Summary

In Chapter 16, Campbell has purchased Christmas gifts for the workers to choose from. Dunbar chooses a felt hat and Ross chooses a pint of moonshine. The workers talk about the gifts and observe that Campbell purchased the gifts without permission, but that he knew he could because the Pembertons need him with Buchanan and Wilkie gone. They notice that Rachel has gotten a toy for her son and denim cloth, but last year she got fancy soap and a hair bow. Dunbar comments that Pemberton should help her and Ross says Serena won’t let him. Joel Vaughn arrives and gives Rachel a toy train for Jacob. The men go on to talk about all of the rats that are in camp now that the snakes are all gone.

Serena is pregnant but continues to ride out to observe the work being...