Summary

Chapter 14. The newspaper Mac has brought back from town makes it clear the strike is falling apart, and Mac, Jim, and London discuss what will probably happen and what they should do.

The pickets set out for the day but quickly return; deputies armed with guns and tear gas have the road effectively barricaded. After Mac is unsuccessful at rallying the men to return and storm the barricade, he accuses them of cowardice. He tells Jim again the men need another taste of blood to get them stirred up.

When Burke accuses London of having a private hoard of food and eating better than the others, London breaks his jaw with one blow. As the crowd stares at the bleeding man, London understands a signal from Jim and rallies the mob to attack the barricade again. This time the men return drunk on their success...