Chapters 12-16; Epilog Summary

Part III: Banquo's Return

Chapter 12: Bishop is dying. This is his last hour. Nebo, Bushrod and Anna stay by his side. Bishop talks little. Anna thanks Nebo for saving her and thanks Bushrod for holding her back from Rope. Bushrod finds a quilt for Anna to sit on while Nebo goes to look for firewood. Anna falls asleep, exhausted.

"Simon Rope's body in death was an uncanny mirror of Anna's in sleep. He was curled on his side, knees drawn up, hands tucked under his chin. But he was having no bad dreams. Not in this world, anyway" (Chap. 12, p. 197).

Bushrod thinks about the river. He wants to bathe in it, drink from it, and use it as a place to hide, to escape. Bushrod sleeps.

Jack Bishop dies. Bushrod is upset that he was sleeping when Jack died...