Have you ever heard of the Legend of the West?
Some say he was a man, gruff and quiet. His voice could be as soft as the breeze through the cattails or as loud as a train barreling past.
He never missed a mark and could shoot the birds out of the sky with one eye closed. I saw it once! He shot six birds out of the sky in one go! Won himself $10 off the man who challenged him.
He could tame any horse too!
No, I swear it's true!
I saw him walk up to a Nakota once, cooing like a woman to her child and when the horse was calm he hopped on its back! It bucked and rolled, trying to shake him off but he held tight. Didn't take long for the horse to tire out and it was as soft as a cat after a dish of milk.
A Legend of the West he was.
But to me?
He was my brother and he saved my life more times than I'll ever be able to thank him for.
…
Alright that's enough stories for today. Your ma says it's past your bedtime. I'll tell you about the time he went out with your Grandpa Hosea and hunted a bear tomorrow.
…
[a whisper into the night]
Thank you, Arthur…