Summary

In Chapter 12, Hawkins brings Hiram to Corrine Quinn. Corrine reveals that she is actually a secret member of the Underground Railroad and is opposed to slavery. She says that, while Hiram’s time in Ryland’s Jail was awful, she hopes that that experience, along with the various escape exercises, will prove useful to Hiram in the future. Corrine says that the procedures are designed to help train new Railroad recruits. Corrine wants to recruit Hiram because in Goose River, Hiram inadvertently demonstrated that he has the power of Conduction, a seemingly magical power for African-Americans to travel quickly and invisibly along waterways. Corrine states that Sophia cannot be freed at this time, but that she will make sure Sophia is not harmed. Hiram agrees to help the Railroad. In Chapter 13, Corrine secretly houses Hiram during the following weeks and gives him more information...