CHAPTER 20 spirit of crows, dancing

Summary

After three days together, Ada and Inman discuss their options with respect to the war. Inman could return to the army, remain an outlier, or surrender to the Federals and wait out the war's end. They decide on the last.

On the fifth day the plan to head home is mapped out. Ada and Ruby leave first, alone. Later Inman loads Stobrod onto the horse and sets out. After some miles, Teague and the boy he keeps with him appear with some Home Guard scouts. Inman smacks the horse and it takes off with Stobrod. Then Inman shoots one of the Guards and one of their dogs, and charges into the ensuing confusion. The Guard's horses are out of control and Inman is able to shoot another man. Teague's horse jumps and Inman grabs Teague's gun. Inman shoots Teague and another Guard.

Only the boy remains, on horseback, hiding behind a tree. Inman calls him out in order to avoid having to kill him but the boy is hardened against Inman and refuses. After a chase through the woods, the boy is thrown from his horse. Inman tells the boy to put his gun down. The boy fiddles with the gun then shoots Inman.

Ada hears the shot and runs back. She finds Inman and cradles him in her lap. As he drifts in and out of consciousness he envisions all the seasons on Cold Mountain happening simultaneously, and the spirits of crows, dancing and singing in the trees.

Notes

The events of this chapter can be considered a climax as well as the climactic reunion of Inman and Ada. Inman's death happens quickly, as the crows that have been symbolic throughout the novel are now but spirits.

EPILOGUE October of 1874

Summary

The boy from Georgia had never gone home and is now Ruby's husband. They have three boys that work and play hard around Ada's farm. Ada prepares her traditional October picnic and looks with appreciation on the autumn colors of Cold Mountain.

Stobrod is still with them. There is also a young girl, Ada's daughter. Stobrod plays his fiddle at the fireside and the girl sings. Then Ada reads Baucis and Philemon to the children. It has grown dark and it is time for bed.

Notes

The idyllic epilogue shows nothing of the tragedy and sorrow that preceeded. Ada has grown to love Cold Mountain as Inman did. It fits then, that the final literary reference is to Baucis and Philemon, a story where lovers are rewarded after death with the opportunity of being together in nature.