Chapter 13 Summary

McCreadie becomes a habit. He talks to Jimmie at night about the murders and about black-white relations in Australia. McCreadie and Mort argue about their killings. Jimmie and Mort argue with each other, with McCreadie as the mediator. They are not moving at random, but following an easterly direction. McCreadie is getting thinner and sicker, but the brothers need a third party to fill and divert their attention. One time, they even let him rest for two days.

As they near the coast, McCreadie tells them that he grew up in the area. He has something he wants to show the brothers: a holy place of stones shaped like a womb that was used for initiation. As they get near the place, Mort flays his body and Jimmie's with a branch. The place is compelling, with rocks eight feet tall outlining the womb...