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           Andwhenthesunwentdown

           Timetolookoutforaplacetostop.

           And—there’ssometentsahead.

           Thecarpulledofftheroadandstopped,andbecauseothersweretherefirst,certaincourtesieswerenecessary.Andtheman,theleaderofthefamily,leanedfromthecar.

           Canwepullupherean’sleep?

           Why,sure,beproudtohaveyou.WhatStateyoufrom?

           ComeallthewayfromArkansas.

           They’sArkansaspeopledownthatfourthtent.

           Thatso?

           Andthegreatquestion,How’sthewater?

           Well,shedon’ttastesogood,butthey’splenty.

           Well,thankya.

           Nothankstome.

           Butthecourtesieshadtobe.Thecarlumberedoverthegroundtotheendtent,andstopped.Thendownfromthecarthewearypeopleclimbed,andstretchedstiffbodies.Thenthenewtentsprangup;thechildrenwentforwaterandtheolderboyscutbrushorwood.Thefiresstartedandsupperwasputontoboilortofry.Earlycomersmovedover,andStateswereexchanged,andfriendsandsometimesrelativesdiscovered.

           Oklahoma,huh?Whatcounty?

           Cherokee.

           Why,Igotfolksthere.KnowtheAllens?They’sAllensalloverCherokee.KnowtheWillises?

           Why,sure.

           Andanewunitwasformed.Theduskcame,butbeforethedarkwasdownthenewfamilywasofthecamp.Awordhadbeenpassedwitheveryfamily.Theywereknownpeople—goodpeople.

           IknowedtheAllensallmylife.SimonAllen,ol’Simon,hadtroublewithhisfirstwife.ShewaspartCherokee.Purtyas—asablackcolt.Sure,an’youngSimon,hemarriedaRudolph,didn’the?That’swhatIthought.