His daddy was a black man, and his ma was Indian. As far as I know, they lived with his mother's family until the government got in their way. She got taken by the military, he became a drunk, so Charles headed out alone. Think he was about the same age I was when he left home.

[Arthur pats his horse again, then turns to look at Tess once more.]

Hardens you, bein' out in the open at that age. We was all too glad to have him with us, knowing what he does about nature, about animals. And it's good to ride with people after many years alone.