The Monkey Wrench Gang

Thinking they're safe from repercussions, Smith and Hayduke celebrate their stunt with hugs and fresh beers. Hayduke dances "a kind of Hunkpapa Sioux Peyote shuffle" (127). Smith starts to doubt their safety. He borrows Hayduke's field glasses and looks northeast, toward the bridge above the Narrow Canyon of the Colorado River. Smith announces that Bishop Love, "the horse's ass" (130), and his search-and-rescue team are on the bridge with their vehicles, talking to the construction worker in the yellow pickup truck. Smith says he can't read lips well but he guesses they've just figured out that Smith and Hayduke "turned off on that Maze jeep trail" (130). Smith figures they should leave quickly. Hayduke laments not bringing his rifle.

Smith begins driving the "rocky rutted axle-busting road" (130) ahead of them. He can only go twenty miles per hour. Hayduke says the search-and-rescue team, with their "V-Eight Chevy Blazers" (130) is sure to catch them. Smith and Hayduke begin scheming ways to slow them down or stop them, but the barren landscape and single road offer few options.

After a while with the search-and-rescue team in pursuit, Smith and Hayduke come to an old wooden cattle guard and adjoining fence. Hayduke says he'll pour the gasoline if Smith will light it.