Ezra Jones, the trader, known among the Sioux tribes as heyoka or talker, because of his flair for the kind of oratory they admired, was almost ready to leave the town of Bootstrap on one of his periodic rounds of the Indian camps. His wagon, loaded with guns, blankets, beads, tobacco and fire water, stood in front of the store. He was in front of the counter, making payment for the goods in gold coins. The trader was a cadaverous man, who wore greasy buckskins and an equally greasy beard. On his shoulder perched a tame crow, and as its master paid over a final coin, the bird fluttered down to the pile of shining gold pieces, croaking. According to the trader, he has taught the bird to talk Sioux, and he can say five or six things in Dakota language. He's also an accomplished thief.