Early Afternoon, April 10th, 1879. Ward's ranch house.
[John Smith, Alouette, Augustus Spotswood]
"Home, Home on the range!
Where the deer and antelope play.
Where seldom is heard
a discouraging word
and the skies are not cloudy all day!"
John crouches underneath the awning of the porch, waiting for a reply. It's not a long wait.
The door opens a crack, and the weathered face of an old negro looks out at him.
"Hello." he says conversationally.
"Welcome to the house of Dr. Dexter Ward. What is your business here in such dreadful weather?"