Summary

Chapter 15 (El Dorado). Eliza is enjoying her new freedom and continues to travel throughout California looking for Joaquin. She is running out of funds however, and has to find a way to make ends meet. When betting on bear baiting does not pay off, she makes some income by writing letters home for the many men who are illiterate. In one town, a traveling brothel arrives to great fanfare. They travel with prostitutes, pornographic books, and a piano to encourage dancing. When they ask if anyone can play the piano, Eliza (still disguised as a boy) volunteers. She makes a healthy sum in tips and is introduced to the bouncer of the group, Babalu the Bad. She tells him she is looking for her “brother” and he advises her to stay with them because all the men end up there eventually.

Chapter 16 (Business Dealings). John...