Summary

At the beginning of Chapter 8, “Bad Step at Bluebird,” the group climbs into the mountains where Border Control cannot spot them. A few men grumble under the effort. Although some survivors would later say they passed through a city of night (presumably Ajo), the author notes that this is impossible. Mendez lead them around Ajo.

At 11:30 p.m. on the first night of their walk, lights flash and Mendez panics, believing it to be the Border Patrol. Just as they are approaching Bluebird Pass, Mendez leaves them in a different direction. The author evaluates Mendez’s claim about the Border Control, and concludes that a Border Control agent would never have behaved in such a way. In the scramble to flee, some men lose their water. Mendez didn’t know where he was going—but he did not admit it to the...