"Life Any Other Thing, a Gift" Summary

Late night beside the Deep River, a good ambush spot for the Home Guard, Inman sees a light held by a crouching man in a broad-brimmed hat and black suit. Beside him stands a horse with something tied across its back. The man repeats, "Lord, Oh, Lord. When he rises and slings the burden over his shoulder; a limp arm and black hair tumble out, and Inman intervenes. The man declares Inman a message from God and hugs his legs. Inman smashes him on the cheekbone, sending him sprawling. The yellow-haired man declares he is a preacher and confesses he has gotten this girl pregnant, and now has drugged her, intending to kill her and hush up his mistake. Inman orders him to put her back on the horse and take...