Американские боги

           "

           "Itoldyou,"saidWednesday."Jesus."

           "There’saclutchofthunderbirdsinWestVirginia,"saidChapman,idly."Acoupleofhensandanoldcock-birdatleast.There’salsoabreedingpairintheland,theyusedtocallittheStateofFranklin,butoldBennevergothisstate,upbetweenKentuckyandTennessee.Course,therewasneveragreatnumberofthem,evenatthebestoftimes."

           WhiskeyJackreachedoutahandthecoloroftheredclay,andhetouchedShadow’sface,gently.Hisiriseswerelightbrownbandedwithdarkbrown,andinthatfacethoseeyesseemedluminous."Eyah,"hesaid."It’strue.Ifyouhuntthethunderbirdyoucouldbringyourwomanback.Butshebelongstothewolf,inthedeadplaces,notwalkingtheland."

           "Howdoyouknow?"askedShadow.

           WhiskeyJack’slipsdidnotmove."WhatdidtheBuffalotellyou?"

           "Tobelieve."

           "Goodadvice.Areyougoingtofollowit?"

           "Kindof.Iguess."Theyweretalkingwithoutwords,withoutmouths,withoutsound.Shadowwonderedif,fortheothertwomenintheroom,theywerestanding,unmoving,foraheartbeatorforafractionofaheartbeat.

           "Whenyoufindyourtribe,comebackandseeme,"saidWhiskeyJack."Icanhelp."

           "Ishall."

           Whiskeyjackloweredhishand.ThenheturnedtoWednesday.