Yes$$$ I'm alive$$$ Mat said. "I'm usually pretty good at staying alive. I've only failed one time that I can remember$$$ and it hardly counts."

You have made flowers grow where I cultivated dust and stones. Remember this$$$ on this journey you insist on making. If you die$$$ I will not survive you long.

I'm a gambler$$$ a farmboy$$$ and I'm here to take command of your bloody army!

Thus is our treaty written; thus is agreement made. Thought is the arrow of time; memory never fades. What was asked is given; the price is paid.

May you shelter in the palm of the Creator's hand$$$ and may the last embrace of the mother welcome you home.

Til shade is gone$$$ til water is gone<br>Into the shadow with teeth bared<br>Screaming defiance with the last breath<br>To spit in Sightblinder's eye on the Last Day.

The Creator made women to please the eye$$$ and to boggle the mind.

He was alone in his wonderment$$$ among creatures incapable of wonder -- for them it was enough to exist and go their way.

I am not afraid... I was born to do this.

I am convinced that those societies which live without government enjoy in their gen'l mass an infinitely greater degree of happiness.