TheEducationofLittleTree

ForrestCarter

ForewordbyRennardStrickland

UniversityofNewMexicoPress

Albuquerque

ISBNforthisdigitaledition:978-0-8263-1694-3

Allrightsreserved.

UniversityofNewMexicoPresseditionreprintedbyarrangementIndia

CarterLLC

AnEleanorFriedeBook

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Carter,Forrest

TheeducationofLittleTree.

Reprint.Originallypublished:NewYork:DelacortePress.

1.Carter,Forrest—Biography—Youth.

2.Novelists,American—20thcentury—Biography.

3.CherokeeIndians—Biography.I.Title.

[ps3553.a777z4641986]813.5485-28956

ISBN0-8263-2809-1

SharingLittleTree

Granmasaidwhenyoucomeonsomethinggood,firstthingto
do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good
spreadsoutwherenotellingitwillgo.Whichisright.

InreissuingForrestCarter’sTheEducationofLittleTree,the
UniversityofNewMexicoPressisdoingexactlywhatGranmaadvised
youngLittleTree.ThePressissharinganimportantbook.LittleTreeis
oneofthoserarebookslikeHuckFinnthateachnewgenerationneeds
todiscoverandwhichneedstobereadandrereadregularly.The
EducationofLittleTreeisafineandsustainingbook,wonderfullyfunny
anddeeplypoignant.

LittleTree’sauthor,ForrestCarter,wroteanumberofimportant

booksincludingthepopularOutlawJoseyWales;hewroteonegreat
book,TheEducationofLittleTree.Originallytohavebeencalled“Me
andGrandpa,”LittleTreeisCarter’sautobiographicalremembrancesof
lifewithhisEasternCherokeehillcountrygrandparents.ButLittleTree
ismore,muchmorethanatouchingaccountof1930sdepression-era
life.Thisbookisahumandocumentofuniversalmeaning.The
EducationofLittleTreespeakstothehumanspiritandreachesthevery
depthofthehumansoul.

EveryonewhohaseverreadTheEducationofLittleTreeseemsto

rememberwhenandwhereandhowtheycametoknowthebook.
Whethertheysawitintheautobiographysectionofachainbookseller,
orhearditreviewedas“BookoftheWeek”onatelevisionbookshow,
orfounditonthegifttableatatribalsouvenirshopwhilepassingthrough
anIndianreservation,LittleTree’sreaderspassionatelyrememberthese
firstmeetings.ForTheEducationofLittleTreeisabookfromwhichone
neverquiterecovers.AfterreadingLittleTreeoneneveragainseesthe
worldinquitethesameway.

Uponpublicationin1977TheEducationofLittleTreewaswidely

reviewedanduniversallyacclaimed.Reviewersasdiverseasthoseof
TheNewYorkTimesandlocalmountainweekliessawinThe
EducationofLittleTreeaninspirational,autobiographicalremembrance

ofayoungIndianboywhichmightprovideafreshperspectivefora
mechanisticandmaterialisticmodernworld.ThusLittleTreefoundits
firstandmostloyalreadershipamongthosewhocaredabouttheyoung,
about“growingup,”abouttheIndian,abouttheearth,andaboutthe
relationshipofmanandtheearth.

SoonLittleTreebegantofindfansamongothergroups.Teenagers

tooktothebookalmostasacult.Thevaluesaswellastheprose
touchedmanywhodidn’tusuallyread.YoungerchildrenfoundLittle
Treeontheirown.LibrariansbegantofindLittleTreemissingfromthe
shelves.StudentsofNativeAmericanlifediscoveredthebooktobeas
accurateasitwasmysticalandromantic.Elementary-schoolteachers
learnedthatLittleTreefascinatedtheirseeminglyworld-wearycharges.
ButmostgenerallytheloveofLittleTreepassedfromreadertoreader
withtheincreasinglyhard-to-findborrowedcopyofthebook.

WiththisUniversityofNewMexicoPressedition,TheEducationof

LittleTreeisagainavailable.Oldandnewreaderscanoncemoreshare
thisincrediblytouchinganddeeplymovingstorywhichinformstheheart
andeducatesthespirit.

RennardStrickland

ForTheCherokee

LittleTree

MalastedayearafterPawasgone.That’showIcametolivewith
GranpaandGranmawhenIwasfiveyearsold.

Thekinfolkshadraisedsomemortalfussaboutit,accordingto

Granma,afterthefuneral.

Thereinthegulliedbackyardofourhillsideshack,theyhadstood

aroundinagroupandthrasheditoutproperastowhereIwastogo,
whiletheydividedupthepaintedbedsteadandthetableandchairs.

Granpahadnotsaidanything.Hestoodbackattheedgeoftheyard,

onthefringeofthecrowd,andGranmastoodbehindhim.Granpawas
halfCherokeeandGranmafullblood.

Hestoodabovetherestofthefolks;tall,six-foot-fourwithhisbig,

blackhatandshiny,blacksuitthatwasonlyworntochurchandfunerals.
Granmahadkepthereyestotheground,butGranpahadlookedatme,
overthecrowd,andsoIhadedgedtohimacrosstheyardandheldonto
hislegandwouldn’tturnlooseevenwhentheytriedtotakemeaway.

GranmasaidIdidn’tholleronebit,norcry,justheldon;andaftera

longtime,themtuggingandmeholding,Granpahadreacheddownand
placedhisbighandonmyhead.

“Leavehimbe,”hehadsaid.Andsotheyleftmebe.Granpaseldom

spokeinacrowd,butwhenhedid,Granmasaid,folkslistened.

Wewalkeddownthehillsideinthedarkwinterafternoonandonto

theroadthatledintotown.Granpaledthewaydownthesideofthe
road,myclothesslungoverhisshoulderinatowsack.Ilearnedrightoff
thatwhenyouwalkedbehindGranpa,youtrotted;andGranma,behind
me,occasionallyliftedherskirtstokeepup.

Whenwereachedthesidewalksintown,wewalkedthesameway,

Granpaleading,untilwecametothebackofthebusstation.Westood
thereforalongtime;Granmareadingtheletteringonthefrontofthe
busesastheycameandwent.GranpasaidthatGranmacouldreadfancy
asanybody.Shepickedoutourbus,rightonthenose,justasduskdark
wassettin’in.

Wewaiteduntilallthepeoplewereonthebus,anditwasagood

thing,becausetroublesetuptheminutewesetfootinsidethedoor.

Granpaledtheway,meinthemiddleandGranmawasstandingonthe
lowerstep,justinsidethedoor.Granpapulledhissnap-pursefromhis
forwardpantspocketandstoodreadytopay.

“Where’syourtickets?”thebusdriversaidrealloud,andeverybody

inthebussetuptotakenoticeofus.Thisdidn’tbotherGranpaonebit.
Hetoldthebusdriverwestoodreadytopay,andGranmawhispered
frombehindmeforGranpatotellwhereweweregoing.Granpatold
him.

ThebusdrivertoldGranpahowmuchitwasandwhileGranpa

countedoutthemoneyrealcareful—forthelightwasn’tgoodtocount
by—thebusdriverturnedaroundtothecrowdinthebusandliftedhis
righthandandsaid,“How!”andlaughed,andallthepeoplelaughed.I
feltbetteraboutit,knowingtheywasfriendlyanddidn’ttakeoffense
becausewedidn’thaveaticket.

Thenwewalkedtothebackofthebus,andInoticedasicklady.

Shewasunnaturalblackallaroundhereyesandhermouthwasredall
overfromblood;butaswepassed,sheputahandoverhermouthand
tookitoffandholleredrealloud,“Wa…hooo!”ButIfiguredthepain
musthavepassedrightquick,becauseshelaughed,andeverybodyelse
laughed.Themansittingbesideherwaslaughingtooandheslappedhis
leg.Hehadabigshinypinonhistie,soIknewtheywasrichandcould
getadoctoriftheyneededone.

IsatinthemiddlebetweenGranmaandGranpa,andGranma

reachedacrossandpattedGranpaonthehand,andheheldherhand
acrossmylap.Itfeltgood,andsoIslept.

Itwasdeepintothenightwhenwegotoffthebusonthesideofa

gravelroad.Granpasetoffwalking,meandGranmabehind.Itwas
crackingcold.Themoonwasout,likehalfofafatwatermelon,and
silveringtheroadaheaduntilitcurvedoutofsight.

Itwasn’tuntilweturnedofftheroad,ontowagonrutswithgrassin

themiddle,thatInoticedthemountains.Darkandshadowed,theywere,
withthehalf-moonrightatoparidgethatliftedsohighitbentyourhead
backtolook.Ishiveredattheblacknessofthemountains.

Granmaspokefrombehindme,“Wales,he’stiringout.”Granpa

stoppedandturned.Helookeddownatmeandthebighatshadowed
hisface.

“It’sbettertowearoutwhenye’velostsomething,”hesaid.He

turnedandsetoffagain,butnowitwaseasiertokeepup.Granpahad

sloweddown,soIfiguredhewastiredtoo.

Afteralongtime,weturnedoffthewagonrutsontoafoottrailand

headeddeadsetintothemountains.Seemedlikewe’dcomestraightup
againstamountain,butaswewalked,themountainsseemedtoopenup
andfoldinaroundusonallsides.

Thesoundsofourwalkingbegantoecho,andstirringscamefrom

aroundus,andwhispersandsighsbegantofeatherthroughthetreeslike
everythinghadcomealive.Anditwaswarm.Therewasatinkleanda
bobbleandswishingbesideus,amountainbranchrollingoverrocksand
makingpoolswhereitpausedandrushedonagain.Wewereintothe
hollowsofthemountains.

Thehalf-moondroppedoutofsightbehindtheridgeandspewed

silverlightoverthesky.Itgavethehollowagray-lightdomethat
reflecteddownonus.

GranmabegantohumatunebehindmeandIknewitwasIndian,

andneedednowordsforitsmeaningtobeclear,anditmademefeel
safe.

Ahoundbayedsosudden,Ijumped.Longandmourning,breaking

intosobsthattheechoespickedupandcarriedfartherandfartheraway,
backintothemountains.

Granpachuckled,“That’dbeol’Maud—ain’tgotthesmellsenseof

alapdog—dependentonherears.”

Inaminute,wewerecoveredupwithhounds,whiningaround

Granpaandsniffingatmetogetthenewscent.Ol’Maudbayedagain,
rightclosethistime,andGranpasaid,“Shetup,Maud!”Andthenshe
knewwhoitwasandshecamerunningandleapingonus.

Wecrossedafootlogoverthespringbranchandtherewasthe

cabin,loggedandsetbackunderbigtreeswiththemountainatitsback
andaporchrunningclearacrossthefront.

Thecabinhadawidehallseparatingtherooms.Thehallwasopen

onbothends.Somepeoplecallita“gallery,”butmountainfolkscallita
“dogtrot,”becausethehoundstrottedthroughthere.Ononesidewasa
bigroomforcooking,eatingandsettin’,andacrossthedogtrotonthe
othersideweretwobedrooms.OnewasGranpaandGranma’s.The
otherwastobemine.

Ilaidoutonthespringysoftnessofdeerhidewebbing,stretchedin

theframeofhickoryposts.Throughtheopenwindow,Icouldseethe
treesacrossthespringbranch,darkintheghostlight.ThethoughtofMa

camerushingonmeandthestrangenessofwhereIwas.

Ahandbrushedmyhead.ItwasGranmasittingbesideme,onthe

floor;herfullskirtsaroundher,theplaitedhairstreakedwithsilverfalling
forwardofhershouldersandintoherlap.Shewatchedoutthewindow
too,andlowandsoftshebegantosing:

“Theynowhavesensedhimcoming

Theforestandthewood-wind

Fathermountainmakeshimwelcomewithhissong.

TheyhavenofearofLittleTree
Theyknowhisheartiskindness

Andtheysing,‘Littletreeisnotalone.’

EvensillylittleLay-nah

Withherbabbling,talkingwaters

Isdancingthroughthemountainswithhercheer

‘Ohlistentomysinging,
Ofabrothercomeamongstus

LittleTreeisourbrother,andLittleTreeishere.’

Awiusdithelittledeer

AndMin-e-leethequail-hen

EvenKaguthecrowtakesupthesong

‘BraveistheheartofLittleTree
Andkindnessishisstrength

AndLittleTreewillneverbealone.’”

Granmasangandrockedslowlybackandforth.AndIcouldhear

thewindtalking,andLay-nah,thespringbranch,singingaboutmeand
tellingallmybrothers.

IknewIwasLittleTree,andIwashappythattheylovedmeand

wantedme.AndsoIslept,andIdidnotcry.

TheWay

IthadtakenGranma,sittingintherockerthatcreakedwithherslight
weightassheworkedandhummed,whilethepineknotssplutteredinthe
fireplace,aweekofeveningstomakethebootmoccasins.Withahook
knife,shehadcutthedeerleatherandmadethestripsthatshewove
aroundtheedges.Whenshehadfinished,shesoakedthemoccasinsin
waterandIputthemonwetandwalkedthemdry,backandforthacross
thefloor,untiltheyfittedsoftandgiving,lightasair.

ThismorningIslippedthemoccasinsonlast,afterIhadjumpedinto

myoverallsandbuttonedmyjacket.Itwasdarkandcold—tooearly
evenforthemorningwhisperwindtostirthetrees.

GranpahadsaidIcouldgowithhimonthehightrail,ifIgotup,and

hehadsaidhewouldnotwakeme.

“Amanrisesofhisownwillinthemorning,”hehadspokendownto

meandhedidnotsmile.ButGranpahadmademanynoisesinhisrising,
bumpingthewallofmyroomandtalkinguncommonlyloudtoGranma,
andsoIhadheard,andIwasfirstout,waitingwiththehoundsinthe
darkness.

“So.Ye’rehere.”Granpasoundedsurprised.
“Yes,sir,”Isaid,andkepttheproudoutofmyvoice.
Granpapointedhisfingeratthehoundsjumpingandprancingaround

us.“Ye’llstay,”heordered,andtheytuckedintheirtailsandwhinedand
beggedandol’Maudsetupahowl.Buttheydidn’tfollowus.They
stood,alltogetherinahopelesslittlebunch,andwatchedusleavethe
clearing.

Ihadbeenupthelowtrailthatfollowedthebankofthespring

branch,twistingandturningwiththehollowuntilitbrokeoutintoa
meadowwhereGranpahadhisbarnandkepthismuleandcow.Butthis
wasthehightrailthatforkedofftotherightandtooktothesideofthe
mountain,slopingalwaysupwardasittraveledalongthehollow.Itrotted
behindGranpaandIcouldfeeltheupwardslantofthetrail.

Icouldfeelsomethingmore,asGranmasaidIwould.Mon-o-lah,

theearthmother,cametomethroughmymoccasins.Icouldfeelher
pushandswellhere,andswayandgivethere…andtherootsthat

veinedherbodyandthelifeofthewater-blood,deepinsideher.Shewas
warmandspringyandbouncedmeonherbreast,asGranmasaidshe
would.

Thecoldairsteamedmybreathincloudsandthespringbranchfell

farbelowus.Baretreebranchesdrippedwaterfromiceprongsthat
teethedtheirsides,andaswewalkedhighertherewasiceonthetrail.
Graylighteasedthedarknessaway.

Granpastoppedandpointedbythesideofthetrail.“Theresheis—

turkeyrun—see?”Idroppedtomyhandsandkneesandsawthetracks:
littlesticklikeimpressionscomingoutfromacenterhub.

“Now,”Granpasaid,“wellfixthetrap.”Andhemovedoffthetrail

untilhefoundastumphole.

Wecleaneditout,firsttheleaves,andthenGranpapulledouthis

longknifeandcutintothespongygroundandwescoopedupthedirt,
scatteringitamongtheleaves.Whentheholewasdeep,sothatI
couldn’tseeovertherim,Granpapulledmeoutandwedraggedtree
branchestocoveritand,overthese,spreadarmfulsofleaves.Then,with
hislongknife,Granpadugatrailslopingdownwardintotheholeand
backtowardtheturkeyrun.HetookthegrainsofredIndiancornfrom
hispocketandscatteredthemdownthetrail,andthrewahandfulintothe
hole.

“Nowwewillgo,”hesaid,andsetoffagainupthehightrail.Ice,

spewedfromtheearthlikefrosting,crackledunderourfeet.The
mountainoppositeusmovedcloserasthehollowfarbelowbecamea
narrowslit,showingthespringbranchliketheedgeofasteelknife,sunk
inthebottomofitscleavage.

Wesatdownintheleaves,offthetrail,justasthefirstsuntouched

thetopofthemountainacrossthehollow.Fromhispocket,Granpa
pulledoutasourbiscuitanddeermeatforme,andwewatchedthe
mountainwhileweate.

Thesunhitthetoplikeanexplosion,sendingshowersofglitterand

sparkleintotheair.Thesparklingoftheicytreeshurttheeyestolookat,
anditmoveddownthemountainlikeawaveasthesunbackedthenight
shadowdownanddown.Acrowscoutsentthreehardcallsthroughthe
air,warningwewerethere.

Andnowthemountainpoppedandgavebreathingsighsthatsent

littlepuffsofsteamintotheair.Shepingedandmurmuredasthesun
releasedthetreesfromtheirdeatharmorofice.

Granpawatched,sameasme,andlistenedasthesoundsgrewwith

themorningwindthatsetupalowwhistleinthetrees.

“She’scomingalive,”hesaid,softandlow,withouttakinghiseyes

fromthemountain.

“Yes,sir,”Isaid,“she’scomingalive.”AndIknewrightthenthatme

andGranpahadusanunderstandingthatmostfolksdidn’tknow.

Thenightshadowbackeddownandacrossalittlemeadow,heavy

withgrassandshininginthesunbath.Themeadowwassetintotheside
ofthemountain.Granpapointed.Therewasquailflutteringandjumping
inthegrass,feedingontheseeds.Thenhepointeduptowardtheicyblue
sky.

TherewerenocloudsbutatfirstIdidn’tseethespeckthatcame

overtherim.Itgrewlarger.Facingintothesun,sothattheshadowdid
notgobeforehim,thebirdspeddownthesideofthemountain;askier
onthetreetops,wingshalf-folded…likeabrownbullet…fasterand
faster,towardthequail.

Granpachuckled.“It’sol’Tal-con,thehawk.”
Thequailroseinarushandspedintothetrees—butonewasslow.

Thehawkhit.Feathersflewintotheairandthenthebirdswereonthe
ground,thehawk’sheadrisingandfallingwiththedeathblows.Ina
momentherosewiththedeadquailclutchedinhisclaws,backupthe
sideofthemountainandovertherim.

Ididn’tcry,butIknowIlookedsad,becauseGranpasaid,“Don’t

feelsad,LittleTree.ItisTheWay.Tal-concaughttheslowandsothe
slowwillraisenochildrenwhoarealsoslow.Tal-coneatsathousand
groundratswhoeattheeggsofthequail—boththequickandtheslow
eggs—andsoTal-conlivesbyTheWay.Hehelpsthequail.”

Granpadugasweetrootfromthegroundwithhisknifeandpeeledit

sothatitdrippedwithitsjuicywintercacheoflife.Hecutitinhalfand
handedmetheheavyend.

“ItisTheWay,”hesaidsoftly.“Takeonlywhatyeneed.Whenye

takethedeer,donottakethebest.Takethesmallerandtheslowerand
thenthedeerwillgrowstrongerandalwaysgiveyoumeat.Pa-koh,the
panther,knowsandsomustye.”

Andhelaughed,“OnlyTi-bi,thebee,storesmorethanhecanuse…

andsoheisrobbedbythebear,andthecoon…andtheCherokee.Itis
sowithpeoplewhostoreandfatthemselveswithmorethantheirshare.
Theywillhaveittakenfromthem.Andtherewillbewarsoverit…and

theywillmakelongtalks,tryingtoholdmorethantheirshare.Theywill
sayaflagstandsfortheirrighttodothis…andmenwilldiebecauseof
thewordsandtheflag…buttheywillnotchangetherulesofTheWay.”

Wewentbackdownthetrail,andthesunwashighoveruswhenwe

reachedtheturkeytrap.Wecouldhearthembeforewesawthetrap.
Theywereinthere,gobblingandmakingloudwhistlesofalarm.

“Ain’tnoclosingoverthedoor,Granpa,”Isaid.“Whydon’tthey

justlowertheirheadsandcomeout?”’

Granpastretchedfulllengthintotheholeandpulledoutabig

squawkingturkey,tiedhislegswithathrongandgrinnedupatme.

“Ol’Tel-quiislikesomepeople.Sinceheknowseverything,he

won’tneverlookdowntoseewhat’saroundhim.Gothisheadstuckup
intheairtoohightolearnanything.”

“Likethebusdriver?”Iasked.Icouldn’tforgetthebusdriverfussing

atGranpa.

“Thebusdriver?”Granpalookedpuzzled,thenhelaughed,andkept

laughingwhilehestuckhisheadbackinthehole,pullingoutanother
turkey.

“Ireckin,”hechuckled,“likethebusdriver.Hedidkindofgobble

now,cometothinkofit.Butthat’saburdenferhimtototearound,Little
Tree.Nothingferustoburdenourheadsabout.”

Granpalaidthemoutontheground,legstied.Thereweresixof

them,andnowhepointeddownatthem.“They’reallaboutthesameage
…yecantellbythethicknessofthecombs.Weonlyneedthreesonow
yechoose,LittleTree.”

Iwalkedaroundthem,floppingontheground.Isquattedandstudied

them,andwalkedaroundthemagain.Ihadtobecareful.Igotdownon
myhandsandkneesandcrawledamongthem,untilIhadpulledoutthe
threesmallestIcouldfind.

Granpasaidnothing.Hepulledthethrongsfromthelegsoftheothers

andtheytooktowing,beatingdownthesideofthemountain.Heslung
twooftheturkeysoverhisshoulder.

“Canyecarrytheother?”heasked.
“Yes,sir,”Isaid,notsurethatIhaddoneright.Aslowgrinbroke

Granpa’sbonyface.“IfyewasnotLittleTree…IwouldcallyeLittle
Hawk.”

IfollowedGranpadownthetrail.Theturkeywasheavy,butitfelt

goodovermyshoulder.Thesunhadtiltedtowardthefarthermountain

anddriftedthroughthebranchesofthetreesbesidethetrail,making
burntgoldpatternswherewewalked.Thewindhaddiedinthatlate
afternoonofwinter,andIheardGranpa,aheadofme,hummingatune.I
wouldhavelikedtolivethattimeforever…forIknewIhadpleased
Granpa.IhadlearnedTheWay.

Trailingthroughthemountainsinthewinter’seveningsun
Walkingthroughthepatternsonthetrail
Slopingtowardsthecabin;beenontheturkeyrun
It’saheaventhattheCherokeeknowswell.

Watchalongthemountainrimandseethemorningbirth
Listenforthewindsongthroughthetree
Feelthelifea’springingfromMon-o-lah,theearth
Andyou’llknowTheWayofalltheCherokee.

Knowthedeathinlifeisherewitheverybreakingday
Thatonewithouttheother,cannotbe
LearnthewisdomofMon-o-lah,

andthenyou’llknowTheWay

AndtouchthesoulofalltheCherokee.

ShadowsonaCabinWall

Intheeveningsofthatwinter,wesatinfrontofthestonefireplace.
Lighterknots,takenfromthecentersofrottedstumps,sputteredand
flickeredfromthethick,redresin,throwingonthewallshadowsthat
jumpedandcontracted,onlytoleapupagain,makingthewallscome
alivewithfantasticetchingsappearinganddisappearing,growingand
receding.Therewerelongsilenceswhilewewatchedtheflamesandthe
dancingshadows.ThenGranpawouldbreakthesilencewithsomeofhis
commentsonthe“readings.”

Twiceaweek,everySaturdayandSundaynight,Granmalitthecoal

oillampandreadtous.Lightingthelampwasaluxury,andI’msureit
wasdoneonaccountofme.Wehadtobecarefulofthecoaloil.Oncea
month,meandGranpawalkedtothesettlement,andIcarriedthecoal
oilcanwitharootstuckinitssnout,sothatnotadropwasspilledonthe
wayback.Itcostanickeltofillit,andGranpashowedalotoftrustin
me,lettingmecarryitallthewaybacktothecabin.

Whenwewent,wealwayscarriedalistofbooksmadeoutby

Granma,andGranpapresentedthelisttothelibrarian,andturnedinthe
booksthatGranmahadsentback.Shedidn’tknowthenamesof
modernauthors,Idon’tsuppose,becausethelistalwayshadthename
ofMr.Shakespeare(anythingwehadn’treadbyhim,forshedidn’t
knowthetitles).SometimesthiscausedGranpaalotoftroublewiththe
librarian.ShewouldgoandpulloutdifferentstoriesbyMr.Shakespeare
andreadthetitles.IfGranpastillcouldn’trememberbythetitle,she
wouldhavetoreadapage—sometimesGranpawouldtellhertokeep
reading,andshewouldreadseveralpages.SometimesIwouldrecognize
thestorybeforeGranpa,andIwouldpullonhispantslegandnodathim
thatwehadreadthatone,butitgottowhereitwaskindofacontest—
GranpatryingtosaybeforeIrecognizedit,andthenchanginghismind,
andthisgotthelibrarianallconfused.

Shefrettedsomeatfirst,andaskedGranpawhathewantedwith

booksifhecouldn’tread,andGranpaexplainedthatGranmareadusthe
books.Afterthatshekeptherownlistofwhatwehadread.Shewas
niceandsmiledwhenwecameinthedoor.Onceshegavemeastickof

redstripedcandywhichIsaveduntilwewereoutside.Ibrokeitintwo
andsplitwithGranpa.Hewouldonlytakethelittlepiece,asIdidn’t
breakitexactlyeven.

Wekeptthedictionarycheckedoutallthetime,asIhadtolearnfive

wordsaweek,startingatthefront,whichcausedmeconsiderable
trouble,sinceIhadtotrytomakeupsentencesinmytalkthroughthe
weekusingthewords.Thisishard,whenallthewordsyoulearnforthe
weekstartwithA,orBifyou’reintotheB’s.

Buttherewereotherbooks;onewasTheDeclineandFallofthe

RomanEmpire…andtherewereauthorslikeShelleyandByronthat
Granmahadn’tknownabout,butthelibrariansentthemalong.

Granmareadslowly,bendingherheadtothebookwithherlonghair

plaitstrailingtothefloor.Granparockedwithaslowcreak,backand
forth,andwhenwegottoanexcitingplace,Ialwaysknew,because
Granpastoppedrocking.

WhenGranmareadaboutMacbeth,Icouldseethecastleandthe

witchestakingshapeintheshadows,aliveonthecabinwalls,andI’d
edgeclosertoGranpa’srocker.He’dstoprockingwhenGranmagotto
thestabbingsandthebloodandall.Granpasaidnoneofitwouldcome
aboutifLadyMacbethhadmindeddoingwhatawomanwassupposed
todoandkepthernoseoutofthebusinessthatrightlyoughttohave
beendonebyMr.Macbeth,andbesides,shewasn’tmuchofalady,and
hecouldn’tfigureoutwhyshewascalledsuch,anyhow.Granpasaidall
thisintheheatofthefirstreading.Lateron,afterhehadmulleditoverin
hismind,hecommentedthatsomethingwasundoubtedlywrongwiththe
woman(herefusedtocallherLady).Hesaid,however,hehadseena
doedeeronetime,thatwasinheatandcouldn’tfindabuck,goslap-dab
mad,runningintotreesandfinallydrowningherselfinthecreek.Hesaid
therewasnowayofknowing,becauseMr.Shakespearedidn’tindicate
assuch,butitallcouldbelaidatthedoorofMr.Macbeth—and
indicationswasalongthatline—asthemanseemedtohavetroubledoing
justaboutanything.

Heworriedaboutitconsiderable,butfinallysettledonlayingthe

biggestpartofthefaultonMrs.Macbeth,becauseshecouldhavetaken
outherheat-meannessinotherways,suchasbuttin’herheadagin’a
wall,ifnothingelse,insteadofkillingfolks.

GranpatakenthesideofJuliusCaesarinhiskilling.Hesaidhe

couldn’tputhisstamponeverythingMr.Caesardone—and,infact,had

nowayofknowingallhehaddone—buthesaidthatwasthelow-
downestbunchhe’deverheardof,Brutusandalltheothers,theway
theywentslippinguponafeller,outnumberinghimandstabbinghimto
death.HesaidiftheyhadadifferencewithMr.Caesar,they’doughtto
madetheirselvesknownandsettleditsquareout.Hegotsohetupabout
itthatGranmahadtoquiethimdown.Shesaidwewas,allpresent,in
supportofMr.Caesarathiskilling,sotherewasn’tanybodyforhimto
arguewith,andanyhow,ithappenedsolongago,shedoubtedifanything
couldbedoneaboutitnow.

ButwherewerunintorealtroublewasoverGeorgeWashington.To

understandwhatitmeanttoGranpa,youhavetoknowsomethingofthe
background.

Granpahadallthenaturalenemiesofamountainman.Addontothat

hewaspoorwithoutsayingandmoreIndianthannot.Isupposetoday,
theenemieswouldbecalled“theestablishment,”buttoGranpa,whether
sheriff,stateorfederalrevenueagent,orpoliticianofanystripe,hecalled
them“thelaw,”meaningpowerfulmonsterswhohadnoregardforhow
folkshadtoliveandgetby.

Granpasaidhewasa“man,full-growedandstanding”beforehe

knoweditwasagin’thelawtomakewhiskey.Hesaidhehadacousin
whoneverdidknow,andwenttohisgrave-moundnotknowing.Hesaid
hiscousinalwayssuspicionedthatthelawhaditinforhimbecausehe
didn’tvote“right”;buthenevercouldfigureexactlywhichwastheright
waytovote.Granpaalwaysbelievedthathiscousinfrettedhimselfinto
anearlygrave,worryingatvotingtimewhichwasthewaytovote,in
ordertoclearuphis“trouble.”Hegotsonervousaboutit,hetakento
heavydrinkingspells,whicheventuallykilledhim.Granpalaidhisdeath
atthedoorofthepoliticians,who,hesaid,wereresponsibleforjust
aboutallthekillingsinhistoryifyoucouldcheckuponit.

Inreadingtheoldhistorybookinlateryears,Idiscoveredthat

GranmahadskippedthechaptersaboutGeorgeWashingtonfightingthe
Indians,andIknowthatshehadreadonlythegoodaboutGeorge
WashingtontogiveGranpasomeonetolooktoandadmire.Hehadno
regardwhatsoeverforAndrewJacksonand,asIsay,nobodyelsein
politicsthatIcancalltomind.

AfterlisteningtoGranma’sreadings,Granpabegantoreferto

GeorgeWashingtoninmanyofhiscomments…holdinghimoutasthe
bighopethattherecouldbeagoodmaninpolitics.

UntilGranmaslippedupandreadaboutthewhiskeytax.
ShereadwhereGeorgeWashingtonwasgoingtoputataxon

whiskey-makersanddecidewhocouldmakewhiskeyandwhocouldn’t.
ShereadwhereMr.ThomasJeffersontoldGeorgeWashingtonthatit
wasthewrongthingtodo;thatpoormountainfarmersdidn’thave
nothingbutlittlehillsidepatches,andcouldn’traisemuchcornlikethebig
landownersintheflatlandsdid.ShereadwhereMr.Jeffersonwarned
thattheonlywaythemountainfolkhadofrealizingaprofitfromtheir
cornwastomakeitintowhiskey,andthatithadcausedtroublein
IrelandandScotland(asamatteroffactthat’swhereScotchwhiskey
gotitsburnttaste—fromfellershavingtorunfromtheKing’smenand
leavingtheirpotstoscorch).ButGeorgeWashingtonwouldn’tlisten,and
heputonthewhiskeytax.

IthitGranpadeep.Hestoppedhisrockerbuthedidn’tsayanything,

juststaredintothefirewithalostlookinhiseyes.Granmafeltsorry
aboutitforafterthereadingshepattedGranpaonhisshoulderand
slippedherarmaroundhiswaistastheywentofftobed.Ifeltmightnear
asbadaboutitasGranpa.

Itwasamonthlater,whenmeandGranpawasonthewaytothe

settlementthatIrealizedhowhehadbeentakenunder.Wehadwalked
downthetrail,Granpaleading,ontothewagonruts…andthen
alongsidetheroad.EveryonceinawhileacarpassedusbutGranpa
neverlookedaroundforheneveracceptedaride.Butofasudden,acar
pulledupbesideus.Itwasanopencar,withoutwindows,andhada
canvastoponit.ThemaninsidewasdresseduplikeapoliticianandI
knewGranpawouldn’tride,butIgotasurprise.

Thefellerleanedoverandholleredabovethechuggingsound,“Want

aride?”

Granpastoodforjustaminute,thensaid,“Thankee,”andgotin,

motioningformetogetintheback.Downtheroadwewent,anditwas
excitingtomeathowfastwecoveredground.

NowGranpaalwaysstoodandsatstraightasanarrow,butsittingin

thecarwithhishaton,hewastootall.Herefusedtoslouch,sohewas
forcedtobend,backstraight,towardthewindshield.Thisgavehimthe
appearanceofstudyingthedrivingofthepoliticianatthewheel,aswell
astheroadahead.Itmadethepoliticiannervous,Icouldtell,butGranpa
didn’tpayhimanymindwhatsoever.Finally,thepoliticiansaid,“Going
intotown?”

Granpasaid,“Yep.”Werodealongsomemore.
“Areyouafarmer?”
“Some,”Granpasaid.
“I’maprofessorattheStateTeachersCollege,”theprofessorsaid,

andIthoughthesoundedrightuppityaboutit,thoughIwassurprised
andpleasedthathewasn’tapolitician.Granpadidn’tsayanything.

“AreyouIndian?”theprofessorasked.
“Yep,”Granpasaid.
“Oh,”saidtheprofessor,likethatexplainedmeandGranpaentirely.
Ofasudden,Granpawhirledhisheadtowardtheprofessorandsaid,

“WhatdoyouknowaboutGeorgeWashingtonputtin’onthewhiskey
tax?”YouwouldofthoughtthatGranpahadreachedoverandslapped
theprofessor.

“Thewhiskeytax?”heshouted,realloud.
“Yep,”Granpasaid,“thewhiskeytax.”
Theprofessorlookedredandnervousofasudden,anditdawned

onmethathemighthavehadsomethingpersonaltodowithputtin’the
whiskeytaxonhimself.

“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“DoyoumeantheGeneralGeorge

Washington?”

“Wastheymorethanone?”Granpaaskedhim,surprised.It

surprisedmetoo.

“Noooo,”theprofessorsaid,“butIdon’tknowanythingaboutit.”

Whichsoundedkindofsuspicioustome,andIcouldseeitdidn’tset
wellwithGranpaeither.Theprofessorlookedstraightahead,andit
seemedtomewewasgoingfasterandfaster.Granpawasstudyingthe
roadaheadthroughthewindshield,andIknewrightthenwhywehad
takentheride.

Granpaspokeagain,buthistonedidn’tholdmuchhope,“Doye

knowifGeneralWashingtonevergotalickonthehead—Imeaninall
thembattlesmaybearifleballhithimonthesideofthehead?”The
professordidn’tlookatGranpaandwasactingmorenervousallthe
time.

“I,thatis,”hestuttered,“IteachEnglishandIdon’tknowanything

aboutGeorgeWashington.”

WereachedtheedgeofthesettlementandGranpasaidwewould

getout.Wewasn’tanywheresnearintowherewewasgoing.Whenwe
gotoutonthesideoftheroad,Granpatakenoffhishattothankthe

professor,buthedidn’thardlywaitforustohitthegroundbeforehe
spunoffinacloudofdust.Granpasaiditwasaboutthekindofmanners
heexpectedfromfolkslikethat.Heagreedthattheprofessoracted
suspicious,andthathecouldhavebeenapoliticianmakingouttobea
professor.Hesaidlotsofpoliticiansmovedaroundamongsthonest
peopleclaimingtheywasn’tpoliticians.But,Granpasaid,youcouldn’t
discounthimbeingaprofessor,forhehadheardthatmoreofthemwas
crazythannot.

GranpasaidhefiguredGeorgeWashingtontookalickonthehead

somewayorotherinallhisfighting,whichaccountedforanactionlike
thewhiskeytax.Hesaidhehadanuncleoncethatwaskickedinthe
headbyamuleandneverwasquiterightafterthat;thoughhesaidhehad
hisprivateopinion(neverstatedpublic)thathisuncleusedthaton
occasion;likethetimeafellercomehometohiscabinandcaughthis
uncleinbedwiththefeller’swife.Hesaidhisunclerunoutintheyardon
allfours,hunkereddownlikeahogandcommencedtoeatdirt.But,he
said,nobodycouldtellwhetherhewasputtin’itonornot…leastwise,
thefellercouldn’t.Granpasaidhisunclelivedtoaripeageanddied
peaceableinhisbedstead.Anyway,hesaiditwasn’tforhimtojudge.
TheconditionofGeorgeWashingtonsoundedreasonabletomeand
couldofaccountedforsomeofhisothertroubles.

FoxandHounds

ItwaslateofawinterafternoonwhenGranpatookol’MaudandRinger
intothecabinbecausehesaidhedidn’twantthemembarrassedbefore
theotherhounds.Ifiguredsomethingwastohappen.Granmaalready
knew.Hereyesweretwinklinglikeblacklightsandsheputadeershirt
onme,justlikeGranpa’s,andplacedherhandonmyshoulderlikeshe
donehim,andIfeltmightneargrowed-up.

Ididn’task,butIhungaround.Granmagavemeasackwithbiscuits

andmeatandsaid,“I’llsitontheporchtonightandlisten;andIwillhear
you.”

WewentintotheyardandGranpawhistledupthedogsandoffwe

set,upthehollowbythespringbranch.Thehoundsranbackandforth,
hurryingusup.

Granpakepthishoundsforonlytworeasons.Onewashiscorn

patchwhereeveryspringandsummer,heassignedol’MaudandRinger
tostayandguardagainstdeer,’coon,hogsandcrowgettingallhiscorn.

LikeGranpasaid,ol’Maudhadnosmellsenseatallandwas

practicalworthlessonafoxtrail;butshehadkeenhearingandeyesight,
andthisgavehersomethingshecoulddoandtakeprideinknowingshe
wasofworth.Granpasaidifahoundoranybodyelsehasgotnofeeling
ofworth,thenit’sabadthing.

Ringerhadbeenagoodtraildog.Hewasgettingoldnow.Histail

wasbroke,whichmadehimlookdisheartened,andhecouldn’tseenor
hearverywell.GranpasaidheputRingerwithol’Maudsohecouldhelp
andfeelthathewasofworthinhisoldage;thatitsortofdignifiedhim,
whichitdidforRingerwalkedaroundrightstiff-leggedanddignified,
especiallyduringtheperiodswhenhewasworkingatthecornpatch.

Granpafedol’MaudandRingeratthebarnupinthehollowduring

cornraisingtime,forthiswasn’tfarfromthecornpatch.Theystayed
therefaithful.Ol’MaudwasRinger’seyesandears.Shewouldsee
somethinginthecornpatchandtakeoffafterit,raisinghowlslikeshe
ownedthatcornpatch,andRingerwouldfollow,doingthesame.

They’dgocrashingthroughthecorn;andmaybeol’Maudwouldrun

rightpasta’coonifshedidn’tseeit,forshesurecouldn’tsmellit…but

Ringer,followingbehindher,could.He’dputhisnosetothegroundand
gobrayingafterthat’coon.He’drunthat’coonoutofthepatchandhold
ontohistrailbysmelluntilherunintoatree.Thenhe’dcomebackkind
ofsad;buthimandol’Maudnevergiveup.Theydonetheirjob.

TheotherreasonGranpakepthoundswasforpurefun,trailingfox.

Heneveruseddogstohuntgame.Hedidn’tneedthem.Granpaknew
thewateringandfeedingplaces,thehabitandtrails,eventhethinkingand
characterofallthegame,farbetterthananyhoundcouldlearn.

Theredfoxrunsinacirclewhenheischasedbyhounds.Withhis

deninthecenter,hewillstartonacircleswingthatmeasuresmaybea
mile,sometimesmore,acrossthemiddle.Allthetimehe’srunning,he’ll
usetricks:backtracking,runninginwaterandlayingfalsetrails;buthe’ll
sticktothecircle.Ashegrowstired,hewillmakethecirclesmallerand
smaller,untilheretreatstohisden.He“densup,”theycallit.

Themoreheruns,thehotterhegets,andhismouthsweatsout

strongersmellsthatthedogspickuponthetrail,andsogetlouderwith
theirbaying.Itiscalleda“hottrail.”

Whenthegrayfoxruns,herunsinafigure8,andhisdenisjust

aboutwherehecrosseshistraileachtimetomakethe8.

Granpaknewthethinkingofthe’coontooandlaughedathis

mischievousways,andsworeasolemnoaththat,onoccasion,the’coon
hadlaughedathim.Heknewwheretheturkeyran,andcouldtracka
beefromwatertohivewithalookofhiseye.Hecouldmakethedeer
cometohim,becauseheknewhiscuriousnature;andhecouldease
throughacoveyofquailwithoutstirringawing.Butheneverbothered
them,exceptforwhatheneededandIknowtheyunderstood.

Granpalivedwiththegame,notatit.Thewhitemountainmenwere

ahardylotandGranpaborewiththemwell.Buttheywouldtaketheir
dogsandclatteralloverthemountainschasinggamethiswayandthat,
untileverythingrunforcover.Iftheysawadozenturkey,whytheykilled
adozenturkey,iftheycould.

ButtheyrespectedGranpaasamasterwoodsman.Icouldseeitin

theireyesandthetouchingoftheirhatbrimswhentheymethimatthe
crossroadsstore.TheystayedoutofGranpa’shollowsandmountains
withtheirgunsanddogs,whilsttheycomplainedalotaboutthegame
gettingscarcerandscarcerwheretheywas.Granpaoftenshookhishead
attheircommentsandneversaidanything.Buthetoldme.Theywould
neverunderstandTheWayoftheCherokee.

Withthedogslopingbehind,ItrottedclosebehindGranpa,because

itwasthatmysterious,excitingtimeinthehollowswhenthesunhadsunk
andthelightfadedfromredtoshadyblood,andkeptchangingand
darkening,asifthedaylightwasalivebutdying.Eventheduskbreeze
wasslywithawhisperasifithadthingstotellthatitcouldn’tsayout
open.

Thegamewasgoingtoitsbedsandthenightcreatureswascoming

outforthehunt.Aswepassedthemeadowbythebarn,Granpastopped
andIstoodpracticalunderhim.

Anowlwasflyingtowardusdownthehollow,movingintheairno

higherthanGranpa’shead;andpassedrightby,makingnosound,nota
whispernorwhirofwingandsettledsilentasaghostinthebarn.

“Screechowl,”Granpasaid,“theoneyehearsometimesatnightthat

soundslikeawomanpaining.Goingtocatchsomerats.”Isuredidn’t
wanttodisturbthatol’owlandratcatching,andkeptGranpabetween
meandthebarnaswepassed.

Darkfellinclose,andthemountainsmovedinoneithersideaswe

walked.Beforelong,wecametoaYinthetrail,andGranpatakenthe
left.Nowtherewasnomoreroomforthetrailexceptrightontheedge
ofthespringbranch.Granpacalledthisthe“Narrows.”Seemedlikeyou
couldstretchoutyourarmsoneithersideandtouchthemountains.
Straightuptheywent,darkandfeatheredwithtreetops,andleftathin
sliceofstarsaboveus.

Wayoff,amourningdovecalled,longandthroaty,andthemountains

pickeditupandechoedthesoundoverandover,carryingitfartherand
fartherawayuntilyouwonderedhowmanymountainsandhollowsthat
callwouldtravel—anditdiedaway,sofar,itwasmorelikeamemory
thanasound.

Itwaslonesome,andItrottedrightuponGranpa’sheels.Noneof

thehoundsstayedbehindme,whichIwishedtheywould.Theystayed
aheadofGranpa,runningbacktohimnowandthen,whiningand
wantinghimtosendthemofftrailing.

TheNarrowsslopedupward,andbeforelongIcouldhearbigwater

running.ItwasacreekthatcrossedwhatGranpacalled“Hangin’Gap.”

Wemovedoffthetrail,upintothemountainabovethecreek.

Granpasentthedogsoff.Allhehadtodowaspointandsay,“Go!”and
offtheywent,givinglittleyelps,likeyoung’unsgoingberrypicking
Granpasaid.

Wesatdowninapinethicketabovethecreek.Itwaswarm.Pine

thicketsgiveoffheat,butifit’ssummertime,youwanttositamongstoak
orhickoryorsomesuch,becausepinegetsplumbhot.

Thestarswerewateringandmovingaroundinthecreek,ridingon

ripplesandsplashes.Granpasaidwecouldcommencetolistenforthe
houndsinalittlewhile,whentheypickedupol’Slick’strail.That’swhat
hecalledthefox.

Granpasaidwewasinol’Slick’sterritory.Hesaidhehadknowed

himaboutfiveyears.Mostpeoplethinkthatallfoxhunterskillfoxes,but
it’snottrue.Granpaneverkilledafoxinhislife.Thereasonforfox
huntingisthehounds—tolistentotheirtrailing.Granpaalwayscalledoff
thehoundswhenthefoxdennedup.

Granpasaidthatwhenthingshadgotmonotonousforol’Slickhe

hadgonesofarastocomeandsetintheedgeofthecabinclearing,
tryingtogetGranpaandthehoundstotrailhim.Itsometimescaused
Granpaallmanneroftroublewiththehounds,astheyyelpedandbayed,
withol’Slickleadingthemupthehollow.

Granpasaidhelikedtoslipuponol’Slickwhenhewas

cantankerousandnotinthemoodfortrailing.Whenafoxwantstoden
up,hewilluseingenioustrickstothrowoffthehounds.Whenheis
playful,hewillplayalloverthecountryside.Hesaidthebestpartwas
thatol’Slickwouldknowhewasbeingpaidbackforsashayingaround
thecabinandtroublingGranpa.

Sureenough,themoonbrokeoverthemountain,aquarterusedup.

Itsprinkledpatternsthroughthepinesandsplashedlightsoffthecreek,
andmadethinsilverboatsofthefogtearingssailingslowthroughthe
Narrows.

Granpaleanedbackagainstapineandspraddledouthislegs.Idone

thesamething,andputthevittlesackrightbymeasitwasmy
responsibility.Notfaroffabigbaysounded,longandhollow.

“That’sol’Rippitt,”Granpasaid,andlaughedlow,“andit’sadamn

lie.Rippittknowswhat’swanted…buthecan’twait,sohemakesout
likehe’shitatrail-scent.Listentohowfalsifiedhisbaysounds.He
knowshe’sa’lying.”Sureenough,itdidsoundthat-a-way.

“He’sdamnshorelying,”Isaid.MeandGranpacouldcusswhenwe

wasn’taroundGranma.

Inaminutetheotherhoundslethimknow,astheyhowledaround

him,notbaying.Inthemountainstheycallsucha“blufferdog.”There

wassilenceagain.

Inalittlewhileadeepbaybrokethestillness.Itwaslongandfaroff,

andIknewrightthenitwastherealthing,becauseitcarriedexcitement
init.Theotherhoundstookitup.

“ThatwasBlueBoy,”Granpasaid,“upandcomin’tohavethebest

noseinthemountains;andthat’sLittleRedrightbehindhim…and
there’sBess.”Anotherbaychimedin,thisonekindoffrantic.Granpa
said,“Andthere’sol’Rippitt,gittin’inonthelast.”

Theywasinfullvoicenow,movingfartherandfartheraway,their

chorusechoingbackwardandforwarduntilitsoundedlikehoundsall
around.Thenthesounddisappeared.

“They’reonthebacksideofClinchMountain,”Granpasaid.I

listenedhard,butIcouldn’thearanything.

Anighthawkwent“SEEeeeeeee!”fromthesideofthemountain

behindus,cuttingtheairwithasharpwhistle.Acrossthecreek,ahoot
owlansweredhim,“WHO…WHO…WHOAREYouuuuu!”

Granpalaughedlow.“Owlstaysinthehollow,hawkstaysonthe

ridges.Sometimesol’hawkfiguresthere’seasypickinsaroundthewater
andol’owldon’tlikeit.”

Afishfloppedasplashinthecreek.Iwasbeginningtogetworried.

“Reckin,”IwhisperedtoGranpa,“thatthemhoundsislost?”

“Nope,”Granpasaid,“we’llhear’eminaminute,andthey’llcome

outont’othersideofClinchMountainandrunacrossthatridgeinfront
ofus.”

Sureenoughtheydid.Firsttheysoundedfar-off,thenlouderand

louder;andtheycame,bayingandyelping,longwaysalongtheridge
facingusandcrossedthecreeksomewheredownbelow.Thenthey
camealongthesideofthemountainbehindusandsetoffagainforClinch
Mountain.ThistimetheyranonthenearsideofClinchMountainandwe
heardthemallthewayacrossit.

“Ol’Slickistighteningupthecircle,”Granpasaid,“thistime,after

theycrossthecreek,ol’Slickmaylead’emrightinfrontofus.”Granpa
wasright.Weheardthemsplashingacrossthecreeknotfarbelowus…
andwhiletheywassplashingandbayingGranpasetupstraightand
grabbedmyarm.

“Thereheis,”Granpawhispered.Andtherehewas.Comingalong

throughwillowpolesonthecreekbank,itwasol’Slick.Hewastrotting,
withhistonguehangingoutandabushytaildanglingkindofcareless

behindhim.Hehadpointedears,andhejoggedalongrealpickety,
takinghistimetogoaroundapileofbrush.Oncehestopped,lifteda
frontpawandlickedit;thenheturnedhisheadbacktowardthebaying
ofthehoundsandcameon.

