August, Willis, Dave and three other men sat in the back of Billy's wagon as it slowly trundled down the dirt path that lead to the East Field. The men held low conversation in the still dark of early morning, their hoes and shovels rattling as the wagon swayed in the ruts. The Eastern sky was lit at the horizon by an elongated banner of silver light presaging the dawn, the Western sky still held the image of Orion, and the men folded arms and tucked hands in pockets against the chill.

At last the wagon creaked to a halt, and Dave jumped over to the side into the field. Immediately, there was a sudden eruption of sound, like applause, and several small gray shapes burst out of the cotton rows and into the low air. Dave laughed and said "bout scared hell out of me. This is early to see a covey of quail!" August watched the quail drop into a nearby stand of trees and felt his heart start to pound wildly. There was a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see the big, bright smile of Willis, who kept his arm around Gus' shoulder as they walked into the field.