A Gathering of Old Men Chapter 17 Summary

Snookum

  • Snookum tells us that, as soon as the shooting started, he got away from his Gram Mon, cut through the kitchen, headed outside, and hidunder the house.
  • From there, he can see Mapes, lying in the dirt and unable to get up.
  • Lou starts crawling over toward Mapes on his elbows and knees and sees Snookum under the house.
  • He tells Snookum to listen to his Gram Mon, who is still calling to him, but he doesn't answer.
  • Lou tells him to stay down and keeps on moving.
  • Finally, Lou makes it to Mapes. He asks if he's alright.
  • Mapes says he's fine—as in not hurt—but he's obviously upset.
  • Lou tells him that Griffin quit, and shows Mapes Griffin's gun.
  • Mapes tells him to keep it and asks Lou if anybody else got hurt.
  • Lou says he doesn't think so. He asks Mapes if he needs any help.
  • Mapes says he needs a whole lot more than Lou can give, but tries to deputize him anyway.
  • Lou isn't having it, but Mapes tells Lou he's in charge just the same.
  • When he asks Mapes what he's supposed to do, Mapes just tells him to figure it out.