DowninfrontofmeandGranpa,thereweresomerocksthatstuck

upinthewater,fiveorsixofthemthatwentoutnearlytothemiddleof
thecreek.Whenol’Slickreachedwheretherockswere,hestopped
andlookedback,likehewasjudginghowfarawaythehoundswas.
Thenhesatdown,calmasyoupleasewithhisbacktous,andjustsat
there,lookingatthecreek.Themoonglintedredoffhiscoat,andthe
houndswascomingcloser.

Granpasqueezedmyarm.“Watchhimnow!”Ol’Slickjumpedfrom

thecreekbankoutontothefirstrock.Hestoppedthereaminuteand
dancedontherock.Thenhejumpedtothenextoneanddancedagain,
thenthenextandthenextuntilhereachedthelastone,nearlyinthe
middleofthecreek.

Thenhecameback,jumpingfromrocktorock,untilhereachedthe

oneclosesttothecreekbank.Hestoppedandlistenedagain;then
steppedintothewaterandsplashedupthecreek,untilhewasoutof
sight.Hesurecutthetimeclose,becausehehadnomorethan
disappearedwhenherecomethehounds.

BlueBoywasleadingwithhisnoserightontheground.Ol’Rippitt

wascrowdinghim,andBessandLittleRedwasbunchedrightbehind.
Nowandthen,oneofthemwouldraisetheirnoseandgiveouta
“OOOWOOOOoooooooooh!”thattingledyourblood.

TheycametowheretherockswentoutintothecreekandBlueBoy

neverhesitated;outhewent,jumpingfromrocktorock,andtherestof
themrightbehind.

Whentheyreachedthelastrockinthemiddleofthecreek,BlueBoy

stoppedbutol’Rippittdidn’t.Hejumpedrightin,liketherewasn’tno
doubtaboutit,andstartedswimmingfortheotherbank.Bessjumpedin
behindhimandstartedswimmingtoo.

BlueBoyraisedhisnoseandcommencedtosnifftheair,andLittle

Redstayedthereontherockwithhim.InaminuteherecomeBlueBoy
andLittleRedjumpingbackontherockstowardus.Theyreachedthe
bank,andBlueBoyledtheway.Thenhehitol’Slick’strailandbayed
longandloud,andLittleRedchimedin.

Bessreversedherselfwhileshewasstillswimmingandcomeback,

whileol’Rippittwasrunningupanddowntheotherbankatatotalloss.
Hewashowlingandyelpingandrunningbackandforthwithhisnoseon
theground.WhenheheardBlueBoy,hehitthecreekwaterinadive
andswamsohardhesplashedwateroverhisheaduntilhemadeittothe
bankandtakenupthetrailbehindtherestofthem.

MeandGranpalaughedsohardwenearlyfelloffthemountain.Idid

losemyfoot-bracingholdonapinesaplingandrolledintococklebur
bushes.Granpapulledmeoutandwewasstilllaughingwhilewepicked
theburrsoutofmyhair.

Granpasaidheknowedol’Slickwouldpullthattrick,andthat’s

whyhechosetheplaceforustoset.Hesaidthat,withoutadoubt,ol’
Slickhadsetclosebyandwatchedthedogshisownself.

Granpasaidthereasonol’Slickhadwaitedsolongforthehoundsto

getcloseisthathewantedhisscenttobefreshontherocks,figuringthat
thehounds’feelingswouldtakeoverfromtheirsense,whentheygot
excited.Itworkedtoo,withol’RippittandBess;butnotwithBlueBoy
andLittleRed.

Granpasaidhehadmany’sthetimeseenthatsamekindofthing,

feelingstakingoversense,makeasbigafoolsoutofpeopleasithadol’
Rippitt.WhichIreckinisso.

IthadbrokedayandIhadn’tevennoticed.MeandGranpamoved

downtothecreekbankclearingandetoursourbiscuitsandmeat.The
dogswasbayingbackaroundandcomingalongtheridgeinfrontofus.

Thesuntoppedthemountain,sparklingthetreesacrossthecreek

andbroughtoutbrushwrensandaredcardinal.

Granpaslidhisknifeunderthebarkofacedartreeandmadea

dipperbytwistingoneendofthebark.Wedippedwaterfromthecreek,
cold,whereyoucouldseethepebblesonthebottom.Thewaterhada
cedarytastethatmademehungrier,butwehadetallthebiscuits.

Granpasaidol’Slickmightcomeupthefarthercreekbankthis

time,andwewouldgettoseehimagain;butwewouldhavetositquiet.
Ididn’tmove,notevenwhentheantscrawleduponmyfoot,thoughI
wantedto.

Granpasawthem,andsaiditwasallrighttobrushthemoff—ol’

Slickwouldn’tseemedothat.WhichIdid.

Inalittlewhilethehoundswerebelowusagain,downthecreek,and

thenwesawhim,lazyingupthecreekbankontheothersidewithhis
tonguehangingout.Granpagivealowwhistleandol’Slickstoppedand

staredacrossthecreekatus.Hestoodthereaminute,withhiseyes
crinkleduplikehewasgrinningatus;thenhesnortedandtrottedonout
ofsight.

Granpasaidol’Slicksnortedbecausehewasdisgusted,being

causedallthisinconvenience.Irememberedol’Slickhaditcomingto
him.

Granpasaidsomefellerstoldthattheyhadheardaboutfoxes

“swappingout,”buthehadactuallyseenit.Hesaidyearsago,hehad
beenfoxtrailingandwassittin’onahillockaboveameadowclearing.
Hesaidthefox,aredone,comealongwiththehoundsbehindhimand
stoppedatahollowtreeandgivealittlebark.Hesaidanotherfoxcome
outofthathollowtree,andthefirstonegotin.Thenthesecondfox
trottedoff,leadingthedogsonthetrail.Hesaidhemovedclosetothat
treeandcouldhearthatol’foxactuallysnoringwhilethehoundswas
passingafewfeetfromhim.Hesaidthatol’foxhadsomuchconfidence
inhisselfthathedidn’tgivealick-damnhowclosethemdogscome
aroundhim.

HerecomesBlueBoyandthepackupthecreekbank.Theybayed

everysteportwo…itwasastrongtrail.Theypassedoutofsightandin
aminute,onebaysplitofffromtherestandbrokeupintoyelpsand
howls.

Granpacussed.Hesaid,“Damn!Ol’Rippittistryingtocutacrost

againandcheatonol’Slick.He’sgoneandgothisselflost.”Inthe
mountains,suchisknownasa“cheaterhound.”

Granpasaidwewouldhavetosetupaholleringandbaying

ourselvestoguideol’Rippittbacktous,andthatwouldcalloffthe
trailing,becausetheotherdogswouldcometoo.Sowedid.

Icouldn’tgivethelonghollerlikeGranpa—itwasalmostlikeayodel

—butIdidtolerablewell,Granpasaid.

Inalittlewhileheretheycome,andol’Rippittwasashamedofwhat

hehaddone.Hehungbackbehindtheothers;hoping,Ireckin,thathe
wouldpassunnoticed.Granpasaiditservedhimrightandmaybethis
timeitwouldlearnhimthatyoucan’tcheatwithoutmakingunnecessary
troubleforyourself.Whichprovesoutasreasonable.

ThesunhadslantedintotheafternoonwhenweleftHangin’Gap,

backdowntheNarrowstowardhome.Thedogsdraggedtheirfeetin
thetrailandIknewtheyweretired.Iwastooandwouldhavehada
hardtimemakingitifGranpahadn’tbeensotuckeredthathewalked

alongslow.

ItwasduskeveningwhenwesightedthecabinclearingandGranma.

Shewasoutonthetrailtomeetus.Shepickedmeup,thoughIcould
havemadeit,andputanarmaroundGranpa’swaist.IguessIwas
tuckered,forIfellasleeponhershoulderanddidn’tknowwhenwegot
tothecabin.

“IKinYe,BonnieBee”

Lookingback,IguessmeandGranpawasprettydumb.NotGranpa,
whenitcometomountainsorgameorweatheroranynumberofthings.
Butwhenyougotintowordsandbooksandsuch,well,meandGranpa
tookthedecisiontoGranma.Shestraighteneditout.

Likethetimetheladyaskedusfordirections.
Wehadbeentothesettlementandwasonourwaybackhome,and

prettyheavyloaded.Wehadsomanybooksthatwesplitthemup.
Granpawasputoutaboutthenumberofbooks.Hesaidthelibrarian
waspushingtoomanyonuseverymonth,andhewasgettingdifferent
peopletangledupinthestories.

ForthepastmonthhehadbeenarguingthatAlexandertheGreat

sidedwiththebigbankersattheContinentalCongressandtriedto
undercutMr.Jefferson.GranmahadbeentellinghimthatAlexanderthe
Greatwasnotpolitickingatthattime,andasamatteroffact,wasnot
livingatthattime.ButGranpahaditstuckinhismind,sowehadtoget
thebookbackonAlexandertheGreat.

Granpawastolerablesurethatthebookwouldproveoutastowhat

Granmasaid.IwastolerablesuremyselfasIhadneverknownGranma
tomisswhenitcometoknowingwhatwasinbooks.

So,inthebackofourminds,allthetime,weknewGranmawasright

andGranpahadcomedownprettyheavyontheideathatitwasgetting
toomanybooksthatwasthecauseoftheconfusion.Whichsounded
reasonabletome.

Anyhow,IwascarryingoneofMr.Shakespeare’sbooksandthe

dictionary,alongwiththecanofcoaloil.Granpahadtherestofthe
booksandacanofcoffee.GranmalovedcoffeeandIfigured,like
Granpa,thatthecoffeewouldhelpoutwhenwegottoAlexanderthe
Great,fortheentirethinghadbeenaworrimenttoGranmaforthesolid
month.

Wewasontheroadfromthesettlement,mewalkingbehindGranpa,

whenabigblackcarpulledupbesideusandstopped.Itwasthebiggest
carIhadeverseen.Thereweretwoladiesandtwomeninthecar,andit
hadglasswindowsthatslidrightdownintothedoor.

Ihadneverseensuchbefore,norhadGranpa,forwebothwatched

thewindowwhileitslidoutofsightastheladycrankedonit.Later,
Granpatoldmethatheinspecteditrightcloseandtherewasanarrow
slitinthedoorthatallowedtheglasstogodown.Ididn’tseeit,forIwas
nottallenough.

Theladywasfinedressedwithringsonherfingersandbigbobbles

thathungdownfromherears.

“WhichwaydowegotogettoChattanooga?”sheasked,andyou

couldn’thardlyhearthemotorrunningonthecar.

Granpasetthecoffeecandownonthegroundandbalancedhis

booksontopofitsotheywouldn’tgetdirty.Isetdownmycoaloilcan;
forGranpaalwayssaidthatifyouwasspokento,treatsuchwithproper
respectandgivefullattentiontowhatwasbeingsaid.Afterwehaddone
that,Granpaliftedhishattothelady,whichseemedlikeitmadeherfeel
badforsheholleredatGranpa,“Isaid,whichwaydowegotogetto
Chattanooga?Areyoudeef?”

Granpasaid,“No,ma’am,myhearin’andhealthisfinetoday,thank

ye.How’syour’n?”AndGranpameantit;foritwascustomtoinquire
aboutsuchashowpeoplewasfeeling.MeandGranpawasalittle
surprisedwhenthewomanactedlikeitmadehermad,butthatcould
havebeenbecausetheotherfolksinthecarwaslaughingatsomething
shemusthavedone.

Sheholleredlouder,“Areyougoingtotellushowtogetto

Chattanooga?”

“Whyyes,ma’am,”Granpasaid.
“Well,”theladysaid,“tellus!’’
“Well,”Granpasaid,“firstoff,ye’reheadedwrong,whichiseast.Ye

wanttogowest.Nownotdeadwest,butslyoffjestashadetothe
north,aboutwherethatbigridgeis,overyonder…andthatoughtto
takeyethere.”Granpaliftedhishatagain,andwebenttotakeupour
loads.

Theladystuckherheadoutofthewindow.“Areyouforreal?”she

hollered.“Whatroaddowetake?”

Granpastraightenedup,surprised.“Why,Ireckinwhicheverone

goeswest,ma’am—bearinginmindtoslyofftowardthenorth.”

“Whatareyou,acoupleofforeigners?”theladyhollered.
NowthissetGranpaback;itdidmetoo,forIhadneverheardthat

word,andIdon’tthinkGranpahadeither.Helookedattheladyfora

deadminute,andthenhesaid,realfirm,“Ireckin.”

Thebigcartakenoff,stillheadedthewayithadbeengoing,which

waseast,andthewrongway.Granpashookhisheadandsaidinhis
seventy-oddyears,hehadstruckupwithsomecrazypeople,butthe
ladyproveduptoanyofthem.IaskedGranpaifshecouldhavebeena
politician,buthesaidhehadneverheardofaladybeingapolitician—
thoughshecouldhavebeenthewifeofone.

Weturnedoffontothewagonruts.Always,onthewaybackfrom

thesettlement,whenwegotonthewagonruts,Icommencedtothinkof
somethingtoaskGranpa.Healwaysstoppedwhenhewasspokento,
asIsay,togivefullconsiderationtowhateverwassaid.Thisgavemea
chancetocatchup.IreckinIwaslittleformyage(fivegoingonsix)for
thetopofmyheadcomejustaboveGranpa’sknees,andIwasalwaysin
acontinualtrotbehindhim.

Ihadfallenbackagoodwaysandwastrottinghard,soIhadto

mightnearholler,“Granpa,haveyeeverbeentoChattanooga?”

Granpastopped.“Noooo,”hesaid,“butInearlywentthereoncet.”

Icaughtupandsetdownmycoaloilcan.

“Musthavebeentwenty…maybethirtyyearsago,Ireckin,”

Granpasaid.“Ihadanuncle,Enochwashisname,youngestofPa’s
brothers.Hewasgittin’ageonhim,andwhenheliquoredupwould
ofttimesgitaddledintheheadandwanderoff.Well,UncleEnoch
disappearedwhichheoftdidonhighlonesomes,backinthemountains,
butthistimeitstretchedouttothreeerfourweeks.Setustosending
inquirieswithtravelers.WordcomebackthathewasinChattanooga,in
jail.Iwassettogoandfetchhimout,whenheshowedupatthecabin.”

Granpapausedtogivethoughttoit,andbeguntolaugh.“Yessir,he

showedupbarefooted,withnothingbutsomeoldfloppybritchesonthat
hehadtoholdupwithonehand.Helookedlikehehadbeensetupon
byboar’coons…hewasthatskintup.Turnedout,hehadwalkedback
everstepofthewaythroughthemountains.”Granpastoppedtolaugh,
andIsetdownonthecoaloilcan,whichrestedmylegs.

“UncleEnochsaidhehadgotliquoredupanddidn’trecollectabout

howhegotthere;buthewokeupinaroominabedwithtwowomen.
Hesaidhehadjustcommencedtoclimboutofbedanddisassociate
hisselffromthemwhenabangingsetuponthedoorandabigfeller
bustedin.Thefellerwasmadandsaidoneofthewomenwashiswife
andtheother’nwashissister.SeemslikeUncleEnochhadsomehowor

othergotassociatedwithpracticaltheentirefamily.

“UncleEnochsaidthewomensetupandcommencedtohollerfer

himtopaythefellersomething,andsaidthefellerwashollering,and
UncleEnochwascastingabouttryingtofindhispants.Thoughhe
doubtedtherewasanymoneyinthepockets,heknowedhehadacuttin’
knife;ferthefeller’pearedlikehemeantbusiness.Buthecouldn’tfind
hispants,havingnowayintheworldofknowingwhathedonewith
them,andtherewasnothingelseferhimtodosoheleaptoutawindow.
Troublewas,thewindowwastwostoriesup,andUncleEnochhit
spraddledoutingravelandrock;that’showhegotskintup.

“Hehadn’tastitchofclotheson,buthefoundawindowshade,

havingbroughtitdownwithhim.Hesaidhewrappedthewindowshade
’roundhisprivateparts,andsetabouttohideuntildark.Troublewas,he
couldn’tfindnoplacetohide;steppedoutslapinthemiddleofabunch
offolksrushingaroundthis-a-wayandthat.Hesaidtheyhadnomanners
atallandhelikedtogotrunovertwicet.Thelawgothimandputhimin
jail.

“Thenextmorning,theygivehimsomepantsandashirtandshoes

toobigferhim,andputhimoutwithsomemorefellerssweepingupthe
streets.UncleEnochsaidtheywaslessthanarounddozenofthem,all
told,doingthesweeping,andhedidn’tseeanywayintheworldthey
couldevergitthatplacecleanedup.Hesaidpeoplewasthrowingthings
downonthestreetsfasterthantheycouldsweepitup.Hesaidhesaw
nopointatalltothething,anddeterminedhewouldleave.Firstchancet
hegot,hebrokeandrun.Fellergrabbedhisshirt,butherunoutofit;run
out’nhisshoestoo,buthehelduphispants.Hesaidherunintosome
treesandhidout’tildark,whenhegothisbearingsbythestarsand
struckoutferhome.Takenhimthreeweekstomakeitacrostthe
mountains,grazingonacornsandhickor’nutslikeahog.CuredUncle
Enoch’sliquoring…wouldn’tnevergonearasettlementagain,farasI
know.Nope,”Granpasaid,“IneverbeentoChattanooga;ain’tgoin’
neither.”

ImadeupmymindrightthenthatIwasn’tevergoingto

Chattanoogamyself.

WewasatsupperthatnightwhenitcrossedmymindtoaskGranma

andsoIsaid,“Granma,whatisforeigners?”

Granpastoppedeating,buthedidn’tlookupfromhisplate.Granma

lookedatmeandthenatGranpa.Hereyestwinkled.“Well,”shesaid,

“foreignersispeoplethathappentobesomeplacewheretheywasn’t
born.”

“Granpasaid,”Iexplained,“thathereckinedwewasforeigners.”

AndItoldabouttheladyinthebigcarandhowshehadsaidwewas
foreigners,andGranpasaidhereckined.Granpapushedhisplateback.
“Ireckinedthatwewasn’tborneddownthereonthesideoftheroad,
whichmadeusforeignerstothemparts.Anyhowit’sanotheroneofthem
dadblamedwords[healwaysused“dadblamed”insteadof“damn”in
frontofGranma]thatwecandowithout.Thereis,Ihavealwayssaid,
toodadblamedmanywords.”

Granmaagreedthattherewas.Granmadidn’twanttogetintothe

wordbusiness.Shehadnever,forexample,gotthewords“knowed”and
“throwed”disentangledwithGranpa.Hesaidthat“knew”wassomething
yougotwhichnobodyhadeverused,andthattheword,therefore,was
“knowed.”Andhesaid“threw”washowyougotfromonesideofa
doortotheotherside,andthereforeitwas“throwed.”Hewouldn’t
budgeonit,aswhathesaidmadesense.

Granpasaidiftherewaslesswords,therewouldn’tbeasmuch

troubleintheworld.Hesaidprivatelytomethattherewasalwayssome
damnfoolmakingupawordthatservednopurposeexcepttocause
trouble.Whichisreasonable.Granpafavoredthesound,orhowyou
saidaword,astoitsmeaning.Hesaidfolksthatspokedifferentwords
couldfeelthesamethingbylisteningtothesoundofmusic.Granma
agreedwithhim,becausethat’sthewaytheytalkedtoeachother.

Granma’snamewasBonnieBee.IknewthatwhenIheardhimlate

atnightsay,“Ikinye,BonnieBee,”hewassaying,“Iloveye,”forthe
feelingwasinthewords.

AndwhentheywouldbetalkingandGranmawouldsay,“Doyekin

me,Wales?”andhewouldanswer,“Ikinye,”itmeant,“Iunderstand
ye.”Tothem,loveandunderstandingwasthesamething.Granmasaid
youcouldn’tlovesomethingyoudidn’tunderstand;norcouldyoulove
people,norGod,ifyoudidn’tunderstandthepeopleandGod.

GranpaandGranmahadanunderstanding,andsotheyhadalove.

Granmasaidtheunderstandingrundeeperastheyearswentby,andshe
reckineditwouldgetbeyondanythingmortalfolkscouldthinkuponor
explain.Andsotheycalledit“kin.”

Granpasaidbackbeforehistime“kinfolks”meantanyfolksthatyou

understoodandhadanunderstandingwith,soitmeant“lovedfolks.”But

peoplegotselfish,andbroughtitdowntomeanjustbloodrelatives;but
thatactuallyitwasnevermeanttomeanthat.

GranpasaidwhenhewasalittleboyhisPahadafriendwho

ofttimeshungaroundtheircabin.HesaidhewasanoldCherokeenamed
’CoonJack,andhewascontinuallydistemperedandcantankerous.He
couldn’tfigureoutwhathisPasawinold’CoonJack.

Hesaidtheywentirregulartoalittlechurchhousedowninahollow.

OneSundayitwastestifyingtime,whenfolkswouldstandup,astheyfelt
theLordcalledonthem,andtestifyastotheirsinsandhowmuchthey
lovedtheLord.

Granpasaidatthistestifyingtime,“’CoonJackstoodupandsaid,‘I

heartellthey’ssomeinherebeentalkingaboutmebehindmyback.I
wantyetoknowthatI’mawares.Iknowwhat’sthematterwithye;
ye’rejealousbecausetheDeaconBoardputmeinchargeofthekeyto
thesongbookbox.Well,letmetellye:anyofyedon’tlikeit,Igotthe
differencerighthereinmypocket.’”

Granpasaid,shoreenough,’CoonJackliftedhisdeershirtand

showedapistolhandle.Hewasstompingmad.

Granpasaidthatchurchhousewasfullofsomehardmen,including

hisPa,whowouldsoonasnotshootyouiftheweatherchanged,but
nobodyraisedaneyebrow.HesaidhisPastoodupandsaid,“’Coon
Jack,everymanhereadmiresthewayyehavehandledthekeytothe
songbookbox.Besthandlingeverbeendone.Ifwordshasbeenmistook
tocauseyediscomfort,Ihereandnowstatethesorrowofeveryman
present.”

’CoonJacksetdown,totalmollifiedandcontented,aswas

everybodyelse.

Onthewayhome,GranpaaskedhisPawhy’CoonJackcouldget

awaywithsuchtalk,andGranpasaidhegottolaughingabout’Coon
Jackactingsoimportantoverthekeytothesongbookbox.Hesaidhis
Patoldhim,“Son,don’tlaughat’CoonJack.Yesee,whenthe
CherokeewasforcedtogiveuphishomeandgototheNations,’Coon
Jackwasyoung,andhehidoutinthesemountains,andhefoughttohold
on.WhentheWar’tweentheStatescome,hesawmaybehecouldfight
thatsameguvmintandgetbackthelandandhomes.Hefoughthard.
Bothtimeshelost.WhentheWarended,thepoliticianssetin,tryingto
gitwhatwasleftofwhatwehad.’CoonJackfought,andrun,andhid,
andfoughtsomemore.Yesee,’CoonJackcomeupinthetimeof

fighting.Allhe’sgotnowisthekeytothesongbookbox.Andif’Coon
Jackseemscantankerous…well,thereain’tnothingleftfor’CoonJack
tofight.Heneverknowednothingelse.”

Granpasaid,hecomemightnearcryingfer’CoonJack.Hesaid

afterthat,itdidn’tmatterwhat’CoonJacksaid,ordid…helovedhim,
becauseheunderstoodhim.

Granpasaidthatsuchwas“kin,”andmostofpeople’smortaltrouble

comeaboutbynotpracticingit;fromthatandpoliticians.

Icouldseethatrightoff,andmightnearcriedabout’CoonJack

myself.

ToKnowthePast

GranmaandGranpawantedmetoknowofthepast,for“Ifyedon’t
knowthepast,thenyewillnothaveafuture.Ifyedon’tknowwhere
yourpeoplehavebeen,thenyewon’tknowwhereyourpeopleare
going.”Andsotheytoldmemostofit.

Howthegovernmentsoldierscame.HowtheCherokeehadfarmed

therichvalleysandheldtheirmatingdancesinthespringwhenlifewas
plantedintheground;whenthebuckanddoe,thecockandpeahen
exultedinthecreationpartstheyplayed.

Howtheirharvestfestivalswereheldinthevillagesasfrostturnedthe

pumpkins,reddenedthepersimmonandhardenedthecorn.Howthey
preparedforthewinterhuntsandpledgedthemselvestoTheWay.

Howthegovernmentsoldierscame,andtoldthemtosignthepaper.

Toldthemthepapermeantthatthenewwhitesettlerswouldknowwhere
theycouldsettleandwheretheywouldnottakelandoftheCherokee.
Andaftertheyhadsignedit,moregovernmentsoldierscamewithguns
andlongknivesfixedontheirguns.Thesoldierssaidthepaperhad
changeditswords.ThewordsnowsaidthattheCherokeemustgiveup
hisvalleys,hishomesandhismountains.Hemustgofartowardthe
settingsun,wherethegovernmenthadotherlandfortheCherokee,land
thatthewhitemandidnotwant.

Howthegovernmentsoldierscame,andringedabigvalleywiththeir

guns,andatnightwiththeircampfires.TheyputtheCherokeesinthe
ring.TheybroughtCherokeesinfromothermountainsandvalleys,in
buncheslikecattle,andputtheminthering.

Afteralongtimeofthis,whentheyhadmostoftheCherokees,they

broughtwagonsandmulesandtoldtheCherokeestheycouldridetothe
landofthesettingsun.TheCherokeeshadnothingleft.Buttheywould
notride,andsotheysavedsomething.Youcouldnotseeitorwearitor
eatit,buttheysavedsomething;andtheywouldnotride.Theywalked.

Governmentsoldiersrodebeforethem,oneachsideofthem,behind

them.TheCherokeemenwalkedandlookedstraightaheadandwould
notlookdown,noratthesoldiers.Theirwomenandtheirchildren
followedintheirfootstepsandwouldnotlookatthesoldiers.

Farbehindthem,theemptywagonsrattledandrumbledandserved

nouse.ThewagonscouldnotstealthesouloftheCherokee.Theland
wasstolenfromhim,hishome;buttheCherokeewouldnotletthe
wagonsstealhissoul.

Astheypassedthevillagesofthewhiteman,peoplelinedthetrailto

watchthempass.Atfirst,theylaughedathowfoolishwastheCherokee
towalkwiththeemptywagonsrattlingbehindhim.TheCherokeedid
notturnhisheadattheirlaughter,andsoontherewasnolaughter.

AndastheCherokeewalkedfartherfromhismountains,hebeganto

die.Hissouldidnotdie,nordiditweaken.Itwastheveryyoungandthe
veryoldandthesick.

Atfirstthesoldiersletthemstoptoburytheirdead;butthen,more

died—bythehundreds—bythethousands.Morethanathirdofthem
weretodieontheTrail.Thesoldierssaidtheycouldonlyburytheirdead
everythreedays;forthesoldierswishedtohurryandbefinishedwiththe
Cherokee.Thesoldierssaidthewagonswouldcarrythedead,butthe
Cherokeewouldnotputhisdeadinthewagons.Hecarriedthem.
Walking.

Thelittleboycarriedhisdeadbabysister,andsleptbyheratnighton

theground.Heliftedherinhisarmsinthemorning,andcarriedher.

Thehusbandcarriedhisdeadwife.Thesoncarriedhisdeadmother,

hisfather.Themothercarriedherdeadbaby.Theycarriedthemintheir
arms.Andwalked.Andtheydidnotturntheirheadstolookatthe
soldiers,nortolookatthepeoplewholinedthesidesoftheTrailto
watchthempass.Someofthepeoplecried.ButtheCherokeedidnot
cry.Notontheoutside,fortheCherokeewouldnotletthemseehissoul;
ashewouldnotrideinthewagons.

AndsotheycalledittheTrailofTears.NotbecausetheCherokee

cried;forhedidnot.TheycalledittheTrailofTearsforitsounds
romanticandspeaksofthesorrowofthosewhostoodbytheTrail.A
deathmarchisnotromantic.

Youcannotwritepoetryaboutthedeath-stiffenedbabyinhis

mother’sarms,staringatthejoltingskywitheyesthatwillnotclose,
whilehismotherwalks.

Youcannotsingsongsofthefatherlayingdowntheburdenofhis

wife’scorpse,toliebyitthroughthenightandtoriseandcarryitagainin
themorning—andtellhisoldestsontocarrythebodyofhisyoungest.
Anddonotlook…norspeak…norcry…norrememberthe

mountains.

Itwouldnotbeabeautifulsong.AndsotheycallittheTrailofTears.
AlloftheCherokeedidnotgo.Some,skilledinthewaysof

mountains,fledfarbackintothebosomofherhollows,theracewaysof
herridges,andlivedwiththeirwomenandchildren,alwaysmoving.

Theysettrapsforgamebutsometimesdarednotgobacktothe

traps,forthesoldiershadcome.Theydugthesweetrootfromthe
ground,poundedtheacornintomeal,cutpokesalatfromtheclearings,
andpulledtheinnerbarkfromthetree.Theyfishedwiththeirhands
underthebanksofthecoldcreeksandmovedsilentasshadows,a
peoplewhoweretherebutnotseen(exceptbyaflickerofillusion),not
heard;andtheyleftlittlesignsoftheirliving.

Buthereandtheretheyfoundfriends.ThepeopleofGranpa’sPa

weremountainbred.Theydidnotlustforland,orprofit,butlovedthe
freedomofthemountains,asdidtheCherokee.

GranmatoldhowGranpa’sPahadmethiswife,Granpa’sMa,and

herpeople.Hehadseenthefaintestofsignsonthebanksofacreek.He
hadgonehomeandbroughtbackahaunchofdeerandlaiditthereina
littleclearing.Withit,hehadlaidhisgunandhisknife.Thenextmorning
hecameback.Thedeerhaunchwasgone,butthegunandtheknife
werethere,andlyingbesidethemwasanotherknife,alongIndianknife,
andatomahawk.Hedidnottakethem.Insteadhebroughtearsofcorn
andlaidthembytheweapons;hestoodandwaitedalongtime.

Theycameslowlyinthelateafternoon.Movingthroughthetreesand

haltingandthencomingforwardagain.Granpa’sPareachedouthis
hands,andthey,adozenofthem—men,women,children—reachedout
theirhandsandtheytouched.Granmasaidtheyeachhadtoreachacross
alongwaytodoit,buttheydid.

Granpa’sPagrewuptallandmarriedtheyoungestofthedaughters.

Theyheldthehickorymarriagesticktogetherandputitintheircabin,
andneitherofthembrokeitaslongastheylived.Sheworethefeatherof
thered-wingedblackbirdinherhairandsowascalledRedWing.
Granmasaidshewasslenderasawillowwandandsangintheevenings.

GranmaandGranpaspokeofhisPainhislastyears.Hewasanold

warrior.HehadjoinedtheConfederateraider,JohnHuntMorgan,to
fightthefaraway,facelessmonsterof“guvmint,”thatthreatenedhis
peopleandhiscabin.

Hisbeardwaswhite.Agewasovertakinghisgauntness;andnow

whenthewinterwindbitthroughthecracksofhiscabin,theoldhurts
cametolife.Thesaberslashthatranthelengthofhisleftarm;thesteel
hadhitthebone,likeameataxe.Thefleshhadhealed,butthebone
marrowthumpedwithpainandremindedhimofthe“guvmint”men.

HehaddownedhalfajugthatnightinKain’tuck,whiletheboys

heatedaramrodoverthefireandsearedthewoundandstoppedthe
blood.Hehadclimbedbackinthesaddle.

Theanklewastheworstofit.Hehatedtheankle.Itwasbigand

cumbersomewheretheminnieballhadcheweditinpassing.Hehadn’t
noticeditatthetime.Ithadbeenthewildexuberanceofacavalrycharge
thatnightinOhio.Thefeverforcombat,thatmarkedhisbreed,was
runninghigh.Therewasnofear,onlyexultation,asthehorsemovedfast
andlightovertheground,asthewindwhippedastorminhisface.
ExultationthatbroughttherebelIndianyellrumblingfromhischestand
outhisthroat,screaming,savage.

That’swhyamancouldgethalfhislegmangledandnotknowit.Not

untiltwentymilesfartheron,whentheyreconnoiteredinthedarkofa
mountainhollow,andhesteppedfromthesaddleandhislegbuckled
underhim,thebloodsloshinginhisbootlikeafullwellbucket,didhe
noticetheankle.

Herelishedthinkingofthatcharge.Thememoryofitsoftenedhis

hatredforthecane—andthelimp.

Theworstofthehurtswasinthegut;inhisside,nearthehip.That’s

wheretheleadwasnevertakenout.Itgnawed,likearatchewingata
corncrib,nightandday;andneverstopped.Itwaseatingawayathis
insides;andsoonnow,theywouldstretchhimoutonthefloorofthe
mountaincabinandcuthimopen,likeabutcheredbull.

Theputridnesswouldcomeout;thegangrene.Theywouldnotuse

anesthetics,justaswigfromthemountainjug.Andhewoulddiethereon
thefloor,inhisblood.Nolastwords;butastheyheldhisarmsandlegs
inthedeaththroes,theoldsinewybodywouldbowupfromthefloor,
andthewildscreamoftheexultingrebel’schallengetohatedgovernment
wouldcomefromhisthroatandhewoulddie.Fortyyearsithadtaken
the“guvmint”leadtokillhim.

Thecenturywasdying.Thetimeofbloodandfightinganddeath;the

timehehadmet,andbywhichhehadbeenmeasured,wasdying.There
wouldbeanewcentury,withanotherpeoplemarchingandcarryingtheir
dead,butheknewonlythepast—oftheCherokee.

HisoldestsonhadriddenofftotheNations;thenextoldestdeadin

Texas.Now,onlyRedWing,asinthebeginning,andhisyoungestson.

Hecouldstillride.HecouldjumpaMorganhorseoverafive-rail

fence.Hestillbobbedthehorses’tails,outofhabit,toleavenotailhair
onthebrushtobefollowed.

Butthepainswereworseandthejugdidn’tquietenthemasithad.

Hewascomingtothetimeofbeingspread-eagledonthefloorofthe
cabin.Andheknewit.

ThefallofyearwasdyingintheTennesseemountains.Thewindbit

thelastoftheleavesfromhickoryandoak.Hestood,thatwinter
afternoonwithhisson,halfwaydownthehollow;notadmittingthathe
couldn’tclimbthemountainanymore.

Theywatchedthenakedtrees,starkontheridgeagainstthesky;as

thoughtheywerestudyingthewinterslantofsun.Theywouldnotlookat
eachother.

“ReckinI’llnotbeleavin’yemuch,”hesaid,andlaughedsoft,“best

yecouldgitfromthatcabinwouldbetotouchalighterknottoitfera
handwarming.”Hissonstudiedthemountain.“Ireckin,”hesaidquietly.

“Ye’reaman,fullandwithfamily,”theoldmansaid,“andI’llnot

holdyetoalot…’ceptin’westretchourhandtoclaspanyman’sas
quickaswe’lldefendwhatwewasgivetobelieve.Mytimeisgone,and
nowthetimewillbesomethingIdon’tknow,feryou.Iwouldn’tknow
howtoliveinit…nomore’n’CoonJack.Mindye’velittletomeetit
with…butthemountains’llnotchangeonye,andyekinthem;andwe
behonestmenwithourfeelings.”

“Imind,”thesonsaid.Theweaksunhadsetbehindtheridge,and

thewindbitsharp.Itcamehardfortheoldmantosay…buthedid.“…
and…I…kinye,son.”

Thesondidnotspeak,butheslippedhisarmaroundtheold,skinny

shoulders.Theshadowsofthehollowweredeepnowandblurredthe
mountainsblackoneithersideofthem.Theywalkedslowlyinthis
fashion,theoldmantouchinghiscanetotheground,downthehollowto
thecabin.

ItwasthelastwalkandtalkGranpahadwithhisPa.Ihavebeen

manytimestotheirgraves;closetogether,highonaridgeofwhiteoak,
wheretheleavesfallknee-deepinautumn,untiltheyarewhippedaway
bymeanwinterwinds.WhereonlythehardiestIndianvioletspoketiny
andbluearoundtheminthespring,timidintheirpresencebeforethe

fierceandlastingsoulswhoweatheredtheirtime.

Themarriagestickisthere,hickoryandgnarled,unbrokenstill,and

filledwiththenotchestheycarvediniteachtimetheyhadasorrow,a
happiness,aquarreltheyhadmended.Itrestsattheirheads,holding
themtogether.

Andsosmallarethecarvednamesinthestick,youmustgetdown

onyourkneestoread:EthanandRedWing.

PineBilly

Inthewintertime,wecarriedleavesandputthemonthecornpatch.
Backinthehollow,pastthebarn,thecornpatchflattenedoutoneither
sideofthespringbranch.Granpahadcleareditalittlewaysupthesides
ofthemountain.The“slants,”asGranpacalledtheslopingsidesofthe
cornpatch,didn’traisegoodcorn,butheplanteditanyhow.There
wasn’tmuchflatgroundinthehollow.

Ilikedgatheringtheleavesandputtingtheminthetowsacks.They

werelighttocarry.MeandGranpaandGranmawouldhelpeachother
fillthesacks.Granpawouldcarrytwo,andsometimesthreesacks.I
triedtocarrytwo,butcouldn’tmakemuchheadwayatit.Knee-deepfor
me,theleaveswerelikeabrownsnowfallontheground,dappledwith
theyellowpaintofmapleleaves,andtheredofbeegumandsumach
bushes.

Wewouldcomeoutofthewoodsandscattertheleavesoverthe

field.Pinestrawtoo.Granpasaidsomepinestrawwasnecessarytoacid
theground—butnottoomuch.

Weneverworkedsolongorhardthatitgottedious.Weusuallywas

“drawedoff,”asGranpaputit,tosomethingelse.

Granmawouldseeyellowrootanddigthatup;andthatledherto

someginseng,orironroot…orcalum…orsassafras…orlady’s
slipper.Sheknewthemall,andhadaremedyforanyailmentofwhichI
haveeverheard.Herremediesworkedtoo;thoughsomeofthetonicsI
wouldassoonnothavedrunk.

MeandGranpausuallyrunacrosshickor’nuts,orchinkapinsand

chestnuts;sometimesblackwalnuts.Itwasn’tthatwespeciallookedfor
them,itjustseemedtohappen.Betweenoureatingandgatheringnuts
androots,andseeinga’coonorwatchingapeckerwood,ourleaf
carryingwouldgetdowntopracticalnothing.

Aswewouldwalkdownthehollowineveningdusk,allofusloaded

withnutsandrootsandsuch,Granpawouldcussunderhisbreathwhere
Granmacouldn’thearhim,andthenhe’dannouncethatnexttimewe
wasnotgoingtoget“drawedoff”tosuchfoolishness;andweregoingto
spendthewholetimecarryingleaves.Whichalwayssoundedmighty

dismaltome;butitneverhappened.

Sackbysack,wegotthefieldcoveredwithleavesandpinestraw.

Andafteralightrain,whentheleavesclungtothegroundjustenough,
Granpawouldhitchupol’Sam,themule,totheplow;andweturnedthe
leavesundertheground.

Isay“we,”becauseGranpaletmeplowsome.Ihadtoreachup

overmyheadtoholdthehandlesoftheplowstock,andspentmostof
mytimepullingallmyweightdownonthehandlestokeeptheplowpoint
fromgoingtoodeepintotheground.Sometimesthepointwouldcome
outoftheground,andtheplowwouldskitteralong,notplowing.Ol’
Samwaspatientwithme.HewouldstopwhileIpulledandstrainedat
gettingtheplowupright,andthenwouldmoveaheadwhenIsaid,
“Giddup!”

Ihadtopushuponthehandlestomaketheplowpointgointothe

ground;andso,betweenthepullingdownandthepushingup,Ilearned
tokeepmychinawayfromthecrossbarbetweenthehandles,forIwas
gettingcontinuallicksthatjoltedmeupprettybad.

Granpafollowedalongbehindus,buthewouldletmedoit.Ifyou

wantedol’Samtomovetotheleft,yousaid,“Haw!”andifyouwanted
himtomovetotheright,yousaid,“Gee!”Ol’Samwouldmeanderoffa
littletotheleftandIwouldholler,“Gee!”;buthewashardofhearingand
wouldkeepmeandering.Granpawouldtakeitup,“Gee!GeeGEE!
DAMMITOHELL!GEE!”andol’Samwouldcomebacktotheright.

Troublewas,ol’Samheardthissomuch,thathebeguntoconnect

upthetotalgeeingandthecussing,andwouldnotgorightuntilheheard
allofit;figuringnatural,thattogoright,ittookthewholeamount.This
ledtoconsiderablecussing,whichIhadtotakeupinordertoplow.This
wasallrightuntilGranmaheardmeandspokehardtoGranpaaboutit.
ThiscutdownonmyplowingconsiderablewhenGranmawasaround.

Ol’Samwasblindinhislefteye,sowhenhereachedtheendofthe

field,hewouldnotturnaroundgoingtohisleft,figuringhemightbump
intosomething.Hewouldalwaysturntohisright.Whenyou’replowing,
turningtotherightworksgoodatoneendofthefield;butattheother,it
seemsyouhavetoturnafullcircle,draggingtheplowcompletelyoutof
thefieldintobushesandbriersandsuch.Granpasaidwehadtobe
patientwithol’Sam,ashewasoldandhalf-blind,soIwas,butI
dreadedeveryotherturnattheendofthefield;especiallywhenthere
wasathicketofblackberrybusheswaitingonme.

Onetime,Granpawaspullinganddraggingtheplowaroundthrough

amassofnettles,andsteppedinastumphole.Itwasawarmday,and
yellowjacketshadanestinthathole.TheygotupGranpa’sbritchesleg
andhetakenoffholleringforthespringbranch.Isawtheyellowjackets
comeout,andItakenofftoo.Granpaflattenedoutinthespringbranch,
slappingathisbritchesandcussingol’Sam.Hemightnearlosthis
patience.

Butol’SamstoodpatientandwaiteduntilGranpagotoverit.

Troublewas,wecouldn’tgetneartheplow.Theyellowjacketswasall
stirredupandswarmingaroundthatplow.MeandGranpagotoutinthe
middleofthefieldandGranpawouldtrytogetol’Samtocomeforward,
awayfromtheyellowjacketnest.

Granpawouldcall,“Comeon,Sam—comeon,boy,”butol’Sam

wouldn’tmove.Heknewhisbusinessandheknewbetterthantopulla
plowlayingsidewiseontheground.Granpatriedeverything;a
considerablecussing,andhegotdownonallfoursandbrayedlikea
mule.Ithoughthebrayedtolerableclosetothesoundofamule;and
once,ol’SamleanedhisearsforwardandlookedhardatGranpa,buthe
wouldn’tmove.Itriedbrayingmyself,butIcouldn’ttouchGranpa’s
bray.WhenGranpasawGranmahadcomeupandwaswatchinguson
allfoursinthemiddleofthefieldandbraying,hequit.

Hehadtogointothewoodsandgetalighterknot,whichhetouched

amatchtoandpitchedinthestumphole.Thissmokedtheyellowjackets
awayfromtheplow.

Goingbacktothecabinthatevening,Granpasaidithadbeena

worrisomepuzzlementtohimformanyyearswhetherol’Samwasthe
dumbestmuleintheworld,orthesmartest.Ineverfigureditoutmyself.

Ilikedthefieldplowing,though.Itgrowedmeup.Whenwewalked

downthetrailtothecabin,it’pearedtomethatmystepswas
lengtheningquitesomebitbehindGranpa.Granpabraggedonmealotto
GranmaatthesuppertableandGranmaagreedthatitlookedlikeIwas
comingontobeingaman.

Wewereatthesuppertableonesuchevening,whenthehoundsset

uparacket.Weallwentouttothefrontporchtoseeamancoming
acrossthefootlog.Hewasafinelookingfeller,nearlytallasGranpa.I
likedhisshoesthebest,theywasbrightyellow,hightop,withwhite
socksrolledaroundandlumptiedtoholdthemup.Hisoverallsstruck
himjustabovethesocks.Hehadonashortblackcoatandawhiteshirt

andhadalittlehatthatsetsquareonhishead.Hewascarryingalong
case.GranmaandGranpaknewhim.

“Well,it’sPineBilly,”Granpasaid.PineBillywaved.“Comeinand

stayawhile,”Granpasaid.

PineBillystoppedatthedoorstep.“Aw,Iwasjustpassingby,”he

said…andIwonderedwherehewaspassingto,withjustmountains
behindus.

“Ye’regoin’tostayandeatwithus,”Granmasaid,andgotPineBilly

bythearmandledhimupthedoorsteps.Granpatakenhislongcaseby
thehandle,andweallwentinthekitchen.

IcouldtellrightoffthatGranpaandGranmalikedPineBillyalot.He

hadfoursweet’tatersinhiscoatpocketsandgavethemtoGranma.She
madethemintoapierightthen,andPineBillyetthreepiecesofit.Igot
one,andwashopinghewouldnoteatthelastpiece.Wemovedaway
fromthetabletosetbythefireplaceandleftthepieceofpieinapanon
thetable.

PineBillylaughedawholelotandsaidIwasgoingtobebigger’n

Granpa.Whichmademefeelgood.HesaidGranmawaspurtier’nthe
lasttimehe’dseenher,andthispleasedGranma;Granpatoo.I
commencedtofeelrightgoodaboutPineBilly,evenifhehadetthethree
piecesofpie—theywashis’taters.

Weallsetaroundthefire.GranmainherrockerandGranpaleaning

forwardinhis.Ifiguredsomethingwasup.Granpaasked,“Well,what’s
thenews,PineBilly,thatyeheararound?”

PineBillyleanedbackontwolegsofthestraight-backchair.He

tookafingerandthumbandpulledouthislowerlipandturnedalittlecan
upward,puttingsnuffinhislip.HeofferedthecantoGranpaand
Granma.Theyshooktheirheads.PineBillywassuretakinghistime.He
spitinthefire.“Well,”hesaid,“look’slikeImighthavecomeupon
somethingthat’llfixmeingoodshape.”Hespitinthefireagainand
lookedaroundatallofus.

Ididn’tknowwhatitwas,butIcouldtellitwasimportant.
Granpafigureditwastoo,forheasked,“Whatisit,PineBilly?”Pine

Billyleanedbackagainandlookedattheroofrafters.Heclaspedhis
handsacrosshisstomach.

“Must’abeenlastWednesday…nooo,itwasa’Tuesday,ferI’d

beenplayin’ataJumpin’Jodydanceona’Mondaynight;Tuesdayitwas.
Icomethroughthesettlementona’Tuesday.Yeknowthepo-liceman

there,SmokehouseTurner?”

“Yes,yes,I’veseedhim,”Granpasaid,impatient.
“Well,”PineBillysaid,“Iwasstandingonthecornerthere,talkingto

Smokehouse,whenthisbig,shinycarpulledintothefillin’stationacrost
theroad.Smokehousedidn’tnoticeit…butIdid.Ithadonefellerinit,
andhewasdressedfittokill;bigcity.HegotoutofhiscarandtoldJoe
Holcombtofillitupwithgasoline.Well,Iwaswatchin’’em,allthetime;
andhelookedaround,kind’asneaky.Ithitmerightoff.Isaystomyself,
‘That’sabig-cityCRIMINAL.’Mindye,”PineBillysaid,“Ididn’tsayit
toSmokehouse.Ijestsaidittom’self.ButtoSmokehouseIsays,
‘Smokehouse,yeknowI’maginturninganybodyintothelaw…but
big-citycriminalsisdifferent,andthatfellerovertherelookstotal
suspicioustome.’

“Smokehousestudiedthefellerandsays,‘Yecouldberight,Pine

Billy.We’lljesthavealook,’andheamblesacrosttheroadtothefeller’s
car.”

PineBillybroughthischairdownonfourlegsandspitinthefireand

studiedthelogsaminute.Icouldn’thardlywaittohearwhathappened
tothecriminal.

PineBillyfinishedstudyingthelogsandsaid,“Nowyeknow,

Smokehousecain’treadnerwrite,andasIcanmakeoutletteringright
fair,Ifolleredhimover,incaseIwasneeded.Thefellerseenuscomin’
andgotbackinhiscar.WewalkedupandSmokehouseleanedonhis
winderandaskedhimpolitelywhathewasdoinginthesettlement.The
fellerwasnervous,Icouldsee,andsaidhewasonhiswaytoFloridy.
Whichsoundedsuspicious.”

Itsoundedsuspicioustometoo,andIseenGranpanodhishead.
PineBillycontinued,“Smokehousesaid,‘Whereareyefrom?’The

fellersaidhewasfromChicargo.Smokehousesaidhereckinedthatwas
allright,butferthefellertogitonoutofthesettlement,andthefeller
agreedthathewould.Nowinthemeantime…”PineBillycockedhis
eyesaroundatGranpaandGranma“…inthemeantime,Iedgedback
behindthecarandletteredouthistagplate.IpulledSmokehouseaside,
andItoldhim,‘Hesayshe’sfromChicargo,but—he’sgotaIllinoystag
onhiscar.’Ol’Smokehousewasonhimlikeabottleflyonsyrup.He
pulledthatcriminalout’nhiscarandstoodhimupasideofit,andasked
himflatout…‘Ifye’refromChicargo,whatareyedoin’withIllinoystag
onyercar?’Smokehouseknowedhehadhim.Itcaughtthecriminalflat-

footed;hedidn’tknowwhattosay;caught’eminabarefacedlie,ye
see.Hetriedtoslicktalkhiswayout’nit,butI’llsaythisferol’
Smokehouse,heain’tallthateasytoslicker.”

PineBillywasplumbexcitednow.“Smokehouseputthecriminalin

jailandsaidhewouldcheckitout;probablyabigreward,andI’llgithalf
ofit.Fromthelooksofthefeller,itmightbeabiggerrewardthanmeand
Smokehouseeitheronehasfiggered.”

GranmaandGranpabothagreedthatitsoundedmightypromising

andGranpasaidhedidn’tholdwithbig-citycriminals.WhichIdon’t
neither.WeallsawprettyplainthatPineBillywasasgoodasrich.

