Summary

In “Into New Mexico,” Woody and the Old Man planned “to leave in the dark before dawn,” but could not find Red anywhere (275). They were forced to leave without her. The Old Man demanded Woody tell him the story of what happened to his family. Woody told him that after his mother and sister died of dust pneumonia, his pa made Woody shoot his beloved mare. “God help me, I know, at that moment, she is the only living thing I have ever loved besides my ma” (278). When his pa tried to make him skin the mare for food, Woody told him he would “sooner shoot you dead” (279)! After they fired shots at each other, Woody’s pa shot himself in the head. Woody blamed himself for his father’s suicide. The Old Man assured Woody he would not turn him into the...