Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

The brief Chapter 6, "A message from Mr. Pitcairn," describes the initial response of the Pittsburgh railroad magnate, earlier introduced, to spotty word coming from Johnstown and eastward. Shortly before noon, his private upholstered car leaves Pittsburgh bound for Lilly. Since the club lacks communications and reports of problems at the dam are an annual occurrence, Unger's incoming messages are odd, and Pitcairn is on the road when Dougherty and Wilson's warnings arrive. Pitcairn's first interest in the dam comes during the 1862 break, which wrecks railroad property. Twenty years later, when repairs are made, leaks at the base cause talk in the valley, and Pitcairn inspects it thoroughly with Ruff, who promises to strengthen it. He asks Wilson and others to keep an eye on the worrisome "springs" (leaks). It is unlikely he joins the club to keep his own eye on...