ButPineBillywasn’tuppityaboutit.Hesaidtherecouldbethe

possibilitythatitwouldn’tamounttoaverybigreward.Heneverputall
hiseggsinonebasket,nercountedhischickensbeforetheyhatched.
Whichissensible.

Hesaidhehaddonesomeworkonsomethingelse,justincase.He

saidtheRedEaglesnuffcompanywasholdingacontestthatpaidfive
hundreddollarstothewinner—practicalenoughtosetamanupferlife.
Hesaidhehadgotholdofaenteringpaperandallyouhadtodowastell
whyyoulikedRedEaglesnuff.Hesaidhelaboredoveritbeforehefilled
itin,andcomeupwithwhathefiguredwasthewinningestanswerthat
couldbethoughtof.

PineBillysaidthatmostfolksenteringwouldsaythatRedEaglewas

goodsnuff,andhesaidthattoo;buthewentfartherthanthat.Hesaidhe
putdownthatitwasthebestsnuffofanyhehadputinhismouth;and
furthermore,hewouldneverputanyotherkindofsnuffinhismouthbut
RedEagle,aslongashelived.Hesaidthatheusedhishead,because
whenthebigmenattheRedEaglesnuffcompanyseethat,thenthey
wouldknowtheywouldeventuallygitalltheirmoneyback,seeingas
howPineBillywouldbecontinuallyusingtheirsnufffortherestofhislife.
IftheygivethemoneytosomebodythatjustsaidRedEaglewasgood,
andletitgoatthat,well,theywastakin’achance.

PineBillysaidthembigfellersdidn’ttakenochances,notwiththeir

money;thatwaswhytheywasrich.Hefiguredheprettywellhadthe
RedEaglepropositionpracticallyinhispocket.

Granpaagreedthemoneylookedrightcertain.PineBillywenttothe

doorandspitouthissnuff.Hecomebackbythetableandgotthepiece
ofsweet’taterpie.Ididn’tmindasbad—thoughIstillwantedit—but
seein’asPineBillywasrich,heprobablydeservedit.

GranpagotouthisstonejugandPineBillytooktwoorthreeswigs

andGranpatookone.Granmacoughedandgotherjugofcoughsyrup.
GranpagotPineBillytogethisfiddleandbow,andplay“RedWing.”
GranpaandGranmatappedtheirfeet.Hesurecouldplaypretty,andhe
sungittoo:

“Nowthemoonshinestonight,onprettyRedWing,
Thebreezessighing;thenightbirdscrying
Whileafar’neaththestars,herbraveissleeping
WhileRedWing’sweeping,herheartaway.”

IwenttosleeponthefloorandGranmacarriedmetobed.LastI

heardwasthefiddle.IdreamedthatPineBillycametoourcabinandhe
wasrichandhadatowsackonhisshoulder.Itwasfullofsweet’taters.

TheSecretPlace

Reckinamillionlittlecritterslivealongthespringbranch.

Ifyoucouldbeagiantandcouldlookdownonitsbendsandcurves,

youwouldknowthespringbranchisariveroflife.

Iwasthegiant.Beingovertwofeettall,Isquatted,giant-like,to

studythelittlemarsheswheretricklesofthestreameddiedoffintolow
places.Frogslaideggs;bigcrystalballsofjellythathadpollywogs
dottedallthroughthem…waitingforthetimetoeattheirwayout.

Rockminnowsdartedtochasemuskbugsscutteringacrossthe

stream.Whenyouheldamuskbuginyourhand,itsmelledrealsweet
andthick.

OnceIspentawholeafternooncollectingsomemuskbugs,justa

fewinmypocket,fortheyarehardtocatch.ItookthemtoGranma,asI
knewshelovedsweetsmells.Shealwaysputhoneysuckleinherlye
soapwhenshemadeit.

ShewasmoreexcitedaboutthemuskbugsthanIwas,mightnear.

Shesaidshehadneversmelledanythingsosweetandcouldn’tfigger
howshehadmissedoutonknowingaboutmuskbugs.

AtthesuppertableshetoldGranpaaboutitbeforeIcould,andhow

itwasthebrandestnewthingshehadeversmelled.Granpawasstruck
dumbfounded.Ilethimsmellofthemandhesaidhehadlivedseventy-
oddyears,totalunawareofsuchasmell.

GranmasaidIhaddoneright,forwhenyoucomeonsomethingthat

isgood,firstthingtodoisshareitwithwhoeveryoucanfind;thatway,
thegoodspreadsouttowherenotellingitwillgo.Whichisright.

Igotprettywet,splashinginthespringbranch,butGranmanever

saidanything.Cherokeesneverscoldedtheirchildrenforhavinganything
todowiththewoods.

Iwouldgofarupthespringbranch,wadingtheclearwater,bending

lowthroughthegreenfeathercurtainsoftheweepingwillowsthathung
down,trailingbranchtipsinthecurrent.Waterfernsmadegreenlacethat
curvedoverthestreamandofferedholdingplacesforthelittleumbrella
spiders.

Theselittlefellerswouldtieoneendofathincabletothefernbranch,

thenleapintotheair,spillingoutmorecableinanumbrellaandtryto
makeitacrosstoafernbranchontheotherside.Ifhemadeit,hewould
tiethecableandjumpback—backandforth—untilhehadapearly
lookingnetspreadoverthespring.

Theseweregrittylittlefellers.Iftheyfellinthewater,theygotswept

alonginrapidsandhadtofighttostayontopandmakeittothebank
beforeabrookminnowgotthem.

Isquattedinthemiddleofthespringbranchandwatchedonelittle

spidertryingtogethiscableacross.Hehaddeterminedthathewas
goingtohavethewidestpearlnetanywheresupanddownthewhole
springbranch;andhepickedawideplace.Hewouldtiehiscable,jump
intheairandfallinthewater.He’dgetsweptdownstream,fightingfor
hislife,crawloutonthebankandcomebacktothatsamefern.Then
he’dtryagain.

Thethirdtimehecomebacktothefernandwalkedoutontheend

andlaiddown,crossinghisfrontarmsunderhischin,tostudythewater.
Ifiguredhewasmightneargiveout—Iwas,andmybottomwas
numbingcoldfromsquattinginthespringbranch.Helaidtherethinking
andstudying.Inaminutehegotathought,andcommencedtojumpup
anddownonthefern.Upanddown.Theferngottorisingandfalling.
Hekeptatit,jumpingtomovetheferndownandridingitbackup.Then,
ofasudden,whenthefernrosehigh,hejumped,lettingouthisumbrella
—andhemadeit.

Hewasfiredupproudandleaptaroundafterhemadeit,untilhe

nearlyfelloff.HispearlnetbecomethewidestIeversaw.

Igottoknowthespringbranch,followingitupthehollow:thedip

swallowsthathungsacknestsinthewillowsandfussedatmeuntilthey
gottoknowme—thentheywouldstickouttheirheadsandtalk;the
frogsthatsungallalongthebanks,butwouldhushwhenImovedclose,
untilGranpatoldmethatfrogscanfeelthegroundshakewhenyouwalk.
HeshowedmehowtheCherokeewalks,notheeldown,buttoedown,
slippingthemoccasinsontheground.ThenIcouldcomerightup,and
setdownbesideafrogandhewouldkeepsinging.

FollowingthespringbranchwashowIfoundthesecretplace.Itwas

alittlewaysupthesideofthemountainandhemmedinwithlaurel.Itwas
notverybig,agrassknollwithanoldsweetgumtreebendingdown.
WhenIsawit,Iknewitwasmysecretplace,andsoIwenttherea
wholelot.

Ol’Maudtakentogoingwithme.Shelikedittoo,andwewouldsit

underthesweetgumandlisten—andwatch.Ol’Maudnevermadea
soundinthesecretplace.Sheknewitwassecret.

Onceinthelateafternoonmeandol’Maudwassittingwithour

backsagainstthesweetgum,andwatchingwhenIsawaflickerof
somethingmoveawaysoff.ItwasGranma.Shehadpassednotfarfrom
us.ButIfiguredshehadn’tseenmysecretplaceatallorshewouldof
saidsomething.

Granmacouldmovequieterthanawhisperthroughwoodleaves.I

followedherandshewasrootgathering.Icaughtuptohelpandmeand
Granmasetdownonalogtosorttherootsout.IreckinedIwastoo
youngtokeepasecret,forIhadtotellGranmaaboutmyplace.She
wasn’tsurprised—whichsurprisedme.

GranmasaidallCherokeeshadasecretplace.Shetoldmeshehad

oneandGranpahadone.Shesaidshehadneverasked,butshebelieved
Granpa’swasontopofthemountain,onthehightrail.Shesaidshe
reckinedmosteverybodyhadasecretplace,butshecouldn’tbecertain,
asshehadnevermadeinquiriesofit.Granmasaiditwasnecessary.
Whichmademefeelrightgoodabouthavingone.

Granmasaideverybodyhastwominds.Oneofthemindshastodo

withthenecessariesforbodyliving.Youhadtouseittofigurehowtoget
shelterandeatingandsuchlikeforthebody.Shesaidyouhadtouseit
tomateandhaveyoung’unsandsuch.Shesaidwehadtohavethatmind
soaswecouldcarryon.Butshesaidwehadanothermindthathad
nothingatalltodowithsuch.Shesaiditwasthespiritmind.

Granmasaidifyouusedthebody-livingmindtothinkgreedyor

mean;ifyouwasalwayscuttin’atfolkswithitandfiguringhowto
materialprofitoff’nthem…thenyouwouldshrinkupyourspiritmindto
asizenobigger’nahickor’nut.

Granmasaidthatwhenyourbodydied,thebody-livingminddied

withit,andifthat’sthewayyouhadthoughtallyourlifethereyouwas,
stuckwithahickor’nutspirit,asthespiritmindwasallthatlivedwhen
everythingelsedied.Then,Granmasaid,whenyouwasbornback—as
youwasboundtobe—then,thereyouwas,bornwithahickor’nutspirit
mindthathadpracticalnounderstandingofanything.

Thenitmightshrinkuptothesizeofapeaandcoulddisappear,ifthe

body-livingmindtookovertotal.Insuchcase,youlostyourspirit
complete.

That’showyoubecomedeadpeople.Granmasaidyoucouldeasy

spotdeadpeople.Shesaiddeadpeoplewhentheylookedatawoman
sawnothingbutdirty;whentheylookedatotherpeopletheysawnothing
butbad;whentheylookedatatreetheysawnothingbutlumberand
profit;neverbeauty.Granmasaidtheywasdeadpeoplewalkingaround.

Granmasaidthatthespiritmindwaslikeanyothermuscle.Ifyou

usedititgotbiggerandstronger.Shesaidtheonlywayitcouldgetthat
waywasusingittounderstand,butyoucouldn’topenthedoortoituntil
youquitbeinggreedyandsuchwithyourbodymind.Thenunderstanding
commencedtotakeup,andthemoreyoutriedtounderstand,thebigger
itgot.

Natural,shesaid,understandingandlovewasthesamething;except

folkswentatitback’ardstoomanytimes,tryingtopretendtheyloved
thingswhentheydidn’tunderstandthem.Whichcan’tbedone.

IseerightoutthatIwasgoingtocommencetryingtounderstand

practicaleverybody,forIsuredidn’twanttocomeupwithahickor’nut
spirit.

Granmasaidyourspiritmindcouldgetsobigandpowerfulthatyou

wouldeventuallyknowallaboutyourpastbodylivesandwouldgetto
whereyoucouldcomeoutwithnobodydeathatall.

GranmasaidIcouldwatchsomeofhowitworkedfrommysecret

place.Inthespringwheneverythingisborn(andalways,whenanything
isborn,evenanidea),there’sfretandfuss.There’sspringstormslikea
babyborninginbloodandpain.Granmasaiditwasthespiritskickingup
afussathavingtogetbackintomaterialformsagain.

Thentherewasthesummer—ourgrowed-uplives—andautumn

whenwegotolderandhadthatpeculiarfeelinginourspiritsofbeing
backintime.Somefolkscalleditnostalgiaandsadness.Thewinterwith
everythingdeadorseemingtobe,likeourbodieswhentheydie,but
bornagainjustlikethespring.GranmasaidtheCherokeesknew,and
hadlearneditlongago.

GranmasaidIwouldcometoknowthattheoldsweetgumtreein

mysecretplacehadaspirittoo.Notaspiritofhumans,butatreespirit.
ShesaidherPahadtaughtherallaboutit

Granma’sPawascalledBrownHawk.Shesaidhisunderstanding

wasdeep.Hecouldfeelthetree-thought.Once,shesaid,whenshewas
alittlegirl,herPawastroubledandsaidthewhiteoaksonthemountain
nearthemwasexcitedandscared.Hespentmuchtimeonthemountain,

walkingamongtheoaks.Theywereofmuchbeauty,tallandstraight.
Theywasn’tselfish,allowinggroundforsumachandpersimmon,and
hickoryandchestnuttofeedthewildthings.Notbeingselfishgavethem
muchspiritandthespiritwasstrong.

GranmasaidherPagotsoworriedabouttheoaksthathewould

walkamongstthematnight,forheknewsomethingwaswrong.

Then,earlyonemorning,asthesunbrokethemountainridge,Brown

Hawkwatchedwhilelumbermenmovedthroughthewhiteoaks,marking
andfiguringhowtocutallofthemdown.Whentheyleft,BrownHawk
said,thewhiteoakscommencedtocry.Andhecouldnotsleep.Sohe
watchedthelumbermen.Theybuiltaroaduptothemountainoverwhich
tobringtheirwagons.

GranmasaidherPatalkedtotheCherokeesandtheydeterminedto

savethewhiteoaks.Shesaidatnight,whenthelumbermenwouldleave
andgobacktothesettlement,theCherokeeswoulddiguptheroad,
hackingdeeptrenchesacrossit.Thewomenandchildrenhelped.

Thenextmorning,thelumbermencamebackandspentalldayfixing

theroad.Butthatnight,theCherokeesdugitupagain.Thiswentonfor
thenexttwodaysandnights;thenthelumbermenputupguardsonthe
roadwithguns.Buttheycouldnotguardalltheroad,andtheCherokees
dugtrencheswheretheycould.

Granmasaiditwasahardstruggleandtheygrewverytired.Then

oneday,asthelumbermenwereworkingontheroad,agiantwhiteoak
fellacrossawagon.Itkilledtwomulesandsmashedthewagon.Shesaid
itwasafine,healthywhiteoakandhadnoreasontofall,butitdid.

Thelumbermengaveuptryingtobuildtheroad.Springrainssetin

…andtheynevercameback.

Granmasaidthemoonwaxedfull,andtheyheldacelebrationinthe

greatstandofwhiteoaks.Theydancedinthefullyellowmoon,andthe
whiteoakssangandtouchedtheirbranchestogether,andtouchedthe
Cherokee.Granmasaidtheysangadeathchantforthewhiteoakwho
hadgivenhislifetosaveothers,andshesaidthefeelingwassostrong
thatitalmostpickedherupoffthemountain.

“LittleTree,”shesaid,“thesethingsyoumustnottell,foritwillnot

helptotelltheminthisworldthatisthewhiteman’s.Butyoumustknow.
AndsoIhavetoldyou.”

Iknewthenwhyweonlyusedthelogsthatthespirithadleftforour

fireplace.Iknewthelifeoftheforest…andthemountains.

GranmasaidthatherPahadsuchunderstandingthatsheknewhe

wouldbestrong…wherehewouldknow,inhisnextbodylife.Shesaid
shehopedsoonshewouldbestrongtoo;thenshewouldknowhim,and
theirspiritswouldknow.

GranmasaidthatGranpawasmovingclosertotheunderstanding

withoutknowingit,andtheywouldbetogether,always,theirspirits
knowing.

IaskedGranma,reckinifIcouldgetthatwaysoIwouldn’tbeleft

behind.

Shetakenmyhand.Wewalkedalongwaydownthetrailbeforeshe

answered.Shesaidformealwaystotrytounderstand.ShesaidIwould
gettheretoo,andImightevenbeaheadofher.

IsaidIdidn’tcareathingintheworldaboutbeingahead.Itwould

suitmemightneartotalifIcouldjustcatchup.Itwaskindoflonesome,
alwaysbeingleftbehind.

Granpa’sTrade

Inallhisseventy-oddyears,Granpahadneverheldajobinpublic
works.“Publicworks,”tomountainfolks,meantanykindofjobthat
paidforhire.Granpacouldn’ttolerateregularhire.Hesaidallitdone
wasuseduptimewithoutsatisfaction.Whichisreasonable.

In1930,whenIwasfiveyearsold,abushelofcornsoldfortwenty-

fivecents;thatis,ifyoucouldfindanybodythatwouldbuyabushelof
corn.Whichwasnotlikely.Evenifithadsoldfortendollarsabushel,me
andGranpacouldnothavemadealivingatit.Ourcornpatchwastoo
little.

Granpahadatradethough.Hesaideverymanoughttohaveatrade

andhadoughttotakeprideinit.Granpadid.Histradewashanded
downontheScotchsideofhisfamilyforseveralhundredyears.Granpa
wasawhiskey-maker.

Whenyoubringupwhiskey-making,mostfolksoutsidethe

mountainsgiveitabadname.Buttheirjudgmentsareallowedatonwhat
big-citycriminalsdo.Big-citycriminalshirefellerstorunoffwhiskey,not
caringwhatkindofwhiskeyitis,justsotheyrunoffalotofit—andfast.
Suchmenwillusepotashorlyeto“turn”theirmashquickandgivetheir
whiskeyagood“bead.”They’llruntheirwhiskeythroughsheetironor
tinandtruckradiators,whichhasallkindsofpoisonsandcankillaman.

Granpasaidsuchfellersoughttobehung.Granpasaidyoucould

makebadjudgmentsaboutanytrade,givingitabadname,ifyoujudged
bytheworstthatwascarryingonthetrade.

Granpasaidhisclothessuitwasasspankin’goodasthedayhe

marriedupinit,fifty-oddyearsago.Hesaidthetailorthatmadeithad
takenprideinhiswork;howsoever,therewastailorsthatdidn’t.Your
judgmentofthetailoringtradewasdependentonwhichkindoftailorye
wentby.Sameasthewhiskey-makingtrade.Whichisright.

Granpawouldneverputanythinginhiswhiskey,notevensugar.

Sugarisusedtostretchoutthewhiskeyandmakemoreofit;butGranpa
saiditwasnotpurewhiskeywhenthiswasdone.Hemadepure
whiskey;nothingbutcorninthemakins.

Healsohadnopatienceatallwithagingwhiskey.Granpasaidhe

hadheardallhislifethis’unandthat’unmouthingoffabouthowmuch
betteragedwhiskeywas.Hesaidhetrieditoncet.Saidhesetsome
freshwhiskeybackandletitsetforaweekandwhenhetastedofit,it
didn’ttasteonelick-damndifferentfromalltheotherwhiskeyhemade.

Granpasaidthatwherefolksgotthatatwaslettingwhiskeysetin

barrelsforalongtimeuntilitpickedupthescentandcolorofthebarrels.
Hesaidifadamnfoolwantedtosmellofabarrel,he’doughttogostick
hisheadinoneandsmellofit,thengogithisselfadrinkofhonest
whiskey.

Granpacalledsuchpeople“barrelsniffers.”Hesaidhecouldput

stumpwaterinabarrelandletitsetlongenoughandsellittosuchfolks,
andtheywoulddrinkitbecauseitsmelledlikeabarrel.

Granpawasrightputoutaboutthewholewhiskeybarrelmess.He

saidthethingwaslikelystarted—ifitcouldbecheckedout—bybig
shotsthatcouldaffordsettin’theirwhiskeyupforyearsatatime.This
waytheysqueezedoutthelittlemanwhocouldn’taffordtosethis
whiskeybacktogitabarrelsmell.Hesaidtheyspentacreekfullof
moneytoselltheirwhiskeyashavingabetterbarrelsmellthananybody
else’s,andsototalfooledalotof’possum-headedidjitsthatthey’d
oughttodrinkit.Buttherewasstillsensiblefolks,Granpasaid,whohad
nottakenupbarrelsniffin’,andsothelittlemancouldstillgitby.

Granpasaidthatsincewhiskey-makingwastheonlytradehe

knowed,andsinceIwasfivecomingontosix,thenhereckinedIwould
havetolearnthattrade.HeadvisedthatwhenIgotolder,Imightwantto
switchtradesbutIwouldknowwhiskey-making,andcouldalwayshave
atradetofallbackonintimeswhenIwaspushedotherwisetomakea
living.

IseenrightoffthatmeandGranpahadafightonourhandswiththe

bigshotsthatwaspushingbarrelsniffin’whiskey;butIwasproudthat
Granpahadtakenmeintolearnthetrade.

Granpa’sstillwasbackupintheNarrowswherethespringbranch

runoutofthecreek.Itwassetbackinlaurelsandhoneysucklesothick
thatabirdcouldn’tfindit.Granpawasproudofit,foritwaspure
copper:thepotandthecaparmandthecoil,whichwascalleda
“worm.”

Itwasalittlestillasstillsgo,butwedidn’tneedabigone.Granpa

onlymadeonerunamonth,whichalwayscomeouttoelevengallons.
WesoldninegallonstoMr.Jenkins,whorunthestoreatthecrossroads,

attwodollarsagallonwhichyoucanseewasalotofmoneyforour
corn.

Itboughtallthenecessariesandputalittlemoneybackbesides,and

Granmakeptthatinatobaccosackstuffeddowninafruitjar.Granma
saidthatIhadashareinit,forIwasworkinghardandlearningthetrade
too.

Ourtwogallonswekeptthere.Granpalikedtohavesomeinhisjug

foroccasionalliquorin’andsettin’inbeforecompany,andGranmaused
considerableofitinhercoughmedicine.Granpasaiditwasalso
necessaryforsnakebite,spiderbite,heelbruisesandlotsofthingslike
that.

Iseenrightoffthatstillin’—ifyoudoneitproper—washardwork.
Mostpeoplemakingwhiskeyusedwhitecorn.Wedidn’thaveany.

WeusedIndiancorn,whichistheonlykindwegrew.Itisdarkredand
giveourwhiskeyalightredtint…whichnobodyelsehadanylike.We
wasproudofourcolor.Everybodyknewitwhentheysawit.

Wewouldshellthecorn,Granmahelped,andsomeofitweputina

towsack.Wepouredwarmwateroverthesackandletitlayinthesun
orinthewinterbythefireplace.Youhadtoturnthesacktwoorthree
timesadaytokeepthecornstirredup.Infourorfivedaysithadlong
sprouts.

Theothershelledcornwegroundupintomeal.Wecouldn’tstand

theexpenseoftakingittoamiller,forhewouldtakeoutatoll.Granpa
hadbuilthisowngristmill.Ithadtworockssetagainsteachother,and
weturnedthemwithahandle.

MeandGranpawouldtotethemealupthehollowandtheNarrows

tothestill.Wehadawoodtroughthatwestuckinthespringbranchand
ranwatertothepot’tilitwasfilledthreequartersfull.Thenwepoured
themealinandstartedafireunderthepot.Weusedashwoodforash
makesnosmoke.Granpasaidthatmorethanlikelyanywoodwouldbe
allright,buttherewasnosenseintakingachance.Whichwasright.

Granpafixedmeaboxwhichwesetonastumpbythepot.Istood

ontheboxandstirredthemealwaterwhileitcooked.Icouldn’tsee
overthetopandneverseenexactlywhatIwasstirring,butGranpasaidI
donegoodandwasneverknowedtoletabatchscorch.Evenwhenmy
armsgottired.

Afterwecookedit,wedraweditoffthroughasloparminthe

bottom,intoabarrel,andaddedthesproutcornwhichwehadground

up.Thenwecoveredthebarrelandletitset.Itwouldsetforaboutfour
orfivedays,buteachday,wehadtogoandstiritup.Granpasaiditwas
“working.”

Afterfourorfivedays,therewouldbeacapofhardcrustonit.We

wouldbreakupthecap,untilitwasaboutgoneandthenwewasready
tomakearun.

GranpahadabigbucketandIhadalittleone.Wedippedoutthe

barrelandpouredthebeer—that’swhatGranpacalledit—intothepot.
Granpasetthecaponthepot,andweputourwoodtofireunderit.
Whenthebeerboiled,itsentsteamupthroughthecaparmwhichwas
connectedtotheworm,thecoilofcoppertubingrunningaroundin
circles.Thewormwassetinabarrel,andwehadcoldwaterfromthe
springbranchrunninginourtroughthroughthebarrel.Thismadethe
steamturnbacktoliquid,andthewormcomeoutatthebottomofthe
barrel.Whereitcomeout,wehadhickorycoalstostrainoffthebardy
greasewhichwouldmakeyousickifyoudrankit.

Afterallofthisyouwouldthinkwewouldgetalotofwhiskey…but

weonlygotabouttwogallons.Wesetthetwogallonsasideanddrained
offthe“backings,”whichdidn’tturntosteam,inthepot.

Thenwehadtoscrubthewholethingdown.Thetwogallonswe

had,Granpacalledthem“singles.”Hesaidtheywasovertwohundred
proof.Weputthebackingsandthesinglesbackinthepot,startedthe
fire,anddoneitanoveragain,addingsomewater.Thistime,wegotour
elevengallons.

AsIsay,itwashardworkandInevercouldfigurehowsomefolks

wouldsaythatlazy,good-for-nothingsmadewhiskey.Whoeversaysthat
withoutadoubthasnevermadeany.

Granpawasthebestathistrade.Whiskeycanberuinedalotmore

waysthanitcanbemadegood.Thefirecan’tbetoohot.Ifyouletthe
workingslaytoolong,vinegarsetsup;ifyourunearly,it’stooweak.You
mustbeabletoreada“bead,”andjudgeitsproofing.IseenwhyGranpa
takensuchprideinhistrade,andItriedtolearn.

SomethingsIcoulddowhichGranpasaidhedidn’thardlyseehow

hehadmanageduntilIcomealong.Hewouldlowermeintothepotafter
arun,andIscrubbeditout.WhichIalwaysdoneasfastasIcould,forit
wasusuallyprettyhot.Itotedashwoodandkepteverythingstirredup.
Itkeptusbusy.

WhenmeandGranpawasatthestill,Granmakeptthedogslocked

up.Granpasaidifanybodywastocomeupthehollow,thenGranma
wastoturnlooseBlueBoyandsendhimupthetrail.BlueBoy,having
thebestnose,wouldpickupourscentandshowupatthestillandthen
wewouldknowsomebodywasonthetrail.

Granpasaidhestartedoutusingol’Rippitt,butol’Rippitt

commencedeatingtheleftoverbackingsandgotdrunk.Hetakentoit
regular.Granpasaidol’Rippittmightnearturnedtosteadyliquorin’
beforeheputastoptoit.Onceheledol’Maudtothestillandshegot
drunktoo.SoheswitchedtoBlueBoy.

Therearemanyotherthingsthatagoodmountainwhiskey-maker

mustknow.Youhavetobecarefultocleanupgoodafterarun,because
ifyoudon’titwillsmellofsourmash.Granpasaidthelawwasjustlike
hounddogsandhadnosesfersmellthatcouldpickupamashscent
milesaway.Granpasaidhereckinedthatthiswaswherethename“law
dogs”comefrom.Hesaidifyoucouldcheckitout,theywasallhanded
downfromaspecialbred-upline,usedbykingsandsuch,likehoundsto
trackfolks.ButGranpasaidifIeverhadoccasiontoseeanyofthem,I
wouldnoticetheyallhadasmellaboutthemtoo…whichhelpedfolks
someinknowingtheywasabout.

Alsoyouhadtobecarefulnottoknockyourbucketagainstthepot.

Youcanhearabucketstrikingapotformaybetwomilesinthe
mountains.ThiscausemeconsiderableworryuntilIgotontoit,forIhad
todipmybucketinthebarrel,toteittothepot,climbuponthestump
andbox,andleanwayovertodumpinthebeer.IshortlygottowhereI
neverstruckmybucket.

Youcouldnotsingnorwhistleneither.ButmeandGranpatalked.

Regulartalkwillcarryalongwayinthemountains.Mostfolksdon’t
know—theCherokeesdo—thatthereisarangeoftoneyoucantalkin
thatwhenitcarrieswillsoundlikemountainsounds:windinthetreesand
blushandmayberunningwater.That’sthewaymeandGranpatalked.

Welistenedtothebirdswhileweworked.Ifthebirdsflyoffandthe

treecricketsstopsinging—lookout.

GranpasaidtherewassomanythingstohandleinyourheadthatI

wasnottoworryaboutpickingitupallatoncet;thatitwouldcomeand
benaturetomeafterawhile.Whicheventuallyitdid.

Granpahadamarkforhiswhiskey.Itwashismaker’smark,

scratchedontopofeveryfruitjarlid.Granpa’smarkwasshapedlikea
tomahawk,andnobodyelseinthemountainsusedit.Eachmakerhadhis

ownmark.Granpasaidthatwhenhepassedon,whichmorethanlikely
hewouldeventuallydo,Iwouldgitthemarkhandeddowntome.He
hadgotitfromhisPa.AtMr.Jenkins’store,therewasmenwhocomein
andwouldnotbuyanyotherwhiskeybutGranpa’s,withhismark.

Granpasaidthatasamatteroffact,sincemeandhimwasmoreor

lesspartnersnow,halfofthemarkwasownedbymeatthepresenttime.
ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadeverownedanything,astocallitmine.SoI
wasrightproudofourmark,andseentoit,asmuchasGranpa,thatwe
neverturnedoutnobadwhiskeyunderourmark.Whichwedidn’t.

Iguessoneofthescaredesttimesofmylifecomeaboutwhile

makingwhiskey.Itwaslatewinter,justbeforespring.MeandGranpa
wasfinishingupourlastrun.Wehadsealedthehalf-gallonfruitjarsand
wasputtingtheminthetowsacks.Wealwaysputleavesinthetow
sackstoo,forthishelpedustokeepfrombreakingourjars.

Granpaalwayscarriedtwobigtowsackswithmostofthewhiskey.I

carriedalittletowsackwiththreehalf-gallonjars.Ieventuallygotto
whereIcouldcarryfourjars,butatthattimeIcouldonlycarrythree.It
wasaprettybigloadforme,andtotingitbackdownthetrail,Iwould
havetostopconsiderabletosetitdownandrest.Granpadidtoo.

WewasjustfinishingoursackingwhenGranpasaid,“Damn!There’s

BlueBoy!”

Therehewas,layingbythesideofthestillwithhistonguehanging

out.WhatscaredmeandGranpawasthatwedidn’tknowhowlonghe
hadbeenthere.Hehadcomeupwithoutawordandlaiddown.Isaid,
“Damn!”too.(AsIsay,meandGranpaoccasionalcussedwhenwe
wasn’taroundGranma.)

Granpawasalreadylistening.Allthesoundswasthesame.Thebirds

hadnotflownaway.Granpasaid,“Yetakenupyoursackandheadback
downthetrail.Iff’nyeseesomebody,stepoffthetrail’tiltheypass.I’ll
taketimetocleanupandhidethestillandgodownt’othermountain
side.I’llmeetyeatthecabin.”

Igrabbedupmysackandthroweditovermyshouldersofast,it

nearlyjerkedmeoverback’ardsbutIwobbledout,fastasIcouldand
gotontheNarrowstrail.Iwasscared…butIknewthiswasnecessary.
Thestillcomefirst.

Flatlanderscouldneverunderstandwhatitmeanttobustupa

mountainman’sstill.ItwouldbeasbadastheChicargofiretothe
peopleinChicargo.Granpa’sstillhadbeenhandeddowntohim,and

now,athisage,itwasnotlikelythathecouldeverreplaceit.Tohaveit
bustedupwouldnotonlyputmeandGranpaoutofbusiness,itwould
putmeandhimandGranmawhereitwouldbepracticalintolerableto
makealiving.

Therewasnowayatalloflivingontwenty-fivecentcorn,evenifyou

hadenoughcorntosell—whichwedidn’t—andevenifyoucouldsellit
—whichwecouldn’t.

Granpadidn’thavetoexplaintomehowdesperateitwasthatwe

savethestill.SoItakenoff.Itwashardtotrotwiththethreefruitjarsin
mysack.

GranpasentBlueBoywithme.IkeptmyeyeonBlueBoy,walking

justaheadofme,forhecouldpickascentoutofthewindlongbefore
youcouldhearanything.

ThemountainsrosehighoneithersideoftheNarrowstrail,andthere

wasjustroomtowalkonthebankofthespringbranch.MeandBlue
BoyhadcomemaybehalfwaydowntheNarrowswhenweheardabig
racketbreakoutdownonthehollowtrail.

Granmahadturnedallthedogslooseandtheywashowlingand

bayingupthetrail.Somethingwaswrong.IstoppedandBlueBoydid
too.Thedogswerecomingon,turninguptheNarrowstowardus.Blue
Boyraisedhisearsandtailandsniffedtheair;hairsruffledonhisback,
andhestartedwalkingstiff-leggedaheadofme.Isureappreciatedol’
BlueBoyrightthen.

Thentheretheywas.Theycomearoundthebendofthetrailallofa

suddenandstoppedandlookedatme.They’pearedlikeanarmy,
thoughthinkingbackitwaslikelynotmorethanfourofthem.Theywere
thebiggestfellersIhadeverseenandtheyhadbadgesshiningontheir
shirts.Theystoodandstaredatmeliketheyhadneverseensuchbefore.
Istoppedandwatchedthemtoo.Mymouthgotclackerdryandmy
kneescommencedtowobble.

“Hey!”oneofthemhollered,“byGod…it’sakid!”Anotherone

said,“AdamnIndiankid!”Which,withmewearingmoccasins,deer
pantsandshirt…withmyhairlongandblack,Icouldn’thardlyseeno
wayofpassingasanythingelse.

Oneofthemsaid,“What’chagotinthatsack,kid?”Andanotherone

hollered,“Lookoutforthathound!’’

BlueBoywaswalkingrealslowtowardthem.Hewasgrowlinglow

andshowinghisteeth.BlueBoymeantbusiness.

Theystartedwalking,cautious,upthetrailtowardme.IseenthatI

couldnotgetaroundthem.IfIjumpedinthespringbranchtheywould
catchme,andifIrunbackupthetrailIwouldbeleadingthemtothe
still.ThatwouldputmeandGranpaoutofbusinessanditwasmy
responsibility,sameasGranpa’s,tosavethestill.Itakentothesideof
themountain.

Thereisawaytorunupamountain;ifyoueverhavetorunupa

mountain…whichIhopeyoudon’t.Granpahadshowedmetheway
Cherokeesdoit.Youdon’trunstraightup,yourunalongthesideand
angleupasyougo.Butyoudon’thardlyrunontheground;thisis
becauseyouplaceyourfeetonthehighsideofbrushandtreehunksand
roots,whichgivesyougoodfooting,soyou’llneverslip.Youcanmake
fasttime.ThisiswhatIdid.

Insteadofanglingupthemountainawayfromthemen…which

wouldhavetakenmebackuptheNarrows…Iheadedupthesidethat
leddownthetrail,towardthemen.

Thismademepassrightovertheirheads.Theybrokeoffthetrail

towardme,thrashinginthebrush,andoneofthemnearlyreachedmy
footasIpassed.HedidmanagetograbthebrushIhadsteppedonand
wassocloseImightnearknewhewasgoingtokillmerightoff.ButBlue
Boybithimintheleg.Heholleredandfellback’ardsonthemenbehind
him,andIkeptrunning.

IheardBlueBoy,hewasgrowlingandfighting.Hegotkickedorhit,

becauseIheardthewindgooutofhim,andheyelped,buthewasright
backfightingagain.Iwasrunningallthetime—fastasIcould—which
wasn’ttoofastasthefruitjarswasslowingmeup.

Iheardthemenclamberingupthemountainbehindmeandabout

thattime,therestofthehoundshit.Icouldtellol’Rippitt’sgrowlingand
howlingplain,andol’Maud’s.Itallsoundedprettyfearful,mixedinwith
themenyellingandholleringandcussing.Lateron,Granpasaidheheard
itplumboverontheothermountainanditsoundedlikeanentirewarhad
brokeout.

IkeptrunningaslongasIcould.AfterawhileIhadtostop.Ifelt

likeIwouldbust;butIdidn’tstoplong.IkeptgoinguntilIwassettin’
rightontopofthemountain.ThelastpartoftheclimbingIhadtodrag
myfruitjars,Iwasthatworeout.

Icouldstillhearthedogsandmen.Theyweremovingbackdown

theNarrowstrail,andthenthehollowtrail.Itwasacontinuoussqualling,

cussingandyellingalltheway;likeabigballofsoundthatrolleddown
thetrailuntilIcouldn’thearitanymore.

ThoughIwassotiredIcouldn’tstandup,Ifeltrightgoodaboutit,

fortheydidn’tgonearthestill,andIknewGranpawouldbepleased.
MylegswasweakandsoIlaiddownintheleavesandslept.

WhenIwokeup,itwasdark.Themoonhadcomeupoverthefar

mountain,nearlyfullandwasbringinglighttothehollows,waydown
belowme.ThenIheardthehounds.IknewGranpahadsentthemafter
me,fortheydidn’tbayliketheydidonafoxtrail;theirvoicessounded
kindofwhining,liketheywastryingtogetmetoanswerthem.

Theyhadpickedupmytrail,fortheywereanglingupthemountain.I

whistledandheardthemyelpandbark.Inaminute,theywascovering
meup,lickingmyfaceandjumpingalloverme.Evenol’Ringerhad
come,andhimmightnearblind.

Meandthehoundscomedownoffthemountain.Ol’Maudcouldn’t

standit,andrunaheadbarkingandhowlingtotellGranmaandGranpaI
hadbeenfound.Aimingtotakeallthecreditherself,Ireckined,though
shecouldn’tsmellalick.

AsIcomedownthehollowIsawGranma,outinthetrail.Shehadlit

thelampandwasholdingitbeforeherlikeshehadsetalighttoguideme
home.Granpawaswithher.

Theydidn’tcomeupthetrailbutstoodandwatchedasIcomealong

withthedogs.Ifeltgoodaboutit.Istillhadmyfruitjarsandhadnot
brokeanyofthem.

Granmasetthelampdownandknelttomeetme.Shegrabbedme

sohard,shenearlymademedropmyfruitjars.Granpasaidhewould
carrythefruitjarstherestoftheway.

Granpasaidthathecouldn’thavedoneanybetterhisself,andhim

goingonseventy-oddyears.HesaidthatIwaslikelycomingontobe
thefinestwhiskey-makerinthemountains.

GranpasaidImightwindupbeingbetter’nhim.WhichIknew

wasn’tlikely,butIwasproudhesaidit.

Granmaneversaidanything.Shetotedmetherestofthewayhome.

ButIcouldofmadeit,morethanlikely.

TradingwithaChristian

Thenextmorning,allthedogswasstilljumpingaround,stiff-leggedand
proud.Theyknewtheyhaddonesomethingwhichhelped.Ifeltproud
too…butIwasn’tuppityaboutit,becausesuchwaspartofthe
whiskey-makingtrade.

Ol’Ringerwasmissing.MeandGranpawhistledandholleredfor

him,buthedidn’tshowup.Wewalkedallaroundthecabinclearing,but
hewasn’ttobefoundanywhere.Sowesetoffwiththehoundstofind
him.WewentupthehollowtrailandtheNarrowsbutcouldfindnotrace
ofhimanywhere.Granpasaidwehadbetterbacktrackupthemountain
thewayIhadcomedownthenightbefore.Wedid;firstthroughthe
brushtangles,searching,andthenupthemountain.BlueBoyandLittle
Redfoundhim.

Ringerhadrunintoatree.Maybeitwasthelasttreehehadruninto,

forGranpasaiditlookedlikehehadrunintoalotoftreesorelsebeen
hitwithaclub.Hisheadwasbloodyalloverandhelayonhisside.His
tonguewasstabbedthroughwithhisteeth.Hewasalive,andGranpa
pickedhimupinhisarmsandwecarriedhimdownthemountain.

Westoppedatthespringbranch,andmeandGranpawashedthe

bloodfromhisfaceandloosenedhistonguefromtheteeth.Therewas
grayhairsoverhisfaceandwhenIsawthemIknewthatol’Ringerwas
veryoldandhadnobusinessrunningoffinthemountainslookingafter
me.Wesatwithhimbythespringbranch,andinalittlewhileheopened
hiseyes;theywereoldandblearyandhecouldbarelysee.

Ibentlowtool’Ringer’sfaceandtoldhimI’preciatedhimlooking

formeinthemountains,andIwassorry.Ol’Ringerdidn’tmind,he
lickedmyface,lettingmeknowhe’djustassoondoitalloveragain.

Granpaletmehelpcarryol’Ringerdownthetrail.Granpacarried

mostofhim,butItotedhishindfeet.Whenwegottothecabin,Granpa
laidhimdownandsaid,“Ol’Ringerisdead.”Andhewas.Hehaddied
onthetrail,butGranpasaidheknowedthatwehadcomeandgothim,
andthathewasonhiswayhome,andsohefeltgoodaboutit.Ifelt
somebettertoo—thoughnotmuch.

Granpasaidol’Ringerdiedlikeallgoodmountainhoundswantto

die:doingfortheirfolksandinthewoods.

Granpagotashovel.Wecarriedol’Ringerupthehollowtrail,upby

thecornpatchthathepridedsoinguarding.Granmacomealongtoo,
andallthehoundsfollowed,whining,withtheirtailsbetweentheirlegs.I
feltthesame.

Grandpadugol’Ringer’sgraveatthefootofalittlewateroak.It

wasaprettyplace;redsumachallaroundinthefall,andadogwoodtree
standingbywithwhitebloomsinthespring.

Granmalaidawhitecottonsackinthebottomofthegrave,and

placedol’Ringeronitandwrappeditaroundhim.Granpaputabig
boardoverol’Ringer,sothe’coonscouldn’tdighimup.Wecoveredup
thegrave.Thehoundsstoodaround,knowingitwasol’Ringer,andol’
Maudwhined.Herandol’Ringerhadbeenpartnersatthecornpatch.

Granpapulledoffhishatandsaid,“Good-bye,ol’Ringer.”Isaid

good-byeol’Ringer,too.Andsowelefthim,underthewateroaktree.

Ifelttotalbadaboutit,andempty.GranpasaidheknewhowIfelt,

forhewasfeelingthesameway.ButGranpasaideverythingyoulost
whichyouhadlovedgiveyouthatfeeling.Hesaidtheonlywayroundit
wasnottoloveanything,whichwasworsebecauseyouwouldfeel
emptyallthetime.

Granpasaid,supposin’ol’Ringerhadnotbeenfaithful,thenwe

wouldnotbeproudofhim.Thatwouldbeaworsefeeling.Whichis
right.GranpasaidwhenIgotold,Iwouldrememberol’Ringer,andI
wouldlikeit—toremember.Hesaiditwasafunnything,butwhenyou
gotoldandrememberedthemyouloved,youonlyrememberedthe
good,neverthebad,whichprovedthebaddidn’tcountnohow.

Butwehadtogetonwithourtrade.MeandGranpatotedourwares
overthecutofftrailtoMr.Jenkins’crossroadsstore.“Wares”iswhat
Granpacalledourwhiskey.

Ilikedthecutofftrail.Wewentdownthehollowtrail,andbeforewe

reachedthewagonruts,weturnedandbearedlefttothecutofftrail.It
ranovertheridgesofthemountainsthatslopedtowardthevalleylikebig
fingerspushingoutandrestingintheflatlands.

Thehollowswecrossedwereshallowbetweentheridgesandeasy

toclimboutof.Thetrailwasseveralmileslong;passingthroughstandsof
pineandcedarontheslopes;persimmontreesandhoneysucklevine.

Inthefalloftheyear,afterfrosthadturnedthepersimmonsred,I

wouldstoponthewaybackandfillmypockets,andthenruntocatch
upwithGranpa.Inthespring,Idonethesamething,picking
blackberries.

Oncet,Granpastoppedandwatchedmepickblackberries.Itwas

oneofthetimeshewasputoutaboutwords,andhowfolkswasfooled
bythem.Granpasaid,“LittleTree,didyeknowthatwhenblackberriesis
green,theyisred?”

Thistotalconfusedme,andGranpalaughed.“Thenameisgiveto

blackberries…todescribe’embycolor…folksusethecolorgreen
…meaningtheyain’tripe…whichwhentheyain’tripe,theyarered.”
Whichistrue.

Granpasaid,“That’showthedamnfoolword-usinggitsfolksall

twistedup.Whenyehearsomebodyusingwordsagin’somebody,don’t
gobyhiswords,fertheywon’tmakenodamnsense.Gobyhistone,
andye’llknowifhe’smeanandlying.”Granpawasprettymuchdownon
havingtoomanywords.Whichwasreasonable.

Therewasalsohickor’nuts,chinkapins,walnutsandchestnutsusually

layingbythetrailside.So,nomatterwhattimeofyearitwas,coming
backfromthecrossroadsstorekeptmebusygathering.

Totin’ourwarestothestorewasaprettygoodjob.Iwould

sometimesfallfarbehindGranpa,carryingmythreefruitjarsinthesack.
WhenIdid,Iknewhewouldbesettin’downsomewhereahead,and
whenIgottohim,wewouldrest.

Whenyoutotedthat-a-way,bygoingfromonesettin’downplaceto

another,itwasnotsohard.Whenwegottothelastridge,meand
Granpaalwayssetdowninthebusheswhilewelookedforthepickle
barrelinfrontofthestore.Ifthepicklebarrelwasnotsettin’outfront
thatmeanteverythingwasallright.Ifitwassettin’outfrontthatmeantthe
law,andwewasnottodeliverourwares.Everybodyinthemountains
watchedforthepicklebarrel,forotherpeoplehadwarestodelivertoo.

Ineversawthepicklebarrelsettin’outfront,butIneverfailedto

lookforit.Ihadlearnedthatthewhiskey-makingtradehadalotof
complicationstoit.ButGranpasaideverytradehas,moreorless,some
complications.

Hesaiddidyeeverthinkhowitwouldbeinthedentisttrade,having

tolookdownfolks’mouthsallthetime,dayinanddayout,nothingbut
mouths?Hesaidsuchatradewoulddrivehimtotalcrazyandthatthe
whiskey-makingtrade,withallitscomplications,wasasightbettertrade

forafellertobein.Whichisright.

IlikedMr.Jenkins.Hewasbigandfatandworeoveralls.Hehada

whitebeardthathungdownoverthebibofhisoveralls,buthisheadwas
neartotallywithouthair;itshinedlikeapineknob.

Hehadallkindsofthingsinthestore:bigracksofshirtsandoveralls

andboxesofshoes.Therewasbarrelswithcrackersinthem,andona
counterhehadabighoopofcheese.Alsoonthecounterhehadaglass
casewhichhadcandylaidontheshelves.Therewasallkindsofcandy
andlookedliketherewasmorecandythanhecouldeverrunoutof.I
neverseenanybodyeatanyofit,butIguesshesoldsomeorhe
wouldn’thavehadit.

Everytimewedeliveredourwares,Mr.JenkinsaskedmeifIwould

gotohiswoodpileandpickupasackofwoodchipsforthebigstove
thatsetinthestore.Ialwaysdid.Thefirsttime,heofferedmeabigstick
ofstripedcandy,butIcouldn’trightlytakeitjustforpickingupwood
chips,whichwasn’thardlynotroubleatall.Heputitbackinthecase,
andfoundanotherpiecewhichwasoldandwhichhewasgoingtothrow
away.Granpasaidthatitwasallrightformetotakeit,seeingashow
Mr.Jenkinswasgoingtothrowitaway,anditwouldnotbeofbenefitto
anybody.SoIdid.

Everymonth,hecomeacrossanotheroldstick,andIguessImight

nearcleanedouthisoldcandy.Whichhesaidhelpedhimoutalot.

ItwasatthecrossroadsstorewhereIgotslickeredoutofmyfifty

cents.Ithadtakenmealongtimetoaccumulatethefiftycents.Granma
wouldputasideanickelordimeinajarformeeachmonthwedelivered
ourwares.

Itwasmypartofthetrade.Ilikedtocarryit,allinnickelsand

dimes,inmypocketwhenwewenttothecrossroadsstore.Ineverspent
itandeachtimewhenwegothomeIputitbackinthefruitjar.

Itwasacomforttome,carryingitinmypockettothestore,and

knowingitwasmine.Ikindofhadmyeyeonabigredandgreenbox
whichwasinthecandycase.Ididn’tknowhowmuchitcost,butIwas
figuringthatmaybenextChristmasIwouldbuyitforGranma…and
thenwewouldeatwhatwasinit.ButasIsay,Igotslickeredoutofmy
fiftycentsbeforethen.

Itwasaboutdinnertimeofadayrightafterwehaddeliveredour

wares.ThesunwasstraightoverheadandmeandGranpawasresting,
squattin’downunderthestoreshedwithourbacksagainstthestore.

GranpahadboughtsomesugarforGranmaandthreeorangeswhichMr.
Jenkinshad.Granmalikedoranges,whichIdidtoo,whenyoucouldget
them.SeeingGranpahadthree,IknewIwouldgetone.

Iwaseatingonmystickcandy.Mencommencedtocometothe

storeintwosandthrees.Theysaidapoliticianwascomingandwas
goingtomakeaspeech.Idon’tknowthatGranpawouldhavestayed,
forasIsayhedidn’tgivealick-damnaboutpoliticians,butbeforewe
gotrestedherecomethepolitician.

Hewasinabigcar,kickinguprollsofdustfromtheroad,so

everybodysawhimalongwayoffbeforehegotthere.Hehadsome
fellerdrivinghiscarforhim,andhegotoutofthebackseat.Therewasa
ladyinthebackseatwithhim.Allthetimethepoliticiantalked,she
throwedoutlittlecigarettesthatshehadsmokedpartof.Granpasaid
theywereready-roll,tailor-madecigarettes,whichrichpeoplesmoked
astheywastoolazytorolltheirown.

