact that the casualty of Burdow's inebriated activities is his own little girl, Matt Creighton is a well behaved, empathetic man, and he can beat his own particular outrage and sadness to maintain the peace as it concerns Mary's executioner.