[hider=Diary entry] Some crude drawings and sketches of a hanging man swinging from a branch, a man getting shot while pleading for his life but also a little bunny rabbit.[/hider]

Ben woke up to the typical sounds and smells of a camp getting ready to start a new day. People were talking softly and passing by his tent while someone was coughing badly close by. He got up on one elbow and pushed aside the cloth that closed of the entry to his tent. The smell of coffee hung in the air and he stuck his head out the opening while squinting and sniffing the air, like a bear who had just woken up from his winter sleep. He yawned, closing off his mouth with the back of his hand before he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes.

Few moments later he walked through camp in his boots, pants with suspenders and his white long johns, smoking a quirly on his way to relieve himself. A short distance from camp he found a tree he liked and unbuttoned his pants, letting out a sigh of bliss. 

He washed his hands, face and hair in the cool water of the lake, pondering what a good spot it was they had picked to camp. He nearly wished they could stay here but that was not the life they wanted or had chosen for themselves, to be able to stay in one spot for long. He looked at his reflection in the water which was grinning back at him. He seemed older since last time he had stared at himself but perhaps that was because of him being tired still or because of what had happened during that bank job in Dodge City. They had lost Mack and Roy to the damn Pinkertons. Good and strong men both of them. Fighters. Though Roy could be a jackass at times, they would both be missed. Ben frowned and splashed the water in anger. Mack and Roy had still owed him five dollars each since their last poker game. Ten dollars he would not see anymore. 

[i]God DAMN Pinkertons![/i]

He decided not too dwell on it anymore since it was of no use to do so. Dead is dead and life goes on. His empty stomach growled, just in time to hear the voice of Annabelle telling them there was breakfast. Ben went back with a smile on his face, grabbed a bowl and scooped some food from the kettle into his bowl. It smelled delicious as always when Annabelle cooked. 

“Annabelle, ma Belle yer truly a godsend.” He said more to himself than to her since she was already gone doing other things. He sat himself down on a log near the pot, visibly enjoying his food. Soon he should check on Elijah and take over the lookout shift to guard the camp. All of them sincerely hoped that no Pinkerton, lawman or trigger happy bounty hunter followed them here. But if they did, Ben would be more than happy to put a few of them in the ground, granting them a one way ticket to hell. His fingers ached when he thought about it. 

Miss McCullen came walking over to them, looking as radiant as ever. Ben ran his fingers through his, still a bit damp, hair. In her presence he always felt as if he was a boor and a mess. An ill mannered farm boy. In truth he was all of that. But he tried his best not to be when she was near.

“Mornin' Miss McCullen.” He said as he nodded to greet her. “Jus' dandy.” He put another spoonful into his mouth. “How about you?”