Американские боги

           ‘CanyouseethehiddenIndiansinthispicture?TherearetenIndiansinthispicture,canyoufindthemall?’Andatfirstglanceyoucouldonlyseethewaterfallandtherocksandthetrees,thenyouseethatifyoujusttipthepictureonitssidethatshadowisanIndian…"Heyawned.

           "Sleep,"suggestedCzernobog.

           "Butthebigpicture,"saidShadow.Thenheslept,anddreamedofhiddenIndians.

           ThetreewasinVirginia.Itwasalongwayawayfromanywhere,onthebackofanoldfarm.TogettothefarmtheyhadhadtodriveforalmostanhoursouthfromBlacksburg,todriveroadswithnameslikePennywinkleBranchandRoosterSpur.TheygotturnedaroundtwiceandMr.NancyandCzernobogbothlosttheirtemperswithShadowandwitheachother.

           Theystoppedtogetdirectionsatatinygeneralstore,setatthebottomofthehillintheplacewheretheroadforked.Anoldmancameoutofthebackofthestoreandstaredatthem:heworeOshKoshB’goshdenimoverallsandnothingelse,notevenshoes.Czernobogboughtapickledhog’sfootfromthehugejarofhogs’feetonthecounter,andwentoutsidetoeatitonthedeck,whileNancyandthemanintheoverallstookturnsdrawingeachothermapsonthebackofnapkins,markingoffturningsandlocallandmarks.

           Theysetoffoncemore,withMr.Nancydriving,andtheywerethereintenminutes.AsignonthegatesaidASH.

           Shadowgotoutofthebus,andopenedthegate.