Clouds march inland, over the mountains, from the coast. The clouds settle in the valley, the wind stops, and the rain begins to beat down in a steady tempo. For two days the earth absorbs the water and then pools begin to form in the low places. When the mountains fill they overflow into the valleys. The streams and rivers are gorged. The valley begins to flood. Migrants build dikes, but they are swept away. Their cars will not start because the wires are shorted, and their tents are flooded.
There is no more work in California for three months. The migrant community is wracked with hunger and sickness. The men go out to beg for food, even rotten food. Deputies are called in to control the starving migrants. Men and boys, goaded by hunger, begin to steal. They would steal brazenly, carrying squawking chickens off, without fear of being shot down. One man related a story. "Fella had a team of horses, had to use 'em to plow an' cultivate an' mow, wouldn' think a turnin' 'em out to starve when they wasn't workin'. Them's horses - we're men." Chapter 29, pg. 553 The men gathered together and their fear turned into wrath.
