Who is Batist from Sunset Limited and what is their importance? Sunset_Limited_(novel) English & Literature Batist | Sunset Limited

Batist works in Dave Robicheaux's bait shop. Batist is a black man of undetermined age who once worked with Robicheaux's father, "trapping and fishing" (pg. 91.) Batist is strong with upper arms that bunch "like cantaloupes when he [moves]" (pg. 91.) Robicheaux points out that Batist is "illiterate and sometimes contentious" but adds that Batist is "loyal" and "decent" (pg. 91.)