The Night-Hawk was a strong, brave and cunning detective who had long been in government service in the American South West. He had very solid, old fashioned principals, and felt compelled to carry out the law to the letter. He rode a highly intelligent white Kentucky Racer named "Badger" that he had raised from a colt (Badger was named after a city detective who was Tom's friend). Badger was capable of more advanced tricks than anything seen in a cirus.