Chapter 7

Chapter 7 opens with a solemn and deeply emotional moment as Sammy is laid to rest beneath the cover of darkness, rain steadily falling around the mourners. The narrator, overwhelmed by the weight of grief, gently pats the earth covering the grave, a final gesture of respect as the storm slowly dissipates. As the rain ceases, the faint glow of a crescent moon emerges from behind the clouds, casting an eerie light over the burial site. The cold night air seeps through their drenched clothing, prompting an urgent need to seek shelter from the unforgiving wind. Despite the physical discomfort, the emotional toll of the burial lingers heavily, serving as a painful reminder of the losses they have endured. Norman, quiet and contemplative, pulls out Daniel Emmett’s leather notebook, which has miraculously survived the downpour, though it is now soaked through. Holding onto the notebook, the two contemplate their next move, understanding that staying in one place for too long could jeopardize their safety. The grave of the young girl remains in the background, a haunting symbol of their dire circumstances, reinforcing the fragility of life in their world.

Determined to push forward, the narrator devises a plan to move south in search of an unattended canoe or boat, though Norman expresses unease about the idea of stealing from others. He hesitates, weighing the risk of getting caught against their pressing need to escape unnoticed. The two agree that heading in the opposite direction of their expected route would provide a crucial advantage in avoiding their pursuers. The narrator remains hopeful that along the riverbanks, careless travelers may have left boats unguarded, providing them with an opportunity to flee further from danger. By midday, they cautiously advance toward the riverbank, eyes scanning for any sign of a potential escape route. Their patience pays off when they discover a trotline and a loosely tied skiff bobbing against the current. Seizing the moment, the narrator formulates a plan to claim the vessel under the cover of night while preparing a meal of freshly caught fish to sustain them for the journey. The sense of anticipation grows as they make their final preparations, knowing that each step forward brings both possibility and peril.

As dusk settles, the two begin their delicate task of launching the stolen skiff into the river’s dark waters, fashioning makeshift paddles from whatever resources they can find. The tension in the air is thick as Norman, who is unable to swim, voices his growing fear of being lost to the depths should their plan go awry. The vast, unsteady river feels like an ominous force, testing their resolve as they push forward into the unknown. Suddenly, lights from an approaching riverboat illuminate the water, their bright glow signaling both opportunity and potential danger. The narrator, ever resourceful, concocts a desperate plan to navigate toward the boat, hoping to stow away unnoticed. With calculated precision, they maneuver their skiff closer, tying it securely to the stern-wheeler as the boat passes. The moment is fraught with risk, and as Norman struggles to climb aboard, the riverboat’s powerful wake shatters their skiff, sending it into pieces beneath them. The surge of water pushes against them, forcing them into a frantic scramble to reach safety. Summoning the last of their energy, they haul themselves onto the deck, gasping for breath, muscles aching from exertion.

Now onboard, the two find themselves surrounded by an oblivious crowd, momentarily shielded from immediate discovery. Their chests heaving from the effort, they exchange looks of relief, realizing they have narrowly escaped a disastrous fate. However, their respite is brief as they quickly seek a place to hide before anyone notices their presence. The ship’s crew is preoccupied with the wreckage of the skiff, unaware that two desperate fugitives now lurk within the shadows. The weight of their escape settles in, reminding them that while they have momentarily eluded capture, the danger is far from over. The chapter closes on this moment of breathless anticipation, setting the stage for the next leg of their perilous journey. The night air hums with the sound of the riverboat cutting through the water, carrying them toward an uncertain fate, where every decision holds the potential to change their future forever.