William Henry Jackson . . . took a picture of a Nez
Perce half-breed . . . other Nez Perce told him, was
the son of William Clark.
—Alvin M. Josephy Jr.,
Lewis and Clark Through Indian Eyes
The hero makers say
the captains try an set
a good example
an be too gentlemanly
or too busy
to lie
with Indian women.
But like Ol’ York say
babies always tell
on themselves, especially
when they comes out
with red hair,
whiter skin
than they mamma’s
an eyes
the color a the sky.