An excerpt from: Buddy and the KKK from Run with the Horsemen Day 2—Supporting Details—Simple Inferences
Ferrol Sams
1
The boy became conscious that, even in a town where the noise of traffic was at best sporadic, there was an unnatural quiet.
No car was in sight or moving around the courthouse square. He was reminded of the unnatural hush just preceding a tornado,
when even the birds quit cheeping. From south of town, just in front of the schoolhouse and extending on around the curve and
over the hill, a long line of headlights shone, slowly and steadily approaching. Suddenly, even as he looked, a blaze of fire shot
into the air above the car in the lead. The leaping flames were in the shape of a cross. He was roughly and precipitously hurled
to the floor of the truck. Buddy's great heavy arm was over his shoulders, and his voice was desperate in his ear.
2
"Keep yo head down, Sambo! For God's sake, keep yo head down and be stiller'n you ever been in yo life befo! I oughta run,
but I can't leave you, an besides ney might see me. Fo de love o' God, lay still!"
3
Frightened by the obvious panic in his friend's voice, the boy flattened himself against the bottom of the truck, his thin body
clasped tightly against Buddy by the strong arm. He felt protected and cherished and strangely content. That must be the Ku
Klux Klan, he thought. I've heard about 'em, but I've never seen them. What in the world are they doing in Brewtonton?
4
Buddy pulled him even tighter against him. "Please, Sambo, keep yo head down! Don't go back on me now." he begged again.
5
The boy became conscious of the acrid, smothering odor of Buddy's armpit. It was different from working sweat. This was the
smell of fear. Of a sudden the realization overwhelmed him that his friend was not protecting but seeking protection. That great,
quivering, muscular hulk was in reality trying to hide behind his puny, scrawny frame. His friend was afraid because he was
black! He was beseeching the boy's help because he was white!
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All fear and consternation left him and were replaced by rage. In a fiercely protective tone, he said, "Buddy, you lie still!
That's just the ole Ku Klux and they don't amount to anything any more. Don't be afraid. Trust me."
7
later that night
8
When they drove into the barnyard, the boy cut the motor and leaned against the steering wheel. "Buddy, it's not right, what
happened tonight. I want you to know I hate the Ku Klux Klan. You're the best friend I've got. I want you to take some more of
the watermelon money."
9
Buddy looked at him, one leg already out of the open door. Naw, you don't. You don't give me no mo money. I done got what
I earned, en I earned what I got, en nat's ne way it oughta be. Money ain't everything, Sambo. I never forgit you." With a sudden
release of tension, he threw back his head and laughed. "I ain't never forgit dis whole night, neither. Ain't many folks ever had a
white chile settin on top ney back sellin wallermillions to de Ku Klux Klan. You crazy, Sambo, an you got de devil in you, but
you my bes' friend, too."
Question:
What can you infer about the location of the town of Brewtonton? Explain how you came to your conclusions.