The Marrow of Tradition

The political demonstration has become “a murderous riot” (193). White men rove the streets looking for Black people to kill. Josh and his group had planned to defend themselves if provoked but know they are now actively being hunted. They retire to the hospital. Meanwhile, Jerry searches the streets for Major Carteret, but before he can find them, he is swept with Josh’s crew into the hospital. While Major Carteret and Belmont have removed themselves from the center of the action, McBane leads an assault against the hospital. Major Carteret tries to tell the other men that things have gotten out of hand, but soon, the hospital is on fire. Jerry jumps from a window, crying to Major Carteret, but before his employer notices him, he is beaten to death. Josh and his crew storm the hospital, and Josh kills McBane with a bowie knife.

Major Carteret returns home to find his son in grave condition with the croup. Dr. Price is out of town, so they contact every other physician they know. One, Dr. Evans, is a young, inexperienced apprentice. Upon evaluating Dodie, he realizes a surgery is necessary—a difficult surgery that no physician in town is qualified to perform except for Dr.