Thepoliticiancomearoundandshookeverybody’shand;thoughhe

didn’tshakeminenorGranpa’s.Granpasaidthiswasbecausewe
lookedlikeIndiansanddidn’tvotenohow,sowewasofpracticalnouse
whatsoevertothepolitician.Whichsoundsreasonable.

Heworeablackcoatandhadawhiteshirtwitharibbontiedathis

neck;itwasblackandhungdown.Helaughedalotand’pearedtobe
mightyhappy.Thatis,untilhegotmad.

Hegotuponaboxandcommencedtogetworkedupabout

conditionsinWashingtonCity…whichhesaidwastotalgoingtohell.
Hesaiditwasn’tathingintheworldbutSodomandGomorrah,whichI
guessitwas.Hegotmadderandmadderaboutitanduntiedtheribbon
aroundhisneck.

HesaidtheCatholicswasbehindeverydamnbitofit.Hesaidthey

waspracticalincontrolofthewholething,andwasaimingtoputMr.
PopeintheWhiteHouse.Catholics,hesaid,wastherottenest,low-
downestsnakesthateverlived.Hesaidtheyhadfellerscalledprieststhat
matedwomencallednuns,andtheyoung’unsthatcomeofthematin’,
theyfedthemtoapackofdogs.Hesaiditwastheawfulestthinghehad
everseennorheardtellof.Whichitwas.

Hegottohollerin’prettyloudaboutit,andIguess,conditionsbeing

whattheywasinWashingtonCity,itwasenoughtomakeamanholler.
Hesaidifitwasn’tforhimputtin’upafightagin’them,thattheywould
beintotalcontrolandspreadplumbdowntowherewewasat…which

soundedprettybad.

Hesaidiftheydid,theywouldputallthewomenfolksinconvents

andsuch…andwouldpracticalwipeouttheyoung’uns.Theredidn’t
seemhardlyanywayatalltowhipthemunlesseverybodysenthimto
WashingtonCitytoseethatitwasdone;andhesaideventhenitwould
beahardfight,becausefellerswassellingouttothemallovertheplace,
formoney.Hesaidhewouldn’ttakenomoney,ashehadnouseforit,
andwastotalagin’it.

Hesaidhefeltlikemightneargivingupsometimesandquittin’and

justtakin’iteasy,likewedone.

Ifeltrightbad,takin’iteasy;butwhenhefinishedtalking,hegot

downfromtheboxandcommencedtolaughandshakehandswith
everybody.Whichitlookedlikehehadplentyofconfidencehecould
handlethesituationinWashingtonCity.

Ifeltalittlebetteraboutit,dependentonhisgittin’backupthereso

hecouldwhiptheCatholicsandsuch.

Whilehewasshakinghandsandtalkingtofolks,afellerwalkedup

tothefringeofthecrowdleadingalittlebrowncalfonarope.

Hestoodaroundwatchingthecrowdandshookhandstwicetwith

thepolitician,eachtimehecomeby.Thelittlecalfstoodspraddle-legged
behindhimwithitsheaddown.Igotupandedgedovertothecalf.I
petteditoncet,butitwouldn’tliftitshead.Thefellerlookeddownatme
fromunderabighat.Hehadsharpeyesthatcrinklednearlyshutwhen
hesmiled.Hesmiled.

“Likemycalf,boy?”
“Yes,sir,”Isaid,andsteppedbackfromthecalf,asIdidn’twant

himtothinkIwasbotheringit.

“Goahead,”hesaid,realcheerful.“Goaheadandpetthecalf.Ye

won’thurt’em.”Ipettedthecalf.

Thefellerspittobaccojuiceoverthecalf’sback.“Icansee,”he

said,“thatmycalftakestoye…more’nanybodyhe’severtakenup
with…seemslikehewantstogowithye.”Icouldn’ttellthatthecalf
lookedthewayhesaid,butitwashiscalf,andheoughttoknow.The
fellerkneltdowninfrontofme.“Haveyougotanymoney,boy?”

“Yes,sir,”Isaid,“Igotfiftycents.”Thefellerfrowned,andIcould

seeitwasn’tmuchmoneyandwassorrythatitwasallIhad.

Hesmiledafteraminuteandsaid,“Well,thisherecalfisworth

more’nahundredtimesthatmuch.”Iseenrightoffitwasworththat

much.“Yes,sir,”Isaid,“Iwasn’tfiguringnowayatalltobuyit.”The
fellerfrownedagain.“Well,”hesaid,“I’maChristianman.Somehowor
’nother,evencostingmeallthatthisherecalfisworth,Ifeelinmyheart
ye’doughttohaveit,thewayit’stakenupwithye.”Hethoughtonthis
forawhile,andIcouldseerightoffthatitpainedhimalottothinkof
partingwiththecalf.

“Iain’t—nerwouldn’ttakehimatall,mister,”Isaid.
Butthefellerhelduphishandtostopme.Hesighed,“I’ma’goin’to

letyehavethecalf,son,ferfiftycentsferIfeelit’smyChristianduty,and
—no—Iwon’ttakenoferananswer.Jestgivemeyerfiftycents,and
thecalfisyour’n.”

Sinceheputitthat-a-way,Icouldn’thardlyturnhimdown.Itaken

outallmynickelsanddimesandgivethemtohim.Hepassedthecalf’s
ropetome,andwalkedoffsoquick,Ididn’tknowwhichwayhewent.

ButIfeltmightyproudofmycalf,eventhoughIhadmoreorless

takenadvantageofthefeller—himbeingaChristian,which,ashesaid,
handicappedhimsomewhat.IpulledmycalfaroundtoGranpaand
showedittohim.Granpadidn’tseemasproudofmycalfasIwas,butI
reckineditwasbecauseitwasmine,andnothis.Itoldhimhecouldhave
halfofit,seeingashowwewaspracticallypartnersinthewhiskey-
makingtrade.ButGranpajustgrunted.

Thecrowdwasbreakinguparoundthepolitician,everybodybeing

moreorlessagreedthatthepoliticianhadbettergittoWashingtonCity
rightoffandfighttheCatholics.Hepassedoutpiecesofpaper.Though
hedidn’tgivemeone,Igotoneofftheground.Ithadhispictureonit,
showinghimsmilingliketherewasn’tathingwronginWashingtonCity.
Helookedrealyounginthepicture.

Granpasaidwewasreadytosetoutforhome,soIputthe

politician’spictureinmypocket,andledmycalfbehindGranpa.Itwas
prettyhardgoing.Mycalfcouldn’thardlywalk.Itstumbledand
wobbledalong,andIpulledontheropebestIcould.IwasafraidifI
pulledtoohard,mycalfwouldfalldown.

IwasbeginningtoworryifIwouldevergetittothecabin,andthat

maybeitwassick…eventhoughitwasworthahundredtimeswhatI
paidforit.

BythetimeIgottothetopofthefirstridge,Granpawasnearlyat

thebottomfixingtoheadacrossahollow.IseenIwouldbeleftbehind,
soIyelled,“Granpa…doyeknowanyCatholics?”Granpastopped.I

pulledharderonmycalfandcommencedtocatchup.Granpawaited
untilmeandthecalfcomeuptohim.

“Iseenone,oncet,”Granpasaid,“atthecountyseat.”Meandthe

calfcaughtup,andwasrestingashardaswecould.“OneIseen,”
Granpasaid,“didn’tlookparticularmean…thoughIfiggeredhehad
beeninsomekindofscrape…hehadgothiscollartwistedup,and
morethanlikelywasjestdrunkenoughthathefailedtonoticeit.He
’pearedtobe,howsoever,peacefulenough.”

Granpasetdownonarock,andIseenhewasgoingtogivesome

thoughttoit,forwhichIwasglad.Mycalfhadhisfrontlegsspraddledin
frontofhimandwaspantin’prettyhard.

“Howsoever,”Granpasaid,“iff’nyetakenaknifeandcutferhalfa

dayintothatpolitician’sgizzard,ye’dhaveahardtimefindingakernelof
truth.Ye’llnoticethesonofabitchdidn’tsayathingaboutgittin’the
whiskeytaxtakenoff…’erthepriceofcorn…’ernothin’elseferthat
matter.”Whichwasright.

ItoldGranpathatIhadnoticedthesonofabitchneversaidaword

aboutit.

Granparemindedmethat“sonofabitch”wasanewcussword,and

wasnottobeusednowayatallaroundGranma.Granpasaidhedidn’t
givealick-damnifpriestsandnunsmatedeverydayintheweek,no
more’nhecaredhowmanybucksanddoesmated.Hesaidthatwas
theirmatin’business.

Granpasaidthatasfarasthemfeedin’young’unstodogs,thatthere

wouldnevercomeadaywhenadoewouldfeedheryoungtoadog,ner
awoman,soheknowedthatwasalie.Whichisright.

IcommencedtofeelsomebetterabouttheCatholics.Granpasaid

thatwasn’tnodoubtinhismindthattheCatholicswouldliketogit
control…buthesaid,iff’nyehadahogandyedidn’twantitstole,jest
gittenortwelvementoguardit,eachoneofwhichwantedtostealit.He
saidthathogwouldbesafeasinyerownkitchen.Granpasaidtheywas
allsocrookedinWashingtonCity,thattheyhadtowatchoneanotherall
thetime.

Granpasaidthattheywassomanytryingtogitcontrol,itwasa

continualdogfightallthetimeanyhow.Hesaidtheworstthingwrongwith
WashingtonCitywasithadsomanydamnpoliticiansinit.

Granpasaid,thatevenbeingthatwewenttoahard-shellBaptist

church,hewouldsurehatetoseethehard-shellsgitcontrol.Hesaidthey

wastotalagin’liquordrinkingexceptmaybesomefertheirselves.Hesaid
theywoulddrythewholecountryup.

IseenrightofftherewasotherdangersbesidestheCatholics.Ifthe

hard-shellsgotcontrol,meandGranpawouldbeputoutofthewhiskey-
makingtrade,andwouldlikelystarvetodeath.

IaskedGranpaifitwasn’tlikelythatthebigshots,whichmade

barrelsniffin’whiskey,wasn’ttryingtogitcontroltoo;usputtingadentin
theirtradeandall,sotheycouldputusoutofbusiness.Granpasaidthat
withoutadoubttheywastryinghardastheycould,bribingpoliticians
practicaleverydayinWashingtonCity.

Granpasaidtheywasonlyonethingcertain.TheIndianwasnot

nevergoingtogitcontrol.Whichappearednotlikely.

WhileGranpawastalkingmycalflaiddownanddied.Hejustlaid

overonhissideandtherehewas.IwasstandinginfrontofGranpa
holdingontotherope,andGranpapointedbehindmeandsaid,“Yercalf
isdead.”Heneverownedtohalfofitbeinghis.

Igotdownonmykneesandtriedtopropitsheadupandgetitonits

feet,butitwaslimp.Granpashookhishead,“It’sdead,LittleTree.
Whensomethingisdead…it’sdead.”Whichitwas.Isquattedbymy
calfandlookedatit.ItwasmightnearclosetobeingasbadatimeasI
couldremember.Myfiftycentswasgone,andtheredandgreenboxof
candy.Andnowmycalf—beingworthahundredtimeswhatIpaidforit.

Granpapulledhislongknifefromhismoccasinbootandcutthecalf

openandpulledoutitsliver.Hepointedattheliver.“It’sspeckledand
diseased.Wecan’teatit.”

Itlookedtomeliketherewasn’tanythingatallthatcouldbedone

withit.Ididn’tcry—butImightneardid.Granpakneltandskinnedthe
calf.“ReckinGranmawouldgiveyeadimefertheskin;likelyshecan
useit,”hesaid.“Andwe’llsendthedogsback…theycaneatthecalf.”
Reckinthatwasallthatcouldbemadeofit.IfollowedGranpadownthe
trail—carryingthehideofmycalf—allthewaytothecabin.

Granmadidn’taskme,butItoldherIcouldn’tputmyfiftycents

backinthejar,forIhadspentitforacalf—whichIdidn’thave.Granma
givemeadimeforthehideandIputthatinthejar.

Itwashardtoeatthatnight,thoughIlikedgroundpeasandcorn

bread.

Whilewewaseating,Granpalookedatmeandsaid,“Yesee,Little

Tree,ain’tnowayoflearning,exceptbylettingyedo.Iff’nIhad

stoppedyefrombuyingthecalf,ye’dhavealwaysthoughtye’doughtto
hadit.Iff’nI’dtoldyetobuyit,ye’dblamemeferthecalfdying.Ye’ll
havetolearnasyego.”

“Yes,sir,”Isaid.
“Now,”Granpasaid,“whatdidyelearn?”
“Well,”Isaid,“IreckinIlearnednottotradewithChristians.”
Granmacommencedtolaugh.Ididn’tseehardlyanythingfunnyatall

aboutit.Granpalookeddumbstruck;thenhelaughedsohardhechoked
onhiscornbread.IfiggeredIhadlearnedsomethingfunnybutIdidn’t
knowwhatitwas.

Granmasaid,“Whatyemean,LittleTree,isthatye’llbelikelyto

havecautionatthenextfellerwhotellsyouhowgoodandwhatafine
fellerheis.”

“Yes,ma’am,”Isaid,“Ireckin.”
Iwasn’tsureaboutanything…exceptIhadlostmyfiftycents.

Beingplumbworeout,Iwenttosleepatthetableandmyheadcome
downinmysupperplate.Granmahadtowashgroundpeasoffmyface.

ThatnightIdreamedthehard-shellsandCatholicscomeamongstus.

Thehard-shellstoreupourstill,andtheCatholicsetupmycalf.

AbigChristianwasthere,smilingatthewholething.Hehadared

andgreenboxofcandyandsaiditwasworthahundredtimesasmuch,
butIcouldhaveitforfiftycents.WhichIdidn’thave—fiftycents;andso
couldnotbuyit.

AttheCrossroadsStore

GranmatakenapencilandpaperandshowedmehowmuchIhadlost
onmytradewiththeChristian.Turnsout,Ididn’tlosebutfortycents,as
Iclearedadimeoffthecalfhide.Iputthedimeinmyfruitjaranddidn’t
takeitinmypocketnomore,itbeingsaferinthejar.

OnournextrunImadeadime,andGranmauppeditwithanickel.

Thisgivemetwenty-fivecents,soIwasbeginningtogetmymoneybuilt
backup.

ThoughIhadlostfiftycentsatthestore,Ialwayslookedforwardto

deliveringourwares;thoughcarryingmytowsackwasaprettygood
job.

Iwaslearningfivewordsaweekoutofthedictionary,andGranma

wouldexplainthemeanings,thenhadmeputthewordsinsentences.I
usedmysentencesconsiderableonthewaytothestore.Thiswouldget
GranpatostopwhilehefiguredoutwhatIwassaying.Icouldcatchup
andrestwithmyfruitjars.SometimesGranpawouldtotallyknockout
words,sayingIdidn’thavetousethatwordnomore,whichspeededme
upconsiderableinthedictionary.

LikethetimeIhadgotdowntotheword“abhor.”Granpahadgot

wayaheadofmeonthetrail,andIhadbeenpracticingasentencewith
thatwordsoIholleredtoGranpa,“Iabhorbriers,yellerjacketsand
such.”

Granpastopped.HewaiteduntilIhadcaughtupwithhim,andset

downmyloadoffruitjars.“Whatdidyesay?”Granpaasked.

“Isaid,‘Iabhorbriers,yellerjacketsandsuch,’”Isaid.Granpa

lookeddownatmesosteady-hardthatIcommencedtofeeluneasy
aboutthewholething.“Whatinhell,”Granpasaid,“haswhoresgotto
dowithbriersandyellerjackets?”

ItoldhimthatIdidn’thavenowayintheworldofknowing,whichI

didn’t,butthewordwas“abhor”anditmeantthatyoucouldn’thardly
standsomething.

Granpasaid,“Well,whydon’tyejustsayyecan’tstandit,insteadof

using‘abwhore’?”IsaidIcouldn’tfigurethatoutmyselfbutitwasinthe
dictionary.Granpagotprettyworkedupaboutit.Hesaidthe

meddlesomesonofabitchthatinventedthedictionaryoughttobetaken
outandshot.

Granpasaidthatmore’nlikelythissamefellerhadworkeduphalfa

dozenmorewordsthatcoulddiscolorthemeaningofthesamething.He
saidthiswaswhypoliticianscouldgitawaywithslicker’nfolksand
alwaysclaimingtheydidn’tsaythis’erthat—orthattheydid.Granpa
said,ifyoucouldcheckitout,thedamndictionarywaseitherputupbya
politicianortheywassomebehindit.Whichsoundsreasonable.

GranpasaidIcouldjustknockoutthatword.WhichIdid.There

wasusuallyalotofmenaroundthestoreinthewintertimeorduring
laying-bytime.“Laying-by”timewasusuallyinAugust.Thatwasthetime
ofyearafterthefarmershaddonewithplowingandhoeingweedsoutof
theircropsfourorfivetimes;andthecropswasbigenoughnowthat
they“laidby,”thatis,nohoeingorplowing,whilethecropsripenedand
theywaitedtodothegathering.

Afterwedeliveredourwares,andGranpagotpaid,andIhad

pickedupthewoodchipsforMr.Jenkinsandtakenthestickofold
candyoffhishands,meandGranpaalwayssquattedunderthestore
shedwithourbacksagainstthewallandkindofstretchedoutthetime.

Granpahadeighteendollarsinhispocket…ofwhichIwouldgetat

leastadimewhenwegothome.Hehadusuallyboughtsugarorcoffee
forGranma…sometimes,alittlewheatflour,ifthingswasgoinggood.
Besides,wehadjustfinishedupaprettyhardweekinthewhiskey-
makingtrade.

Ialwaysfinishedoffthestickofoldcandywhileweset.Itwasa

goodtime.

Welistenedtothementalkingaboutthings.Someofthemsaidthere

wasadepressionandfellerswasjumpingoutofwindersinNewYork
andshootin’theirselvesintheheadaboutit.Granpaneversaidanything.
WhichIdidn’teither.ButGranpatoldmethatNewYorkwascrowded
allupwithpeoplewhodidn’thaveenoughlandtoliveon,andlikelyhalf
ofthemwasruncrazyfromlivingthat-a-way,whichaccountedforthe
shootinsandthewinderjumping.

Usual,therewassomebodycuttin’hairatthestore.Theywouldseta

straightchairundertheshedandtaketurnsgettin’theirhairshearedbya
feller.

Anotherman—everybodycalledhim“OldManBarnett”—jumped

teeth.Notmanypeoplecould“jumpteeth.”Thiswaswhenyouhada

badtoothandhadtogetittakenout.

EverybodylikedtowatchOldManBarnettworking,jumpingteeth.

Hewouldsetthefellerwhosetoothhewasgoingtojumpdownina
chair.Thenhewouldheatupawireoverafireuntilthewirewasredhot.
Hestuckthewireonthetoothandthentakenanailandplaceditagainst
thetooth,andwithahammer,hehititasecretway.Thetoothjust
jumpedoutontheground.Hewasrightproudofhistrade,andwould
makeeverybodystandbackwhilehedoneitsotheywouldn’tnobody
learnit.

Onetime,anotheroldfelleraboutthesameageasOldManBarnett

—theycalledhimMr.Lett—hecometogetabadtoothjumped.Old
ManBarnettsetMr.Lettdowninthechairandheateduphiswire.He
stuckthewiretoMr.Lett’stooth,butMr.Lettwrappedhistongue
aroundthewire.Hebelleredlouder’nabullandkickedOldMan
Barnettinthestomach,knockinghimoverbackwards.

ThismadeOldManBarnettmadandhehitMr.Lettintheheadwith

achair.Theygottofightingonthegrounduntileverybodycrowdedin
andpulledthemapart.Theystoodcussingoneanotherawhile—or
leastwiseOldManBarnettwascussing—youcouldn’tunderstandwhat
Mr.Lettwassaying,buthewasmad!

FinallytheycalmeddownandabunchofmenheldMr.Lettand

drawedouthistongueandpouredturpentineonit.Heleft.Itwasthefirst
timeIeversawOldManBarnettfailtojumpatooth,andhedidn’ttake
itlightly.Hetakenprideinhistradeandwentaroundexplainingto
everybodywhyitwasthathehadn’tjumpedthattooth.Hesaiditwas
Mr.Lett’sfault.WhichIreckinitwas.

ImadeupmymindrightthenthatIwasnotevergoingtohaveabad

tooth.OrifIdid,Iwasn’tgoingtotellOldManBarnettaboutit.

AtthestoreiswhereIgotacquaintedwiththelittlegirl.Shewould

comewithherPaduringlaying-bytime,orinthewinter.HerPawasa
youngmanwhoworeraggedoverallsandwas,mosttime,barefooted.
Thelittlegirlwasalwaysbarefooted,evenwhenitwascold.

Granpasaidtheywassharecroppers.Hesaidsharecroppersdidn’t

ownnoland,ornothingelsetospeakof—usuallynotevenabedsteador
achair.Theywouldworkonsomebodyelse’slandandwouldsometimes
gethalfofwhattheownergotforhiscrop,butmostlytheyjustgota
third.Theycalleditworkingon“halves,”oron“thirds.”

Granpasaidbythetimeeverythingwastakenout,whattheyhadet

allyear,andtheseedandfertilizercost—whichthelandlordpaidfor—
anduseofmules,andabouteverythingelse,italwaysturnedupthatthe
sharecropperdidn’tactualmakenothingbutsomethingtoeat.Andnot
muchofthat.

Granpasaidthebiggerfamilythatasharecropperhad,thebetter

chancehehadofgittin’onwithalandlord,fortheneverybodyinthe
familyworkedinthefields.Abigfamilycoulddomorework.Hesaid
sharecroppersalltriedtohavebigfamilies,foritwasnecessary.Hesaid
thewivesworkedinthefields,pickin’cottonandhoeingandsuch,and
puttheirbabiesundershadetreesorsomewherestoscufflefor
theirselves.

GranpasaidIndianswouldnotdoit.Hesaidhewouldtaketothe

woodsandrunrabbitsferalivingbeforehe’ddoit.Buthesaid
somehoworanothersomefolksgotcaughtinitandcouldn’tgitout.

Granpasaiditwasthefaultofthedamnpoliticianswhospentalltheir

timeyammerin’aroundusingupwordsinsteadofworkingatthetrade
theywassupposedtoworkat.Hesaidsomelandlordswasmeanand
somewasn’t,likeeverybodyelse,butitalwayscomeoutat“settlin’up”
time,afterthecropswasgathered,thatmore’nlikelytherewasabig
disappointment.

That’swhysharecroppersmovedeveryyear.Everywinterthey

wouldhuntforanewlandlordandfindone.Theywouldmovetoanother
shack,andsetaroundthekitchentableatnight,thePaandMa,and
buildupdreamsastohowthisyearonthisplacetheywasgoingto
makeit.

Granpasaidtheyheldontothatallduringspringandsummeruntil

thecropswasgathered,thenitwasallbitteragain.That’swhythey
movedeveryyear,andfolksthatdidn’tunderstand,calledthem
“shiftless,”whichGranpasaidwasanotherdamnword,likecallingthem
“irresponsible,”ferhavingsomanyyoung’uns—whichtheyhadtodo.

MeandGranpatalkedaboutitonthetrailhomeandhegotso

workedupaboutitthatwerestedmightnearanhour.

Igotworkedupaboutittoo,andseenrightoffthatGranpahada

totalunderstandingofpoliticians.ItoldGranpathatthesonsofbitches
oughttoberunoff.Granpastoppedtalkingaboutit,andcautionedme
againthat“sonofabitch”wasbrand-newcusswordsthatcarriedmuch
starchandthatGranmawouldtotalputusoutofthecabinifIusedthem
aroundher.Imarkedthatdownrightthen.Itwasaprettypowerfulsetof

words.

ThelittlegirlcomeandstoodinfrontofmeonedaywhileIwas

squattin’underthestoreshedeatingtheoldcandy.Thelittlegirl’sPawas
inthestore.Shehadtangled-uphairandherteethwasrotten;Ihoped
OldManBarnettdidn’tseeher.Sheworeatowsackforadressand
juststoodlookingatme,andcrossinghertoesbackandforthinthedirt.
Ifeltrightbad,eatingthecandy,andsoItoldhershecouldlickonitfor
awhile,ifshedidn’tbiteoffany,forIwouldhavetohaveitback.She
tookthecandyandlickedonitprettyregular.

Shesaidshecouldpickahundredpoundsofcottoninaday.She

saidshehadabrotherthatcouldpicktwohundredpoundsandthather
Ma—whenshewasfeelingright—couldpickthreehundred.Shesaid
shehadknowedherPatopickfivehundredpoundsifhepickedintothe
nighttime.

Shesaidtheydidn’tputrocksintheirpickin’sacksneither,tocheat

ontheweight,andwasknowedforgivingahonestday’swork.Shesaid
herwholeandentirefamilywasknowedforthat.

SheaskedmehowmuchcottonIcouldpick,andItoldherIhad

neverpickednone.Shesaidshefiggeredthat;foreverybodyknowed
thatIndianswaslazyandwouldn’twork.Itakenbackmycandy.But
shesaid,afterthat,thatitwasn’tbecausewecouldhelpit—thatwewas
justdifferentandmaybewedoneotherthings.Iletherlicksomemore
onthecandy.

Itwasstillwintertime,andshesaidtheirfamilywasalllisteningforthe

turtledove.Itwaswellknowed,shesaid,thatwhateverdirectionyou
heardtheturtledovecalling,thatwasthedirectionyouwasgoingtomove
thenextyear.

Shesaidtheyhadnotheardityet,butwasexpectingtojustanytime,

fortheyhadbeentotalcheatedbythelandlord,andherPahadfellout
withhimsotheyhadtomove.ShesaidherPahadcometothestoreto
seeabouttalkingtosomebodytherethatmightwantagoodfamilyon
theirplacewhichwasknowedforgivinghonestworkandcausingno
troubleatall.Shesaidsheexpectedtheywouldcomeupwithaboutthe
bestplacetheycouldhaveeverthoughtof,forherPasaidthewordwas
gittin’aroundaboutwhathardworkerstheywas,andsonextyearthey
wouldbesettin’pretty.

Shesaidthatafterthecropswasinonthenewplacetheywouldbe

goingto,shewasgoingtogitadoll.ShesaidherMasaiditwouldbea

store-boughtdollthathadrealhairandeyesthatwouldopenandclose.
Shesaidmorethanlikelyshewouldgitawholelotofotherthingstoo,as
theywouldbepracticalrich.

Itoldherwedidn’townnoland,exceptthemountainhollowwith

ourcornpatch,andthatwewasmountainfolkwithnouseatallfor
valleyfarmingandflatlands.ItoldherIhadadime.

Shewantedtoseeit,butItoldheritwasathomeinafruitjar.Isaid

Ididn’tcarryitbecauseaChristianhadslickeredmeoutoffiftycents
oncet,andIwasnowisefiguringforanother’ntoslickermeoutofmy
dime.

ShesaidshewasaChristian.ShesaidshegottheHolyGhostoncet

atabusharbormeetin’andgotsaved.ShesaidherPaandMagotthe
HolyGhostpracticaleverytimetheywentandsaidtheywouldtalkinthe
unknowntonguewhentheygotit.ShesaidbeingaChristianmadeyou
happyandthatbusharborswastimeswhentheywashappiest,beingfull
oftheHolyGhostandall.ShesaidIwasgoingtohellasIhadn’tbeen
saved.

IseenrightoffshewasaChristian,forwhileshewastalking,shehad

lickedmystickcandydowntopracticalanub.Igotbackwhatwasleft
ofit.

ItoldGranmaaboutthelittlegirl.Granmamadeapairofmoccasin

slippers.Thetoppartofthemoccasinsshemadewithsomeofmycalf
hide,leavingthehairon.Theywerepretty.Granmaputtwolittlered
coloredbeadsonthetopofeachmoccasin.

Nextmonth,whenwewenttothestore,Igivethemoccasinstothe

littlegirlandsheputthemon.ItoldherGranmamadethemforher,and
theydidn’tcostnothing.Sherunupanddowninfrontofthestore,
watchingherfeet,andyoucouldtellshewasproudofthemoccasinsfor
shewouldstopandrunherfingersovertheredbeads.Itoldherthehair
hidecomefrommycalf,whichIhadsoldtoGranma.

WhenherPacomeoutofthestore,shefollowedhimdowntheroad,

skippinginhermoccasins.MeandGranpawatchedthem.Whenthey
gotalittlewaysdowntheroad,themanstoppedandlookedatthelittle
girl.Hetalkedtoher,andshepointedbacktowardsme.

Themanwenttothesideoftheroadandcutakeenswitchfroma

persimmonbush.Heheldthelittlegirlbyonearmandwhippedheron
thelegs,hard,andontheback.Shecried,butshedidn’tmove.He
whippedheruntiltheswitchworeout…andeverybodyunderthestore

shedwatched…buttheydidn’tsayanything.

Thenhemadethelittlegirlsetdownintheroadandpulloffthe

moccasins.Hecomewalkingback,holdingthemoccasinsinhishand,
andmeandGranpastoodup.Hedidn’tpayanyattentiontoGranpa,but
walkedrightupandlookeddownatme,andhisfacewashardandhis
eyesshining.Hepokedthemoccasinsatme—whichItaken—andhe
said,“We’unsdon’ttakenocharity…fromnobody…andespecial
heathensavages!”

Iwasrightscared.Hewhirledaroundandwalkedoffdownthe

road,hisraggedoverallsflapping.Hewalkedrightbythelittlegirl,and
shefollowedhim.Shewasn’tcrying.Shewalkedstiffwithherheadup
realproudanddidn’tturntolookatanybody.Youcouldseethebigred
stripesonherlegs.MeandGranpaleft.

Onthetrail,Granpasaidhedidn’tbearthesharecroppernoill.

Granpasaidhereckinedthatpridewasallhehad…howsoever
misplaced.Hesaidthefellerfiggeredhecouldn’tletthelittlegirl,nerany
ofhisyoung’uns,cometoloveprettythingsfortheycouldn’thavethem.
Sohewhippedthemwhentheyshowedalikingforthingstheycouldn’t
have…andhewhippedthemuntiltheylearned;sothatinalittlewhile,
theyknowedtheywasnottoexpectthemthings.

TheycouldlookforwardtotheHolyGhostasgittin’theirhappy

times,andtheyhadtheirpride—andnextyear.

Granpasaidhedidn’tfaultmefernotcatchingonrightoff.Hesaid

hehadtheadvantage,feryearsago,ashewalkedatrailneara
sharecropper’sshack,hehadseenafellercomeoutinhisbackyard
wheretwoofhislittlegirlswaslooking,settin’underashadetree,ata
SearsRoebuckcatalog.

Granpasaidthatfellertookaswitchandwhippedthemyoung’uns

’tillthebloodrunoutoftheirlegs.Hesaidhewatched,andthefeller
tooktheSearsRoebuckcatalogandhewentoutbehindthebarn.He
burnedupthecatalog,toreitallupfirst,likehehatedthatcatalog.
Granpasaidthenthefellersetdownagainstthebarn,wherenobody
couldseehim,andhecried.Granpasaidheseenthatandsoheknowed.

Granpasaidyehadtounderstand.Butmostpeopledidn’twantto—

itwastoomuchtrouble—sotheyusedwordstocovertheirownlaziness
andcalledotherfolks“shiftless.”

Itotedthemoccasinslippershome.Iputthemundermytowsack

whereIkeptmyoverallsandshirt.Ididn’tlookatthem;theyreminded

meofthelittlegirl.

Shenevercomebacktothecrossroadsstore,nerherPa.SoI

reckintheymoved.

Ifiggeredtheyheardtheturtledovefromfaraway.

ADangerousAdventure

Indianvioletscomefirstinthemountainspringtime.Justaboutwhenyou
figuretherewon’tbeaspring,theretheyare.IcyblueastheMarch
wind,theylieagainsttheground,sotinythatyou’llmissthemunlessyou
lookcloseandsure.

Wepickedthemthereonthemountainside.IhelpedGranma,until

ourfingerswouldgetnumbintherawwind.Granmamadeatonictea
fromthem.ShesaidIwasafastpicker.WhichIwas.

Onthehightrail,wheretheicestillcrunchedbeneathourmoccasins,

wegotevergreenneedles.Granmaputtheminhotwaterandwedrank
thattoo.Itisbetterforyouthananyfruit,andmakesyoufeelgood.Also
therootsandseedsofskunkcabbage.

OnceIlearnedhow,Iwasthebestatacorngathering.AtfirstI

wouldtakeeachacornasIfoundittoGranma’ssack;butshepointed
outthatIcouldwaituntilIgotahandfulbeforeIruntothesack.Itwas
easyforme,beingclosetotheground,sothatIsoonwasabletoget
moreacornsinthesackthanGranma.

Shegroundthemupintoamealthatwasyellow-gold,andmixed

hickor’nutsandwalnutsinthemealandmadebreadfritters;whichthere
hasneverbeenanythingtotastelike.

Sometimesshehadanaccidentinthekitchenandspilledsugarinthe

acornmeal.Shewouldsay,“Durnme,LittleTree.Ispiltsugarinthe
acornmeal.”IneversaidanythingbutwhenshedidthatIalwaysgotan
extrafritter.

MeandGranpawasbothprettyheavyacornfrittereaters.
ThensometimethereinlateMarch,aftertheIndianvioletshadcome,

wewouldbegatheringonthemountainandthewind,rawandmean,
wouldchangeforjustasecond.Itwouldtouchyourfaceassoftasa
feather.Ithadanearthsmell.Youknewspringtimewasontheway.

Thenextday,orthenext(youwouldcommencetoholdyourface

outforthefeel),thesofttouchwouldcomeagain.Itwouldlastalittle
longerandbesweeterandsmellstronger.

Icewouldbreakandmeltonthehighridges,swellingthegroundand

runninglittlefingersofwaterdownintothespringbranch.

Thentheyellowdandelionspokedupeverywherealongthelower

hollow,andwepickedthemforgreens—whicharegoodwhenyoumix
themwithfireweedgreens,pokesalatandnettles.Nettlesmakethebest
greens,buthavelittletinyhairsonthemthatstingyoualloverwhen
you’repicking.MeandGranpamanytimesfailedtonoticeanettle
patch,butGranmawouldfinditandwewouldpickthem.Granpasaid
hehadneverknowedanythinginlifethat,beingpleasurable,didn’thave
adamncatchtoit—somewheres.Whichisright.

Fireweedhasabigpurplefloweronit.Ithasalongstalkwhichyou

canpeelandeatraw,oryoucancookitanditislikeasparagus.

Mustardcomesthroughonthemountainsideinpatchesthatlooklike

yellowblankets.Itgrowslittlebrightcanaryheadswithpepperyleaves.
Granmamixeditwithothergreensandsometimesgroundtheseedsinto
pasteandmadeatablemustard.

Everythinggrowingwildisahundredtimesstrongerthantamethings.

Wepulledthewildonionsfromthegroundandjustahandfulwouldcarry
moreflavorthanabusheloftameonions.

Astheairwarms,andrainscome,themountainflowerspopcolors

outlikepaintbucketshavebeenspilledalloverthemountainsides.
Firecrackerflowershavelong,rounded,redbloomsthataresobright
theylooklikepaintedpaper;theharebellpusheslittlebluebells,dangling
onstemsasfineasvines,fromamongstrocksandcrevices.Bitterroot
hasbiglavender-pinkfaceswithyellowcentersthathugtheground,
whilemoonflowersarehiddendeepinthehollow,long-stemmedand
swayinglikewillowswithpink-redfringesontop.

DifferentkindsofseedarebornatdifferentbodyheatsinMon-o-

lah’swomb.WhenShefirstbeginswarming,onlythetiniestflowers
comethrough.ButasShewarmsmore,biggerflowersareborn,andthe
sapstartsrunningupinthetrees,makingthemswelllikeawomanat
birthingtimeuntiltheypopopentheirbuds.

Whentheairgetsheavysoit’shardtobreathe,youknowwhat’s

coming.Thebirdscomedownfromtheridgesandhideinthehollows
andinthepines.Heavyblackcloudsfloatoverthemountain,andyourun
forthecabin.

Fromthecabinporchwewouldwatchthebigbarsoflightthatstand

forafullsecond,maybetwo,onthemountaintop,runningoutfeelersor
lightningwireinalldirectionsbeforethey’rejerkedbackintothesky.
Crackingclapsofsound,sosharpyouknowsomethinghassplitwide

open—thenthethunderrollsandrumblesovertheridgesandback
throughthehollows.Iwasprettynearsure,atimeortwo,thatthe
mountainswasfallingdown,butGranpasaidtheywasn’t.Whichof
course,theydidn’t.

Thenitcomesagain—androllsbluefireballsoffrocksontheridge

topsandsplatterstheblueintheair.Thetreeswhipandbendinthe
suddenrushesofwind,andthesweepofheavyraincomesthunkingfrom
thecloudsinbigdrops,lettingyouknowthere’ssomerealfrog-strangling
sheetsofwatercomingclosebehind.

FolkswholaughandsaythatallisknownaboutNature,andthat

Naturedon’thaveasoul-spirit,haveneverbeeninamountainspring
storm.WhenShe’sbirthingspring,Shegetsrightdowntoit,tearingat
themountainslikeabirthingwomanclawingatthebedquilts.

Ifatreehasbeenhangingon,havingweatheredallthewinterwinds,

andShefiguresitneedscleaningout,Shewhipsitupoutoftheground
andflingsitdownthemountain.Shegoesoverthebranchesofevery
bushandtree,andafterShefeelsaroundalittlewithHerwindfingers,
thenShewhipsthemcleanandproperofanythingthatisweak.

IfShefiguresatreeneedsremovingandwon’tcomedownfromthe

wind,Shejustwhams!andallthat’sleftisatorchblazingfromalightning
stroke.She’saliveandpaining.You’llbelieveittoo.

GranpasaidShewas—amongstotherthings—tidyingupany

afterbirththatmightbeleftoverfromlastyear;soHernewbirthing
wouldbecleanandstrong.

Whenthestormisover,thenewgrowth,tinyandlight,timid-green,

startsedgingoutonthebushesandtreelimbs.ThenNaturebringsApril
rain.Itwhispersdownsoftandlonesome,makingmistsinthehollows
andonthetrailswhereyouwalkunderthedrippingsfromhanging
branchesoftrees.

Itisagoodfeeling,exciting—butsadtoo—inAprilrain.Granpasaid

healwaysgotthatkindofmixed-upfeeling.Hesaiditwasexciting
becausesomethingnewwasbeingbornanditwassad,becauseyou
knowedyoucan’tholdontoit.Itwillpasstooquick.

Aprilwindissoftandwarmasababy’scrib.Itbreathesonthecrab

appletreeuntilwhiteblossomsopenout,smearedwithpink.Thesmellis
sweeterthanhoneysuckleandbringsbeesswarmingovertheblossoms.
Mountainlaurelwithpink-whitebloomsandpurplecentersgrow
everywhere,fromthehollowstothetopofthemountain,alongsideofthe

dogtoothvioletthathaslong,pointedyellowpetalswithawhitetooth
hangingout(theyalwayslookedtomeliketongues).

Then,whenAprilgetsitswarmest,allofasuddenthecoldhitsyou.

Itstayscoldforfourorfivedays.Thisistomaketheblackberriesbloom
andiscalled“blackberrywinter.”Theblackberrieswillnotbloom
withoutit.That’swhysomeyearstherearenoblackberries.Whenit
ends,that’swhenthedogwoodsbloomoutlikesnowballsoverthe
mountainsideinplacesyouneversuspicionedtheygrew:inapinegrove
orstandofoakofasuddenthere’sabigburstofwhite.

Thewhitefarmersgatheredoutoftheirgardensinlatesummer,but

theIndiangathersfromearlyspring,whenthefirstgreensstartgrowing,
allthroughthesummerandfall,gatheringacornsandnuts.Granpasaid
thewoodswouldfeedyou,ifyoulivedwiththewoods,insteadoftearing
themup.

However,thereisarightsmartbitofworktoit.IfiguredIwasmore

thanlikelybestatberrypicking,forIcouldgetinthemiddleofaberry
patchandneverhavetobenddowntoreachtheberries.Inevergot
muchtiredofpickingberries.

Thereweredewberries,blackberries,elderberries,whichGranpa

saidmakesthebestwine,huckleberriesandtheredbearberries,whichI
couldneverfindhadanytastetothem,butGranmausedthemin
cooking.Ialwaysbroughtbackmoreredbearberriesinmybucketas
theywerenotgoodtoeat,andIetberriesfairlyregularwhileIwas
pickingthem.Granpadidtoo.Buthesaiditwasn’tlikehewaswasting
them,becausewewouldeventuallyeatthemanyway.Whichwasright.
Pokesalatberries,however,arepoisonandtheywillknockyoudeader
thanlastyear’scornstalk.Anyberriesyouseethebirdsdon’teat,you
hadbetternoteat.

Duringberrypickingtime,myteeth,tongueandmouthwasapretty

continualdeepbluecolor.WhenmeandGranpadeliveredourwares,
someflatlandersaroundthecrossroadsstoreremarkedthatIwassick.
Occasionalanewflatlanderwouldgetworkedupaboutitwhenhesaw
me.Granpasaidtheyshowedtheirignoranceofwhataberrypickerhad
toputupwithandIwasn’ttopayanyattentiontothem.WhichIdidn’t.

Thebirdshadatrickaboutwildcherries.AlongaboutJuly,thesun

wouldhavebeenonthecherriesjustenough.

Sometimes,inthelazysunofsummer,afterdinnertime,whenGranma

wouldbenapping,meandGranpawouldbesettingonthebackdoor

stoop.Granpawouldsay.“Let’sgoupthetrail,andseewhatwecan
find.”Upthetrailwewouldgo,andsetdownintheshadeofacherry
treewithourbackstothetrunk.Wewouldwatchthebirds.

Onetimewewatchedathrushturnflipsonalimbandwobbleoutto

theend,likehewaswalkingatightrope,andthenhewalkedplumboff
theend.Arobingottofeelingsogood,thathewobbledrightuptome
andGranpaandlituponGranpa’sknee.HefussedatGranpaandtold
himwhathethoughtaboutthewholething.Heeventuallydecidedhe
wouldsing,buthisvoicesqueakedandhegiveitup.Hestaggeredoff
intothebrush,withmeandGranpapracticallaughingourselvessick.
Granpasaidhelaughedsohardithurthisgizzard.Whichitdidminetoo.

Wesawaredcardinaleatsomanycherriesthathekeeledoverand

passedoutontheground.Weputhiminthecrotchofatreesohe
wouldn’tgetkilledbysomethingduringthenight.

EarlythenextmorningmeandGranpawentbacktothetreeand

therehewas,stillsleeping.Granpapunchedhimawake,andhegotup
feelingmean.HeflewdownatGranpa’sheadatimeortwo,andGranpa
hadtoslapathimwithhishattomakehimgoon.Heflewdowntothe
springbranchandstuckhisheadinthewaterandtakenitout…and
puffedandspewedandlookedaroundlikehewaspersonallygoingto
whipthefirstthinghesaw.

Granpasaidhebelievedthatol’cardinalheldmeandhimpersonally

responsibleforhiscondition,thoughGranpasaidheoughttoknow
better.Granpasaidhehadseenhimbefore—hewasanold-timecherry
eater.

Everybirdthatcomesaroundyourcabininthemountainsisasignof

something.That’swhatthemountainfolksbelieve,andifyouwantto
believeyoucan,forit’sso.Ibelieved.SodidGranpa.

Granpaknewallthebirdsigns.Itisgoodlucktohaveahousewren

liveinyourcabin.Granmahadalittlesquarecutoutofthetopcornerin
thekitchendoor,andourhousewrenflewinandout,buildingherneston
theeavelogoverthekitchenstove.Shenestedthere,andhermate
wouldcomeandfeedher.

Housewrensliketobearoundpeoplewholovebirds.Shewould

cozydowninhernestandwatchusinthekitchenwithlittleblackbead
eyesthatshinedinthelamplight.WhenIwoulddragachaircloseand
standonit,soIcouldgetabetterlook,shewouldfussatme;butshe
wouldn’tleavehernest.

Granpasaidshelovedtofussatme.Itprovedtoherthatshewas

morethanlikelymoreimportantinthefamilythanIwas.

Whippoorwillsstartsingingatdusk.Theygettheirnamefromtheir

callforthatiswhattheysay:whip-or-will,overandover.Ifyoulightthe
lamp,theywillmovecloserandclosertothecabinandwilleventually
singyoutosleep.Theyareasignofnightpeaceandgooddreams,
Granpasaid.

Thescreechowlhollersatnight,andisacomplainer.There’sonly

onewaytoshutupascreechowl;youlayabroomacrosstheopen
kitchendoor.GranmadonethisandI’veneverseenitfail.Thescreech
owlwillalwaysstopcomplaining.

Thejoreeonlysingsintheday,andheiscalledjoreebecausethatis

allheeversings…jo-ree…overandover,butifhecomesclosetothe
cabin,heisacertainsignthatyouwillnotgetsickatallfortheentire
summer.

Thebluejayplayingaroundthecabinmeansyouaregoingtohave

plentyofgoodtimesandfun.Thebluejayisaclownandbouncesonthe
endsofbranchesandturnsflipsandteasesotherbirds.

Theredcardinalmeansyouaregoingtogetsomemoney,andthe

turtledovedon’tmeantomountainfolkwhattheymeantoa
sharecropper.Whenyouhearaturtledove,itmeansthatsomebodyloves
youandhassenttheturtledovetotellyou.

Themourningdovecallslateatnightandnevercomesclose.Hecalls

fromfarbackinthemountainanditisalong,lonesomecallthatsounds
likeheismourning.Granpasaidheis.Hesaidifafellerdiedanddidn’t
haveanybodyinthewholeworldtorememberhimandcryforhim,the
mourningdovewouldrememberandmourn.Granpasaidifyoudied
somewheresfaroff,evenacrossthegreatwaters,thatifyouwasa
mountainmanyouwouldknowyouwouldberememberedbythe
mourningdove.Hesaiditlentamatterofpeacetoafeller’smind,
knowingthat.WhichIknowitdidformymind.

Granpasaidifyourecollectedsomebodyyoulovedwhohadpassed

on,thenthemourningdovewouldnothavetomournhim.Youwould
knowthenthathewasmourningforsomebodyelse,andtheydidn’t
soundmightnearaslonesome.WhenIheardhim,lateatnight,whileI
layinmybedstead,IwouldrememberMa.ThenIwasn’taslonesome.

Birds,justlikeeverythingelse,knowifyoulikethem.Ifyoudo,then

theywillcomeallaroundyou.Ourmountainsandhollowswasfilledwith

birds:mockingbirdsandflickers,red-wingedblackbirdsandindianhens,
meadowlarksandchip-wills,robinsandbluebirds,hummingbirdsand
martins—somanythatthereisnowaytotellofthemall.

Westoppedtrappinginthespringandsummer.Granpasaidthatthere
wasnowayintheworldthatafellercouldmateandfightatthesame
time.Hesaidanimalscouldn’teither.Granpasaideveniftheycouldmate
andyouhuntingthem,theycouldnotraisetheiryoung,andsoyouwould
eventualstarvetodeath.Wetakenprettyheavytofishinginthespring
andsummer.

TheIndianneverfishesorhuntsforsport,onlyforfood.Granpasaid

itwasthesilliestdamnthingintheworldtogoaroundkillingsomething
forsport.Hesaidthewholething,morethanlikely,wasthoughtupby
politiciansbetweenwarswhentheywasn’tgittin’peoplekilledsothey
couldkeeptheirhandinonkilling.Granpasaidthatidjitstakenitup
withoutalickofthinkingatit,butifyoucouldcheckitout—politicians
startedit.Whichislikely.

Wemadefishbasketsoutofwillows.Wewovethewillowstogether

andmadebasketsmaybethreefeetlong.Atthemouthofthebasket,we
turnedthewillowendsdownandsharpenedthemintopoints.Thisway,
thefishcouldswimintothebasket,andthelittleonescouldswimback
out,butthebigfishcouldn’tcomeoutthroughthesharppoints.Granma
baitedthebasketswithmealballs.

Sometimeswebaitedthemwithfiddleworms.Yougetfiddleworms

bydrivingastobinthegroundandrubbing,or“fiddling,”aboardacross
thetopofthestob.Thefiddlerwormswillcomeoutontopofthe
ground.

WetotedthebasketsuptheNarrowstothecreek.Therewetied

themwithalinetoatreeandloweredthemintothewater.Thenextday
wewouldcomebackandgetourfish.

Therewouldbebigcatfishandbassinthebasket…sometimesa

brim,andonceIgotatroutinmybasket.Sometimeswecaughtturtlesin
thebaskets.Theyaregoodwhencookedwithmustardgreens.Ilikedto
pullupthebaskets.

Granpataughtmetohandfish.Thiswashow,thesecondtimeinmy

fiveyearsofliving,Inearlygotkilled.Thefirsttime,ofcourse,was
workinginthewhiskeytradewhenthetaxlawmightnearcaughtme.I
wasmorethancertainsuretheywouldhavetakenmetothesettlement

andhangedme.Granpasaid,morethanlikelytheywouldn’thaveashe
hadneverknowedsuchcasetohappen.ButGranpadidn’tseethem.
Theywasn’tchasinghim.Thistime,however,Granpanearlygotkilled
too.

Itwasinthemiddleoftheday,whichisthebesttimetohandfish.

Thesunhitsthemiddleofthecreekandthefishmovebackunderthe
bankstolieinthecoolanddoze.

Thisiswhenyoulaydownonthecreekbankandeaseyourhands

intothewaterandfeelforthefishholes.Whenyoufindone,youbring
yourhandsineasyandslow,untilyoufeelthefish.Ifyouarepatient,you
canrubyourhandsalongthesidesofthefishandhewilllieinthewater
whileyourubhim.

Thenyoutakeoneholdbehindhishead,theotheronhistail,andlift

himoutofthewater.Ittakessometimetolearn.

