Chapter 23

           Themigrantpeople,scuttlingforwork,scrabblingtolive,lookedalwaysforpleasure,dugforpleasure,manufacturedpleasure,andtheywerehungryforamusement.Sometimesamusementlayinspeech,andtheyclimbeduptheirliveswithjokes.Anditcameaboutinthecampsalongtheroads,ontheditchbanksbesidethestreams,underthesycamores,thatthestorytellergrewintobeing,sothatthepeoplegatheredinthelowfirelighttohearthegiftedones.Andtheylistenedwhilethetalesweretold,andtheirparticipationmadethestoriesgreat.

           IwasarecruitagainstGeronimo.Andthepeoplelistened,andtheirquieteyesreflectedthedyingfire.

           ThemInjunswascute—slickassnakes,an’quietwhentheywanted.Couldgothroughdryleaves,an’makenorustle.Trytodothatsometimes.

           Andthepeoplelistenedandrememberedthecrashofdryleavesundertheirfeet.

           Comethechangeofseasonan’thecloudsup.Wrongtime.Everhearofthearmydoinganythingright?Givethearmytenchances,an’they’llstumblealong.Tookthreeregimentstokillahundredbraves—always.

           Andthepeoplelistened,andtheirfaceswerequietwithlistening.Thestorytellers,gatheringattentionintotheirtales,spokeingreatrhythms,spokeingreatwordsbecausethetalesweregreat,andthelistenersbecamegreatthroughthem.

           Theywasabraveonaridge,againstthesun.Knowedhestoodout.Spreadhisarmsan’stood.Nakedasmorning,an’againstthesun.Maybehewascrazy.Idon’know.Stoodthere,armsspreadout;likeacrosshelooked.Fourhunderdyards.