Part 1: Chapter 10 Summary and Analysis

During their fourth cycle of collecting ingredients for the smoking mixture in December of 1964, Matus merely supervises. He wants Castaneda to "meet with his ally again" to "evaluate it with justice" vis-a-vis devil's weed. The weed flatters and makes one feel good, while the smoke deals in "noble power" and requires purity and strength of heart that few possess. Smoke is constant and "reinforces the heart." Matus shakes with laughter, watching his protygy's awkward actions lighting the pipe. Sweating, Castaneda hears Matus tell him not to fear and to do what he says. The room tumbles and blurs, and Castaneda cannot follow instructions, but is not afraid. He awakens next day. Matus remarks only that Castaneda falls asleep too soon to follow instructions and learn to move freely, rather than being "glued to the ground."

Castaneda tries again on...