Thisday,Granpawaslayingonthebankandhadalreadypulleda

catfishoutofthewater.Icouldn’tfindafishhole,soIwentawaysdown
thebank.Ilaydownandeasedmyhandsintothewater,feelingforafish
hole.Iheardasoundrightbyme.Itwasadryrustlethatstartedslow
andgotfasteruntilitmadeawhirringnoise.

Iturnedmyheadtowardthesound.Itwasarattlesnake.Hewas

coiledtostrike,hisheadintheair,andlookingdownonme,notsix
inchesfrommyface.Ifrozestiffandcouldn’tmove.Hewasbigger
aroundthanmylegandIcouldseeripplesmovingunderhisdryskin.He
wasmad.Meandthesnakestaredateachother.Hewasflickingouthis
tongue—nearlyinmyface—andhiseyeswasslitted—redandmean.

Theendofhistailbegantoflutterfasterandfaster,makingthe

whirringsoundgethigher.Thenhishead,shapedlikeabigV,begunto
weavejustalittle,backandforth,forhewasdecidingwhatpartofmy
facetohit.IknewhewasabouttostrikemebutIcouldn’tmove.

Ashadowfellonthegroundovermeandthesnake.Ihadn’theard

himcomingatallbutIknewitwasGranpa.Softandeasy,likehewas
remarkingabouttheweather,Granpasaid,“Don’tturnyerhead.Don’t
move,LittleTree.Don’tblinkyereyes.”WhichIdidn’t.Thesnake
raisedhisheadhigher,gettingreadytohitme.Ithoughthewouldnot
stopraisingup.

Then,ofasudden,Granpa’sbighandcomebetweenmyfaceand

thesnake’shead.Thehandstayedthere.Therattlerdrewuphigher.He
beguntohiss,andrattledasolidwhirringsound.IfGranpahadmoved

hishand…orflinched,thesnakewouldhavehitmesquareintheface.I
knewittoo.

Buthedidn’t.Thehandstayedsteadyasarock.Icouldseethebig

veinsonthebackofGranpa’shand.Therewasbeadsofsweatstanding
outtoo,shiningagainstthecopperskin.Therewasn’tatremblenora
shakeinthehand.

Therattlerstruck,fastandhard.HehitGranpa’shandlikeabullet;

butthehandnevermovedatall.Isawtheneedlefangsburyupinthe
meatastherattler’sjawstookuphalfhishand.

Granpamovedhisotherhand,andgrabbedtherattlerbehindthe

head,andhesqueezed.Therattlercomeupoffthegroundandwrapped
himselfaroundandaroundGranpa’sarm.HethrashedatGranpa’shead
withhisrattlingend,andbeathiminthefacewithit.ButGranpawouldn’t
turnloose.Hechokedthatsnaketodeathwithonehand,untilIheard
thecrackofbackbone.Thenhethrowedhimontheground.

Granpasetdownandwhippedouthislongknife.Hereachedover

andcutbigslashesinhishandwherethesnakehadbit.Bloodwas
runningoverhishandanddownhisarm.IcrawledovertoGranpa…for
Iwasweakasdishwater,anddidn’tthinkIcouldwalk.Ipulledmyselfto
standingbyholdingontoGranpa’sshoulder.Hewassuckingtheblood
outoftheknifeslashandspittingitontheground.Ididn’tknowwhatto
do,soIsaid,“Thankee,Granpa.”Granpalookedatmeandgrinned.He
hadbloodsmearedoverhismouthandface.

“Helldamnfire!”Granpasaid.“Weshowedthatsonofabitch,didn’t

we?”

“Yes,sir,”Isaid,feelingbetteraboutthewholething.“Weshowed

thatsonofabitch.”ThoughIcouldn’trightlyrecallashavingmuchtodo
withtheshowing.

Granpa’shandcommencedtogetbiggerandbigger.Itwasturning

blue.Hetakenhislongknifeandsplitthesleeveofhisdeershirt.The
armwastwiceasbigashisotherone.Igotscared.

Granpatakenoffhishatandfannedhisface.“Hotashell,”hesaid,

“ferthistimeofyear.”Hisfacelookedfunny.Nowhisarmwasturning
blue.

“I’mgoingforGranma,”Isaid.Istartedoff.Granpalookedafterme

andhiseyesstaredoff,faraway.

“ReckinI’llrestaspell,”hesaid,calmassyrup.“I’llbealong

directly.”

IrundowntheNarrowstrail,andIguessmaybethatnothingbutmy

toestouchedtheground.Icouldn’tseegood,formyeyeswasblinded
withtearsthoughIdidn’tcry.WhenIturnedontothehollowtrail,my
chestwasburninglikefire.Icommencedtofalldown,runningdownthe
hollowtrail,sometimesinthespringbranch,butIscrambledrightup
again.Ileftthetrailandcutthroughbriersandbushes.IknewGranpa
wasdying.

ThecabinlookedcrazyandtiltedwhenIrunintotheclearing,andI

triedtoyellforGranma…butnothingwouldcomeout.Ifellthroughthe
kitchendoorandrightintoGranma’sarms.Granmaheldmeandputcold
wateronmyface.Shelookedatmesteadyandsaid,“Whathappened
—where?”Itriedtogetitout.“Granpa’sdying…”Iwhispered,
“rattlesnake…creekbank.”Granmadroppedmeflatonthefloor,which
knockedtherestofthewindoutofme.

Shegrabbedasackandwasgone.Icanseehernow;fullskirt,with

hairbraidsflyingbehindandhertinymoccasinfeetflyingovertheground.
Shecouldrun!Shehadnotsaidanything,“OhLord!’’ornothing.She
neverhesitatednorlookedaround.Iwasonmyhandsandkneesinthe
kitchendoor,andIholleredafterher,“Don’tletGranpadie!”Shenever
sloweddown,runningfromtheclearingupthetrail.Iscreamedasloud
asIcould,anditechoedupthehollow,“Don’tlethimdie,Granma!”I
figured,morethanlikely,Granmawouldn’tlethimdie.

IturnedthedogsoutandtheytookoffafterGranma,howlingand

bayingupthetrail.Iranbehindthem,fastasIcould.

WhenIgotthere,Granpawaslayingflatout.Granmahadpropped

hisheadup,andthedogswascirclingaround,whining.Granpa’seyes
wasclosedandhisarmwasnearlyblack.

Granmahadslashedhishandagainandwassuckingonit,spitting

bloodontheground.WhenIstumbledup,shepointedtoabirchtree.
“Pullthebarkoff,LittleTree.”

IgrabbedGranpa’slongknifeandstrippedthebarkoffthetree.

Granmabuiltafire,usingthebirchbarktostartit,foritwillburnlike
paper.Shedippedwateroutofthecreekandhungacanoverthefire
andcommencedtoputrootsandseedsintoit;andsomeleavesthatshe
hadtakenfromthesack.Idon’tknowallofwhatwasused,butthe
leaveswaslobelia,forGranmasaidthatGranpahadtohaveittohelp
himbreathe.

Granpa’schestwasmovingslowandhard.Whilethecanwas

heating,Granmastoodandlookedaround.Ihadn’tseenanythingatall
…butfiftyyardsoff,againstthemountain,therewasaquailnestingon
theground.Granmaundidherbigskirtandletitdropontheground.She
hadn’tanythingonunderit.Herlegslookedlikeagirl’s,withlong
musclesmovingunderthecopperskin.

Shetiedthetopoftheskirttogether,andtiedrocksaroundinthe

bottomoftheskirt.Thenshemovedonthequail’snestlikeawind
whisper.Justattherighttime—sheknew—thequailroseoffthenest,
andshethrewtheskirtoverit.

Shebroughtthequailback,andwhileitwasstillalive,shesplitit

frombreastbonetotail,andspraddledit,kicking,overGranpa’ssnake
bite.SheheldthekickingquailonGranpa’shandforalongtime,and
whenshetookitoff,thequailhadturnedgreenalloveritsinside.Itwas
poisonfromthesnake.

Theeveningworeon,andGranmaworkedoverGranpa.Thedogs

setaroundusinacircle,watching.Nighttimefell,andGranmahadme
buildupthefire.ShesaidwehadtokeepGranpawarmandcouldn’t
movehim.Shetakenherskirtandlaiditoverhim.Itakenoffmydeer
shirtandlaiditonhimtoo,andwastakingoffmybritches,butGranma
saidthatwasn’tnecessary,asmybritcheswasn’thardlybigenoughto
coveroneofGranpa’sfeet.Whichtheywasn’t.

Ikeptthefiregoing.GranmahadmebuildanotherfirenearGranpa’s

headandsoIkeptthembothgoing.GranmalaiddownbyGranpa,
holdingclosetohim,forshesaidherbodyheatwouldhelp…andsoI
laidbyGranpaontheotherside;thoughIreckinedmybodywasn’t
hardlybigenoughtoheatupmuchofGranpa.ButGranmasaidIhelped.
ItoldGranmaIdidn’tseehardlyanywayatallthatGranpawoulddie.

Itoldherhowitallhappened,andthatIreckineditwasmyfaultfor

notwatching.Granmasaiditwasn’tanybody’sfault,noteventhe
rattlesnake’s.Shesaidwewasn’ttoplacefaultnergainonanythingthat
justhappened.Whichmademefeelsomebetter,butnotmuch.

Granpacommencedtotalk.Hewasaboyagain,runningthroughthe

mountains,andhetoldallaboutit.Granmasaidthiswasbecausehewas
recollectingwhilehewassleeping.Hetalked,offandon,allnight.Just
beforedawn,hequietenedandbeguntobreatheeasyandregular.Itold
GranmathewayIseeit,therewasn’tmightnearanywayatallthat
Granpacoulddienow.Shesaidhewasn’tgoingto.SoIwenttosleepin
thecrookofhisarm.

Iwokeatsunup…justasthefirstlighttoppedthemountain.Granpa

setup,allofasudden.Helookeddownatme,andthenatGranma.He
said,“ByGod!BonnieBee,afellercan’tlayhisbodydownnowheres
withoutyoustrippingbucknakedandhunchingat’em.”

GranmaslappedGranpa’sfaceandlaughed.Sheroseandputonher

skirt.IknewGranpawasallright.Hewouldn’tleaveforhomeuntilhe
hadskinnedtherattler.HesaidGranmawouldmakeabeltforme,from
itsskin.Whichshedid.

WeheadeddowntheNarrowstrailforthecabin,thedogsrunning

ahead.Granpawasalittleweak-kneed,andheldGranmaclose,helping
himtowalk,Ireckined.Itrottedalongbehindthem,feelingmightnear
thebestIhadeverfeltsincecomingtothemountains.

ThoughGranpanevermentionedputtinghishandbetweenmeand

thesnake,Ifigured,nexttoGranma,morethanlikelyGranpakinnedme
morethananybodyelseintheworld,evenBlueBoy.

TheFarmintheClearing

Thatnightbythecreek,layingnexttoGranpa,IguessIwassurprisedto
findoutGranpahadeverbeenaboy.Buthehad.

Throughthenight,hismindtakenhimback,andhewasaboyagain.

Granpawasnineyearsoldin1867.Hehadtherunofthemountains.His
MawasRedWing,fullCherokee,andhewasraisedlikeallCherokee
young,whichmeanthecouldrambleashepleasedinthemountains.

ThelandwasoccupiedbyUnionsoldiersandrunbypoliticians.

Granpa’sPahadfoughtonthelosingside.Hehadenemies…andso
didn’tventureoutofthemountainshardlyanyatall.Granparunerrands
tothesettlementwhenitwasneeded,fornobodypaidanyattentiontoan
Indianboy.

ItwasononeofhisramblingsthatGranpafoundthelittlevalley.It

wasdeepbetweenhighmountainsandgrowedupwithweedsand
bushesandtangledoverwithvines.Nothinghadbeenplantedinthe
valleyinalongtime,butGranpacouldtellthatonceithadbeenplanted,
foritwasclearedoftrees.

Anoldhousesetattheendofthevalley,closetothemountains.It

hadasaggingporchandbricksfallingoffthechimneyandforawhile
Granpapaidnoattentiontothehouse.Thenhecommencedtoseelife
arounditandknewsomebodywaslivinginit.Heslippeddowncloser,
offthemountain,towatchthroughthebushesatthepeoplearoundthe
house.Theywasn’tmuch.

Therewasn’tachickenontheplace,likemostwhitepeoplehad,or

acowformilking,noramuleforplowing.Therewasn’tanythingexcept
somebroke-downfarmingtoolslayingasideanoldbarn.Thepeople
lookedaboutliketheplace.

Thewomanlookedfrailedandwore-outtoGranpa.Shehadtwo

young’unswholookedworse;littlegirlswitholdfaces.Theywasdirty
andhadstringyhairandlegslikecanes.

Anoldblackmanlivedinthebarn.Hewasbaldwithawhitefringe

ofhairaroundhishead.Granpafiguredhewasdying,forheshuffled
along,barelywalking,andhewasstoopedovertowardtheground.

Granpahadbeenabouttoturnawaywhenhesawsomebodyelse.It

wasamanwearingwhatwasleftofaraggedgrayuniform.Hewastall
andhehadoneleg.Hecomeoutofthehouse,stabbingalongona
hickorysaplingthathehadstrappedtothestumpofhisotherleg.Granpa
watchedwhiletheone-leggedmanandthewomanwalkedtothebarn.
Theystrappedleatherharnessonthemselves,andGranpacouldn’tfigure
whattheywasdoinguntilhesawthemgoingtothevalleyinfrontofthe
house.

Theoldblackmanfollowedthem.Hewasstaggeringalong,tryingto

holdupplowstocks.Theygotinfrontofthehouseandcommencedto
bendandpullintheirharness.Theoldblackmantriedtoguidetheplow.
Granpathoughttheywascrazy,tryingtopullaplowlikeamule.Butthey
pulledit.Notveryfaratatime—onlyafewsteps—buttheypulledit.
Theywouldstopandstartagain.

Theywasn’tdoingmuchgood.Iftheoldblackmantiltedtheplow

toomuch,itwentdeepintheground,sotheycouldn’tpull,andsothey
wouldhavetobackup,whiletheoldblackmanpulledandhauledatthe
plow,fallingdownandgettingupagain,tryingtogettheplowsetagain.It
wastooshallowforrealturningofland.Granpafiguredtheywouldnever
getitplowed.

Heleftthatevening,whiletheywasstillatit,pullingandtugging.He

comebackthenextmorningtowatch.Theywasinthefieldwhen
Granpagottohishidingplace.Theyhadn’tplowedenoughgroundto
evenseeovertheweeds.WhileGranpawatched,theplowpointhung
underarootandjerkedtheoldblackmandown.Hestayeddownalong
timeonhishandsandkneesbeforehegotbackup.That’swhenGranpa
sawtheUnionsoldiers.

Hemovedbackintoadeepferngrowthandkepthiseyeonthem.

Theydidn’tscarehim,forthoughhewasonlynineyearsold,Granpa
wasIndian-wise,andcouldmoverightthroughthewholepatrolwithout
themseeinghim,andheknewit.

Therewasadozenmeninthepatrol,allonhorseback.Abigman

withstripesofyellowonhisarmswasleadingthem,andtheywere
stoppedbackinapinegrove,watchingtheplowingtoo.Theywatched
forawhile,thenrodeonoutofsight.

Granpawenthandfishingonacreek,andcomebackbylatethat

eveningwithhisfish.Theywasstillatit,butgoingsoslowandtiredthey
waspracticalcrawling.ThenGranpa’shawkeyescaughttheyellowflash
inthetrees.ItwastheUnionpatrolleader,backinthepines.Hewasby

himselfandhewaswatchingagain.Granpaslippedontoabacktrailto
home.

Thatnighthegottofiguring.HefiguredtheUnionsoldierwiththe

yellowstripeswasuptomeanness,andhedeterminedhewouldwarn
thepeopleintheoldhousethattheywasbeingwatched.Nextmorning,
hesethimselftodojustthat.

Hegottohishidingplace,butGranpawasshyofpeople.Hewaited,

tryingtofigurehowtogoaboutit.Theywasoutinthefield,jerkingatthe
oldplowagain.Hehadaboutdecidedhewouldleapoutinthefield,
hollerwhathewantedtotellthem,andthenrun.Buthewastoolate;he
sawtheUnionsoldierwiththeyellowstripes.

Hewasstillawaysoffinthepines,andhehadanotherhorsewith

himbutnobodywasonit.Ashecomecloser,Granpasawitwasnota
horsebutamule.Itwastheworst-lookingmuleGranpahadeverseen,
hipbonesstickingout,andribs.Itsearsfloppeddownoveritsbony
face,butitwasamule.TheUnionsoldierwasdrivingtheoldmuleahead
ofhim.Justashegottotheedgeofthewoods,thesoldierstrappedthe
oldmulewithawhip,andittakenoutacrossthefield.Thesoldierstayed
backinthewoodsonhishorse.

Thewomansawthemulefirst.Shedroppedherharnessandstared

atthemulerunningacrossthefield.Thenshehollered,“LordGod
almighty!H’it’samule.He’ssentusamule!”Shetakenoutafterthe
mule,runningthroughthebushes.Theoldblackmantakenouttoo,
runningandfalling,tryingtocatchup.

ThemulerunstraighttowardwhereGranpawashiding.Whenitgot

close,Granpajumpedupandwavedhisarmsandthemuleswerved
backintothefieldandheadedforthewoodsovertooneside.The
soldierhadcircledhishorseinthewoods,andhescaredthemuleback
intothefield.NeitherGranpanorthesoldierwasnoticed,forthewoman
andtheoldblackmanhadtheireyesonthemule.

Theone-leggedmanwastryingtorun,stumpinghishickorysapling

intotheground,andfallingflatdowneveryfewsteps.Thetwoyoung’uns
wasrunning,holleringthroughbriers,tryingtoheadthemuleoff.

Theoldmulegotconfusedandrunbackthroughthewholecrowdof

them.Thewomangrabbedhistail.Hejerkedheroffherfeetbutsheheld
on,themuledraggingherthroughthebushes,tearingoffherdress.The
oldblackmansprungatthemuleandgotholdonhisneck.Hewasflung
aroundlikearagdoll,butheheldonlikehewoulddieifheturnedloose.

100

Theoldmulegiveitupandstopped.

Theone-leggedmanandtheyoung’unscomeup.Heputaleather

straparoundtheoldmule’shead.Theyallwalkedaroundtheoldmule,
pettinghimandrubbinghimlikehewasthefinestmuleintheworld.
Granpathoughttheoldmulecommencedtofeelprettygoodaboutthe
wholething.

Thentheyallkneltdowninthefieldinacirclearoundtheoldmule,

andstayedagoodwhilethatway,withtheirheadsturnedtotheground.

Granpawatchedthemhitchthemuletotheplow.Firstonewould

plowbehindthemulethenanother’n—eventheyoung’uns.Granpa
watchedfromthebushesandkepthiseyeonthesoldierwatchingthem
fromthewoods.

ThevalleygottobesomethingthatGranpakeptwatchonright

regular.Hehadtoseehowtheplowingwouldcomeout.Inthreedays’
time,theyhadturnedaquarterofthefield.

Onthemorningofthefourthday,GranpasawtheUnionsoldierdrop

awhitesackattheendofthefield.Theone-leggedmansawhimtoo.He
halfliftedhishandtowave,likehewasn’tsurehe’doughtto.TheUnion
soldierdonethesame,androdeoffintothewoods.Itwasasackof
seedcorn.

Thenextmorning,whenGranpagottothevalley,theUnionsoldier

wasdismountedinfrontofthehouse.Hewastalkingwiththeone-legged
manandtheoldblackman.Granpaedgedinclosetohearthem.

InalittlewhiletheUnionsoldierwasplowingtheoldmule.Hehad

theplowlinestiedandloopedaroundhisneck,andGranpacouldtellhe
knewhisbusiness.Everyonceinawhile,hewouldstopthemule.He
wouldreachdownandgetahandfuloffreshturnedearthandsmellofit.
Sometimeshewouldeventasteit.Thenhewouldcrumblethedirtinhis
handandstartplowingagain.

Turnedout,hewasasergeant,andhewasafarmerfromIllinois.

Usually,hecouldn’tshowuptoplowuntilnearlysundown,whenhe
couldslipawayfromthearmypost.Buthecomeandplowednearly
everyday.

Oneeveninghebroughtaskinnyprivatewithhim.Helookedtoo

youngtobeinthearmy,buthewas.Hecommencedcomingwiththe
sergeanteveryevening.Hebroughtlittlebusheswithhim.Theywas
appletrees.

Hewouldsetoneoutontheedgeofthefieldandworkatitforan

101

hour,gettingitsetinandwatered.Hewouldpatthegroundaroundit,
pruneitup,fixframesofwoodtoputaroundit,andthensetbackand
lookatitlikeitwasthefirstappletreehehadeverseen.

Thetwolittlegirlstakentohelpinghim,andinamonth’stimehehad

completelyringedthefieldwithappletrees.Turnedout,hewasfrom
NewYorkandcomefromappleraisingashistrade.Bythetimehehad
allhisappletreesputout,therestofthemhadtheentirevalleyplantedin
corn.

Granpaleftadozencatfishonthefrontporchafterdarkonetime.

Thenextevening,theycookedthecatfishandwaseatingthemoffatable
setunderatreeintheyard.Occasionally,whiletheywaseating,the
sergeantorthewomanwouldstandupandwavetowardthemountains,
invitingGranpain.TheyknewanIndianhadleftthefishbuttheycould
neverspotGranpa,theyjustwavedatthemountains.NotbeingIndian,
theycouldnevertellhowtoseparateawrongcolorfromthewoods
aroundit.Granpaneverwentin.Heleftthemsomemorefish,though.He
wouldhangthefishontreelimbsneartheyard,forhewasafraidtogo
onthefrontporchanymore.

Granpasaidheleftthemthefishbecause,themnotbeingIndian,and

sobeingignorant,theywouldlikelytotalstarvetodeathbeforethey
couldgettheircropin.Andtoo,hewasnot,nowise,goingtobeoutdone
byaUnionsoldier,neranytwoofthem,thoughhedrawedthelineat
cropraising,nottakenuptoofavorablewithplowingandsuch.

Theskinnyprivateandthelittlegirlsdrawedwaterfromthewellat

duskeveryevening.Theytotedbuckets,sloshingwater,andwatered
everyappletree.Thiswentonwhiletheotherwashoeingandthinning
thecorn.GranparealizedtheUnionsergeantwasastotalcrazyabout
hoeingashehadbeenaboutplowing.Thecornwasup,darkgreen,
whichmeantitwasagoodcorncrop.Theappletreestakentosprigging
green.

Itwassummerthen;thedayslong,andduskeveningslowincoming.

Thesergeantandtheprivatecouldgetintwoorthreehoursworkbefore
theyhadtoleaveandgobacktothearmypost.

Inthecoolofthedusk,justasthewhippoorwillsstartedtosing,they

wouldallstandinthefrontyardandlookoutoverthefield.Thesergeant
smokedhispipe,andthetwolittlegirlsstoodcloseastheycouldtothe
skinnyprivate.Hishandswasalwayscakedwithdirtfromclawing
aroundhisappletrees,forhewouldnottrustahoetoworkaround

102

them.

Thesergeantwouldtakehispipeinhishand.“It’sgoodland,”he

wouldsaywithhiseyesonthefieldlikehewouldeatthegroundifhe
could.

“Yes,”theone-leggedmanwouldsay,“it’sgoodland.”
“BestcorncropIeverseed,”theoldblackmanwouldsay.He

wouldsayiteveryevening.Granpasaidheslippedclose,butallthey
everdonewasstandandstareatthefields…andsaythesamethings
everyevening,likethefieldwassomekindofnaturalwondertheywasall
supposedtostareat.Theskinnyprivatewouldalwayssay,“Waitayear
—whenthemappletreesstartblooming…youain’tneverseennothing
likeit.”Thelittlegirlswouldgiggle,whichmadethemlookyounger.

Thesergeantwouldpointwithhispipe.“Nownextyear,you’llwant

toclearthatlittleneckofbrushagainstthefarmountain.It’llmakemaybe
three,fouracresofcorn.”

Granpacouldseethelittlevalleywaslookingmightnearlikethere

wasnothingelsecouldbedonetoit.Hesaiditlookedliketheyhad
everythingset.Hecommencedtoloseinterestinthewholething.But
thentheRegulatorscome.

Theyrodeinoneeveningwhenthesunwasstillhigh,adozenof

them.Theyhadfancyuniformsandguns,andrepresentedthepoliticians
whopassednew-setlawsandraisedtaxes.

Ridinguptothehouseyard,theyplantedapoleintheyard,andon

topofthepoletheyputaredflag.Granpaknewwhattheredflagmeant.
Hehadseenitaroundinthesettlements.Itmeantsomepoliticianwanted
yourproperty,andsotheyraisedthetaxesonithighenoughthatyou
couldn’tpayit.Thentheyputuptheredflag,meaningtheywasgoingto
takeitover.

Theone-leggedman,thewoman,andtheoldblackmanandthe

young’uns,allcomeoutofthefieldwiththeirhoeswhentheysawthe
Regulators.Theybunchedupintheyard.Granpasawtheone-legged
manthrowdownhishoeandgointhehouse.Inaminute,hestumped
backoutandhehadanoldmusketinhishands.Hepointeditatthe
Regulators.

TheUnionsergeantrodeup.Theskinnyprivatewasn’twithhim.The

sergeantgotoffhishorseandsteppedbetweentheRegulatorsandthe
one-leggedman.Aboutthattime,aRegulatorfiredhisgun,andthe
sergeantstaggeredback,lookingsurprisedandhurt.Hishattumbledoff

103

hishead,andhefelltotheground.

Theone-leggedmanshotoffhismusketandhitaRegulator,andthe

Regulatorscommencedfiringtheirguns.Theykilledtheone-leggedman
andhefellofftheporch.Thewomanandlittlegirlsrunscreamingtohim.
TheytriedtoprophimupbutGranpaknewhewasdead,forhisneck
waslimp.

GranpasawtheoldblackmanrunattheRegulatorswithhishoe

raisedupintheair.Theyshothimtwoorthreetimesandhefell,laying
overhishoehandle.Thentheyrodeoff.

Granpatooktothebacktrail,forhewassuretheywouldcircle

about,makingtoknowthattheyhadn’tbeenseen.HetoldhisPaabout
itandexpectedtherewouldbetroubleoverit,buttherewasn’t.

Granpafoundoutinthesettlementhowitwaspassedoff.The

politicianspasseditoutthatitlookedlikeanuprising,andtheywasgoing
tohavetobereelectedtohandleitandgetmoremoneyforwhatlooked
likeawar.Peoplegotworkedupaboutit,andtoldthepoliticianstogo
toit.Whichtheydid.

Arichmantookoverthevalley.Granpaneverknewwhathappened

tothewomanandtheyoung’uns.Therichmanbroughtinsharecroppers.
Thelandandweatherbeingasitis,youcan’traiseapplesinbigenough
bunchestomakerealmoney,sotheyploweduptheappletrees.

WordwaspassedthataprivatefromNewYorkdesertedthearmy.

Hewaspostedasacoward,runningoutonauprisingandall.

Granpasaidtheyboxedthesergeantuptosendhisremainsandsuch

backtoIllinois.Hesaidwhentheywenttofixhimanddresshim,oneof
hishandswasclenchedintoafist.Theytriedtounclenchthefist,and
finallyhadtotaketoolstodoit.Theygothisfistopen,buttherewasn’t
anythinginitworthwhile.Nothingbutahandfulofblackdirtfellout.

104

ANightontheMountain

MeandGranpathoughtIndian.Laterpeoplewouldtellmethatthisis
naive—butIknew—andIrememberedwhatGranpasaidabout
“words.”Ifitis“naive,”itdoesnotmatter,foritisalsogood.Granpa
saiditwouldalwayscarrymethrough…whichithas;likethetimethe
big-citymenmadeatriptoourmountains.

GranpawashalfScot,buthethoughtIndian.Suchseemedtobethe

casewithothers,likethegreatRedEagle,BillWeatherford,orEmperor
McGilveryorMcIntosh.Theygavethemselves,astheIndiandid,to
nature,nottryingtosubdueit,orpervertit,buttolivewithit.Andso
theylovedthethought,andlovingitgrewtobeit,sothattheycouldnot
thinkasthewhiteman.

Granpatoldme.TheIndianbroughtsomethingtotradeandlaiditat

thewhiteman’sfeet.Ifhesawnothinghewanted,hepickeduphis
waresandwalkedoff.Thewhiteman,notunderstanding,calledhiman
“Indiangiver”meaningonewhogivesandthentakesback.Thisisnot
so.IftheIndiangivesagift,hewillmakenoceremonyofit,butwill
simplyleaveittobefound.

GranpasaidtheIndianheldhispalmuptoshow“peace,”thathe

heldnoweapon.ThiswaslogicaltoGranpabutseemedfunnyashellto
everybodyelse.Granpasaidthewhitemanmeantthesamethingby
shakinghands,excepthiswordswassocrooked,hehadtotrytoshake
aweaponoutofthesleeveofthefellerwhoclaimedhewasafriend.
Granpawasnotgivenmuchtohandshaking,ashesaidhedidn’tlikefor
amantotrytoshakesomethingoutofhissleeveafterhehadpresented
himselfasafriend.Itwastotaldistrustfulofaman’sword.Whichis
reasonable.

Astofolkssaying,“How!”andthenlaughingwhentheyseean

Indian,Granpasaiditallcomeaboutoveracoupleofhundredyears.He
saideverytimetheIndianmetawhiteman,thewhitemancommencedto
askhim:howareyoufeeling,orhowareyourpeople,orhowareyou
gettingalong,orhowisthegamewhereyoucomefrom,andsoon.He
saidtheIndiancometobelievethatthewhiteman’sfavoritesubjectwas
how;andso,beingpolite,whenhemetthewhiteman,hefiguredhe

105

wouldjustsayhow,andthenletthesonofabitchtalkaboutwhichever
howhewantedto.Granpasaidpeoplelaughingatthatwaslaughingat
anIndianwhowastryingtobecourteousandconsiderate.

WehaddeliveredourwarestothecrossroadsstoreandMr.Jenkins

saidtwobig-citymenhadbeenthere.Hesaidtheywasfrom
Chattanoogaanddrovealongblackautomobile.Mr.Jenkinssaidthey
wantedtotalktoGranpa.

GranpalookedatMr.Jenkinsfromunderhisbighat.“Taxlaw?”
“No,”Mr.Jenkinssaid.“Theywasn’tlawatall.Saidtheywasinthe

whiskeytrade.Saidtheyheardtellyouwasagoodmakerandthey
wantedtoputyouinabigstill,andthatyoucouldgetrichworkingfor
them.”

Granpadidn’tsayanything.Heboughtsomecoffeeandsugarfor

Granma.IpickedupthewoodchipsandtakentheoldcandyoffMr.
Jenkins’hands.Mr.JenkinsfidgetedaroundtohearwhatGranpahadto
sayaboutit,butheknewGranpatoowelltoask.

“Theysaidtheywouldbeback.”Mr.Jenkinssaid.
Granpaboughtsomecheese…whichIwasglad,asIlikedcheese.

Wewalkedout,anddidn’thangaroundthestore;butheadedstraightoff
upthetrail.Granpawalkedfast.Ihadn’ttimetopickberriesandhadto
doawaywiththeoldcandywhileIwasinacontinualtrotbehind
Granpa.

WhenwegottothecabinGranpatoldGranmaaboutthebig-city

men.Hesaid,“Youstayhere,LittleTree.I’mgoingtothestillandlay
somemorecoveringbranchesoverit.Iftheycome,youletmeknow.”
Hetakenoff,upthehollowtrail.

Isetonthefrontporchwatchingforthebig-citymen.Granpahad

nothardlygonefromsightwhenIsawthemandtoldGranma.Granma
stayedback,standinginthedogtrot,andwewatchedthemcomingup
thetrailandacrossthefootlog.

Theyhadfineclotheslikepoliticians.Thebigfatmanworea

lavendersuitandwhitetie.Theskinnymanhadonawhitesuitandblack
shirtwhichshined.Theyworebig-cityhatsmadeoffinestraw.

Theywalkedrightuptotheporch,thoughtheydidn’tmountthe

steps.Thebigmanwassweatingprettybad.HelookedatGranma.“We
wanttoseetheoldman,”hesaid.Ifiguredhewassick,forhisbreathing
wasbadanditwashardtoseehiseyes.Hiseyeslookedslitted,way
backinswelled-upfat.

106

Granmadidn’tsayanything.Ididn’teither.Thebigmanturned

aroundtotheskinnyman.“Theoldsquawdon’tunderstandEnglish,
Slick.”

Mr.Slickwaslookingaroundoverhisshoulder,thoughIdidn’tsee

anythingbehindhim.Hehadahighvoice.“Screwtheoldsquaw,”he
said,“Idon’tlikethisplace,Chunk—toofarbackinthemountains.Let’s
getoutahere.”Mr.Slickhadalittlemustache.

“Shutup,”Mr.Chunksaid.Mr.Chunkpushedhishatback.He

didn’thaveanyhair.Helookedatmesettinginthechair.

“Theboylookslikeabreed,”hesaid.“Maybeheunderstands

English.DoyouunderstandEnglish,boy?”

Isaid,“Ireckin.”
Mr.ChunklookedatMr.Slick.“Hearthat…hereckins.”Theygot

tickledaboutthisandlaughedrightloudaboutit.IsawGranmamove
backandturnBlueBoyout.HeheadedupthehollowforGranpa.

Mr.Chunksaid,“Where’syourPa,boy?”ItoldhimIdidn’t

recollectmyPa;thatIlivedherewithGranpaandGranma.Mr.Chunk
wantedtoknowwhereGranpawas,andIpointedbackupthetrail.He
reachedinhispocketandtookoutawholedollarandhelditouttoward
me.“Youcanhavethisdollar,boy,ifyoutakeustoyourGranpa.”

Hehadbigringsonhisfingers.Iseenrightoffthathewasrichand

morethanlikelycouldaffordthedollar.Itakenitandputitinmypocket.
Iknewfiguresprettywell.EvensplittingwithGranpa,Iwouldgetback
thefiftycentswhichIhadbeenslickeredoutofbytheChristian.

Ifeltprettygoodaboutthewholething,leadingthemupthetrail.But

aswewalkedIcommencedtothink.Icouldn’ttakethemtothestill.I
ledthemupthehightrail.

Aswewalkedupthehightrail,Ifeltkindofbadaboutit,andI

didn’thaveanyideaintheworldwhatIwasgoingtodo.Mr.Chunkand
Mr.Slick,however,wasinfinespirits.Theypulledofftheircoatsand
walkedlongbehindme.Eachonehadapistolinhisbelt.Mr.Slicksaid,
“Don’trememberyourPa,huhkid?”IstoppedandsaidIhadn’tno
recollectionofhimatall.Mr.Slicksaid,“Thatwouldmakeyoua
bastard,wouldn’tit,kid?”IsaidIreckined,thoughIhadnotgottothe
B’sinthedictionaryandhadnotstudiedthatword.Theybothlaughed
untiltheycommencedcoughing.Ilaughedtoo.Theyseemedlikehappy
fellers.

Mr.Chunksaid,“Hell,they’reallabunchofanimals.”Isaidwehad

107

lotsofanimalsinthemountains…wildcatsandwildhogs;andmeand
Granpahadseenablackbearoncet.

Mr.Slickwantedtoknowifwehadseenonelately.Isaidwehadn’t

butwehadseensigns.Ipointedtoapoplartreewhereabearhadtaken
aclawswipe.“There’sasignrightthere,”Isaid.Mr.Chunkjumped
sidewayslikeasnakehadstruckathim.HebumpedintoMr.Slickand
knockedhimdown.Mr.Slickgotmad.“Goddamyou,Chunk,you
nearlyknockedmeoffthetrail!Ifyouhadknockedmedownthere…”
Mr.Slickpointeddownintothehollow.HimandMr.Chunkbothleaned
overandlookeddown.Youcouldbarelyseethespringbranch,far
belowus.

“Godalmighty,”Mr.Chunksaid,“howhigharewe?Hell,ifyou

slippedoffthistrail,you’dbreakyourneck.”ItoldMr.ChunkIdidn’t
knowhowhighwewas,butIreckineditwasprettyhigh;thoughIhad
nevergiveanythoughttoit.

Thehigherwegot,themoreMr.ChunkandMr.Slickcoughed.

Theyalsofellfartherandfartherbehindme.OnceIcomebackdownthe
traillookingforthem,andtheyweresprawledoutunderawhiteoak.
Thewhiteoakhadpoisonivyallarounditsroots.Theywaslayinginthe
middleofit.

Poisonivyisprettyandgreen,butyouhadbetternotlayinit.Itwill

popweltsoutalloveryouandmakesoresthatwilllastformonths.I
didn’tsayanythingaboutthepoisonivy.Theywasalreadyinitanyway,
andIdidn’twanttomakethemfeelworseaboutthings.Theywas
lookingprettybad.

Mr.Slickraisedhisheadup.“Listen,youlittlebastard,”hesaid,

“howmuchfartherwegottogo?”Mr.Chunkdidn’traisehishead.He
laidthereinthepoisonivywithhiseyesclosed.Isaidwewasnearly
there.

Ihadbeenthinking.IknewthatGranmawouldsendGranpaupthe

hightrailafterme,sowhenwegottothetopofthemountain,Iwas
goingtotellMr.SlickandMr.Chunkthatwewouldjustsetdownand
wait;thatGranpawouldbealongdirectly.Whichhewould.Ifiguredit
wouldworkallrightandIcouldkeepthedollar,seeingashowIwould
have,moreorless,takenthemtoGranpa.

Isetoffupthetrail.Mr.SlickhelpedMr.Chunkoutofthepoison

ivypatchandtheykindofstaggeredalongbehindme.Theylefttheir
coatsinthepatch.Mr.Chunksaidtheywouldgetthecoatsontheway

108

back.

Igottothetopofthemountainalongtimebeforetheydid.Thehigh

trailwaspartofalotoftrails,oldCherokeetrailsthatranalongtherim
ofthemountain,butforked,goingdownthemountainontheotherside,
andforkedfourorfivetimesonthewaydown.Granpasaidthetrailsled
maybeahundredmilesbackintothemountains.

Isetdownunderabushwherethetrailmadeafork;onebranch

runningthetopofthemountain,theotherdippingoverthemountain
downtheotherside.IfiguredIwouldwaitonMr.ChunkandMr.Slick,
andwewouldallsethereuntilGranpacome.

Ittookthemalongtime.Whentheyfinallycomeoverthetopofthe

mountain,Mr.ChunkhadhisarmoverMr.Slick’sshoulders.Hehad
hurthisfoot,morethanlikely,forhewaslimpingandhoppingprettybad.

Mr.ChunkwassayingthatMr.Slickwasabastard.Whichsurprised

me,asMr.Slickhadnotsaidanythingaboutbeingabastardtoo.Mr.
ChunkwassayingthatMr.Slickwastheonewhooriginallythoughtup
theideaofputtingmountainhickstoworkforthem.Mr.Slicksaiditwas
Mr.Chunk’sideatopickthisdamnIndianandthatMr.Chunkwasason
ofabitch.

Theywastalkingsoloud,theypassedrightbyme.Ididn’thavea

chancetotellthemwehadalloughttowait,asGranpahadlearntmenot
tointerruptwhenpeoplewastalking.Theywentondownthetrailonthe
othersideofthemountain.Iwatchedthemuntiltheydisappeared
amongstthetrees,headingintoadeepcleftbetweenthemountains.I
figuredIhadbetterwaitonGranpa.

Ididn’thavetowaitlong.BlueBoyshowedupfirst.Isawhim

sniffingmytrail,andhecomeup,tailwagging.InaminuteIhearda
whippoorwill.Itsoundedexactlylikeawhippoorwill…butasitwasnot
duskdarkyet,IknewitwasGranpa.Iwhippoorwilledback,mightnear
asgood.

Isawhisshadowslippingthroughthetreesinthelateeveningsun.

Hewasn’tfollowingthetrail,andyoucouldneverhearhim,ifhedidn’t
wanttobeheard.Inaminutetherehewas.Iwasgladtoseehim.

ItoldGranpathatMr.SlickandMr.Chunkhadgoneondownthe

trail,andalsoeverythingIcouldremembertheysaidwhilewewas
walking.Granpagruntedanddidn’tsayanything,buthiseyesnarrowed
down.

Granmahadsentusvittlesinasack,andmeandGranpasetdown

109

underacedarandate.Cornponeandcatfishcookedinmealtastegood
intheairofahighmountain.Wefinishedoffallofit.

IshowedGranpathedollar,whichIreckinedifMr.ChunkfiguredI

haddonemyjobIcouldkeep.ItoldGranpasoonaswegotsome
changewecouldsplitit.GranpasaidIhaddonemyjob,ashewashere
toseeMr.Chunk.GranpasaidIcouldkeepthewholedollar.

ItoldGranpaaboutthegreenandredboxatMr.Jenkins’store.I

saidIfigured,morethanlikely,itwasn’tmuchoveradollar.Granpasaid
hefiguredthattoo.Faroff,weheardayelldowninthecleftofthe
mountain.WehadplumbforgotaboutMr.ChunkandMr.Slick.

Itwasgettingduskdark.Whippoorwillsandchip-willshadstarted

singingonthesideofthemountain.Granpastoodupandcuppedhis
handsaroundhismouth.“WHOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEE!”Granpa
hollereddownthemountain.Thesoundbouncedoffanothermountainas
plainasifGranpahadbeenoverthere;thenitbouncedintothecleftand
onupthehollows,gettingweakerandweaker.Therewasn’tanywayof
figuringwherethesoundhadcomefrom.Theechoeshadbarelydied
awaywhenweheardthreegunshotsfromdowninthecleft.Thesound
bouncedaroundandtraveledoff.

“Pistols,”Granpasaid.“They’reansweringwithpistolfire.”
Granpacutlooseagain.“WHOOOOOOEEEEEEEE!”Ididtoo.

Whichbothofusholleringmadetheechoesjumpandbounceeven
more.Thepistolwentoffagain,threetimes.

MeandGranpakepthollering.Itwasfun,listeningtotheechoes.

Eachtimethepistolansweredus,untilitdidn’tanswerthelasttime.

“They’reoutofbullets,”Granpasaid.Itwasdarknow.Granpa

stretchedandyawned.“Noneedmeandyethrashingarounddownthere
tonight,LittleTree,tryingtogit’emout.They’llbeallright.We’llgit’em
tomorrow.”Whichsuitedme.

MeandGranpapulledspringboughsunderthecedartreetosleep

on.Ifyou’regoingtosleepoutinthemountainsduringspringand
summer,youhadbettersleeponspringboughs.Ifyoudon’t,redbugs
willeatyouup.Redbugsaresolittle,youcan’thardlyseethemwiththe
nakedeye.Theyarealloverleavesandbushes,bythemillions.Theywill
crawlonyouandburyupinyourskin,causingrashesofbumpstobreak
outalloveryou.Someyearstheyareworsethanothers.Thiswasabad
redbugyear.Therearealsowoodticks.

MeandGranpaandBlueBoycrawleduponthespringboughs.Blue

110

Boycurledupbymeandfeltwarminthesharpair.Theboughswere
softandspringy.Icommencedyawning.

MeandGranpaclaspedourhandsbehindourheadsandwatched

themooncomeup.Itwasfullandyellow,slippingoverafarmountain.
Wecouldseemightnearahundredmiles,Granpasaid,mountains
humpinganddippinginthemoonspray,makingshadowsanddeep
purplesintheirhollows.Fogdriftedalonginthreads,farbelowus…
movingthroughthehollows,snakingaroundthesidesofthemountains.
Onelittlepatchoffogwouldcomearoundtheendofamountainlikea
silverboatandbumpintoanotheroneandtheywouldmelttogetherand
takeoffupahollow.Granpasaidthefoglookedalive.Whichitdid.

Amockingbirdsetupsongrightnearusinahighelm.Farbackinthe

mountains,weheardtwowildcatsmating.Theysoundedliketheywere
screamingmad,butGranpasaidmatingfeelssogoodthatcatscan’thelp
butscreamaboutit.

ItoldGranpaIwouldmightnearliketosleeponamountaintop

everynight.Hesaidhewouldtoo.Ascreechowlscreecheddownbelow
us,andthentherewasyellsandscreams.GranpasaiditwasMr.Chunk
andMr.Slick.Hesaidiftheydidn’tsettledown,theywoulddisturb
practicalallthebirdsandanimalsonthemountainside.Iwenttosleep
lookingatthemoon.

MeandGranpawokeatdawn.Thereisnotanythinglikedawnfrom

thetopofthehighmountain.MeandGranpa,andBlueBoytoo,
watchedit.Theskywasalightgray,andthebirdsgettingupforthenew
daymadefussandtwittersinthetrees.

Awayacrossahundredmiles,themountaintopshumpedlikeislands

inthefogthatfloatedbelowus.Granpapointedtotheeastandsaid,
“Watch.”

Abovetherimofthefarthestmountain,ontheendoftheworld,a

pinkstreakwhippedacross,apaintbrushsweptamillionmilesacrossthe
sky.MorningwindpickedupandhitourfacesandmeandGranpaknew
thecolorsandthemorningbirthhadcomealive.Thepaintbrushrunupin
streaks—red,yellowandblue.Themountainrimlookedlikeithad
caughtfire;thenthesunclearedthetrees.Itturnedthefogintoapink
ocean,heavingandmovingdownbelow.

ThesunhitmeandGranpaintheface.Theworldhadgotbornall

overagain.Granpasaidithad,andhetakenoffhishatandwewatched
itforalongtime.MeandGranpahadafeeling,andIknewrightoffthat

111

wewouldcomeagaintothemountaintopandwatchthemorningcome.

Thesunclearedthemountainandfloatedfreeinthesky,andGranpa

sighedandstretched.“Well,”hesaid,“yeandmehavegotworktodo.
Tellyewhat,”Granpascratchedhishead,“tellyewhat,”hesaidagain,
“yetrotdowntothecabinandtellGranmawe’llbeuphereawhile.Tell
hertofixyeandmesomethingtoeatandputitinapapersack,andfix
themtwobig-cityfellerssomethingtoeatandputitinatowsack.Can
yeremembernow—papersackandtowsack?”IsaidIcould.Istarted
off.

Granpastoppedme.“AndLittleTree,”hesaid,andcommenced

grinningaboutsomething,“beforeGranmafixesthetwofellerssomething
toeat,yetelleverythingyecanrecollectthatthetwofellerssaidtoye.”I
saidIwould,andIsetoffdownthetrail.BlueBoywentwithme.Iheard
GranpacommencetocallupMr.ChunkandMr.Slick.Granpawas
yelling,“WHOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEE!”Iwouldhavelikedtostayed
andholleredtoo,butIdidn’tmindrunningdownthetrail,especiallyearly
inthemorning.

Thiswasthetimeofmorningwhenallthecreatureswerecomingout

forthedayliving.Isawtwo’coons,highinawalnuttree.Theypeeped
downatmeandtalkedasIpassedunderthem.Squirrelschatteredand
leaptacrossthetrail.TheysetupandfussedatmeasIwalkedby.Birds
dippedandflutteredallalongthetrail,andamockingbirdfollowedme
andBlueBoyalongway,dippingdownatmyhead,teasing.
Mockingbirdswilldothisiftheyknowyoulikethem.WhichIdo.

WhenIgottothecabinclearing,Granmawassettingontheback

porch.SheknewIwascoming,Ifigured,bywatchingthebirds,thoughI
suspicionedthatGranmacouldsmellanybodycoming,forshewasnever
surprised.

ItoldherGranpawantedsomethingtoeatinapapersackforme

andhim,andforMr.ChunkandMr.Slick,somethingtobeputinatow
sack.Granmacommencedtocookupthevittles.

ShehadfixedmineandGranpa’s,andwasfryingfishforMr.Chunk

andMr.Slick,whenIrecollectedtotellherwhattheyhadsaid.WhileI
wastellingher,ofasuddenshepulledthefryingpanoffthefireandgot
outapotwhichshefilledwithwater.ShedroppedMr.ChunkandMr.
Slick’sfishinthepot.Ireckinedshehaddecidedtoboiltheirfishinstead
offrying,butIhadneverseenherusetherootpowders,incooking,that
sheputintheirpot.Theirfishgotagoodboiling.

112

ItoldGranmaMr.ChunkandMr.Slick’pearedtobegood-spirited

fellers.ItoldherthatIoriginallythoughtwewasalllaughingbecauseI
wasabastard,butitturnedout,whattheywasmorethanlikelylaughing
atwasMr.Slick’sbeingonetoo,asIhadheardMr.Chunkremindhim.

Granmaputsomemorerootpowdersinthepot.Itoldheraboutthe

dollar—thatGranpasaidIhaddonemyjobandcouldkeepit.Granma
saidIcouldkeepittoo.SheputthedollarinmyfruitjarformebutI
didn’ttellherabouttheredandgreenbox.TherewasnotanyChristians
about,asIknewof,butIwasn’tgoingtotakeanychances.

Granmaboiledthefishuntilthesteamgotheavy.Hereyeswas

wateringdownoverherfaceandshewasblowinghernose.Shesaidshe
reckineditwasthesteam.Granmaputthefishforthebig-cityfellersin
thetowsackandIsetoffupthehightrail.Granmaturnedallthehounds
out,andtheywentwithme.

WhenIgottothetopofthemountain,Ididn’tseeGranpa.I

whistledandheansweredfromhalfwaydowntheotherside.Iwent
downthetrail.Itwasnarrowandshadedoverwithtrees.Granpasaidhe
hadpracticalcalledupMr.ChunkandMr.Slickoutofthecleft.Hesaid
theywasansweringhimprettyregularandoughttobecominginsight
prettysoon.

Granpatakentheirsackoffishandhungitdownfromatreelimb,

rightoverthetrailwheretheycouldn’tmissit.MeandGranpamoved
backupthetrailaways,andsetdownunderpersimmonbushestoeat
ourdinner.Thesunwasmightnearstraightup.

