4) Another coupé containing Miss Miller, a schoolteacher. She was unused to driving in the rain or to being out alone on the highway so late at night; she was in what is known as “a mild state of nerves.”

5) A jalopy containing a migrant worker, his wife, and their two children. The children were asleep in the back, on top of a clutter of household goods.

6) A car of the Highway Patrol containing Sergeant Daly and Officer O’Regan.

7) A truck-and-trailer laden with crates of carrots.

8) A large sedan containing a uniformed chauffeur, Mr. Andrew F. Magnusson (the mining magnate, no less), Mrs. Magnusson, and their twin daughters Deborah (Debby) and May (Mebby). They were returning from a formal dinner, and were dressed accordingly. Mr. Magnusson was asleep; Mrs. Magnusson was having digestive troubles; the girls were bored.

The patrol-car was going slowly; its presence and example stabilized the traffic. Drivers who passed it slowed down. The cars were therefore to arrive at the underpass with only a few changes in position.

•

The pick-up truck dipped into the underpass. Coming around the curve, the driver saw a sheet of water upon the pavement. He threw on his brake, and managed to check his car a little. The water sprayed out on both sides, but he was through almost before he knew what was happening. “Not more than three or four inches,” he said to himself.

The water, rising rapidly, was six inches deep by the time the small sedan came along. It hit the water hard and skidded round a little, but the driver skillfully shifted into second and went through.

The college youth who was driving the coupé gave out a whoop when he saw the water, and stepped on the gas. The car slewed to the right, and water flew in all directions. “Yip-pee!” they all three yelled. Then, without even a cough, the engine died. The driver whirled it with the starter for a little, and then remembered that this particular model was likely to stall in high water. They all did a little perfunctory cursing, and then lighted cigarettes. Their momentum had almost carried them through the flooded part. They discussed making a jump for it, but decided they would have more fun just sitting and seeing what happened.