Chapters 15-17 Summary

Monterey is changeless and the routine in Danny's house is even more monotonous. Danny begins dreaming of bygone days of freedom, before the weight of property fell on him. Unlike his earlier, unencumbered life, he does not drink or adventure. He is responsible for his house and friends. Danny mopes until one night he runs away into the pinewoods.

The paisanos figure Danny must have a lover, but when his absence stretches to a week, they worry and search the woods. They hear curious rumors of his drunken, thieving, violent behavior and people's fear of him. Following up on the story of his being jailed after a fight at the wharf, they learn he has escaped and faces six months. The paisanos want to stake out Torrelli's, but Torrelli turns them away, telling them how after swapping blankets and cooking pots...