Granpamadethedogslaydown,andweetonourcornponeand

fish.GranpasaidithadtakenhimsometimetogetMr.ChunkandMr.
Slicktounderstandingwhichdirectiontheywastotaketowardhisvoice
buttheywasfinallycoming.Thenwesawthem.

IfIhadnotknownthemrightwell,Icouldn’thaverecollectedas

havingeverseenthembefore.Theirshirtswastoreupcomplete.They
hadbigcutsandscratchesovertheirarmsandfaces.Granpasaidit
lookedliketheyhadrunthroughbrierpatches.Granpasaidhecouldn’t
figurehowtheygotallthebigredlumpsontheirfaces.Ididn’tsay
anything—asitwasnoneofmybusiness—butIfigureditwasfromlaying
inthepoisonivyvines.Mr.Chunkhadlostashoe.Theycomeupthe
trailslowandheadsdown.

Whentheysawthetowsackhangingoverthetrail,theytakenit

loosefromthetreelimbandsetdown.TheyateallofGranma’sfish,and

113

arguedprettyregularoverwhichwasgettingthemostofit.Wecould
hearthemplain.

Aftertheyfinishedeating,theystretchedoutonthetrailintheshade.

IfiguredGranpawouldgodownandgetthemup,buthedidn’t.Wejust
setandwatched.Afterawhile,Granpasaiditwasbettertoletthemrest
awhile.Theydidn’trestlong.

Mr.Chunkjumpedup.Hewasbentoverandholdinghisstomach.

Herunintothebushesatthesideofthetrailandpulledhisbritches
down.Hesquattedandcommencedtoyell,“Oh!Goddam!Myinsidesis
comingout!”Mr.Slickdonethesamething.Heyelledtoo.Theygroaned
andholleredandrolledontheground.Inalittlewhile,bothofthem
crawledoutofthebushesandlaiddownonthetrail.Theydidn’tlay
downlong,butjumpedupanddoneitalloveragain.Theytakenonso
loudthatthedogsgotexcitedandGranpahadtoquietenthem.

ItoldGranpait’pearedtomethattheywassquattinginapoisonivy

patch.Granpasaiditlookedliketheywas.Also,ItoldGranpa,theywas
wipingtheirselveswithpoisonivyleaves.Granpasaidmorethanlikely
theywas.Onetime,Mr.Slickrunfromthetrailbackintothepoisonivy
patchbutdidnotgethisbritchesdownintime.Hecommencedtohave
sometroubleafterthatwithfliesbuzzingoverhim.Thiswentonformight
nearanhour.Afterthat,theylaidflatoutinthetrail,restingup.Granpa
saidmorethanlikelyitwassomethingtheyhadatewhichdidn’tagree
withthem.

Granpasteppedoutinthetrailandwhistleddowntothem.Bothof

themgotontheirhandsandkneesandlookeduptowardmeand
Granpa.Leastwise,Ithinktheylookedatus,buttheireyeswereswelled
mightnearshut.Bothofthemyelled.

“Waitaminute,”Mr.Chunkhollered.Mr.Slickkindofscreamed,

“Holdon,man—forGod’ssake!”Theygottotheirfeetandscrambled
upthetrail.MeandGranpawentonupthetrailtothetopofthe
mountain.Whenwelookedback,theywaslimpingbehindus.

Granpasaidwemightaswellgobackdownthetrailtothecabin,as

theycouldnowfindtheirwayout,andwouldbealongd’rectly.Sowe
did.

ItwaslatesunbythetimemeandGranpagottothecabin.Weset

onthebackporchwithGranmaandwaitedforMr.ChunkandMr.Slick
tocomealong.Itwastwohourslaterandduskdarkwhentheymadeit
totheclearing.Mr.Chunkhadlosthisothershoeand’pearedtotiptoe

114

along.

Theymadeawidecirclearoundthecabin,whichsurprisedme,asI

figuredtheywantedtoseeGranpa,buttheyhadchangedtheirminds.I
askedGranpaaboutkeepingmydollar.HesaidIcould,asIhaddone
mypartofthejob.Itwasnotmyfaultiftheychangedtheirminds.Which
isreasonable.

Ifollowedthemaroundthecabin.TheycrossedthefootlogandI

holleredandwavedtothem,“Good-bye,Mr.Chunk.Good-bye,Mr.
Slick.Ithankeeforthedollar,Mr.Chunk.”

Mr.Chunkturnedand’pearedtoshakehisfistatme.Hefelloffthe

footlogintothespringbranch.HegrabbedatMr.Slickandnearlypulled
himoff,butMr.Slickkepthisbalanceandmadeitacross.Mr.Slick
remindedMr.Chunkthathewasasonofabitch,andMr.Chunk,ashe
crawledoutofthespringbranch,saidthatwhenhegotbackto
Chattanooga—ifheeverdid—hewasgoingtokillMr.Slick.ThoughI
don’tknowwhytheyhadfelloutwithoneanother.

Theypassedoutofsightdownthehollowtrail.Granmawantedto

sendthedogsafterthem,butGranpasaidno.Hesaidhefiguredthey
wastotalworeout.

Granpasaidhereckineditallcomeaboutfromamisunderstanding

onMr.ChunkandMr.Slick’spart,regardingmeandGranpaworking
fortheminthewhiskeytrade.Ifiguredmorethanlikelyitwastoo.

IthadalltakenupthebestpartoftwodaysofmineandGranpa’s

time.Ihad,however,comeoutadollarahead.IcautionedGranpathatI
wasstillwillingandstoodreadytosplitthedollarwithhimaswewas
partners,buthesaidno,Ihadearnedthedollarwithoutanyconnection
inthewhiskeytrade.Granpasaidallthingsconsidereditwasnotbad
payforthework.Whichitwasn’t.

115

WillowJohn

Plantingisabusytime.Granpadecidedwhenwewouldbegin.Hewould
runhisfingerintothegroundandfeelforthewarmth;thenshakehis
head,whichmeantwewasn’tgoingtostartplanting.

Sowewouldhavetogofishingorberrypickingorgeneralwoods

rambling,ifitwasn’ttheweektoworkatthewhiskeytrade.

Onceyoustartplanting,youhavetobecareful.Therearetimes

whenyoucan’tplant.Youmustbeginbyrememberingthatanything
growingbelowground,suchasturnipsor’taters,thesehavetobe
plantedinthedarkbythemoon,otherwiseyourturnipsand’taterswon’t
beanybiggerthanapencil.

Anythingthatgrowsaboveground,suchascorn,beans,peasand

such,mustbeplantedinthelightofthemoon.Ifitisn’t,you’llnotmake
muchofacropofit.

Whenyouhavefiguredthisout,thereareotherthings.Mostpeople

gobythesignsinthealmanac.Forexample,youplantrunningbeans
whenthesignisinthearmstomakethebestbeans.Ifyoudon’t,youwill
havealotofbloomsbutnobeans.

Thereisasignforeverything.Granpa,however,didn’tneedan

almanac.Hewentbythestarsd’rect.

Wewouldsetontheporchinthespringnight,andGranpawould

studythestars.Hewouldhavethemset,howtheyformedontheridgeof
themountain.Hewouldsay,“Stars’rerightforrunningbeans.We’llplant
sometomorrowiftheeastwindain’tblowing.”Evenwiththestarsright,
Granpawouldnotplantrunningbeansiftheeastwindwasblowing.He
saidthebeanswouldnotproduce.

Then,ofcourse,itcouldbetoowet—ortoodry—toplant.Ifthe

birdsquietened,youdidn’tplanteither.Plantingisaprettytedious
proposition.

Whenwegotupinthemorning,wemightbeallsettodosome

planting,goingbythestarsthenightbefore.Butrightoff,wewouldsee
thatthewindwasnotrightorthebirds,oritcouldbetoowetortoodry.
Sowewouldhavetogofishing.

Granmasaidshesuspicionedsomeofthesignshadtodowith

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Granpa’sfishingfeelings.ButGranpasaidwomencouldn’tunderstand
complications.Hesaidwomenthoughteverythingwassimpleandplain
out.Whichitwasn’t.Hesaidwomencouldn’thelpit,becausetheywas
bornsuspiciousinthefirstplace.Granpasaidhehadseenday-old
femalesthatlookedsuspiciousatasuckingtit.

Whenthedaywasjustright,weplantedcornmostly.Thatwasour

maincropforwedependedonitforeatingandfeedingol’Sam,andit
wasourmoneycropinthewhiskeytrade.

Granpalaidofftherowswiththeplowandol’Sam.Ididn’tlayoff

anyrows.GranpasaidIwasmostlyaturningplowman.Meand
Granmadroppedtheseedsintherowsandcoveredthemup.Onthe
sidesofthemountainGranmaplantedthecornwithaCherokeeplanting
stick.Youjustjabitinthegroundanddropintheseed.

Weplantedlotsofotherthings:beans,okra,’taters,turnipsand

peas.Weplantedthepeasaroundthefringeofthepatch,nearthe
woods.Thisattracteddeerinthefall.Deerarecrazyaboutpeasandwill
cometwentymilesthroughthemountainstoapeapatch.Wealwaysgot
aneasydeerforwintermeat.Wealsoplantedwatermelons.

MeandGranpapickedoutashadyendofthepatchandplanted

watermelonsprettyheavy.Granmasaiditwasamightybigwatermelon
patch.ButGranpasaidwhatwecouldn’teat,wecouldalwaystoteto
thecrossroadsstoreandmorethanlikelymakealotofmoneyselling
them.

Thewayitturnedout,bythetimethewatermelonsgotripemeand

Granpafoundoutthewatermelonmarkethadcollapsed.Thebestyou
couldgetforthebiggestwatermelonyouhadwasanickel,ifyoucould
sellit.Whichwasn’tlikely.

MeandGranpafiggereditoutonthekitchentableoneevening.

Granpasaidthatagallonofwhiskeyweighedabouteightorninepounds,
forwhichwegottwodollars;andhedidn’thardlyseenowayinthe
worldthatwecouldtoteatwelve-poundwatermelontothecrossroads
storeforanickel—notunlessthewhiskeytradefellthrough,whichwas
notlikely.ItoldGranpaitlookedtomelikewewouldhavetoeatallthe
watermelons.

Watermelonsaremightneartheslowestgrowingthingseverplanted.

Beansgetripe—okra—peas—justabouteverything,andthe
watermelonsjustlaythere,continuallygreenandgrowing.Icheckedon
thewatermelonsfairlyheavy.

117

Whenyouarecertainthatthewatermelonsareripe,they’renot.

Findingandtestingoutaripewatermelonismightnearascomplicatedas
planting.

SeveraltimesatthesuppertableItoldGranpathatIsuspicionedI

hadfoundaripewatermelon.Icheckedthepatcheverymorningand
evening,sometimesatdinnertimetoo,ifIwaspassingby.Eachtime,we
wouldgouptothepatchandGranpawouldcheckitout.Itwouldn’tbe
ready.Oneeveningatthesuppertable,ItoldGranpathatIwasmight
nearcertainthatIhadfoundthewatermelonwewaslookingfor,andhe
saidwewouldcheckitoutthenextmorning.

Iwasupearly,waiting.WegottothepatchbeforesunupandI

showedGranpathewatermelon.Itwasdarkgreenandbig.Meand
Granpasquatteddownbythewatermelonandstudiedit.Ihadalready
studieditprettyheavytheeveningbefore,butIwentoveritagainwith
Granpa.Afterwestudieditawhile,Granpadecideditlookednear
enoughripetogiveitthethumptest.

Youhavetoknowwhatyouaredoingtothumptestawatermelon

andmakeanysenseoutofit.Ifyouthumpitanditsoundslikea—think
—itistotalgreen;ifitsounds—thank—itisgreenbutiscomingon;ifit
goes—thunk—thenyouhavegotyouaripewatermelon.Youhavegot
twochancestooneagainstyou,asGranpasaidistrueineverything.

Granpathumpedthewatermelon.Hethumpedithard.Hedidn’tsay

anything,butIwaswatchinghisfacecloseandhedidn’tshakehishead,
whichwasagoodsign.Itdidn’tmeanthewatermelonwasripe,butno
headshakemeanthehadn’tgiveuponit.Hethumpeditagain.

ItoldGranpaitsoundedmightnearlikeathunktome.Hesetback

onhisheelsandstudieditalittlemore.Ididtoo.

Thesunhadcomeup.Abutterflylitonthewatermelonandsetthere,

flexinghiswingsopenandclosed.IaskedGranpaifitwasn’tagood
sign,sinceitseemstomeIhadheardthatabutterflylightingona
watermelonnearaboutmadeitcertainthewatermelonwasripe.Granpa
saidhehadneverheardofthatsign,butitcouldbetrue.

Hesaidasnearashecouldtell,itwasaborderlinecase.Hesaidthe

soundwassomewheresbetweenathankandathunk.Isaiditsounded
likethattometoo,butit’pearedtoleanprettyheavytowardthethunk.
Granpasaidtherewasanotherwaywecouldcheckitout.Hewentand
gotabroomsedgestraw.

Ifyoulayabroomsedgestrawcrosswiseonawatermelonanditjust

118

laysthere,thewatermelonisgreen.Butifthebroomsedgestrawturns
fromcrosswisetolengthwise,thenyouhavegotaripewatermelon.
Granpalaidthebroomsedgestrawonthewatermelon.Thestrawlaid
thereaminute,thenitturnedawaysandstopped.Wesetwatchingit.It
wouldn’tturnanymore.ItoldGranpaIbelievedthestrawwastoolong,
whichmadetheripeinsidethewatermelonhavetoomuchworkturning
it.Granpatakenthestrawoffandshortenedit.Wetrieditagain.This
timeitturnedmoreandmightnearmadeitlengthwise.

Granpawasreadytogiveuponit,butIwasn’t.IgotdownsoI

couldwatchthestrawprettyclose,andItoldGranpait’pearedtobe
moving,slowbutsteady,towardbeinglengthwise.Granpasaidthat
couldbebecauseIwasbreathingonit,whichdidn’tcount,buthe
decidednottogiveuponit.Hesaidifweletitlayuntilthesunwas
straightoverhead,aboutdinnertime,thenwecouldpickitfromthevine.

Ikeptaclosecheckonthesun.Seemedlikeitrolledaroundandjust

setonthemountainrim,determinedtomakealongmorningofit.Granpa
saidthesunactedthatwaysometimes,likewhenwewasplowingand
figuringtogowashinginthecreek,lateofevening.

Granpasaidifwegotbusydoingsomething,andmadeoutthatwe

didn’tgivealick-damnabouthowslowthesunmoved,thathewould
giveupandgitonwithhisbusiness.Whichwedid.

Webusiedourselvescuttingokra.Okragrowsfastandyouhaveto

keepitcut.Themoreokrayoucutoffastalk,themoreyouwillhave
growback.

ImovedalongtherowaheadofGranpaandcutalltheokrathat

growedlowonthestalk.Granpafollowedmeandcutthehighokra.
Granpasaidhesuspicionedthatmeandhimwastheonlyoneswhohad
everfiguredhowtocutokrawithoutbendingoverorpullingdownthe
stalks.Allmorningwecutokra.

WereachedtheendofarowandtherewasGranma.Shegrinned.

“Dinnertime,”shesaid.MeandGranpabrokeintoarunforthe
watermelonpatch.Igottherefirst,andsogottopullthewatermelon
fromthevine.ButIcouldn’tliftit.Granpacarriedittothespringbranch
andletmerollitin—splosh;itwassoheavyitsunkdownbeneaththe
coldwater.

Itwaslatesunbeforewegotitout.Granpalaiddownonthebank

andreacheddeepintothewaterandbroughtitup.Hecarriedit,meand
Granmafollowing,totheshadeofagreatelm.Therewesatarounditin

119

acircle,watchingthecoldwaterbeadonthedarkgreenskin.Itwasa
ceremony.

Granpapulledouthislongknifeandhelditup.HelookedatGranma

andthenatme,andlaughedatmyopenmouthandbigeyeswatching;
thenhecut—thewatermelonsplittingaheadoftheknife,whichmeansit
isgood.Itwas.Whenitwasopenedout,thejuicemadewaterballson
theredmeat.

Granpacuttheslices.Granmaandhimlaughedasthejuicerundown

mymouthandovermyshirt.Itwasmyfirstwatermelon.

Summereasedalong.Itwasmyseason.Mybirthdaybeinginthe

summermadeitmyseason;thatisthecustomoftheCherokee.Andso
mybirthdaylasted,notadaybutasummertime.

Itisthecustom,duringyourseason,tobetoldofyourbirthplace;of

yourfather’sdoings;ofyourmother’slove.

GranmasaidIwaslucky,andmorethanlikelyoneinahundred

million.ShesaidIwasbornfromnature—ofMon-o-lah—andsohadall
thebrothersandsistersofwhichshehadsungmyfirstnightinthe
mountains.

Granmasaidveryfewwaspickedtohavethetotalloveofthetrees,

thebirds,thewaters—therainandthewind.ShesaidaslongasIlivedI
couldalwayscomehometothem,whereotherchildrenwouldfindtheir
parentsgoneandwouldfeellonesome;butIwouldn’teverbe.

Wesatonthebackporch,intheduskofsummerevenings.Thedark

creptdownthehollowswhileGranmatalkedsoft.Sometimesshewould
pauseandnotgoonforalongtime,andthenshewouldsmoothherface
withherhandsandtalksomemore.

ItoldGranmaIwasrightproudofthewholething;andrightoff,I

couldtellthatIwasn’tafraidofdarkinthehollowsanymore.

GranpasaidIhadtheuppersonhim,beingbornspecialandall.He

saidhewishedhehadbeenpickedoutforsuch.Granpasaidhehad
alwaysbeenhamperedwithasuspicionofbeingfrightenedofthedark,
andnowwouldtotaldependonmetoleadhimaboutindarksituations.
WhichItoldhimIwould.

NowIwassix.MaybeitwasmybirthdaythatremindedGranma

timewaspassing.Shelitthelampnearlyeveryeveningandread,and
pushedmeonmydictionarystudying.IwasdownintotheB’s,andone
ofthepageswastornout.Granmasaidthatpagewasnotimportant,and
thenexttimemeandGranpawenttothesettlement,hepaidforand

120

boughtthedictionaryfromthelibrary.Itcostseventy-fivecents.

Granpadidn’tbegrudgethemoney.Hesaidhehadalwayswanted

thatkindofdictionary.Sincehecouldn’treadawordthatwasinit,I
suspicionedthathehadotherusingforit,butIneversawhimtouchit.

PineBillycameby.Hetakentocomingmoreoftenafterthe

watermelonsripened.PineBillylikedwatermelons.Hewasn’tuppityat
allaboutthemoneyhehadgotfromtheRedEaglesnuffcompany,nor
therewardforthebig-citycriminals.Henevermentionedit,sowenever
askedhimaboutit.

PineBillysaidhefiggeredtheworldwascomingtoaend.Hesaidall

thesignspointedthatway.Hesaidtherewasrumorsofwars,andfamine
hadsetontheland;bankswasmostlyclosedandwhatwasn’tclosed
wasbeingrobbedallthetime.PineBillysaidtherewasn’tanymoneyto
behadhardlyatall.Hesaidthatfolkswasstilljumpingoutofwindersin
thebigcitieswheneverthenotiontookthem.OutinOklahoma,hesaid,
thewindwasblowingawaytheground.

Weknewaboutthat.GranmawrotetoourkinintheNations(we

alwayscalledOklahoma“theNations”forthatiswhatitwassupposed
tobe,untilitwastakenfromtheIndiansandmadeastate).Theytoldus
aboutit,inletters;howwhitemenhadturnedgrazinggroundupwitha
plow,groundthatwasnotsupposedtobeplowed.Thewindwas
blowingitaway.

PineBillysaidhedeterminedtogitsavedsincetheendwasnear.He

saidfornicatin’hadalwaysbeenhisbiggestblocktowardgittin’saved.
Hesaidhefornicatedatdanceswhereheplayed,buthelaidmostofthe
faultingonthegirls.Hesaidtheywouldnotleavehimalone.Hesaidhe
hadtriedgoingtobusharbormeetingstogitsaved,buttherewasalways
girlsaroundthemtoothatkeptafterhimtofornicate.Hesaidhehad
foundanoldpreacherwhowastoooldtofornicate,hefiggered,because
hewasholdingabusharbormeetingandwaspreaching,no-holds-
barred,agin’fornicatin’.

PineBillysaidthatthisoldpreachermadeyoufeellike,atthetime,

thatyouwouldtotallygiveupfornicatin’.PineBillysaidthatwaswhatit
tooktosaveyou—feelingthatwayatthetime.Hesaidhewasgoing
backandgitsaved—theworldcomingtoanend,andall.Oncetyouwas
saved,theprimitiveBaptistsbelieved,youwasalwayssaved.Ifyou
backslidalittleintosomefornicatin’,youwasstillsaved,andmorethan
likelyhadnothingtoworryabout.

121

PineBillysaidheleanedmoretowardtheprimitiveBaptistashis

religion.Whichsoundedreasonabletome.

PineBillyplayedhisfiddleintheduskeveningsofthatsummer.

Couldbeitwasbecausetheworldwascomingtoaend,buthismusic
wassad.

Itmadeyoufeellikethiswasthelastsummer;thatyouhadalready

leftitandwanteditback,andhereyouwasallthetime.Youwishthe
hadn’tstartedplaying,foryouached—andthenyouhopedhewouldn’t
stop.Itwaslonesome.

WewenttochurcheverySunday.Wewalkedthesametrailthatmeand
Granpausedtodeliverourwares,forthechurchwasamilepastthe
crossroadsstore.

Wehadtoleaveatdaybreak,foritwasalongwalk.Granpaputon

hisblacksuitandthemeal-sackshirtthatGranmahadbleachedwhite.I
hadonetooandworecleanoveralls.MeandGranpabuttonedthetop
buttonsonourshirtswhichmadeusproperforchurch.

Granpaworehisblackshoesthathetallowedtoshine.Theshoes

clumpedwhenhewalked.Hewasusedtomoccasins.Ifigureditwasa
painfulwalkforGranpa,butheneversaidanything,justclumpedalong.

MeandGranmahaditeasier.Weworemoccasins.Iwasproudof

howGranmalooked.EverySundaysheworeadressthatwasorange
andgoldandblueandred.Itstruckherattheanklesandmushroomed
outaroundher.Shelookedlikeaspringflowerfloatingdownthetrail.

Ifithadn’tbeenforthedressandGranmaenjoyingtheoutingso

much,IsuspicionedthatGranpawouldneverhavegonetochurch.Not
countingtheshoes,henevertakenmuchtochurching.

Granpasaidthepreacherandthedeaconsprettymuchhadachoke-

holdonreligion.Hesaidtheydonethedeterminingonwhowasgoingto
hellandwhowasn’t,andifafellerdidn’twatchit,prettysoonhewas
worshippingthepreacherandthedeacons.Sohesaidtohellwithit.But
hedidn’tcomplain.

Ilikedthewalktochurch.Wedidn’thavetocarryourloadof

wares,andaswewalkedthecutofftrail,daybrokeaheadofus.Thesun
hitthedewonthevalleydownbelowandmadetreepatternswherewe
walked.

Thechurchsetbackofftheroadinascopeoftrees.Itwaslittleand

wasn’tpainted,butitwasneat.EverySunday,whenwewalkedintothe

122

churchclearing,Granmastoppedtotalktosomewomen;butmeand
GranpaheadedstraightforWillowJohn.

Healwaysstoodbackinthetrees,awayfromthepeopleandthe

church.HewasolderthanGranpabuthewasastall;fullCherokeewith
whiteplaitedhairhangingbelowhisshoulders,andaflat-brimmedhat
pulledlowtohiseyes…liketheeyeswereprivate.Whenhelookedat
you,youknewwhy.

Theeyeswereblack,openwounds;notangrywounds,butdead

woundsthatlaybare,withoutlife.Youcouldn’ttelliftheeyesweredim,
orifWillowJohnwaslookingpastyouintoadimnessfaraway.Once,in
lateryears,anApacheshowedmeapictureofanoldman.ItwasGo-
khla-yeh,Geronimo.HehadtheeyesofWillowJohn.

WillowJohnwasovereighty.Granpasaidthatlongago,WillowJohn

hadgonetotheNations.Hehadwalkedthemountains,andwouldnot
rideinacarortrain.Hewasgonethreeyearsandcameback;buthe
wouldnottalkofit.HewouldonlysaytherewasnoNation.

Andsowealwayswalkedtohim,standingbackinthetrees.Granpa

andWillowJohnputtheirarmsaroundeachotherandheldeachother
foralongtime;twotall,oldmenwithbighats—andtheydidn’tsay
anything.ThenGranmawouldcome,andWillowJohnwouldstoopand
theywouldholdeachotherforalongtime.

WillowJohnlivedpastthechurch,farbackinthemountains;andso,

thechurchbeingabouthalfwaybetweenus,itwastheplacetheycould
meet.

Maybechildrenknow.ItoldWillowJohnthattherewasgoingtobe

lotsofCherokeesbeforetoolong.ItoldhimIwasgoingtobea
Cherokee;thatGranmasaidIwasnatural-borntothemountainsandhad
thefeelingofthetrees.WillowJohntouchedmyshoulderandhiseyes
showedafarbacktwinkle.Granmasaiditwasthefirsttimehehad
lookedlikethatinmanyyears.

Wewouldnotgointothechurchuntileverybodyelsewasin.We

alwayssatonthebackrow;WillowJohn,thenGranma,me,andGranpa
setnexttotheaisle.GranmaheldWillowJohn’shandduringchurch,and
GranpaputhisarmacrossthebenchbackandlaidhishandonGranma’s
shoulder.ItakentoholdingGranma’sotherhandandputtingahandon
Granpa’sleg.ThiswayIwasnotleftout,thoughmyfeetalwayswentto
sleepastheystuckstraightoutovertheseatrim.

Once,afterwetakenourseats,IfoundalongknifelayingwhereI

123

set.ItwasaslongasGranpa’sandhadadeerskinsheaththatwas
fringed.GranmasaidWillowJohngaveittome.ThatisthewayIndians
givegifts.Theydonotpresentitunlesstheymeanitandaredoingitfora
reason.Theyleaveitforyoutofind.Youwouldnotgetthegiftifyou
didn’tdeserveit,andsoitisfoolishtothanksomebodyforsomething
youdeserve,ormakeashowofit.Whichisreasonable.

IgiveWillowJohnanickelandabullfrog.TheSundayIbroughtit,

WillowJohnhadhunghiscoatonatreewhilehewaitedforus,andsoI
slippedthebullfrogandthenickelintohispocket.ItwasabigbullfrogI
hadcaughtinthespringbranchandhadfedbugsuntilhewaspracticala
giant.

WillowJohnputonhiscoatandwentintochurch.Thepreacher

calledforeverybodytobowtheirheads.Itwasquietsothatyoucould
hearpeoplebreathing.Thepreachersaid,“Lord…”andthenthe
bullfrogsaid,“LARRRRRRRRUPP!”deepandloud.Everybodyjumped
andonemanrunoutofthechurch.Afellerhollered,“Godalmighty!”and
awomanscreamed,“PraisetheLord!”

WillowJohnjumpedtoo.Hereachedhishandinhispocket,buthe

didn’ttakeoutthefrog.Helookedoveratmeandthetwinklecome
againtohiseyes;thistimenotsofarback.Thenhesmiled!Thesmile
brokeacrosshisface,widerandwider—andhelaughed!Adeep,
boominglaughthatmadeeverybodylookathim.Hedidn’tpayany
attentiontothematall.Iwasscared,butIlaughedtoo.Tears
commencedtowaterinhiseyesandrolldownthecreasesandwrinkles
ofhisface.WillowJohncried.

Everybodygotquiet.Thepreacherstoodwithhismouthopenand

watched.WillowJohnpaidnoattentiontoanybody.Hedidn’tmakea
sound,buthischestheavedandhisshouldersshook,andhecriedalong
time.Peoplelookedaway,butWillowJohnandGranpaandGranma
lookedstraightahead.

Thepreacherhadahardtimegettingstartedagain.Hedidn’tmention

thefrog.HehadtriedoncebeforetopreachasermonregardingWillow
John,butWillowJohnneverpaidhimanyattention.Healwayslooked
straightbeforehim,likethepreacherwasn’tthere.Thesermonhadbeen
onpayingproperrespecttotheLord’shouse.WillowJohnwouldnot
bowhisheadforprayersandhewouldn’ttakeoffhishat.

Granpanevercommentedonit.AndsoIthoughtonit,overthe

years.IfigureditwasWillowJohn’swayofsayingwhathehadtosay.

124

Hispeoplewerebrokenandlost,scatteredfromthesemountainsthat
wastheirhomeandliveduponbythepreacherandothersthereinthe
church.Hecouldn’tfight,andsoheworehishat.

Maybewhenthepreachersaid,“Lord…”andthefrogsaid,

“LARRRRRRRRUPP!”thefrogwasansweringforWillowJohn.Andso
hecried.Itbrokesomeofthebitterness.Afterthat,WillowJohn’seyes
alwaystwinkledandshowedlittleblacklightswhenhelookedatme.

AtthetimeIwassorry,butlaterIwasgladIgiveWillowJohnthe

frog.

EverySunday,afterchurch,wewentintothetreesneartheclearing

andspreadourdinner.WillowJohnalwaysbroughtgameinasack.It
wouldbequail,orvenison,orfish.Granmabroughtcornbreadand
vegetablefixings.Weatethereintheshadeofbigelmsandtalked.

WillowJohnwouldsaythedeerwasmovingfartherbacktohigh

groundinthemountains.Granpawouldsaythefishbasketsyieldedsuch
andso.GranmawouldtellWillowJohntobringherhismending.

Asthesuntiltedandhazedtheafternoon,wewouldgetreadyto

leave.GranpaandGranmawouldeachhugWillowJohn,andhewould
touchmyshoulderwithhishand,shy.

Thenwewouldleave,walkingacrosstheclearingtowardourcutoff

trail.IwouldturntowatchWillowJohn.Heneverlookedback.He
walked,armsnotswingingbutstraightbyhissides,inalong,loping
awkwardstep.Alwayslookingtoneitherside;misplacedsomehow—
touchingthisfringeofthewhiteman’scivilization.Hewoulddisappear
intothetrees,followingnotrailthatIcouldsee,andIwouldhurryto
catchupwithGranpaandGranma.Itwaslonesome,walkingthecutoff
trailbackhomeintheduskofSundayevenings,andwedidnottalk.

125

Willyewalkawayswithme,WillowJohn?Notfar;
Ayearortwo,atendingofyourtime.
We’llnottalk.Nortellthebitteroftheyears.
Maybelaugh,occasional;orfindacausefortears;
Orsomethinglost,couldbe,webothmightfind.

Willyesetaspellwithme,WillowJohn?Notlong;
Aminute,measuredbyyourlengthonearth.
We’llpassalookortwo;webothwillknow
Andunderstandthefeeling;sowhenwego
We’lltakecomfortthatwekintheother’sworth.

Willyelingeratourleaving,WillowJohn?Justforme.
Lingeringreassuresandcomfortsuswhopart.
Memoriesofithelptoslowthequickenedtears
Withrecallingofyou,inthelateryears;
Andsoften,some,thehauntingoftheheart.

126

Church-going

Granpasaidthatpreachersgotsotakenupwiththeirselvesthattheygot
thenotiontheypersonalheldthedoorhandleonthepearlygatesand
wouldn’tletnobodyinwithouttheirsay-so.Granpafiggeredthe
preachersthoughtGoddidn’thavenothingatalltodowithit.

Hesaidapreacherhadoughttoworkandgittoknowhowharda

dollarwascomeby,thenhewouldn’tthrowmoneyaroundlikeitsuse
wasgoingtoendtomorrow.Granpasaidthatgood,hardwork,whether
itwasinthewhiskeytradeorwhatever,wouldkeepapreacheroutof
mischief.Whichsoundsreasonable.

Peoplebeingsoscattered,therewasnotenoughtokeepmorethan

onechurchgoing.Thisledtosomecomplicationsbecausetherewasso
manydifferentkindsofreligion;folksbelievingsomanydifferentthings
thatitmadefordisagreements.

Therewashard-shellBaptistswhobelievedthatwhatwasgoingto

happenwasgoingtohappenandtherewasnothingyoucoulddoabout
it.TherewasScotPresbyterianswhowouldgetstompingmadatsucha
notion.EachbunchcouldtotalproveouttheirviewpointbytheBible.
WhichledtoconfusionasfarasIwasconcernedastowhattheBible
wastalkingabout.

PrimitiveBaptistsbelievedintakingupa“loveoffering”ofmoneyfor

thepreacherandthehard-shellsdidnotbelieveinpayingapreacher
anything.Granpaleanedtowardthehard-shellsonthispoint.

AlltheBaptistsbelievedinbaptizing,thatis,gettingtotalsunkunder

thewatersinacreek.Theysaidyoucouldnotbesavedwithoutit.The
Methodistssaidthatwaswrong;thatsprinklingontopoftheheadwith
waterdonethetrick.TheywouldeachonewhipouttheirBiblestherein
thechurchyardtoproveoutwhattheysaid.

It’pearedliketheBibletolditbothways;buteachtimeittoldit,it

cautionedyouhadbetternotdoittheotherwayoryouwouldgotohell.
Orthat’swhattheysaiditsaid.

OnefellerwasoftheChurchofChrist.Hesaidifyoucalledthe

preacher“Reverend”thatyouwouldflatgotohell.Hesaidyoucould
callhim“Mr.”or“brother,”butyouhadbetternotcallhim“Reverend.”

127

HehadhimaplaceintheBibletoproveitout;butabunchofothers
provedout,alsointheBible,thatyouhadbettercallhim“Reverend,”or
youwouldgotohell.

TheChurchofChristfellerwasbadoutnumberedandgothollered

down,buthewasstubbornandwouldnotgiveitup.Hemadeitapoint
towalkuptothepreachereverySundaymorningandcallhim“Mr.”This
ledtohardfeelingsbetweenhimandthepreacher.Oncetheynearly
cometoblowsinthechurchyardbutwasseparated.

IdeterminedthatIwasnotgoingtohaveanythingatalltodowith

wateraroundreligion.AndIwasnotgoingtocallthepreacheranything.
ItoldGranpait’pearedtobemorethanlikelythesafestthingtodo,as
youcouldeasygitshippeddowntohelldependingonhowtheBiblewas
thinkingatthetime.

GranpasaidifGodwasasnarrer-headedasthemidjitsthatdonethe

arguin’aboutpiddlin’such,thenHeavenwouldn’tbeafitplacetolive
anyhow.Whichsoundsreasonable.

TherewasonefamilyofEpiscopalians.Theywasrich.Theycometo

churchinacar.Itwastheonlycarinthechurchyard.Themanwasfat
andworeadifferentsuitmightneareverySunday.Thewomanworebig
hats;shewasfattoo.Theyhadalittlegirlwhoalwaysworewhite
dressesandlittlehats.Shelookedupallthetimeatsomething,thoughI
couldneverdeterminewhatshewaslookingat.Theyalwaysputadollar
inthecollectionplate.ItwastheonlyoneintheplateeverySunday.The
preachermetthemattheircardoorandopeneditforthem.Theysetin
thefrontrow.

Thepreacherwouldbepreaching.Hewouldmakeapoint,andlook

overatthefrontrowandsay,“Ain’tthatright,Mr.Johnson?”Mr.
Johnsonwouldgivealittlejerkofhishead,certifyingmoreorlessthatit
wasafact.EverybodywouldlookovertogetMr.Johnson’sheadjerk,
andthensettlebacksatisfiedasitwasso.

GranpasaidhereckinedEpiscopalianshadatotalknow-howonthe

entirethinganddidn’thavetowalleraroundonthefringesworrying
aboutwaterandsuch.Hesaidtheyknowedwheretheywasgoingand
wasclosemouthedaboutlettinganybodyelsegitinonit.

Thepreacherwasaskinnyman.Heworethesameblacksuitevery

Sunday.Hishairstuckoutonallsidesandhehadtheappearanceof
beingnervousallthetime.Whichhewas.

Hewasfriendlytofolksinthechurchyard,thoughIneverwentupto

128

him;butwhenhegotintotalcontrol,standinginthepulpit,hegotmean.
Granpasaidthiswasbecauseheknoweditwasagin’therulesfor
anybodytojumpupandchallengehimwhilehewaspreaching.

Heneversaidanythingaboutwater,whichwasdisappointin’.Iwas

interestedinfindingoutthewayyouhadbetternotuseit.Buthelaidit
heavyonthePharisees.HewouldgettoworkinguponthePharisees
andcomedownoutofthepulpitandrunuptheaisletowardus.
Sometimeshewouldmightnearlosehisbreath,hegotsomadatthem.

OnetimehewasgivingthePhariseeshellandhadcomedownthe

aisle.Hewouldholleraboutthemandsuckinhisbreathsohardhis
throatwouldrattle.Herundownclosetowherewewassetting,and
pointedhisfingeratmeandGranpaandsaid,“Youknowwhattheywas
upto…”It’pearedlikehewasaccusingmeandGranpaofhaving
somethingtodowiththePharisees.Granpasetupinhisseatandgivethe
preacherahardlook.WillowJohnlookedtowardhimandGranmaheld
hisarm.Thepreacherturnedofftopointingatsomebodyelse.

GranpasaidhehadneverknowedanyPhariseesandwasnotgoing

tohaveanysonofabitchaccusinghimofhavingknowledgeofnothing
theyhaddone.Granpasaidthepreacherhadbettercommencetopoint
hisfingersome’ereselse.Whichafterthathedid.Ireckinedhesawthe
lookinGranpa’seye.WillowJohnsaidthepreacherwascrazyand
wouldbearclosewatching.WillowJohnalwayscarriedalongknife.

ThepreacheralsohadatotaldislikingforPhilistines.Hewas

continuallyrakingthemuponesideanddowntheother.Hesaidthey
was,moreorless,aslow-downasPharisees.WhichMr.Johnson
noddedhisheadthatitwasso.

Granpasaidhegottiredofhearingthepreacherrakingsomebody

overallthetime.Hesaidhedidn’tseeanyearthlyreasonforgittin’the
PhariseesandPhilistinesstirredup;therewasenoughtroubleasitwas.

Granpaalwaysputsomethinginthecollectionplate,thoughhe

disagreedwithpayingpreachers.Hesaiditpaidtherentonourbench,
hereckined.SometimeshegivemeanickelthatIcouldputin.Granma
neverputanythinginandWillowJohnwouldnotlookatthecollection
platewhentheypassedit.

Granpasaidiftheykeptcontinuallystickingthecollectionplateunder

WillowJohn’snose,thatWillowJohnwouldtakesomethingoutofit;
figuringtheywascontinuallyofferinghimsomeofit.

Onceamonththerewastestifyingtime.Thisiswhenpeoplewould

129

standup,onebyone,andtellhowmuchtheylovedtheLord,andwhat
allbadtheyhaddone.Granpawouldneverdoit.Hesaidallitdonewas
causetrouble.Hesaidheknewpersonalofseveralmenwhohadbeen
shotafterwardwhentheyhadtoldsomethingtheyhaddonetoafeller,
andthefellerhadn’tknowedaboutituntilheheardtellofitfromthe
church.Granpasaidsuchwasn’tanybusinessbuthisown.Granmaand
WillowJohndidn’tstandup.

ItoldGranpaIfeltmoreorlesslikehedidaboutitandwasnot

goingtostandupeither.

Onemansaidhewassaved.Hesaidhewasgoingtostopliquorin’

up;saidhehadbeenliquorin’aroundfairlyheavyforanumberofyears
andnowwasnotgoingtodoitanymore.Whichmadeeverybodyfeel
good;himtryingtobetterhimself.Peopleshouted,“PraisetheLord!”
and“Amen!”

Everytimesomebodygotupandstartedtellingthebadthingshehad

done,amanoverinacornerwouldalwaysholler,“Tellitall!Tellitall!”
Hewouldkeepthisupeverytimeit’pearedtheywasgoingtostop,and
theywouldtrytothinkofsomethingelsebadtheyhaddone.Sometimes
theycomeoutwithsomeprettybadthings,whichtheymightnothave
doneifthemanhadnotbeenhollering.Heneverdidstandup.

Onetimeawomanstoodup.ShesaidtheLordhadsavedherfrom

wickedways.Themaninthecornerhollered,“Tellitall!”

Herfaceturnedred,andshesaidshehadbeenfornicatin’.Shesaid

shewasgoingtostop.Shesaiditwasnotright.Themanhollered,“Tellit
all!”Shesaidshehaddonesomefornicatin’withMr.Smith.Therewasa
commotionwhileMr.Smithdisassociatedhisselffromthebenchhewas
onandcomewalkingdowntheaisle.Hewalkedrealfastandwentout
thechurchdoor.Aboutthattimetwofellersonabackbenchgotupand
easedoutthedoorwithouthardlyanycommotionatall.

Shecalledouttwomorenameswithwhichshehaddonesome

fornicatin’.Everybodywaspraisingherandtellinghershehaddoneright.

Whenweleftthechurchhouse,themenallwalkedwidearoundthe

womanandwouldnotspeaktoher.Granpasaidtheywasscaredtobe
seentalkingtoher.Someofthewomenfolks,however,crowdedaround
herandbeatheronthebackandpattedherandtoldhershehaddone
therightthing.

Granpasaidthesewaswomenwhowaswantingtoknowabouttheir

ownmenfolks,andtheyfiggerediftheyshowedhowcomfortingitwasto

130

talkandhowgoodyougottreatedbytalking,theycouldgitsomemore
fornicatin’womentotestify.

Granpasaidiftheydid,itwouldbeahellofamess.Whichitwould.
Granpasaidhehopedthewomandidn’tchangehermindanddecide

togobacktofornicatin’.Hesaidshewouldbeinforadisappointment.
Hesaidshewouldnotfindanybodyhardlyatalltofornicatewith,less’n
hewasdrunkandoutofhissenses.

EverySundaybeforepreachingstartedtherewasaspecialtimeset

asidewhenanybodycouldstandupandtellaboutfolkswhoneeded
help.Sometimesitwouldbeasharecropperbetweenmovingswho
didn’thaveanythingtoeatforhisfamily,orsomebodywhosehousehad
burneddown.

Allthepeopleinthechurchwouldbringthingstohelp.Wealways

carriedalotofvegetablesinthesummertime,whichwehadplentyof.In
thewinterwewouldcarrymeat.OnetimeGranpamadeahickorylimb
chairandseateditwithstrippeddeerhideforafamilythathadlosttheir
furnitureinafire.Granpatakenthemanasidethereinthechurchyardand
givehimthechairandspentalongtimeshowinghimhowtomakeit.

Granpasaidifyoushowedafellerhowtodo,itwasalotbetterthan

givinghimsomething.Hesaidifyoulearntamantomakeforhisself,then
hewouldbeallright;butifyoujustgivehimsomethinganddidn’tlearn
himanything,thenyouwouldbecontinuallygivingtothemantherestof
yournaturallife.Granpasaidyouwouldbedoingthemanadisservice,
forifhebecomedependentonyou,thenyoutakenawayhischaracter
andhadstoleitfromhim.

Granpasaidsomefolkslikedtojustcontinuallygivebecauseitmade

themfeeluppity,andbetterthanthefellertheywasgivingto;whenall
theyhadtodowaslearnthefelleralittlesomethingwhichwouldmake
himdependentonhisself.

Granpasaidhumannaturebeingwhatitwastheywassomefellers

foundoutthatsomepeoplelikedtofeeluppity.Hesaidthesefellersgot
tobesuchsorrymenthattheywasanybody’sdogthatwouldhuntthem.
TheygotdowntowheretheywouldratherbeahoundtoMr.Uppitys
thantobetheirownman.Hesaidtheycontinuallywhinedaboutwhat
theyneeded,whenwhattheyneededwassomelearningdonebyahard
bootstuckintheirbackside.

Granpasaidsomenationswasuppityinthesamewayandwould

giveandgivesotheycouldcalltheirselvesbigshots,wheniftheyhad

131

theirheartintherightplace,wouldlearnthepeopletowhotheywas
givinghowtodofortheirselves.Granpasaidthesenationswouldn’tdo
thisbecausethentheotherpeoplewouldnotbedependentonthem,and
that’swhattheywasafterinthefirstplace.

MeandGranpawascreekwashingwhenhegottotalkingaboutit.

Hegotworkeduponthewholethingandwehadtocrawloutonthe
bank,orhewould,morethanlikely,havedrownedinthewaters.Iasked
GranpawhoMoseswas.

GranpasaidhehadnevergotarightclearpictureofMoses,what

withthepreachera’suckin’airandrattlingandhollering.Thepreacher
saidMoseswasadisciple.

Granpacautionedmenottotakehiswordasboundoath,because

hecouldn’ttellmeanythingexceptwhathehadheardaboutMoses.

HesaidMosestakenupwithagirlinsomebullrushreeds,whichhe

understoodgrowedontheriverbank.Hesaidthiswasnatural,butthe
girlwasrich,andasamatteroffactbelongedtoameansonofabitch
calledFaro.HesaidFarowasalwayskillingpeople.Farogotitinfor
Moses,morethanlikelyonaccountofthegirl.Whichcausessome
troubletoday.

GranpasaidMoseshidoutandtakenthepeoplewithhimthatFaro

wastryingtokill.HesaidMosesheadedoutintoacountrythatdidn’t
haveanywaterinit;andMosestakenastickandhitarockandsome
watercomeoutofit.Granpasaidhehadnonotionatallhowhedoneit
…butthatiswhatheheard.

GranpasaidMoseswanderedaroundforyearswithnoidee

whatsoeverastowherehewasgoing.Asamatteroffact,heneverdid
gittherebutthepeoplethatkeptfolleringhimarounddidgitthere.
Whereveritwastheywasgoing.HesaidMosesdiedwhilehewasstill
wanderingaround.

GranpasaidSamsoncomeintheresomewheresandkilledalotof

Philistineswhowasalwaysmakingtrouble.Hesaidhedidn’tknowwhat
thefightwasabout,orifthePhilistineswasFaro’smenornot.

GranpasaidaconnivingwomangotSamsondrunkandcuthishair

off.HesaidthewomanfixedSamsonsohisenemiescouldgitathim.
Granpacouldn’trecollectthewoman’sname,buthesaiditwasagood
Biblelesson;thatyouwastowatchoutforconnivingwomenwhotried
togityedrunk.WhichIsaidIwould.

GranpatakengreatsatisfactionfromlearningmethatBiblelesson.It

132

was,morethanlikely,theonlyonehehadeverlearntanybody.

Lookingbackonit,meandGranpawasprettyignorantoftheBible.

And,Iguess,confusedastoallthetechnicalwaysbywhichyougotto
Heaven.MeandGranpamoreorlessfiggeredwewasoutofthewhole
thing,technicalwise,forwenevercouldgetitreasonedouttomakeany
senseatall.

Onceyougiveuponsomething,thenyouarekindofanonlooker.

MeandGranpawasonlookerswhenitcometotechnicalchurchreligion,
andhadnoanxiousfeelingaboutitatall…aswehadgiveitup.

GranpasaidIhadjustaswellfergitaboutthewatersituation.He

saidhehadtotallygiveuponitalongtimeago,andfeltbettersincethat
time.

Hesaidhe,privatelyspeaking,couldn’treasonastowhatinthehell

waterhadtodowithit.

Ifeltthesamewayandsogiveuponthewater.

133

Mr.Wine

Hehadcomeallthroughthewinterandthespring,onceamonth,regular
assundown,andspentthenight.Sometimeshewouldstayoverwithusa
dayandanothernight.Mr.Winewasabackpeddler.

Helivedinthesettlement,butwalkedthemountaintrailswithhis

packonhisback.Wealwaysknewaboutthedayhewouldcome,and
sowhenthehoundsbayedmeandGranpawouldgodownthehollow
trailtomeethim.Wewouldhelphimcarryhispacktothecabin.

Granpawouldcarrythepack.Mr.Wineusuallyhadaclockwithhim

thatheletmecarry.Heworkedonclocks.Wedidn’thaveone,butwe
helpedhimworkonhisclocksonthekitchentable.

GranmawouldlightthelampandMr.Winewouldputaclockonthe

tableandopenitsinsides.Iwasnottallenoughtoseebysettingdown,
soIalwaysstoodonachairnexttoMr.Wineandwatchedhimtakeout
littlespringsandgoldscrews.GranpaandMr.Winetalkedwhilehe
workedontheclocks.

Mr.Winewasmaybeahundredyearsold.Hehadalongwhite

beardandworeablackcoat.Hehadalittleroundblackcapthatseton
thebackofhishead.Mr.Winewasnothisrealname.Hisnamestarted
offwithWine,butitwassolongandcomplicatedwecouldn’tgetit
straight,sowecalledhimMr.Wine.Mr.Winesaiditdidn’tmatter.He
saidnameswasnotimportant,itwasmoreorlesshowyousaidit.
Whichisright.Mr.WinesaidsomeIndiannameswasbeyondanythingat
allthathecouldsaypropersohemadeupnameshisself.

Healwayshadsomethinginhiscoatpocket;usuallyanapple,one

timehehadanorange.Buthecouldnotrememberanything.

Wewouldeatsupperinduskevening;then,whileGranmacleared

thetable,Mr.WineandGranpawouldsetinrockersandtalk.Iwould
pullmychairbetweenthemandsettoo.Mr.Winewouldbetalkingand
stop.Hewouldsay,“ItseemslikeI’mforgettingsomething,butIdon’t
knowwhatitis.”Iknewwhatitwas,butwouldnotsayanything.Mr.
Winewouldscratchhisheadandcombhisbeardwithhisfingers.Granpa
wouldn’thelpatall.FinallyMr.Winewouldlookdownatmeandsay,
“Couldyouhelpmerememberwhatitis,LittleTree?”

