Chapters 16 and 17 Summary

Mr. Leroy comes to ask Elijah's father, Spencer, how he can get his family out. He confesses that he does not feel he has much time left, because he has been sick for a while. The Preacher, Zephariah, recalls a man just outside of Detroit who still pretends to buy slaves for his plantation, and takes them to freedom. Elijah's father has doubts about this, but the Preacher is willing to go and get Mr. Leroy's family, just for the pleasure of seeing them walk into the Settlement. However, Spencer questions what they really know about Zephariah - he doesn't live in the Settlement, he doesn't have regular work, he carries a pistol, and comes and goes. Spencer insists that someone go with the Preacher rather than let him go alone with all that money. Leroy confronts Elijah for his opinion...