Chapters 15, 16, 17, and 18 Summary

After his father dies Robey buries the corpse, digging a deep grave away from other graves and memorizing the location—he plans to return to get the corpse for reburial at home at some point. He puts all of his money, a considerable amount, into the grave. He then goes to the distant farm and makes a rendezvous with Rachel. They shear off her hair and dress her as a boy. As they are leaving the old man comes out and begins loudly to preach, telling Rachel she has been wicked and must repent. Robey moves to shoot the man but Rachel intervenes, stabbing the man in the stomach with a pitchfork as he prays for her salvation. They ride south from the farm and eventually come upon the Union army forces at the banks of a river. The army...