Chapter 1 Summary

The book tells the detailed history of three generations of two families caught up initially in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Tracing their migrations to the United States and the difficulties they faced, it portrays an accurate picture of life in Mexico in the early 1900's and in the coastal area of California during the time of prohibition through the 1930's.

A wall of gold has been found near El Rio Urique, and the Mexican people who have been using the sweet water spring near it watch as ownership of the mine changes from Mexican to an American corporation that purchases the mine. The new corporation immediately begins to create a huge mining operation. Where once there was just a small spring, a modern operation has been constructed to withdraw gold from deep in the mountain to be shipped to the United States. The...