134

Iwouldtellhim,“Yes,sir,morethanlikely,youwastotin’something

inyourpocketthatyoucouldn’trecollect.”

Mr.Winewouldjumpstraightupinhischairandslapathispocket

andsay,“Whangdaggleme!ThankyouLittleTree,forremindingme.I’m
gettin’soIcan’tthink.”Whichhewas.

Hewouldpulloutaredapplethatwasbiggerthananykindraisedin

themountains.Hesaidherunacrostitandpickeditup,andwas
intendingtothrowitaway,ashedidn’tlikeapples.IalwaystoldhimI
wouldtakeitoffhishands.IstoodreadytosplitwithGranmaand
Granpa,buttheydidn’tlikeappleseither.WhichIdid.Isavedtheseeds
andplantedthemalongthespringbranch,intendingtoraiselotsoftrees
thatgiveupthatkindofapple.

Hecouldnotrememberwhereheputhisglasses.Whenheworked

ontheclocks,heworelittleglassesontheendofhisnose.Theywere
heldtogetherwithwireandthehandlesthatwentbehindhisearshad
clothwrappedaroundthem.

Hewouldstopworkingandpushhisglassesuponhisheadwhilehe

talkedtoGranpa.Whenhestartedbacktowork,hecouldn’tfindthem.
Iknewwheretheywas.Hewouldfeelaroundonthetableandlookat
GranpaandGranma,andsay,“Nowwhereindevil’stormentismy
glasses?”HimandGranpaandGranmawouldallgrinateachother,
feelingfoolishthattheydidn’tknow.IwouldpointtohisheadandMr.
Winewouldslaphisselfonthehead,totalstumpedthathehadleftthem
there.

Mr.WinesaidhecouldnotworkonhisclocksifIhadnotbeen

theretohelphimfindhisglasses.Whichhecouldn’t.

Helearntmetotelltime.Hewouldtwistthehandsoftheclock

aroundandaskmewhattimeitwas,andwouldlaughwhenImissed.It
didn’ttakemelongbeforeIkneweverything.

Mr.WinesaidIwasgettingagoodeducation.Hesaidtherewasn’t

hardlyanyyoung’unsatallmyagethatknewaboutMr.MacbethorMr.
Napoleon,orthatstudieddictionaries.Helearntmefigures.

Icouldalreadyfiguremoneysomewhat,beinginthewhiskeytrade,

butMr.Winewouldtakeoutsomepaperandalittlepencilandput
figuresdown.Hewouldshowmehowtomakethefiguresandhowto
addthem,andtakeaway,andmultiply.GranpasaidIwasmightnear
betterthananybodyhehadeverseen,doingfigures.

Mr.Winegavemeapencil.Itwaslongandyeller.Therewasa

135

certainwayyousharpenedit,sothatyoudidn’tmakethepointtoothin.
Ifyoumadethepointtoothinitwouldbreak,andyouwouldhaveto
sharpenitagain;whichusedupthepencilfornoneedatall.

Mr.Winesaidthewayheshowedmehowtosharpenthepencilwas

thethriftyway.Hesaidtherewasadifferencebetweenbeingstingyand
beingthrifty.Ifyouwasstingy,youwasasbadassomebigshotswhich
worshippedmoneyandyouwouldnotuseyourmoneyforwhatyouhad
ought.Hesaidifyouwasthatwaythenmoneywasyourgod,andno
goodwouldcomeofthewholething.

Hesaidifyouwasthrifty,youusedyourmoneyforwhatyouhad

oughtbutyouwasnotloosewithit.Mr.Winesaidthatonehabitledto
anotherhabit,andiftheywasbadhabits,itwouldgiveyouabad
character.Ifyouwasloosewithyourmoney,thenyouwouldgetloose
withyourtime,loosewithyourthinkingandpracticaleverythingelse.Ifa
wholepeoplegotloose,thenpoliticiansseentheycouldgetcontrol.They
wouldtakeoverloosepeopleandbeforelongyouhadadictator.Mr.
Winesaidnothriftypeoplewasevertakenoverbyadictator.Whichis
right.

HehadthesameconsiderationasmeandGranpaforpoliticians.
GranmausuallyboughtsomethreadfromMr.Wine.Littlespoolsof

threadwastwoforanickelandtherewasbigspoolsthatwasanickel
apiece.Sometimessheboughtbuttons,andoncesheboughtsomered
clothwithflowersonit.

Therewasallkindsofthingsinthepack;ribbonsofeverycolor,

prettyclothandstockings,thimblesandneedles,andlittleshinytools.I
wouldsquatbythepackwhenMr.Wineopeneditonthefloorandhe
wouldholdupthingsandtellmewhattheywas.Hegivemeafiguring
book.

Thebookhadallthefiguringinit,andtoldyouhowtodoit.This

wassoIcouldlearntodofiguringallthroughthemonth.Igotsofar
aheadeachmonththatwhenMr.Winecomeby,hewastotalstumped.

Mr.Winesaidfiguringwasimportant.Hesaideducationwasatwo-

partproposition.Onepartwastechnical,whichwashowyoumoved
aheadinyourtrade.Hesaidhewasforgettingmoremoderninthatend
ofeducation.But,hesaid,theotherpartyouhadbettersticktoandnot
changeit.Hecalleditvaluing.

Mr.Winesaidifyoulearnttoplaceavalueonbeinghonestand

thrifty,ondoingyourbest,andoncaringforfolks;thiswasmore

136

importantthananything.Hesaidifyouwasnottaughtthesevalues,then
nomatterhowmodernyougotaboutthetechnicalpart,youwasnot
goingtogetanywheresatall.

Asamatteroffact,themoremodernyougotwithoutthesevaluings,

thenyouwouldmorethanlikelyusethemodernthingsforbadand
destroyingandruining.Whichisright,andnotlongafterthatwasproved
out.

Everyonceinawhilewehadahardtimefixingtheclocks,soMr.

Winewouldstaywithusadayandanothernight.Oncehebroughta
blackboxwithhimwhichhesaidwasaKodak.Hecouldtakepictures
withit.Hesaidhewasnotverygoodatit—takingthepictures.Hesaid
somefolkshadorderedtheKodakandhewastakingittothem,buthe
saiditwouldnothurtitatallorshowanyuseifhetakenourpicture.

Hetakenapictureofme,andofGranpatoo.Theboxwouldnot

takethepictureunlessyouwasfacingd’rectatthesun,andMr.Wine
saidhewasnottootookupwiththewholecontraptionanyhow.Granpa
wasn’teither.Hewassuspiciousofthethingandwouldnotstandbutfor
onepicture.Granpasaidyouneverknowedaboutthemthingsanditwas
bestnottouseanythingnewlikethatuntilyoufoundoutwhatwould
happenoveraperiodoftime.

Mr.WinewantedGranpatotakeapictureofmeandhim.Ittookus

practicalalleveningtotakeit.MeandMr.Winewouldgetallset.He
wouldhavehishandonmyhead,andwewouldbothbegrinningatthe
box.Granpawouldsayhecouldn’tseeusthroughthelittlehole.Mr.
WinewouldgotoGranpaandgettheboxleveledupandcomeback.
Wewouldstandagain.Granpawouldsaywewouldhavetomoveover
aways,ashecouldn’tseeanythingbutanarm.

Granpawasnervousaboutthebox.Isuspicionedhefiguredthey

wassomethinginitthatwasliabletogetout.MeandMr.Winefacedthe
sunsolongthatneitheroneofuscouldseeathingbeforeGranpafinally
gotthepicturetaken.Itdidn’tworkoutthough.Thenextmonthwhen
Mr.Winebroughtthepictures,mineandGranpa’sshowedupplain,but
meandMr.WinewasnoteveninthepicturethatGranpahadtaken.We
couldmakeoutthetopsofsometreesandsomespecksabovethetrees;
whichafterstudyingthepictureawhileGranpasaidwasbirds.

GranpawasproudofthebirdpictureandIwastoo.Hetakenitto

thecrossroadsstoreandshowedittoMr.Jenkins,andtoldhimhehad
personallytakenthepictureofthebirds.

137

Mr.Jenkinscouldn’tseegood.MeandGranpaworkedatitfor

mightnearanhour,pointingoutthebirds;andhefinallysawthem.I
figuredmeandMr.Winewasmorethanlikelystandingsomewhere
downbelowthebirds.

Granmawouldnothaveherpicturetaken.Shewouldnotsaywhy,

butshewassuspiciousoftheboxandwouldnottouchit.

Afterwegotthepicturesback,Granmawastakenwiththem.She

studiedthemalotandputthemonthelogoverthefireplace,andwas
continuallywatchingthem.Ibelieveshewouldhavestoodforapicture
afterthat;butwedidn’thavetheKodak,asMr.Winehadtodeliveritto
thepeoplewhohadorderedit.

Mr.WinesaidhewasgoingtogetanotherKodakbuthedidn’tfor

thiswashislastsummer.

Summerwasgettingreadytodie,dozingawaythedaysatthe

ending.Thesuncommencedtochangefromthewhiteheatoflifetoa
hazingofyellerandgold,blurringtheafternoonsandhelpingsummerdie.
Gettingready,Granmasaid,forthebigsleep.

Mr.Winemadehislasttrip.Wedidn’tknowitthen,thoughmeand

Granpahadtohelphimacrossthefootlogandupthestepsoftheporch.
Maybeheknew.

Whenheunstrappedhispack,thereonthecabinfloor,hetakenout

ayellercoat.Hehelditupandthelampshinedonitlikegold.Granma
saiditremindedherofwildcanaries.Itwastheprettiestcoatwehad
everseen.Mr.Wineturneditroundandroundinthelamplightandwe
alllookedatit.Granmatouchedit,butIdidn’t.

Mr.Winesaidhedidn’thaveanysenseandwasalwaysforgetting

things,whichhewas.Hesaidhehadmadethecoatforoneofhisgreat-
grandyoung’unswhichlivedacrostthebigwaters,buthemadethesize
forwhathisgreat-grandyoung’unwasyearsago.Afterhegotitmade,
thenherememberedthatitwasatotalmisfit.Nowtherewasn’tanybody
couldwearit.

Mr.Winesaiditwasasintothrowsomethingawaythatcouldbe

usedbysomebody.Hesaidhewassoworriedthathecouldn’tsleep,
becausehewasgettingoldandcouldn’tstandanymoresinputonhim.
Hesaidifhecouldn’tfindsomebodywhichwouldfavorhimbywearing
thecoatthathereckinedhewastotallost.Weallstudiedonthatfora
while.

Mr.Winehadhisheadbowedandlookedlikehewasdonelost

138

already.ItoldhimIwouldtrytowearit.

Mr.Winelookedupandhisfacebrokeoutinagrinamongstthe

whiskers.Hesaidhewassoforgetfulhehadplumbforgottoaskmefor
thefavor.HepulledhisselfupanddancedalittlejigaroundandsaidI
hadtotallyliftedasinandabigloadoffofhim.WhichIhad.

Everybodyputthecoatonme.Granmapulledonthesleeve,whileI

stoodtherewithiton.Mr.WinesmoothedthebackandGranpapulled
thebottomdown.Itfitperfect;asIwasthesamesizeasMr.Winehad
rememberedhisgreat-grandyoung’un.

Iturnedroundandroundinthelight,forGranmatoseeallsides.I

heldoutmyarmssoGranpacouldseethesleeves,andweallfeltofit.It
wassoftandslidsmoothandeasyunderourhands.Mr.Winewasso
happythathecried.

Iworemycoatwhenweetsupperandwascarefultokeepmy

mouthovertheplateandnotspillanythingonit.Iwouldhavesleptinit,
butGranmasaidsleepinginitwouldmakeitwrinkle.Shehungitonthe
postofmybedsoIcouldlookatit.Themoonlightcomingthroughmy
windermadeitshineevenmore.

Layingthere,lookingatthecoat,IdeterminedrightoffthatIwould

wearittochurchandtothesettlement.Imightevenwearittothe
crossroadsstorewhenwedeliveredourwares.It’pearedtomethatthe
moreIworeit,themoresinwouldgetliftedoffMr.Wine.

Mr.Winesleptonapalletquilt.Helaiditoutonthefloorofthe

settin’room,acrossthedogtrotfromoursleepingrooms.Itoldhimhe
couldusemybed,asIlikedtosleeponapallet,buthewouldnotdoit.

Thatnight,asIlayabed,somehoworotherIgottothinkingthat

eventhoughIwasdoingMr.Wineafavor,maybeI’doughttothankhim
fortheyellercoat.Igotupandtiptoedacrossthedogtrotandeased
openthedoor.Mr.Winewaskneelingonhispalletandhadhishead
bowed.Hewassayingprayers,Ifigured.

Hewasgivingthanksforalittleboywhohadbroughthimsomuch

happiness;whichIfiguredwashisgreat-grandyoung’unacrostthebig
waters.Hehadacandlelitonthekitchentable.Istoodquiet,for
Granmahadlearntmenottomakeanoisewhilepeoplewassaying
prayers.

Inaminute,Mr.Winelookedupandsawme.Hetoldmetocome

in.Iaskedhimwhyhehadlitthecandle,whenwehadalamp.

Mr.Winesaidallhisfolkswasacrostthebigwaters.Hesaidthere

139

wasnotbutonewayhecouldbewiththem.Hesaidheonlylitthe
candleatcertaintimes,andtheylitacandleatthesametime,andthat
theywastogetherwhentheydidthisfortheirthoughtswastogether.
Whichsoundsreasonable.

ItoldhimwehadfolksscatteredfaroffintheNations,andhadnot

figuredsuchawayasthattobewiththem.ItoldhimaboutWillowJohn.

IsaidIwasgoingtotellWillowJohnaboutthecandle.Mr.Wine

saidWillowJohnwouldunderstand.IplumbforgottothankMr.Wine
fortheyellercoat.

Heleftthenextmorning.Wehelpedhimacrostthefootlog.Granpa

hadcutahickorystickandMr.Wineuseditashewalked.

Hewentdownthetrail,hobblingslow,usingthehickorystickand

bentundertheweightofhispack.HewasoutofsightwhenI
rememberedIhadforgot.Irundownthetrail,buthewasfarbelowme,
pickinghiswayalong.Ihollered,“Thankeefortheyellercoat,Mr.
Wine.”Hedidn’tturnandsodidnothearme.Mr.Winewasnotonly
badaboutforgettin’;hecouldn’theargoodeither.Ifigured,comingback
upthetrail,thathimalwaysforgettin’hewouldunderstandhowIforgot
too.

EventhoughIwasdoinghimafavor—wearingtheyellercoat.

140

DownfromtheMountain

Fallcameearlytothemountainsthatyear.First,alongtherimshigh
againstthesky,theredandyellowleavesshookinabriskingwind.Frost
hadtouchedthem.Thesunturnedamberandslantedraysthroughthe
treesandintothehollow.

Eachmorning,thefrostworkeditswayfartherdownthemountain.A

timidfrost,notkilling,butlettingyouknowthatyoucouldn’tholdonto
summernomorethanyoucouldholdbacktime;lettingyouknowthat
thewinterdyingwascoming.

Fallisnature’sgracetime;givingyouachancetoputthingsinorder,

forthedying.Andso,whenyouputthingsinorder,yousortoutallyou
mustdo…andallyouhavenotdone.Itisatimeforremembering…
andregretting,andwishingyouhaddonesomethingsyouhavenotdone
…andsaidsomethingsyouhadnotsaid.

IwishedIhadthankedMr.Winefortheyellercoat.Hedidn’tcome

thatmonth.Wesetontheporchinlateeveningsandwatchedthehollow
trail,andlistened;buthedidn’tcome.MeandGranpadeterminedwe
wouldgotothesettlementtoseeabouthim.

Frosttouchedthehollow;light,barelyreminding.Itturnedthe

persimmonredandranyellowtrimmingsaroundtheedgesofthepoplar
andmapleleaves.Thecreatureswhowastostaythewinterworked
harderputtinguptheirstoressonottodie.

Bluejaysmadelonglines,flyingbackandforthtothehighoaks,

carryingacornstotheirnests.Nowtheydidn’tplayorcall.

Thelastbutterflyflewupthehollow.Herestedonacornstalkwhere

meandGranpahadstrippedthecorn.Hedidn’tflexhiswings,justset,
andwaited.Hehadnopurposeinstoringfood.Hewasgoingtodie,and
heknewit.Granpasaidhewaswiserthanalotofpeople.Hedidn’tfret
aboutit.Heknewhehadservedhispurpose,andnowhispurposewas
todie.Sohewaitedthereinthelastwarmofthesun.

MeandGranpagotinstovewoodandfireplacelogs.Granpasaid

wehadgrasshopperedaroundallsummerandnowwaspushedtoget
ourwinter’swarmsettledup.Whichwehad.

Wedraggeddeadtreetrunksandheavylimbsfromthemountainside

141

intotheclearing.Granpa’saxeflashedintheeveningsunandrangand
echoedupthehollow.Itotedinthewoodchipsforthekitchenbinand
rackedthefireplacelogsagainstthecabinside.

Thisiswhatwewasdoingwhenthepoliticianscame.Theysaidthey

wasnotpoliticians,buttheywas.Amanandawoman.

Theywouldnottaketherockersofferedtothem,butsetstraightin

thehighbackchairs.Themanworeagraysuitandthewomanworea
graydress.ThedresswaschokedsotightaroundherneckthatIfigured
itmadeherlookthewayshedid.Themanheldhiskneestogetherlikea
woman.Hekepthishatonhiskneesandwasnervous,forhecontinually
turnedthehatroundandround.Thewomanwasn’tnervous.

ThewomansaidthatIhadoughttoleavetheroom,butGranpasaid

thatIsetinoneverythingtherewastosetinon.SoIstayedandsetin
mylittlerockerandrocked.

Themanclearedhisthroatandsaidpeoplewasconcernedaboutmy

educationandsuch.Hesaidthatithadoughttobelookedafter.Granpa
saiditwas.HetoldthemwhatMr.Winesaid.

ThewomanaskedGranpawhoMr.Winewas,andhetoldherall

aboutMr.Wine—thoughhedidn’tmentionhowMr.Winewasalways
fergittin’everything.Thewomansniffedhernoseandbrushedaroundat
herskirtslikeshefiguredMr.Winewassomewheresaboutandfixingto
getunderherdress.

IseenrightoffshetotaldiscountedMr.Wine;whichshedidustoo.

ShegiveGranpaapaperwhichhegivetoGranma.

Granmalitthelampandsetatthekitchentabletoreadthepaper.

Shestartedtoreaditoutloudbutshestopped.Shereadtherestofitto
herself.Whenshefinishedshestoodupandleanedover—andblewout
thelamp.

Thepoliticiansknewwhatthismeant.Ididtoo.Theystoodupinthe

half-lightandstumbledoutthedoor.Theydidn’tsaygood-bye.

Wewaitedinthedark,alongtimeaftertheyleft.Granmalitthelamp

andwesetatthekitchentable.Icouldn’tseewhatwasonthepaper,as
myheadonlycomeabovethetableedge,butIlistened.

Thepapersaidsomepeoplehadfiledwiththelaw.ItsaidIwasnot

beingdonerightby.ThepapersaidGranmaandGranpahadnorightto
keepme;thattheywasoldandhadnoeducation.ItsaidGranmawasa
IndianandGranpawasahalf-breed.Granpa,itsaid,hadabad
reputation.

142

ThepapersaidGranmaandGranpawasselfish,andbeingthatway

wastotalhamperingmefortherestofmycontinuallife.Theywasselfish,
itsaid,becausetheyjustwantedcomfortintheiroldageandwasputting
meout,moreorless,togiveittothem.

Thepaperhadthingstosayaboutme,butGranmawouldnotreadit

outloud.ItsaidthatGranpaandGranmahadsomanydaysinwhich
theycouldcomeincourtandgiveanswertoit.ItsaidotherwiseIwasto
beputinaorphanage.

Granpawastotalstumped.Hetakenoffhishatandlaiditonthe

table,andhishandshook.Herubbedhishatwithhishandandjustset,
lookingatthehatandrubbingit.

Iwentandsetinmyrockerbythefireplaceandrocked.Itold

GranmaandGranpathatIfiggeredIcouldupmydictionarylearningto
practicallytenwordsaweek.ItoldthemthatmorethanlikelyIcouldup
itevenmore—maybetoahundred.Iwaslearningtoread,andItold
themIseenrightoffthatIwasgoingtohavetodoubleuponmyreading,
andIremindedthemwhatMr.Winehadsaidaboutmyfiggering;which,
eventhoughhedidn’tcountnonewiththepoliticians,itstillshowedIwas
movingahead.

Icouldn’tstoptalking.Itriedtostop,butIcouldn’t.Irockedharder

andharder,andtalkedfasterandfaster.

ItoldGranpaIwasinnowisehamperedatall;thatIfiggeredIwas

gittin’theuppersonjustabouteverything.Granpawouldnotanswerme.
Granmaheldthepaperandstaredatit.

Iseentheyfiggeredtheywaswhatthepapersaidtheywas.Isaid

theywasn’t.Isaiditwastheotherwayaround;thattheycomfortedme,
andIwasmorethanlikelyabouttheworstthingthathadcomealongfor
themtohavetomindabout.ItoldGranpaIhadburdenedthemuppretty
heavyandtheyhadnot,innowise,burdenedme.ItoldthemIstood
readytotellthelawthisverything.Buttheywouldn’ttalk.

IsaidIwasgittin’aheadotherwisetoo,learningatradeandall.Itold

GranpathatIwastotalcertainnootheryoung’unmyagewaslearninga
trade.

Granpalookedatmeforthefirsttime.Hiseyeswasdull.Hesaid

maybe,thelawbeingliketheywas,thatwehadoughtnottomention
aboutthetrade.

IwenttothetableandsetonGranpa’sleg.ItoldhimandGranmaI

wouldnotgowiththelaw.IsaidIwouldgobackinthemountainsand

143

staywithWillowJohn,untilsuchtimeasthelawforgotaboutthewhole
thing.IaskedGranmawhataorphanagewas.

Granmalookedatmeacrossthetable.Hereyesdidn’tlookright

either.Granmasaidaorphanagewaswheretheykeptyoung’unswho
didn’thaveaPaandaMa.Shesaidtheywaslotsofyoung’unsthere.
ShesaidthelawwouldcomelookingifIwentbackandstayedwith
WillowJohn.

Iseenrightoffthatthelawmightfindourstilliftheytakentolooking.

Ididn’tmentionWillowJohnagain.

Granpasaidwewouldgotothesettlementinthemorningandsee

Mr.Wine.

Weleftatdaybreak,downthehollowtrail.Granpahadthepaperto

showMr.Wine.Granpaknewwherehelived,andwhenwegottothe
settlementweturneddownasidestreet.Mr.Winelivedoverafeed
store.Wewentuplongladdersteps,thatwobbledasweclimbedupthe
sideofthefeedstore.Thedoorwaslocked.Granpashookitand
knockedonit…butnobodyanswered.Therewasdustovertheglass
andGranpawipeditawayandlookedin.Hesaidtherewasn’tanything
inthere.

Wewalkedslowbackdownthesteps.IfollowedGranpaaroundto

thefrontofthefeedstore,andwewentin.

Comingoutofthenoontimesun,itwasdarkinthestore.Meand

Granpastoodforaminutetogetoursight.Amanwasleaningagainstthe
counter.

“Howdy,”hesaid,“whatferye?”Hisstomachhungoverthebeltof

hisbritches.

“Howdy,”Granpasaid,“wewaslookingforMr.Wine,thefeller

whichlivesoveryerstore.”

“Mr.Wineain’thisname,”themansaid.Hehadatoothpickinhis

mouthwhichheworkedfromsidetoside.Hesuckedonthetoothpick
andtakenitoutandfrownedatit,likeittastedbad.

“Infact,”hesaid,“heain’tgotnonamenomore.He’sdead.”
MeandGranpawasstumped.Wedidn’tsayanything.Ifelthollow

insideandmykneesweakened.Ihadbuiltupaprettyheavydependence
onMr.Wineashandlingoursituation.IfiguredGranpahadcounted
heavyonittoo;forhedidn’tknowwhattodonext.

“YernamebeWales?”thefatmanasked.
“Itbe,”Granpasaid.Thefatmanwalkedbehindthecounter,

144

reachedunderitanddraggedoutatowsack.Heswungituponthe
counter.Itwasfullofsomething.

“Theoldmanleftthishereferye,”hesaid.“See,thetag.Gotyer

nameonit.”Granpalookedatthetag,thoughhecouldn’treadit.

“Hehadeverythingtagged,”thefatmansaid.“Knewhewasgoingto

die.Evenhadatagtiedaroundhiswristtellingwheretoshipthebody.
Knewexactlyhowmuchitcosttoo…leftthemoneyinanenvelope…
rightdowntothepenny.Stingy.Nomoneyleftover.Justlikeadamn
Jew.”

Granpalookedup,hard,fromunderhishat.“Paidhisobligations,

didn’the?”

Thefatmangotserious.“Ohyes…yes…Ihadnothin’againstthe

oldman,didn’tknowhim.Nobodymuchdid.Spentallhistime
wanderingaroundinthemountains.”

Granpaswungthetowsackoverhisshoulder.“Couldyed’rectme

toalawyeringman?”Thefatmanpointedacrossthestreet.“Rightin
frontofye,upthestairs,’tweenthembuildings.”

“Thankee,”Granpasaid.Wewalkedtothedoor.
“Funnything,”thefatmansaidafterus,“theoldJew,whenwefound

him;theonlythinghehadn’ttaggedwasacandle.Thedernfoolhaditlit
andburningrightbesidehim.”

Iknewaboutthecandle,butIdidn’tsayanything.Iknewaboutthe

moneytoo.Mr.Winewasnotstingy;hewasthrifty,andpaidhis
obligations,andseenthathismoneywasusedintherightmanner.

Wewentacrossthestreetandupthesteps.Granpatotedthesack.

Granpaknockedonadoorthathadglassacrossthetopandletteringon
it.

“Comein…comein!”Thevoicesoundedlikeyouwasn’tsupposed

toknock.Wewentin.

Amanwasleaningbackinachair,behindadesk.Hehadwhitehair

andlookedold.WhenhesawmeandGranpahegotup,slow.Granpa
takenoffhishatandsetdownthetowsack.Themanleanedoverhis
deskandstuckouthishand.“MynameisTaylor,”hesaid,“JoeTaylor.”

“Wales,”Granpasaid.Granpatakenhishand,butdidn’tshakeit.He

turnedlooseofitandhandedMr.Taylorourpaper.

Mr.Taylorsetdownandtakeneyeglassesoutofavestpocket.He

leanedonthedeskandreadthepaper.Iwatchedhim.Hefrowned.He
lookedatthepaperforalongtime.

145

Whenhefinished,hefoldedthepaperslowandhandeditbackto

Granpa.Helookedup.“You’vebeeninjail—whiskey-making?”

“Oncet,”Granpasaid.
Mr.Taylorgotupandwalkedtoabigwindow.Helookeddownin

thestreetalongtime.Hesighed;anddidn’tlookatGranpa.“Icould
takeyourmoney,butitwouldn’tdoanygood.Governmentbureaucrats
thatrunthesethingsdon’tunderstandmountainpeople.Don’twantto.I
don’tthinkthesonsofbitchesunderstandanything.”Hewaslookinga
longwayoffatsomethingoutthewindow.Hecoughed.“NorIndians.
We’dlose.They’lltaketheboy.”

Granpaputonhishat.Hetakenhispursefromhisforwardpants

pocketandunsnappedandfeltaround.HelaidadollaronMr.Taylor’s
desk.Weleft.Mr.Taylorwasstilllookingoutthewindow.

Wewalkedoutofthesettlement,Granpaleading,totin’thetowsack.

Mr.Winewasgone.Iknewwehadlost.

ItwasthefirsttimeIcouldkeepup,easy,withGranpa.Hewalked

slow.Hismoccasinsdraggedinthedirt.Ifiguredhewastired.Wewas
onthehollowtrailwhenIaskedhim,“Granpa,whatisadamnJew?”

Granpastoppedanddidn’tlookbackatme.Hisvoicesoundedtired

too.“Idon’tknow;somethingissaidabout’emintheBible,
somewheresorother;mustgobackalongways.”Granpaturned
around.“LiketheIndian…Iheartelltheyain’tgotnonation,neither.”
Granpalookeddownatme.HiseyeslookedlikeWillowJohn’s.

Granmalitthelamp.Weopenedthetowsackthereonthekitchen

table.TherewasrollsofredclothandgreenandyellerclothforGranma;
needles,thimblesandspoolsofthread.ItoldGranmaitlookedlikeMr.
Winehadmightnearemptiedhispackintothetowsack.Shesaidit
lookedthatwaytoher.

TherewasallmanneroftoolsforGranpa.Andbooks.Afiguring

bookandalittleblackbookthatGranmasaidhadvaluingsayingsinitfor
me.Therewasabookwithpicturesofboysandgirlsanddogs.Ithad
writinginitandwasbrand-new,foritstillshined.IfiguredMr.Winewas
goingtobringitonhisnexttrip,ifhedidn’tforget.Thatwasall;we
thought.

Granpapickeduptheemptysackandstartedtoputitonthefloor.

Somethingbumpedinthesack.Granpaturneditup.Aredapplerolled
outonthetable.ItwasthefirsttimethatMr.Winehadrecollectedthe
apple.SomethingelserolledoutandGranmapickeditup.Itwasa

146

candleandithadoneofMr.Wine’stagsonit.Granmareadit.Itsaid:
WillowJohn.

Wedidn’teatmuchsupper.Granpatoldaboutourtriptothe

settlement;aboutMr.WineandwhatMr.Taylorhadsaid.

Granmablewoutthelampandwesetbythefireplaceinthehalf-

darkofanewmooncomingthroughthewinder.Wedidn’tlightafire.I
rocked.

ItoldGranmaandGranpatheywasnottofeelbadaboutit.IsaidI

didn’t.MorethanlikelyIwouldliketheorphanage,withallthe
young’unsandsuchbeingthere.Isaiditwouldnottakelongtosatisfy
thelaw,morethanlikely,andIcouldcomeback.

Granmasaidwehadthreedays,andthenIwastobedeliveredupto

thelaw.Wedidn’ttalkanymore.Ididn’tknowwhattosay.Weallthree
rocked,ourchairscreakingslow,farintothenightandwedidn’ttalk.

Whenwewenttobed,forthefirsttimesinceMadiedIcried,butI

puttheblanketinmymouthandGranmaandGranpadidnothearme.

Wefilledupthethreedays,livinghardaswecould.Granmawent

everywherewithmeandGranpa,uptheNarrowstoHangin’Gap.We
takenBlueBoyandthehounds.Onemorning,earlyinthedark,we
takenthehightrail.Wesetontopofthemountainandwatchedday
breakovertherims.IshowedGranpaandGranmamysecretplace.

Granmaspiltsugarinpracticaleverythingshecooked.Meand

Granpaeatfairlyheavyonmealcookies.

ThedaybeforeIwastoleave,Islippedoffoverthecutofftrailtothe

crossroadsstore.Mr.Jenkinssaidtheredandgreenboxwasold,and
sohewouldsellitforsixty-fivecents,whichIpaidhim.Iboughtaboxof
redstickcandyforGranpa,whichcostaquarter.Thisleftmeadimeout
ofthedollarIhadgotfromMr.Chunk.

ThatnightGranpacutmyhair.Hesaiditwasnecessary,foritmight

behardonme,lookinglikeaIndianandall.ItoldGranpaIdidn’tcare.I
saidIhadjustassoonlooklikeWillowJohn.

Iwasnottowearmymoccasins.Granpastretchedmyoldshoes.He

takenapieceofironandpusheditintotheshoes,punchingtheleatherof
theuppersoutoverthesoles.Myfeethadgrowed.

ItoldGranmaIwouldleavemymoccasinsundermybed,asIwould

morethanlikelybebackprettysoon,andtheywouldbehandy.Iputmy
deershirtonthebed.ItoldGranmathatitcouldstaythereasnobody
wouldbesleepinginmybeduntilIcomeback.

147

IhidtheredandgreenboxinGranma’smealbinwhereshewould

finditinadayortwo;andputtheboxofstickcandyinGranpa’ssuit
coat.HewouldfinditSunday.Ihadonlytakenoutonepiecetomoreor
lessproveitout.Itwasgood.

Granmawouldnotgotothesettlementfortheleaving.Granpa

waitedintheclearingforme,andGranmakneltdownontheporchand
heldmelikesheheldWillowJohn.Iheldhertoo.Itriednottocry,butI
did,some.Ihadonmyoldshoes,whichifIstretchedmytoes,they
didn’thurt.Iworemybestoverallsandmywhiteshirt.Iworetheyeller
coat.Inmytowsack,Granmahadputtwomoreshirtsandmyotherpair
ofoveralls,andmysocks.Iwouldnotcarryanythingelse,forIknewI
wouldbeback.ItoldGranmaIwould.

Kneelingthereontheporch,Granmasaid,“DoyerecollecttheDog

Star,LittleTree?Theonewelookatintheduskofevening?”IsaidI
did.AndGranmasaid,“Whereveryeare—nomatterwhere—inthe
duskofevening,yelookattheDogStar.MeandGranpawillbelooking
too.Wewillremember.”ItoldherIwouldremembertoo.Itwaslike
Mr.Wineandhiscandle.IaskedGranmatotellWillowJohntolookat
theDogStartoo.Whichshesaidshewould.

Granmaheldmebytheshouldersandlookedatme.Shesaid,“The

CherokeesmarriedyourPaandMa.Willyerememberthat,LittleTree?
Nomatterwhatissaid…remember.”

IsaidIwould.Granmaturnedmeloose.Ipickedupmytowsack

andfollowedGranpaoutoftheclearing.Acrossthefootlog,Ilooked
back.Granmawasstandingontheporch,watching.Sheraisedherhand
andtouchedherheart,andpushedthehandafterme.Iknewwhatshe
meant.

Granpahadonhisblacksuit.Hehadhisshoesontoo,andweboth

kindofclumpedalong.Downthehollowtrail,pinebranchessweptlow
andheldmyarms.Anoaklimbreachedoutfingersandpulledthetow
sackoffmyshoulder.Apersimmonbushgrabbedmyleg.Thespring
branchcommencedtorunharderandjumpandfuss,andacrowflew
downacrossusandcawedoverandover…andthensetonahightree
topandcawedandcawed.Allofthemwassaying,“Don’tgo,LittleTree
…don’tgo,LittleTree…”Iknewwhattheywassaying.Andsomy
eyesblindedandIstumbledalongbehindGranpa.Thewindroseand
moanedandpickedatthetailofmyyellercoat.Dyingbriersreached
overthetrailpathandhungtheirselvesonmylegs.Amourningdove

148

called,longandlonesome—andwasnotanswered,soIknewshewas
callingforme.

MeandGranpahadahardtimemakingitdownthehollowtrail.
Wewaitedinthebusstation;meandGranpasettingonabench.I

heldmytowsackinmylap.Wewaswaitingforthelaw.

ItoldGranpaIdidn’thardlyseehowhewasgoingtomakeitinthe

whiskeytrade,menotbeingtheretohelp.Granpasaiditwouldbehard.
Hewouldhavetodoubleuponhisworktime.ItoldGranpathatmore
thanlikelyIwouldbebackprettyquick,andhewouldn’thavetodouble
uplong.GranpasaidmorethanlikelyIwould.Wedidn’tsaymuchelse.

Aclocktickedonthewall.Icouldtellthetime,andItoldGranpa.

Therewasn’tmanypeopleinthebusstation.Awomanandaman.Times
beinghard,Granpasaid,folkswasn’ttravelingbypayingways.Which
theywasn’t.

IaskedGranpa,reckinifthemountainsrundownasfarasthe

orphanage.Granpasaidhedidn’tknow.Hehadnotbeenthere.We
waitedsomemore.

Thewomancamein.Iknewher;itwasthewomaninthegraydress.

ShecomeuptomeandGranpa,andwhenGranpastoodup,shehanded
himsomepapers.Granpaputtheminhispocket.Shesaidthebuswas
waiting.Shesaid,“Wedon’twantanyfussnow.Let’sgetonwithit.
Whathastobedone,hastobedone;bestforeverybody.”

WhichIdidn’tknowwhatshewastalkingabout.Granpadidn’t

either.Shewasallbusiness.Shetakenastringoutofherpurseandtiedit
aroundmyneck.Ithadatagonit,likeoneofMr.Wine’stags.Thetag
hadwritingonit.MeandGranpafollowedheroutthebackofthebus
stationtothebus.

Ihadmytowsackthrowedovermyshoulder.Granpakneltthere,by

theopendoorofthebus,andheldmelikeheheldWillowJohn.Heheld
mealongtime,kneelingonthepavementwithbothhisknees.I
whisperedtoGranpa.Isaid,“I’llmorethanlikelybeback,d’rectly.”
Granpasqueezedmethatheheard.

Thewomansaid,“You’llhavetogonow.”Ididn’tknowwhethershe

wastalkingtomeorGranpa.Granpastoodup.Heturnedandwalked
offandhedidn’tlookback.

Thewomanpickedmeupandsetmeonthestepofthebus,whichI

couldhavemadeitmyself.Shetoldthebusdrivertoreadmytag,andso
Istoodforhimwhilehereadit.

149

ItoldthebusdriverIdidn’thaveaticketandwasn’trightsureabout

ridingasIdidn’thaveanymoney.Helaughedandsaidthewomanhad
givehimmyticket.Therewasn’tbutthreepeopleonthebus.Iwent
backandsetdownbyawinderwheremaybeIcouldseeGranpa.

Thebusstartedupandmovedoutofthestation.Isawthewoman

withthegraydresswatching.WemoveddownthestreetandIcouldn’t
findGranpaanywhere.ThenIsawhim.Hewasstandingonthecornerof
thestreetbythebusstation.Hehadhishatpulleddownlowandhis
handshungdownbyhissides.

WewentbyhimandItriedtoraisethewinder,butIdidn’tknow

how.Iwaved,buthedidn’tseeme.

Asthebuspassedon,Iruntothebackofthebusandlookedout

thebackwinder.Granpawasstillthere,watchingthebus.Iwavedand
hollered,“Good-byeGranpa.I’llbebackmorethanlikelyprettyquick.”
Hedidn’tseeme.Iholleredsomemore.“I’llmorethanlikelybeback
d’rectly,Granpa.”Buthejuststood.Gettingsmallerandsmallerinthe
lateeveningsun.Hisshoulderssloped.Granpalookedold.

150

TheDogStar

Whenyoudon’tknowhowfaryouaregoing,itisfaraway.Nobodyhad
toldme.IreckinGranpadidn’tknow.

Icouldn’tseeoverthebacksoftheseatsinfrontofme,andsoI

watchedoutthewinder;thehousesandtreesgoingby,andthenjust
trees.ItgotdarkandIcouldn’tseeanything.

Ipeepedaroundtheseatuptheaisle,andsawtheroadahead

shininginthebuslights.Italllookedthesameway.

Westoppedatabusstationinatownandstayedalongtime,butI

didn’tgetofformovefrommyseat.IfiggeredmorethanlikelyIwas
saferwhereIwas.

Afterweleftthetown,therewasnothingelsetowatch.Ikeptmy

towsackinmylap,foritfeltlikeGranpaandGranma.Itsmelledkindof
likeBlueBoy.Idozedoff.

Thebusdriverwakenedme.Itwasmorninganddrizzlingrain.We

hadstoppedinfrontoftheorphanageandwhenIgotoffthebusawhite-
headedladywaswaitingunderanumbrella.

Shehadonablackdressthatcometothegroundandshelooked

liketheladyinthegraydress,butshewasn’t.Shedidn’tsayanything.
Shebentandtakenholdofmytagandreadit.Shenoddedtothebus
driverandheclosedhisdoorandleft.Shestraightenedupandfrowneda
minuteandsighed.“Followme,”shesaid,andledtheway,walkingslow,
throughirongates.Iputmytowsackovermyshoulderandfollowedher.

Wewentthroughthegateswithbigelmsoneachsidewhichrustled

andtalkedaswepassed.Theladytakennonoticewhatsoever,butIdid.
Theyhadheardaboutme.

Wewalkedacrossabigyardtowardsomebuildings.Icouldkeep

upeasy.Whenwegottothedoorofabuilding,theladystopped.“You
aregoingtoseetheReverend,”shesaid.“Bequiet,don’tcryandbe
respectful.Youcantalk,butonlywhenheasksaquestion.Doyou
understand?”WhichItoldherIdid.

Ifolleredherdownadarkhallandwewentintoaroom.The

Reverendwassittin’atadesk.Hedidn’tlookup.Theladysetmedown
inastraightchairinfrontofhisdesk.Shetiptoedoutoftheroom.Iput

151

mytowsackinmylap.

TheReverendwasbusy,readingpapers.Hehadapinkfacewhich

lookedlikehewasheditfairlyheavy,foritshined.Hedidn’thaveany
hairtospeakof,thoughIseensomearoundhisears.

Therewasaclockonthewall,andItoldthetime.Ididn’tsayitout

loud.IcouldseerainrunningdownthewinderinbackoftheReverend.
TheReverendlookedup.

“Stopswingingyourlegs,”hesaid.Hesaiditrighthard.WhichIdid.
Hestudiedsomemoreatthepapers.Helaidthepapersdownand

takenupapencilwhichheturnedendoverendinhishands.Heputhis
elbowsonthedeskandleanedoverasIdidn’tcomeupveryhighfor
himtosee.

“Thesearehardtimes,”hesaid.Hefrownedlikehewaspersonal

settin’onthehardtimes.“TheStatehasn’tthemoneyforthesematters.
OurDenominationhasagreedtotakeyou—possiblyagainstourbetter
judgment,butwehave.”

IcommencedtofeelrightbadabouttheDenominationhavingto

messwiththewholething.Ididn’tsayanything,ashehadnotaskedme
aquestion.

Heturnedthepenciloverandoveragain;whichwasnotsharpened

thrifty,forthepointwastoothin.Isuspicionedhewaslooserthanheput
hisselfuptobeing.Hecommencedagain.“Wehaveaschoolyoucan
attend.Youwillbeassignedsmallworkdetails.Everybodyheredoes
somework;somethingyouareprobablynotaccustomedto.Youmust
followtherules.Ifyoubreakthem,youwillbepunished.”Hecoughed.
“WehavenoIndianshere,half-breedorotherwise.Also,yourmother
andfatherwerenotmarried.Youarethefirst,theonlybastardwehave
everaccepted.”

ItoldhimwhatGranmahadsaid;thattheCherokeesmarriedmyPa

andmyMa.HesaidwhatCherokeesdonedidn’tcountnone
whatsoever.Hesaidhehadnotaskedmeaquestion.Whichhehadn’t.

Hecommencedtogetworkedupaboutthewholething.Hestood

upandsaidhisDenominationbelievedinbeingkindtoeverybody;kind
toanimalsandsuch.

HesaidIdidnothavetogotothechurchservicesandtheevening

chapels;asbastards,accordingtotheBible,couldnotbesaved.Hesaid
Icouldgotolisteninonitmoreorless,ifIwasquietandsetintheback
andtakennopartwhatsoever.

152

WhichIdidn’tmind,asmeandGranpahadalreadygiveup,

technical-wise,ontheentirething.

HesaidheseenbythepapersonhisdeskthatGranpawasnotfittin’

toraiseayoung’un,andthatImorethanlikelyhadnoteverhadany
discipline.WhichIhadn’t,Idon’treckin.HesaidGranpahadbeenin
jail.

ItoldhimImightneargothungoncetmyself.Hestoppedwithhis

pencilintheairandhismouthopened.“Youwhat?”Hehollered.

IsaidImightneargothungbythelawoncet;butIgotaway.Itold

himifithadn’tbeenforthehounddogs,IreckinIwouldhavegothung.I
didn’ttellhimwherethestillwas;asthismightleadtoputtin’meand
Granpaoutofthewhiskeytrade.

Hesetdownathisdeskandputhisfaceinhishands,likehewas

crying.Heshookhisheadbackandforth.“Iknewthiswasthewrong
thingtodo,”hesaid.Hesaidittwoorthreetimes.WhichIwasn’tsure
whichthingwaswronghewastalkingabout.

HesetsolongshakinghisheadinhishandsthatIsuspicionedhewas

crying.Icommencedtofeelmightnearasbadashimaboutthewhole
thing,andwassorryIhadbroughtupaboutmightnearbeinghung.We
setlikethisawhile.

Itoldhimnottocry.ItoldhimIwasnothurtinanywayatalland

wasnotnoreverhadgotworkedupaboutit.Itoldhimhowever,thatol’
Ringerdied.Whichwasmyfault.

Heraiseduphisheadandsaid,“Shutup!Ihavenotaskedyoua

question!’’Whichhehadn’t.Hetakenuphispapers.“We’llsee…we’ll
try,withtheLord’shelp.Itmaybethatyoubelonginareformschool,”
hesaid.

Herungalittlebellonhisdeskandtheladycomejumpinginthe

room.Shehadstoodoutsideallthetime,Ireckined.

Shetoldmetofollerher.Itakenupmytowsackandputitovermy

shoulderandsaid,“Thankee,”butIdidn’tsayReverend.EvenifIwasa
bastardandgoingtohell,Iwasnotinanywaysfiggeringtogoanyfaster,
sinceithadn’tbeensettledwhetheryouwastocallsuch“Reverend”or
“Mister.”LikeGranpasaid,ifyouwasnotpushed,therewasnotany
senseatallrunningunnecessarychances.

Thewindroseupaswelefttheroomandsplatteredthewinderhard.

Theladystoppedandlooked.TheReverendturnedandlookedatthe
windertoo.Iknewwordhadcomeaboutme,fromthemountains.

153

Mycotsetinacorner.Itwasseparatefromtheothersexceptfor

one,whichwasprettyclosetome.Itwasabigroomandhadtwentyor
thirtyboyswhostayedthere.Mostofthemwasolderthanme.

Myjobwastohelpsweepuptheroomeverymorningandevery

evening.Idoneiteasy;butwhenIdidn’tsweepunderthecotsgood
enough,theladymademedoitoveragain.Whichhappenedfairly
regular.

Wilburnsleptonthecotthatwasclosesttomine.Hewasalotolder

thanIwas;maybeeleven.Hesaidhewastwelve.Hewastallandskinny
andhadfrecklesalloverhisface.Hesaidhewouldnotevergetadopted
byanybodyandwouldhavetostaythereuntilhewasmightnear
eighteen.Wilburnsaidhedidn’tgiveadamn.Hesaidwhenhegotout,
hewasgoingtocomebackandburntheorphanagedown.

Wilburnhadaclubfoot.Itwashisrightfootandturnedplumb

inwards,makingthetoesofhishighfootscrapehisleftlegwhenhe
walkedandtherightsideofhimkindofjumpedalong.

MeandWilburndidn’tplayinanyofthegamesintheyard.Wilburn

couldn’trun,andIreckinIwastoolittleanddidn’tknowhowtoplay.
Wilburnsaidhedidn’tgiveadamn.Hesaidgameswasforbabies.
Whichisright.

MeandWilburnsetunderabigoakinthecorneroftheyardduring

playtime.Sometimeswhentheballcomefaroutintheyard,Iwouldrun
andgetitandthrowitbacktotheboyswhowasplayingthegame.I
couldthrowgood.

Italkedtotheoaktree.Wilburndidn’tknowit,forIdidn’tuse

words.Shewasold.Withwintercomingon,shehadlostmostofher
talkingleaves,butsheusedhernakedfingersinthewind.

Shesaidshewasgettingsleepy,butwasgoingtostayawaketosend

backtothemountaintreesthatIwashere.Shesaidshewouldsenditon
thewind.ItoldhertotellWillowJohn,whichshesaidshewoulddo.

Ifoundabluemarbleunderthetree.Youcouldseealltheway

throughitandwhenyouheldituptooneeyeandshuttheotherone,
everythinglookedblue.Wilburntoldmewhatitwas,forIhadnotseena
marble.

Hesaidyouwasn’tsupposedtolookthroughmarbles,youwas

supposedtothumpthemontheground;butifIthumpedmine,
somebodywouldtakeitawayfromme,assomebodyhadlostit.

Wilburnsaid,finderskeepers,losersweepers;andtheycouldgoto

154

hell.Iputthemarbleinmytowsack.

Everyoncetinawhile,alltheboyslinedupinthehallbytheoffice

andmenandladiescomebyandlookedatthem.Theywaslookingfor
somebodytoadopt.Thewhite-headedladyinchargeofussaidIwas
nottolineup.WhichIdidn’t.

Iwatchedthemfromthedoor.Youcouldtellwhogotpicked.They

wouldstopinfrontoftheonetheywantedandtalktohim;andthey
wouldallgointotheoffice.NobodyevertalkedtoWilburn.

Wilburnsaidhedidn’tgiveadamn,buthedid.Everytimeitwas

line-upday,Wilburnputonacleanshirtandoveralls.IwatchedWilburn.

Whenhewasinline,healwaysgrinnedateverybodythatcomeby

andtakenhisclubfootandhiditbehindhisotherleg.Buttheywouldn’t
talktohim.Everynightafterline-upday,Wilburnpeedonhiscot.He
saidhedoneitdeliberate.Hesaidhedoneittoshowthemwhathe
thoughtoftheirdamnadopting.

WheneverWilburnpeedonhiscot,thewhite-headedladywould

makehimtakehismattressandblanketsoutsidethenextdayandlay
theminthesun.Wilburnsaidhedidn’tcare.Hesaidiftheymessedwith
himmuch,hewasgoingtopeeonhiscoteverynight.

WilburnaskedmewhatIwasgoingtodowhenIgrowedup.Itold

himIwasgoingtobeaIndianlikeGranpaandWillowJohnandlivein
themountains.Wilburnsaidhewasgoingtorobbanksandorphanages.
Hesaidhewouldrobchurchestoo,ifhecouldfindoutwheretheykept
theirmoney.Hesaid,morethanlikely,hewouldkilleverybodythatrun
banksandorphanages,buthewouldnotkillme.

