The train jerked to a stop, and after a spasm or two was still. Tim groaned and opened his eyes, got up, and stretched and poked his head into the blinding light outside the car. The crack of a pistol sounded in his ears. A bullet sang past his head and dug into the side of the wooden car. He ducked back into the car, feeling the blood drain away from his face. Slowly he sat down again on the floor of the car. “Damned maniacs!” said Kautz. The old man’s voice sounded just outside the car. “Another word like that and I’ll shoot every bluebelly on this train.” He pointed his pistol at Kautz’s head. “And I’ll start with you, Yankee Captain.” Red looked up sleepily. “Who was doing the shooting?” “The captain of the guard,” Tim said. “He nearly hit me in the head.” They stared out at the settlement beside the tracks. A skinny horse was tethered to a lone pine tree. There were one or two white wooden houses and a chicken shed. A pig ran into view, going in circles, pursued by a boy of nine or ten. The animal moved with great speed. He and the boy dropped from sight and appeared again, this time farther away. The boy dove at the pig and they tumbled in a cloud of dust. He got up, holding the animal, and took him, wiggling and squirming, to his pen. When the train left Branchville it was clear that they were heading for Columbia. They were going north. The countryside was hilly now. The swamps gave way to meadows and copses, small farmhouses and cotton fields. They passed through a stand of trees, and in the blur of foliage Tim thought, If a man jumped here, he’d be sliced to ribbons by the trees. As evening came on and the light grew dim Tim noticed that Kautz was edging toward the door. Kautz’s face was tense as he watched the blackening landscape and deep blue sky. Now the wheels beat a slower tattoo and the whistle shrieked. There was a different sound as the train rumbled onto a rickety trestle. Kautz reached out and touched Tim’s arm. “Soon,” he whispered. Tim shook Red’s shoulder to be sure he was awake. “Captain Kautz says soon.” Red lifted his head. “Any time,” he said, crawling past Tim so he could follow Kautz. Kautz crouched tensely by the door. The train droned across the trestle. Tim thought, Kautz must plan to jump when we get to the other side. Suddenly Kautz reared back and sprang from the train, and Red crouched to follow him. Tim reached out, grabbed Red’s blouse and pulled him back. “We’re over water and you can’t swim,” he yelled. Above the rumble of the train they heard a shot from the caboose and a yell, and then another shot that echoed against the surface of the Congaree. Tim looked wildly toward the door. Our chance is gone for now, he thought. The rumble stopped as the train reached solid ground again and passed into a wooded area. The prisoners began to stir. “Did someone get away?” asked a timid voice.