Summary

Part 1 "XX62" (1) begins with Chapter 1, “Gold” (3). The year is 1862. Lucy (age 12) and Sam (age 11) are standing over the dead body of their father (referred to as “Ba”) in a mining town shack in the American West. Seeking two silver coins to bury with Ba, they visit the local general store, but the manager gruffly tells them to go to the bank if they need money. They enter the bank and ask for the silver on credit. The banker tells them to get out, using a racial slur. (The family is of Asian ethnicity.) Lucy turns to see Sam holding Ba's pistol. Sam shoots, but the gun misfires. They run to the schoolhouse and steal Teacher Leigh's horse, Nellie, then pack up their scant belongings to get out of town. Lucy hands Sam a carrot and Sam gives half to Nellie, and puts the...