Chapter 12 Summary

Skiffington awakens Sunday morning kicking himself for not having realized earlier where Moses is hiding. Elias had declared Moses "world-stupid," but Skiffington had not shifted the search southward, to Mildred Townsend's plantation. Skiffington has seen enough crime and criminals to be certain about this hunch. Skiffington's tooth is aching badly, the undertaker who serves as Manchester's dentist is away, and Skiffington has been feuding with the white doctor for some time. Skiffington will endure the pain until Monday.

Skiffington dresses, skips church services and breakfast, collects hardheaded Counsel, and sets off for Mildred's place. Skiffington is angry to find Counsel cleaning his gun in the jailhouse office on the Sabbath and whistling a tune he is sure must have filthy lyrics. The sheriff dreads bouncing in the saddle all day, but it is his sworn duty to apprehend Moses. The lawmen set out...