章 17: Chapter 17

As they rode down the street, the few citizens that were out at the dinner hour turned and stared at them. Lee smiled and nodded as if he knew each and every one. No use gittin’ off on the wrong foot. Tatanka and Sleeps With Dog rode in expressionless silence.

“Pardon me, friend,” Lee said, addressing a man standing on the wooden sidewalk, “there a livery in this town?”

“Who ya callin’ friend? Do I know you?” said the man.

“Well, no, me and my friends just got into town and…”

“Ain’t no friend if you’re hooked up with them murderin’, thievin’ devils.” And the man spat on the ground in front of the horses.

Lee fought to stay in control. “Hey, mister…Look, no call for you to…”

The man spat again and walked away.

Lee turned to his companions, his face showing his anger. Tatanka smiled and said in Dakota. “They are afraid. They have been treated badly by our brothers as Johnson told us. Do not take offense.”

Lee shook his head. “Dang if you ain’t got the soul of a saint.”