Chapter 10 Summary

Flashy swims three-quarters of a mile to Mississippi and hides in the willows. One day, he happens by a store when hears Jim Bakewell talk about quitting as John Mandeville's driver in the middle of picking season to head to California. Flashy walks to Greystones, an impressive cotton plantation with a fine colonial house, and offers his services, under the name of Tom Arnold. Flashy finds driving the hundred slaves pleasant work, venting his anger at America on them, and John is pleased with the results. Flashy observes how wife Annie relishes hurting John and often hears from John over drinks about their five-year marriage and active sex life. Flashy realizes that John gets nothing from her. John remarks that he has noticed how Flashy looks at her but does not mind, for it is natural.

Flashy is not initially tempted by this...