Wilburncriedatnight.IneverletonIknew,forhestuckhisblanket

inhismouth,whichIfiggeredhedidn’twantanybodytoknow.Itold
Wilburnhecouldmorethanlikelygethisfootfixedstraightwhenhegot
outoftheorphanage.Igivehimmybluemarble.

Chapelserviceswasheldatduskevening,justbeforesuppertime.I

didn’tgo,andskippedsuppertoo.Thisgivemeachancetowatchthe
DogStar.Therewasawinderhalfwaydowntheroomfrommycot,and
fromitIcouldseetheDogStarrealplain.Itroseintheduskwithabare
twinkleandgotbrighterasnightdarkened.

IknewGranmaandGranpawaswatchingit,andWillowJohn.I

stayedbythewindereveryeveningforanhourandwatchedtheDog
Star.ItoldWilburnifhewantedtoskipsuppersomenight,hecould
watchitwithme,buttheymadehimgotochapelandhewouldn’tgive

155

upsupper.Heneverwatchedit.

AtfirstwhenIcommencedtowatchitItriedtothinkupthings

duringthedaythatIwouldrememberthatnight,butIfoundoutthatthis
wasnotnecessary.

AllIhadtodowaswatch.Granpasentmeremembranceofmeand

himsettin’ontopofthemountain,watchingthedaybirthing,withthesun
hittingtheiceandsparkling.Iheardhimplainasspeaking,“She’scoming
alive!”Andtherebythewinder,Iwouldsay,“Yes,sir,she’scoming
alive!”

MeandGranpawentbackfoxhuntin’watchingtheDogStar;with

BlueBoyandLittleRed,andol’RippittandMaud.Welaughedmight
nearuntilwecouldn’tstanditatol’Rippitt.

Granmasentremembrancesoftherootgatheringandthetimesshe

spiltsugarintheacornmeal.AndthetimeshecaughtmeandGranpaon
ourhandsandkneesinthecornpatch,brayinglikeamuleatol’Sam.

Shesentmeapictureofmysecretplace.Theleaveswasallfallen,

brownandrustandyellerontheground.Redsumachhemmeditlikea
ringoffiretorchesthatwouldnotletanybodyinbutme.

WillowJohnsentmepicturesofthedeerinthehighground.Meand

WillowJohnlaughedaboutthetimeIputthefroginhiscoatpocket.
WillowJohn’spictureswouldgetfuzzy,forhisfeelingwasstrongon
something.WillowJohnwasmad.

EverydayIwatchedthecloudsandthesun.Ifitwascloudy,Iwould

notbeabletowatchtheDogStar.Whenthishappened,Istoodbythe
winderandlistenedtothewind.

Iwasputinagradeofschool.WedonefiggeringwhichIalready

knew;forMr.Winehadtaughtme.Abigfatladyheadedupthelearning.
Shemeantbusinessandwouldnottolerateanyfoolishnessatall.

Onetimesheheldupapicturethatshowedadeerherdcomingout

ofaspringbranch.Theywasjumpingononeanotheranditlookedlike
theywaspushingtogetoutofthewater.Sheaskedifanybodyknew
whattheywasdoing.

Oneboysaidtheywasrunningfromsomething,morethanlikelya

hunter.Anotherboysaidtheydidn’tlikewaterandwashurryingtoget
across.Shesaidthiswasright.Iraisedmyhand.

IsaidIseenrightofftheywasmating;foritwasbuckdeerthatwas

jumpingthedoes;also,Icouldtellbythebushesandtreesthatitwasthe
timeoftheyearwhentheydonetheirmating.

156

Thefatladywastotalstumped.Sheopenedhermouth,butdidn’t

sayanything.Somebodylaughed.Sheslappedherhandonherfor’ad
andwalledhereyesbackanddroppedthepicture.Iseerightoffshe
wassick.

Shestaggeredback’ardsasteportwobeforeshegotaholtofher

totalsenses.Thensherunatme.Everybodygotquiet.Shegrabbedme
bytheneckandcommencedtoshakeme.Herfacegotredandshe
commencedtoholler,“Ishouldhaveknown—weallshouldhaveknown
…filth…filth…wouldcomeoutofyou…you…littlebastard!”

Ihadn’tnowayintheworldofknowingwhatshewashollering

about,andstoodreadytosetitright.Sheshakenmesomemoreand
thenclaspedherhandbehindmyneckandpushedmeoutoftheroom.

WewentdownthehalltotheReverend’soffice.Shemademewait

outsideandshutthedoorbehindher.Icouldhearthemtalking,butcould
notunderstandwhattheywassaying.

InafewminutesshecomeoutoftheReverend’sofficeandwalked

offdownthehallwithoutlookingatme.TheReverendwasstandingin
thedoor.Hesaid,realquiet,“Comein.”Iwentin.

Hislipswaspartedlikehewasgoingtogrin,buthewasn’t.Hekept

runninghistongueoverhislips.Therewassweatonhisface.Hetoldme
totakeoffmyshirt.WhichIdid.

Ihadtopullmyoverallgallusesoffmyshoulders,andwhenIgotmy

shirtoff,thismademehavetoholdupmyoverallswithbothhands.The
Reverendreachedbehindhisdeskandtakenupalongstick.

Hesaid,“Youarebornofevil,soIknowrepentanceisnotinyou;

butpraiseGod,youaregoingtobetaughtnottoinflictyourevilupon
Christians.Youcan’trepent…butyoushallcryout!”

Hecutloosewiththebigstickacrostmyback.Thefirsttimeithurt;

butIdidn’tcry.Granmahadlearntme.OncetwhenIstumpedoffmy
toenail…shelearntmehowtheIndianbearspain.Heletshisbodymind
gotosleep,andwithhisspiritmind,hemovesoutofhisbodyandsees
thepain—insteadoffeelingthepain.

Thebodymindonlyfeelsbodypain.Thespiritmindonlyfeelsspirit

pain.SoIletmybodymindsleep.

Thesticksplatteredandsplatteredacrostmyback.Afterawhileit

broke.TheReverendgotanotherstick.Hewaspantinghard.“Evilis
stubborn,”hesaidwhilehewaspanting.“ButpraiseGod,rightwill
prevail.”

157

HekeptswinginghisnewstickuntilIfelldown.IwaswobblybutI

gotup.Granpasaidifyecouldstayonyerfeet,morethanlikely,ye
wouldbeallright.

Thefloortiltedalittle,butIseenrightoffIcouldmakeit.The

Reverendwasoutofbreath.Hetoldmetoputmyshirton.WhichIdid.

Theshirtsoakedupsomeoftheblood.Mostofthebloodhadrun

downmylegsintomyshoes,asIdidn’thaveanyunderwearingtocatch
it.Thismademyfeetsticky.

TheReverendsaidIwastogobacktomycotandIwasnottoeat

supperforaweek.WhichIdidn’teatsupperanyway.HesaidIwasnot
togobacktothegradeorleavetheroomforaweekneither.

Itfeltbetternottousemygalluses,sothateveningatdusk,Iheldup

myoverallswhenIstoodbythewinderandwatchedtheDogStar.

ItoldGranpaandGranmaandWillowJohnaboutit.ItoldthemI

hadnowayintheworldofknowinghowImadetheladysick;norwhat
comeovertheReverend.ItoldthemIstoodreadytomakeamend,but
theReverendsaidIcouldn’t,asIwasbornevilandwouldnotknow
how.

ItoldGranpathatit’pearedtomethatmorethanlikelyIcouldn’t

hardlynowayatallhandlethesituation.IsaidIwantedtocomehome.

ItwasthefirsttimeIeverwenttosleepwatchingtheDogStar.

Wilburnwakenedmeunderthewinderwhenhegotbackfromsupper.
Hesaidheleftsupperearlysoastoseeaboutme.Isleptonmy
stomach.

Wilburnsaidwhenhegrowedupandlefttheorphanageandtakento

robbingorphanagesandbanksandsuch,thathewouldkilltheReverend
rightoff.Hesaidhedidn’tcareifhedidgotohell,likeIwas.

Everyeveningafterthat,whenduskbroughttheDogStarup,Itold

GranmaandGranpaandWillowJohnIwantedtocomehome.Iwould
notseethepicturestheysent,norlisten.ItoldthemIwantedtocome
home.TheDogStarturnedredandwhitenedandturnedredagain.

Threenightslater,theDogStarwashidbyheavyclouds.Windtore

downalightpoleandtheorphanagewasdark.Iknewtheyhadheard.

Icommencedtoexpectthem.Wintercomeon.Thewindsharpened

andcriedaroundthebuildingatnight.Somedidn’tlikeit,butIdid.

Outsidenow,Ispentallmytimeundertheoaktree.Shewas

supposedtobeasleep,butshesaidshewasn’t,onaccountofme.She
talkedslow—andlow.

158

Lateoneevening,justbeforewewastogoin,IthoughtIseen

Granpa.Itwasatallmanandheworeabigblackhat.Hewasmoving
awayfrommedownthestreet.IruntotheironfenceandIhollered,
“Granpa!Granpa!”Hedidn’tturn.

Irundownthefenceasfarasitwentandhewasdisappearing.I

holleredloudasIcould,“Granpa!It’sme,LittleTree!”Buthedidn’t
hear,andwasgone.

Thewhite-headedladysaidChristmaswasmightnearonus.She

saideverybodywastobehappyandsing.Wilburnsaidtheysungallkind
ofsongsinthechapel.Hesaidtheyhadtolearnthesongsandthepets
gottostanduparoundtheReverendlikechickenswithwhitesheetson
andbelleredatthesongs.Icouldhearthem.

Thewhite-headedladysaidSandyClawswascoming.Wilburnsaid

thatwasapileofshit.

Twomenbroughtinatree.Theyhadonsuitslikepoliticians.They

laughedandgrinnedandsaid,“Lookyhere,boys,whatwehavebrought
you.Isn’tthatnice?Nowisn’tthatnice?Youhaveyourveryown
Christmastree!’’

Thewhite-headedladysaiditwasrealniceandshetoldeverybody

totellthetwopoliticiansitwasrealniceandtothankthem.Which
everybodydid.

Ididn’t.Therewasnocauseatalltocutthetree.Itwasamalepine

anditdiedslow,thereinthehall.

Thepoliticianslookedattheirwatchesandsaidtheycouldn’tstay

long,buttheywantedeverybodytobehappy.Theysaidtheywanted
everybodytotakesomeredpaperandputitonthetree.Everybodydid
exceptmeandWilburn.

Thepoliticiansleftandhollered,“MerryChristmas!”whentheywent

outthedoor.Weallstoodaroundandlookedatthetreeforawhile.

Thewhite-headedladysaidthattomorrowwasChristmasEveand

thatSandyClawswouldcomewithpresentsaboutnoontime.Wilburn
said,“Ain’tthatafunnytimeforSandyClawstobecomingonChristmas
Eve?”Thewhite-headedladyfrownedatWilburn.Shesaid,“Now
Wilburn,yousaythateveryyear.YouknowverywellthatSandyClaws
hasgottogoalotofplaces.Youalsoknowthatheandhishelpershave
arighttobehomewiththeirfamiliesonChristmasEve.Youshouldbe
thankfultheytakethetime—anytime—tocomeandgiveyouChristmas.”

Wilburnsaid,“Bullshit.”

159

Sureenough,thenextdayfourorfivecarscomeuptothedoor.

Menandladiesgotoutandhadpackagesintheirarms.Theyhadon
funnylittlehatsandsomeofthemhadlittlebellsintheirhands.Theyrung
thebellsandhollered,“MerryChristmas!”Theyholleredthisoverand
over.TheysaidtheywasSandyClaws’helpers.SandyClawscomein
last.

Hehadonaredsuitandhadpillersstuffedunderhisbelt.Hisbeard

wasnotreal,likeMr.Wine’s;itwastiedonandhunglimpbelowhis
mouth.Itdidn’tmovewhenhetalked.Hehollered,“Ho!Ho!Ho!’’He
keptholleringthisoverandover.

Thewhite-headedladysaidwewasalltobehappyandhollerback

“MerryChristmas!’’atthem.Whicheverybodydid.

Aladygivemeaorange,whichIthankedherforit.Shekept

standingovermeandsaying,“Don’tyouwanttoeattheniceorange?”
SoIetitwhileshewatchedme.Itwasgood.Ithankedheragain.Itold
heritwasagoodorange.SheaskedmeifIwantedanotherone.Itold
herIreckined.Shewentoffsomewheresandneverdidgetanotherone.
Wilburngotaapple.ItwasnotasbigastheonesMr.Winewasalways
fergittin’hehadinhispocket.

IwishtthenthatIhadsavedapieceofmyorange,whichIwould

haveiftheladyhadn’tbeenpushingmetoeatit.Iwouldhavetraded
someofitforsomeofWilburn’sapple.Iwaspartialtowardsapples.

Theladiesallcommencedringingtheirbellsandhollering,“Sandy

Clawsisgoingtogiveoutthegifts!Gatherroundinacircle!Sandy
Clawshassomethingforyou!’’Weallgatheredroundinacircle.

WhenSandyClawscalledoutyourname,youhadtostepforward

andgetyourgiftfromhim.Thenyouwastostandwhilehepattedyouon
theheadandrubbedyourhair.Thenyouthankedhimforit.

Oneoftheladieswouldberightonyouhollering,“Openupyourgift!

Aren’tyougoingtoopenupthenicegift?”Whichgotconfusing,the
morewasgivenout;asladieswasrunningthisawayandthatawaytrying
tofollereverybodyaround.

Igotmygift,andthankedSandyClaws.Herubbedmeonthehead

andsaid,“Ho!Ho!Ho!”Aladycommencedholleringatmetoopenit
up;whichIwastryingtodo.Ifinallygotthewrappingoff.

Itwasacardboardboxwiththepictureofaanimalonit.Wilburn

saiditwasthepictureofalion.Theboxhadaholeinit,andyouwas
supposedtopullastringthroughthehole,anditwouldsoundlikealion,

160

Wilburnsaid.

Thestringwasbroke,butIfixedit.Itiedaknotinit.Theknotwould

notcomethroughthehole,whichmadethelionnotgrowlmuch.Itold
Wilburnitsoundedmorelikeafrogtome.

Wilburngotawaterpistol;butitleaked.Hetriedtoshootwithit,but

thewaterkindofangleddown.Wilburnsaidhecouldpeefartherthan
that.ItoldWilburnwecouldmorethanlikelyfixitifwehadsomesweet
gum;butIdidn’tknowwheretherewasasweetgumtreethereabouts.

Aladycomebypassingoutapieceofstickcandytoeverybody.I

gotone.Shebumpedintomeagainandgivemeanotherpiece.Isplitthe
extrywithWilburn.

SandyClawsstartedhollering,“Good-byeeverybody!Seeyounext

year!HaveaMerryChristmas!”Allthemenandladiesstartedhollering
thesamethingandringingtheirbells.

Theywentoutthefrontdoorandgotintheircarsandtakenoff.

Everythingseemedquietafterthat.MeandWilburnsetonthefloorby
ourcots.

Wilburnsaidthemenandladiescomeoutofachamberintownand

acountryclub.Hesaidtheycomeouteveryyearsotheycouldfeelgood
whentheywentandgotdrunk.Wilburnsaidhewastiredofthewhole
thing.Hesaidwhenhegotoutoftheorphanage,hewasnotnevergoing
topayanyattentiontoChristmas,whatsoever.

Justasduskbeguntofall,theyallhadtogotothechapelfor

ChristmasEve.Istayedbymyself,andasitgotdarker,Icouldhear
themsinging.Istoodbythewinder.Theairwasclearandthewindwas
still.Theysungaboutastar,butitwasn’ttheDogStar,forIlistened
close.IwatchedtheDogStarrisingbright.

Theystayedalongtime,singinginthechapel,soIgottowatchthe

DogStaruntilitrosehigh.ItoldGranmaandGranpaandWillowJohnI
wantedtocomehome.

ChristmasDaywehadabigdinner.Eachoneofusgotachickenleg

andeitheraneckoragizzard.Wilburnsaiditwasalwaysthat-a-way.He
saidhefiguredtheyraisedspecialchickensthatdidn’thavenothingbut
legs,necksandgizzards.Ilikedmineandetitall.

Afterdinnerwecoulddoaswepleased.Itwascoldoutsideand

everybodystayedinexceptme.Iwentacrosttheyardandcarriedmy
cardboardboxandsetundertheoaktree.Isetalongtime.

Itwasnearlytimeforduskandmetogoin,whenIlookedup

161

towardthebuilding.

TherewasGranpa!Hewascomingoutoftheofficeandwalking

towardme.Idroppedmycardboardboxandrunathim,hardasI
could.Granpakneltandweheldeachotheranddidnotspeak.

ItwasgettingdarkandIcouldn’tseeGranpa’sfaceunderthebig

hat.Hesaidhehadcometoseeaboutme,buthadtogobackhome.He
saidGranmacouldn’tcome.

Iwantedtogo—worstIeverfelt—butIwasafraiditwouldcause

Granpatrouble.SoIdidn’tsayIwantedtogohome.Iwalkedwithhim
tothegate.Weheldoneanotheragain,butGranpawalkedoff.He
walkedslow.

Istoodthereaminute,watchinghimgoawayinthedark.The

thoughtcometomethatmorethanlikely,Granpamighthavetrouble
findingthebusstation.IfolleredalongthoughIdidn’tknowwherethe
busstationwasmyself,butImightbeabletohelp.

Wewalkeddownaroad,mefolleringbehind,andthenontosome

streets.IsawGranpacrossastreetandcomeupbehindthebusstation.
Therewaslightswherehewasstanding.Ihungaroundthecornerwhere
Iwas.

Itwasquiet,beingChristmasDayandpracticalnobodywasabout.I

waitedawhileandthenIhollered.“Granpa,morethanlikelyIcouldhelp
yewiththebuslettering.”Granpadidn’tactstumpedatall.Hewavedfor
metocomeonover.Iran.Westoodatthebackofthestation,butI
couldn’tmakeoutwhichletteringwaswhich.

InalittlewhilealoudspeakertoldGranpawhichonewashisbus.I

walkedovertothebuswithhim.Thedoorwasopenandwestoodthere
aminute.Granpawaslookingoffsomewheres.Ipulledonhispantsleg.I
didn’tholdonlikeIhaddoneafterMa’sfuneral,butIkindofpulled.
Granpalookeddown.Isaid,“Granpa.Iwanttogohome.”

Granpalookedatmealongtime.Hereacheddownandswungme

upinhisarmsandsetmeontopofthebusstep.Hecomeuptothestep
andtakenouthissnappurse.“I’mpayingformyselfandmyyoung’un,”
Granpasaid,andhesaidithard.Thebusdriverlookedathim,andhe
didn’tlaugh.

MeandGranpawalkedtothebackofthebus.Iwashopingthebus

driverwouldhurryandclosethedoor.Eventuallyhedid,andwestarted
up,leavingthebusstationbehind.

Granpareachedhisarmaroundmeandliftedmeontohislap.Ilaid

162

myheadonhischest,butIdidn’tsleep.Iwatchedthewinder.Itwas
frostedwithice.Therewasn’tanyheatthereinthebackofthebus,but
wedidn’tcare.

MeandGranpawasgoinghome.

163

Seethemountainshumpingandrollinghigh
Rimmingthedaybirthandbustingthesun
Andtuckingthefogsheets’roundherknees
Andstrummingthewindwithherfinger-trees
Andscratchingherbackagainstthesky.

Watchthecloudbanksrollandstrokeherhips
Drippingwhispersofsighsfromthebranchandbush
Hearherwomb-hollowsstirwiththemurmuroflife
Feelthewarmofherbody,thesweetofherbreath
Andtherhythmofmatingthatthundersandcries.

Deepinherbellythewaterveinspulse
Andnippletherootsthatsuckletheirlife
Andstreamsfromherbreastsinaliquidflow
Givinglifetoherchildrenshecradlesinlove
AndaddingaliltfromHerspiritmind
Themelodyhummingofwater’ssong.

MeandGranpa’sgoinghome.

164

HomeAgain

Werodethehoursaway.MeandGranpa,myheadonhischestandnot
talking,butnotsleepingeither.Thebusstoppedtwoorthreetimesatbus
stations,butmeandGranpastayedon.Maybewewasafraidsomething
wouldhappentoholdusback.

Itwasearlymorning,butstilldarkwhenmeandGranpagotoffthe

busonthesideoftheroad.Itwascoldandtherewasiceontheground.

Wesetoutuptheroadandafterawhileweturnedupthewagon

ruts.Isawthemountains.Theyloomedbiganddarkerthanthedark
aroundus.Imightnearbrokeintoarun.

Bythetimeweturnedoffthewagonrutsontothehollowtrail,the

darkwasfadingintogray.ItoldGranpa,ofasudden,thatsomethingwas
wrong.

Hestopped.“Whatisit,LittleTree?”
Isetdownandpulledoffmyshoes.“IreckinedIcouldn’tfeelthe

trail,Granpa,”Isaid.Thegroundfeltwarmandrunupthroughmylegs
andovermybody.Granpalaughed.Hesetdowntoo.Hepulledoffhis
shoesandstuffedhissocksinthem.Thenhestoodupandthrowedthe
shoesbacktowardtheroadasfarashecouldthrowthem.

“Andyecanhavethemclobbers!”Granpahollered.Ithrowedmine

backtowardtheroadandholleredthesamething;andmeandGranpa
commencedtolaugh.Welaughed’tilIfelldownandGranpawasmight
nearrollingonthegroundhisselfandtearswasrunningdownhisface.

Wedidn’tknowexactlywhatwewaslaughingat,butitwasfunnier

thananythingwehadlaughedatbefore.ItoldGranpaiffolkscouldsee
us,theywouldsaywewaswhitewhiskeydrunk.Granpasaidhe
reckined…butmaybewewasdrunk—inaway.

Aswecomeupthetrail,thefirstpinktouchedtheeastrim.Itgot

warm.Pineboughssweptdownoverthetrailandfeltmyfaceandrun
theirselvesoverme.Granpasaidtheywaswantingtomakesureitwas
me.

Iheardthespringbranchanditwashumming.Irunandlaiddown

andturnedmyfacetothewaterwhileGranpawaited.Thespringbranch
slappedmelight,andrunovermyheadandfeltforme—andsunglouder

165

andlouder.

Itwasgoodlightwhenwesawthefootlog.Thewindhadpickedup.

Granpasaiditwasn’tmoaningnorsighing,itwassinginginthepinesand
wouldtelleverythinginthemountainsthatIwashome.Ol’Maudbayed.

Granpahollered,“Shutup,Maud!”Andherecomethehounds

acrostthefootlog.

Theyallhitmeatoncetandknockedmedown.Theylickedmeall

overthefaceandeverytimeItriedtogetuponeofthemjumpedonmy
backandthereIwentagain.

LittleRedcommencedtoshowoutbyjumpingallfourfeetintheair

andtwistingatthetopofhisjump.Hewouldyelpasheleaped.Maud
commenceddoingit,andol’Rippitttrieditandtumbledinthespring
branch.

MeandGranpawasholleringandlaughingandslappingathoundsas

wecometothefootlog.Ilookedtotheporch,butGranmawasn’tthere.

Iwashalfwayacrostthefootlogandgotscared,forIcouldn’tsee

her.Somethingtoldmetoturnaround.Thereshewas.

Itwascold,butsheonlyhadonadeerskindressandherhairshined

inthemorningsun.Shestoodonthesideofthemountainbeneaththe
barebranchesofawhiteoak.Shewaswatchinglikeshewantedtolook
atmeandGranpawithoutbeingseen.

Ihollered,“Granma!”andfelloffthefootlog.Itdidn’thurt.I

splashedinthewateranditwaswarmagainstthemorningchill.

Granpaleapedintheairandspraddledouthislegs.Hehollered,

“Whoooooooeeeeeee!”andhitthewater.Granmarundownthe
mountain.Sherunintothespringbranchanddivedatme,andwerolled,
splashingandholleringandcryingsome,Ireckin.

Granpawassettin’inthespringbranchandthrowingwaterupinthe

air.Thehoundsallstoodonthefootlogandlookedatus,totalstumped
atthewholething.Theyfiggeredwewascrazy,Granpasaid.They
jumpedintoo.

Acrowcommencedtocaw,settin’highatopapine.Heswooped

lowoverus,cawing,andheadedupthehollow.Granmasaidhewas
goingtotelleverybodyIwashome.

Granmahungmyyellercoatbythefireplacetodry.Ihadhaditon

whenGranpacometotheorphanage.Iwentintomyroomandputon
mydeershirtandbritches…andmybootmoccasins.

Irunoutthedoorandupthehollowtrail.Thehoundswentwithme.

166

IlookedbackandsawGranpaandGranmastandingonthebackporch
watching.Granpawasstillbarefootedandhehadhisarmaround
Granma.Irun.

Ol’SamsnortedwhenIpassedthebarnandtrottedaftermeaways.

Upthehollowtrail,andtheNarrows—allthewaytoHangin’Gap,I
didn’twanttostoprunning.Thewindsungalongwithmeandsquirrels
and’coonsandbirdscomeoutontreelimbstowatchandholleratme
asIpassed.Itwasabrightwintermorning.

Icomebackslowdownthetrailandfoundmysecretplace.Itwas

justlikethepictureGranmahadsentme.Rustleaveswasdeepoverthe
ground,underbaretrees,andredsumachclosedinwherenobodycould
see.Ilaidonthegroundalongtimeandtalkedtothesleepytrees,and
listenedtothewind.

Thepineswhisperedandthewindpickedup,andtheycommenced

tosing,“LittleTreeishome…LittleTreeishome!Listentooursong!
LittleTreeiswithus!LittleTreeishome!”Theyhummeditlowandsung
ithigher,andthespringbranchsungittooalongwiththem.Thehounds
noticed,fortheyquitsniffingthegroundandstoodwiththeirearsupand
listened.Thehoundsknewandcomecloseraroundmeandlaiddown,
contentwiththefeeling.

Throughthatshortwinterday,Ilayinmysecretplace.Andmyspirit

didn’thurtanymore.Iwaswashedcleanbythefeelingsongofthewind
andthetreesandthespringbranchandthebirds.

Theydidn’tcareorunderstandhowthebodymindsworked,no

morethanthemenofbodymindsunderstoodorcaredforthem.Sothey
didnottellmeabouthell,oraskmewhereIcomefrom,orsayanything
aboutevilatall.Theydidn’tknowsuchword-feelings;andinalittlewhile
Ihadforgotthemtoo.

Whenthesunhadsetbehindtherimandshafteditslastlightthrough

Hangin’Gap,meandthehoundswalkedbackdownthehollowtrail.

Asthehollowsoftenedblue,IsawGranmaandGranpasettin’onthe

backporch,facingupthehollowtowardme,waiting,andasIcometo
thebackporch,theystoopedandweheldontooneanother.Wedidn’t
needwords,andsodidnotsaythem.Weknew.Iwashome.

WhenIpulledoffmyshirtthatnight,Granmasawthewhipscarsand

askedme.ItoldherandGranpa,butIsaiditdidn’thurt.

Granpasaidhewouldtellthehighsheriffandthatnobodywasto

comeformeagain.IknewwhenGranpasethismindandsaidit—then

167

theywouldnotcome.GranpasaiditwouldbebestnottotellWillow
Johnofthewhipping.WhichIsaidIwouldn’t.

Bythefireplacethatnight,Granpatoldit.Howtheycommencedto

havebadfeelings,watchingtheDogStar,andthenoneeveningatdusk
WillowJohnwasstandingatthedoor.

Hehadwalkedtothecabinthroughthemountains.Hedidn’tsay

anything,butetsupperwiththembythelightofthefire.Theydidn’tlight
thelampandWillowJohndidnotpulloffhishat.Hesleptinmybedthat
night,butwhentheygotupinthemorning,Granpasaid,WillowJohn
wasgone.

ThatSundaywhenhimandGranmawenttochurchWillowJohnwas

notthere.Onabranchofthebigelm,wherewealwaysmet,Granpa
foundamessagebelt.ItsaidWillowJohnwouldbebackandthatallwas
well.ThenextSundayitwasstillthere;buttheSundayafterthatWillow
Johnwaswaitingforthem.Hedidn’tsaywherehehadbeen,soGranpa
didn’task.

Granpasaidthehighsheriffsenthimwordthathewaswantedatthe

orphanage,andhewent.HesaidtheReverendlookedsickandsaidhe
wassigninggive-uppapersonme.Hesaidhehadbeenfollowedaround
fortwodaysbyasavage,andthatthesavagehadeventuallycomeinto
hisofficeandsaidthatLittleTreewastocomehometothemountains.
Thatwasallthesavagesaid,andwalkedoff.TheReverendsaidhedid
notwantanytroublewithsavagesandpagansandsuch.

IknewthenwhoitwasIhadseenwalkingawaydowntheroadthat

IhadthoughtwasGranpa.

Granpasaidwhenhecomeoutoftheofficeandseenme,heknewat

thetimeIwastobegivenup;buthedidn’tknowifIwasmoretaken
withbeingaroundyoung’uns…orwantedtocomehome…sohelet
medecide.

ItoldGranpaIseenrightoffwhatIwantedtodotheminuteIgotto

theorphanage.

ItoldGranmaandGranpaaboutWilburn.Ileftmycardboardbox

undertheoaktreeandIknewWilburnwouldfindit.Granmasaidshe
wouldsendWilburnadeershirt.Whichshedid.

Granpasaidhewouldsendhimalongknife,butItoldGranpamore

thanlikelyWilburnwouldstabtheReverendwithit.Granpadidn’tsend
it.WeneverheardnothingmoreofWilburn.

WhenwewenttochurchthatSunday,Iwasfirstacrosstheclearing.

168

IrunwayaheadofGranmaandGranpa.WillowJohnwasstandingback
inthetrees,whereIknewhewouldbe;theoldstraight-brimmedblack
hatsettin’ontopofhishead.IrunashardasIcouldandgrabbed
WillowJohnaroundthelegsandhuggedhim.Isaid,“Thankee,Willow
John.”Hedidn’tsayanythingbutreachedandtouchedmyshoulder.
WhenIlookedup,hiseyeswastwinklingandshining,blackdeep.

169

ThePassingSong

Wewinteredgood;thoughmeandGranpawasputtoittokeepupwith
thewoodcutting.GranpahadgotbehindandsaidthatifIhadnotcome
back,theywouldmorethanlikelyhavefrozethatwinter.Whichthey
would.

Itwasahardfreezewinter.Wemosttimeshadtosetfiresandthaw

outourrunninglinesatthestill,whenwerunoffourwares.

Granpasaidhardwinterswasnecessaryoccasional.Itwasnature’s

wayofcleaningthingsupandmakingthingsgrowbetter.Theicebroke
offtheweaklimbsofthetrees,soonlythestrongonescomethrough.It
cleanedoutthesoftacornsandchinkapins,chestnutsandwalnuts,and
madeforahardierfoodcropinthemountains.

Springcome,andplantingtime.Weuppedourcornplanting,figuring

tomaketherunofourwaresalittlebiggerinthefall.

Itwashardtimes,andMr.Jenkinssaidthewhiskeytradewas

pickingupwhileeverythingelsewasgoingdown.Hesaidhereckineda
fellerhadtodrinkmorewhiskeytofergithowbadoffhewas.

DuringthesummerIcomeuptosevenyears.Granmagivemethe

marriagestickofmyMaandPa.Itdidn’thavemanynotchesonit,for
theywasnotmarriedlong.Iputitinmyroomacrosstheheadboardof
mybed.

Summergivewaytofall,andoneSunday,WillowJohndidn’tcome.

WecomeacrosstheclearingthatSundaybutwedidn’tseehimstanding
undertheelm.Irunfarbackintothetreesandcalled,“WillowJohn!’’He
wasnotthere.Weturnedbackanddidn’tgotochurch.Wecomehome.

GranmaandGranpawasworriedaboutit.Iwastoo.Hehadleftno

sign,forwelooked.Granpasaidsomethingwaswrong.MeandGranpa
determinedtogoandfindhim.

Wesetoutbeforeday,thatMondaymorning.Byearlylightwewas

pastthecrossroadsstoreandthechurch.Afterthat,wecommencedto
walkmightnearstraightupward.

ItwasthehighestmountainIhadeverwalked.Granpahadtoslow

downandIkeptupeasy.Itwasanoldtrail,sodimyoualmostcouldn’t
seeit,runningalongaridgethatslopedupwardandontoanother

170

mountain.Thetrailsidledupthemountain,butalwaysitwentup.

Thetreeswasshorterandmoreweathered.Atthetopofthe

mountainalittlefoldrunintotheside;notdeepenoughtobecalleda
hollow.Treesgrewonitssidesandpineneedlescarpetedthefloor.
WillowJohn’slodgewasthere.

Itwasnotbuiltofbiglogs,likeourcabin,butofsmallerlodgepoles

andsetbackinthetreesagainstthebankofthefold,sheltered.

WehadbroughtBlueBoyandLittleRedwithus.Whentheysawthe

lodge,theyraisedtheirnosesandcommencedtowhine.Itwasnota
goodsign.Granpawentinfirst;hehadtostooptogothroughthedoor.I
followedhim.

Therewasonlyoneroominthelodge.WillowJohnlayonabedof

deerhidesspreadoverspringboughs.Hewasnaked.Thelongcopper
framewaswitheredlikeanoldtreeandonehandlaylimponthedirt
floor.

Granpawhispered,“WillowJohn!’’
WillowJohnopenedhiseyes.Hiseyeswasfaraway,buthegrinned.

“Iknewyouwouldcome,”hesaid,“andso,Iwaited.”Granpafounda
ironpotandsentmeforwater.Ifoundit,tricklingfromrocksbehindthe
lodge.

TherewasafirepitjustinsidethedoorandGranpabuiltafireand

putthepotoverit.Hedroppedstripsofdeermeatinthewater;andafter
theyhadboiled,raisedWillowJohn’sheadinthecradleofhisarmand
spoonedthebrothdownhim.

IgotblanketsfromacornerandwecoveredWillowJohn.Hedidn’t

openhiseyes.Nightcomeon.MeandGranpakeptthefiregoinginthe
firepit.Thewindwhistledonthemountaintopandwhinedaroundthe
cornersofthelodge.

Granpasetcross-leggedbeforethefireandthelightflickeredover

hisface,changingitfromold,toolder…makingitlooklikerockcrags
andcleftsintheshadowsofhischeekbonesuntilallIcouldseewasthe
eyeslookingatthefire;burningblack,notlikeflames,butlikeembers
goingout.Icurledaroundthefirepitandslept.

ItwasmorningwhenIwoke.Thefirewasbeatingbackfogdrifting

inthedoor.Granpastillsetbythefire;likehehadn’tmovedatall,though
Iknowhehadkeptitburning.

WillowJohnstirred.MeandGranpawenttohisside,andhiseyes

wasopen.Heraisedhishandandpointed.“Takemeoutside.”

171

“It’scoldout,”Granpasaid.
“Iknow,”WillowJohnwhispered.
GranpahadahardtimegettingWillowJohnintohisarms,forhewas

totallimp.Itriedtohelp.

GranpacarriedhimoutthedoorandIdraggedthespringboughs

behindthem.Granpaclamberedupthebankofthefoldtoahighpoint
andwelaidWillowJohnonthespringboughs.Wewrappedhimin
blanketsandputhisbootmoccasinsonhisfeet.Granpafoldedhidesand
proppeduphishead.

Thesunbrokethroughbehindusandchasedthefogintothedeeps,

searchingshade.WillowJohnwaslookingwest,acrossthewild
mountainsanddeephollows,asfarasyoucouldsee;towardthe
Nations.

GranpawenttothelodgeandcomebackwithWillowJohn’slong

knife.Heputitinhishand.WillowJohnraisedtheknifeandpointedto
anoldfir-pinethatwasbentandtwisted.Hesaid,“WhenIhavegone,
putthebodythere,closetoher.Shehasdroppedmanyyoungand
warmedmeandshelteredme.Itwillbegood.Thefoodwillgivehertwo
moreseasons.”

“Wewill,”Granpasaid.
“TellBee,”WillowJohnwhispered,“itwillbebetternexttime.”
“Iwill,”Granpasaid.
HesetdownbyWillowJohnandtakenhishand.Isetontheother

sideandtakenhisotherhand.

“Iwillwaitforyou,”WillowJohntoldGranpa.
“Wewillcome,”Granpasaid.
ItoldWillowJohnthatmorethanlikely,itwastheflu;Granmahad

saidthatitwasgoingaroundpracticaleverywheres.ItoldhimIwas
mightnearcertainthatwecouldgethimonhisfeetanddownthe
mountainwherehecouldstaywithus.Itoldhimthewholethingwasto
getonhisfeet,andthenhecouldmorethanlikelymakeit.

Hegrinnedatmeandsqueezedmyhand.“Youhavegoodheart,

LittleTree;butIdonotwanttostay.Iwanttogo.Iwillwaitforyou.”

Icried.ItoldWillowJohnreckinifhecouldn’tfiggeronstayinga

littlelonger,maybehecouldgonextyearwhenitwouldbewarmer.I
toldhimthehickor’nutcropwouldbegoodthiswinter.Itoldhimyou
couldmightnearseerightoffthatthedeerwouldbefat.

Hegrinned,buthedidn’tanswerme.

172

Helookedfaroutoverthemountains,towardthewest;likemeand

Granpawasnotthereanymore.Hebegunhispassingsong,tellingthe
spiritshewascoming.Thedeathsong.

Itbegunlowinhisthroatandrosehigherandcommencedtoget

thinner.

Inalittlewhileyoucouldn’ttellifitwasthewind,orWillowJohnthat

youheard.Hiseyesgotdimmerashisthroatmusclesmovedweaker.

MeandGranpasawthespiritslippingawayfartherbackinhiseyes

andwefeltitleavinghisbody.Thenhewasgone.

Thewindwhooshedacrossusandbenttheoldfir-pine.Granpasaid

itwasWillowJohn,andhehadastrongspirit.Wewatchedit,bending
justthetopsofthetreesontheridges,movingdownthesideofthe
mountainandraisingaflockofcrowsintotheair.Theycawedand
cawedandsetoffdownthemountainwithWillowJohn.

MeandGranpasetandwatchedhimmoveoutofsightovertherims

andhumpsofthemountains.Wesetalongtime.

GranpasaidWillowJohnwouldbeback,andthatwewouldfeelhim

inthewindandhearhimonthetalkingfingersofthetrees.Whichwe
would.

MeandGranpatakenourlongknivesanddugthehole;ascloseto

theoldfir-pineaswecouldgetit.Wedugitdeep.Granpawrapped
anotherblanketaroundWillowJohn’sbodyandwelaiditinthehole.He
putWillowJohn’shatintheholetoo,andletthelongknifestayinhis
hand,wherehegrippedittight.

WepiledrocksheavyanddeepoverthebodyofWillowJohn.

Granpasaidthe’coonsmustbekeptaway,forWillowJohnwas
determinedthetreewastohavethefood.

ThesunwassettinginthewestwhenIfolleredGranpadownfrom

themountaintop.Wehadleftthelodgeaswehadfoundit.Granpa
carriedadeershirtofWillowJohn’stogivetoGranma.

Whenwereachedthehollow,itwasaftermidnight.Ihearda

mourningdovefarback,calling.Itwasnotanswered.Iknewitcalledfor
WillowJohn.

Granmalitthelampwhenwecomein.GranpalaidWillowJohn’s

shirtonthetableanddidnotsayanything.Granmaknew.

Wedidn’tgotochurchafterthat.Ididn’tcare,forWillowJohn

wouldnotbethere.

173

Wewastohavetwomoreyearstogether;meandGranpaandGranma.
Maybeweknewtimewasgettingclose,butwedidn’tspeakofit.
GranmawenteverywherenowwithmeandGranpa.Weliveditfull.We
pointedoutthingslikethereddestoftheleavesinthefall,tomakesure
theotherssawit,thebluestvioletinthespring,sowealltastedand
sharedthefeelingtogether.

Granpa’sstepgotslower.Hismoccasinsdraggedsomewhenhe

walked.Itotedmoreofthefruitjarwaresinmytowsackandtakento
handlingmoreoftheheavywork.Wedidn’tmentionit.

Granpashowedmehowtocurvethedownswingofanaxe,soyou

movedthroughalogfastandeasy.Ipulledmoreofthecornthanhedid,
leavingtheearseasiesttoreachforhim;butIdidn’tsayanything.I
rememberedwhatGranpahadsaidaboutol’Ringerfeelinghewasstillof
worth.Thatlastfall,ol’Samdied.

ItoldGranpareckinwehadn’tbetterseeaboutanothermule,and

Granpasaiditwasalongtime’tilspring;let’swaitandsee.

Wetakenthehightrailmoreregular;meandGranpaandGranma.

Theclimbwasslowerforthem,buttheylovedtosetandwatchthe
mountainrims.

ItwasonthehightrailthatGranpaslippedandfell.Hedidn’tgetup.

MeandGranmasidedhimdownthemountainandhekeptsaying,“I’ll
beallrightd’rectly.’’Buthewasn’t.Weputhimabed.

PineBillycomeby.HestayedwithusandsetupwithGranpa.

GranpawantedtohearhisfiddleandPineBillyplayed.Thereinthe
lamplight,withhishomemadehaircroppinghangingoverhisears,andhis
longneckbentoverthefiddle,PineBillyplayed.Tearsrundownhisface
ontothefiddleanddroppedonhisoveralls.

Granpasaid,“Quitcrying,PineBilly.Ye’remessingupthemusic.I

wanttohearthefiddle.”

PineBillychokedandsaid,“Iain’tcrying.Icatchedac-c-cold.”

ThenhedroppedhisfiddleandflunghisselfatthefootofGranpa’sbed
andlaidhisheadinthebedclothes.Heheavedandcried.PineBillynever
wasonetoholdhisselfinaboutanything.

Granparaiseduphisheadandhollered—weak,“Yedamnidjit;ye’re

gittin’RedEaglesnuffalloverthebedsheets!’’Whichhewas.

Icriedtoo,butIdidn’tletGranpaseeme.
Granpa’sbodymindcommencedtostumbleandsleep.Hisspirit

mindtakenover.HetalkedtoWillowJohnalot.Granmaheldhisheadin

174

herarmsandwhisperedinhisear.

Granpacomebacktohisbodymind.Hewantedhishat,whichIgot;

andheputitonhishead.Iheldhishandandhegrinned.“Itwasgood,
LittleTree.Nexttime,itwillbebetter.I’llbeseein’ye.”Andheslipped
off;likeWillowJohnhaddone.

Iknewitwasgoingtohappen,butIdidn’tbelieveit.Granmalaidon

thebedbyGranpa,holdinghimtight.PineBillywasbawlingonthefoot
ofthebed.

Islippedoutofthecabin.Thehoundswasbayingandwhining,for

theyknew.Iwalkeddownthehollowtrailandtakenthecutofftrail.I
wasnotfolleringGranpa,andthenIknewtheworldhadcometoanend.

Iwasblindedandfellandgotupandwalkedandfellagain;Idon’t

knowhowmanytimes.IcometothecrossroadsstoreandItoldMr.
Jenkins.Granpawasdead.

Mr.Jenkinswastoooldtowalkandhesenthisson,afull-growed

man,togobackwithme.Heledmebythehand,likeIwasmightneara
baby,forIcouldnotseethetrail,norknowwhereIwasgoing.

Mr.Jenkins’sonandPineBillymadethebox.Itriedtohelp.I

recollectedGranpasaidyouwasobligatedtopitchinwhenfolkswas
tryingtodoforyou;butIwasn’tmuchaccountatit.PineBillycriedso
much,hewasn’tneither.Hehithisthumbwiththehammer.

TheycarriedGranpaupthehightrail.Granmaleading,andPineBilly

andMr.Jenkins’soncarryingthebox.Meandthehoundscomebehind.
PineBillykeptcrying,whichmadeithardonmetoholdmyselfin,not
wantingtotroubleGranma.Thehoundswhined.

IknewwhereGranmawastakingGranpa.Itwastohissecretplace;

highonthemountaintrailwherehewatchedthedaybirthandnevergot
tiredofitandneverquitsaying,“She’scomingalive!”likeeachtimewas
thefirsttimehehadeverseenit.Maybeitwas.Maybeeverybirthingis
differentandGranpacouldseethatitwasandknew.

ItwastheplaceGranpahadtakenmefirst,andsoIknewGranpa

kinnedme.

Granmadidn’tlookasweloweredGranpaintheground.She

watchedthemountains,faroff,andshedidn’tcry.

Thewindwasstrong,thereonthemountaintopanditliftedherhair-

braidsandstreamedthemoutbehindher.PineBillyandMr.Jenkins’son
walkedoff,backdownthetrail.MeandthehoundswatchedGranma
awhile,thenweslippedaway.

175

Wewaited,settingunderatreehalfwaydownthetrail,forGranmato
come.Itwasduskwhenshedid.

ItriedtopickupGranpa’sloadandminetoo.Iranthestill,butI

knowourwareswasnotasgood.

GranmagotoutallMr.Wine’sfiggeringbooksandpushedmeon

learning.Iwenttothesettlementaloneandbroughtbackotherbooks.I
readthemnow,bythefireplace,whileGranmalistenedandwatchedthe
fire.ShesaidIdonegood.

Ol’Rippittdied,andlaterthatwinter,ol’Maud.
Itwasjustbeforespring.IcomefromtheNarrowsdownthehollow

trail.IsawGranmasettingonthebackporch.Shehadmovedherrocker
there.

Shedidn’twatchmeasIcomedownthehollow.Shewaslooking

up,towardthehightrail.Iknewshewasgone.

Shehadputontheorangeandgreenandredandgolddressthat

Granpaloved.Shehadprintedoutanoteandpinneditonherbosom.It
said:

LittleTree,Imustgo.Likeyoufeelthetrees,feelforuswhen
youarelistening.Wewillwaitforyou.Nexttimewillbebetter.
Alliswell.Granma.

Icarriedthetinybodyintothecabinandputitonthebedandset

withherthroughtheday.BlueBoyandLittleRedsettoo.

ThateveningIwentandfoundPineBilly.PineBillysetupthenight

withmeandGranma.Hecriedandplayedhisfiddle.Heplayedthewind
…andtheDogStar…andthemountainrims…andthedaybirthing…
anddying.MeandPineBillyknewGranmaandGranpawaslistening.

Wemadetheboxnextmorningandcarriedherupthehightrailand

laidherbesideGranpa.Itakentheoldmarriagestickandburiedthe
endsinpilesofstonemeandPineBillyputattheheadofeachgrave.

Iseenthenotchestheymadeforme;rightdownneartheendofthe

stick.Theywasdeepandhappynotches.

Ilastedoutthewinter;meandBlueBoyandLittleRed,untilspring.

ThenIwenttoHangin’Gapandburiedthestill’scopperpotandworm.I
wasnotmuchgoodatit,andhadnotlearnedthetradeasIhadoughtto.
IknewGranpawouldnotwantanybodyelseusingittoturnoutbad

176

wares.

ItookthewhiskeytrademoneythatGranmahadsetoutformeand

determinedIwouldheadwest,acrossthemountainstotheNations.Blue
BoyandLittleRedwentwithme.Wejustclosedthecabindoorone
morningandwalkedaway.

AtthefarmsIaskedforwork;iftheywouldnotletmekeepBlue

BoyandLittleRedthenIwouldmoveon.Granpasaidafellerowedthat
muchtohishounds.Whichisright.

LittleRedfellthroughcreekiceintheArkansasOzarksanddiedlike

ahoundoughttodie,inthemountains.MeandBlueBoymadeittothe
Nations,wheretherewasnoNation.

Weworkedonthefarms,goingwest,andthentheranchesonthe

flats.

Oneeveninglate,BlueBoycomeasidemyhorse.Helaiddownand

couldn’tgetup.Hecouldn’tgoanymore.Itakenhimup,acrostmy
saddle,andweturnedourbacksontheredsettin’sunoftheCimarron.
Weheadedeast.

Iwouldnotgetmyjobback,ridingoffthisway,butIdidn’tcare.I

hadboughtthehorseandsaddleforfifteendollarsandtheywasmine.

MeandBlueBoywashuntin’usamountain.
Beforedaywefoundone.Itwasn’tmuchofamountain,morelikea

hill,butBlueBoywhimperedwhenheseenit.Itotedhimtothetopas
thesunbroketheeast.Idughimagraveandhelaidandwatched.

Hecouldn’traisehishead,butheletmeknowheknewit;forhe

stiffenedaearandkepthiseyesonme.Afterthat,IheldBlueBoy’s
head,settin’ontheground.Helickedmyhand,whenhecould.

Inalittlewhilehepassedon,easy,anddroppedhisheadovermy

arm.Iburiedhimdeepandrockedhisgraveheavyagainstthecreatures.

Withhisnosesense,IfiggeredmorethanlikelyBlueBoywas

alreadyhalfwaytothemountains.

He’dhavenotroubleatallcatchingupwithGranpa.

177

Spistreści

SharingLittleTree

LittleTree

TheWay

ShadowsonaCabinWall

FoxandHounds

“IKinYe,BonnieBee”

ToKnowthePast

PineBilly

TheSecretPlace

Granpa’sTrade

TradingwithaChristian

AttheCrossroadsStore

ADangerousAdventure

TheFarmintheClearing

ANightontheMountain

105

WillowJohn

116

Church-going

127

Mr.Wine

134

DownfromtheMountain

141

TheDogStar

151

HomeAgain

165

ThePassingSong

170

178

Document Outline

Sharing Little Tree
Little Tree
The Way
Shadows on a Cabin Wall
Fox and Hounds
“I Kin Ye, Bonnie Bee”
To Know the Past
Pine Billy
The Secret Place
Granpa’s Trade
Trading with a Christian
At the Crossroads Store
A Dangerous Adventure
The Farm in the Clearing
A Night on the Mountain
Willow John
Church-going
Mr. Wine
Down from the Mountain
The Dog Star
Home Again
The Passing Song

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