Pages 312 through 519 Summary

In the chapter titled "1878," Ludwig gets started expanding his mill and hires a man named Captain Bodien as the new overseer. Though he does worry that having someone between himself and the workers will hurt his relationship with them, Ludwig knows that in order to make the mill prosper, he has to make time to travel. One day Ludwig and Captain Bodien are at the mill when there's an accident involving a young black man named Zack. When Ludwig sees the extent of the man's injury - his leg broken by a heavy coil of rope - he sends someone for John. John puts the man to sleep and transports him home, but Zack continues to plead with John not to remove the leg. John gives in, though he fears for Zack's life. After a short time, gangrene sets in and...