Part Three (to page 191), Summary and Analysis

This section of the story details Ernie's journey north from Mazatlbn through Tucson, Arizona to Sacramento, California. Ernie, Henriqueta and Josy arrive at the train station with their belongings, including the cedar box, and fight through a crowd to board. Ernie and his mother are traveling in the passenger cars, while Josy is riding up front as a worker on the train. Armed soldiers are on board to guard the train.

After sleeping overnight, Ernie walks to the front end of the train car and runs into Juan-Chon, the Chinese grocer from Mazatlbn. They exchange pleasantries. Ernie notices that Juan-Chon has cut off his long braided hair, which was formerly his personal trademark. Upon returning to his seat, Ernie tells his mother about the braid and she orders him not to speak of it. Later...