Part 2: Chapter 14 - 15 Summary and Analysis

Castaneda remembers encountering a sorceress named la Catalina in 1961, setting up the background for what follows. At that time in the past, Don Juan claims that la Catalina can turn into a blackbird and is out to kill him. He tells Castaneda to obtain a shotgun by either buying or borrowing it. The plan is to shoot the blackbird the next time it appears on the roof of don Juan's house. He believes that la Catalina will not recognize Castaneda and will therefore ignore his presence.

Castaneda borrows a double-barreled shotgun. Don Juan rubs the gun and the shotgun shells with special herbs, then sets up Castaneda outside the house among bushes. That night some kind of bird flies to the top of the roof, and Castaneda lets go with both barrels. He and don Juan search...