Chapter 1 Section 17 Summary

The gunslinger walks down the center of town with the mule and stops at the honky-tonk, but Allie is not there. He fills his bag with water and takes some provisions. He heads back into the street. He hopes that he can avoid the final trap, but he doubts it.

The gunslinger hears a shrill scream from behind him and doors start to open along the road. Men, women and children pour into the street, all holding some weapon in their hands. Some have knives and some have pieces of wood. He does not think. He simply grabs for the guns at his hips and starts shooting. As he turns, the first person coming toward him is Allie. Her face is distorted. She is being forced forward by Sheb and she begs the gunslinger not to shoot her. His hands are...