Chapter 12 Summary

In Dubbo, Gilda is released from custody. Two Sisters of Mercy take her and the baby away.

After Toban's funeral, some of Dowie's party goes home, thinking that the Blacksmiths cannot be found. In October, Jimmie and Mort cross the Divide and come down to the western slopes. They travel at night. They come on a hut whose owner has left for town. The brothers spend the day there, and Jimmie finds some newspapers, which talk of Toban's death and how Jackie Smolders has been sentenced to death. He reads about Gilda's testimony and begins to compose a message to her and the child to leave in the hut, but he ultimately decides not to leave the letters. He also reads about a bill created in response to the brothers that increases the penalties for harboring fugitives and gives people the right to...