How he died hadn't been funny, Newt thought. It's all right, though, Augustus said. It's mostly bones we're riding over anyway. Why, think of all the buffalo that have died on these plains. Buffalo and other critters too. And the Indians have been here forever; their bones are down there in the earth. I'm told that over in the Old Country you can't dig six feet without uncovering skulls and leg bones and such. People have been living there since the beginning, and their bones have kinda filled up the ground. It's interesting to think about, all the bones in the ground. But it's just fellow creatures, it's nothing to shy from.
In the story, Newt reflects on the concept of death, feeling that the way someone has passed is not amusing. Augustus offers a different perspective, suggesting that the land is figuratively filled with bones from various creatures that have lived and died there, including buffalo and even the indigenous people. He points out the natural cycle of life and death that fills the earth with remnants of life.
Augustus's thoughts extend to the idea that in many places, remnants of the past are buried beneath our feet, emphasizing the historical continuity of human existence. He reassures Newt that this reality should not be something to fear. Instead, it should be seen as a part of life’s journey and a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings. This acknowledgment of death as a universal experience highlights a profound respect for life and the histories intertwined with the land.
