"Down by the Riverside," Part 1 Summary

Mann has stayed in his house for three days so far, watching the floodwaters rise. He wants to remain in his home as long as he can, thinking the waters will subside, but now he realizes he cannot stay any longer. His wife, Lulu, has been in labor for almost four days, her hips too slim to deliver the child. Mann has sent his cousin Bob to sell Mann's donkey and buy a boat with the money. Mann's head hurts, and he thinks he may have the flu.

Mann has heard about the army being brought in and about blacks being made to shore up the levee at gunpoint. He hears gunshots and believes a soldier is probably shooting a black man. Bob returns with fifteen dollars, all he could get for the...