At Henderson's sawmill, Luke shows James the water barrel, warns him that Henderson likes whipping enslaved people, and reveals his own maimed hand as proof of the dangerous, neglected work. Luke still calls Henderson a fair master because Henderson beats everyone "the same," which shows James how deeply submission has shaped Luke. James is then sent to the pit saw, where he studies the yard and possible escape routes while hoping Norman will return to their meeting place.

James is paired with Sammy and made to work in the lower position of the pit, standing in mud and filth while pulling a rusty, buckled, dull saw. The labor is brutal, and the poor tool keeps snagging, making James fear injury. Before the timber pile is even half finished, Henderson accuses James of being afraid of the blade and orders him out for lashes. James understands that resistance will only worsen the punishment, so he stays silent while Luke ties him to a post and Henderson whips him until he passes out.

When James wakes in the dark, Sammy tells him Henderson usually beats new arrivals hard for the first two days so they will feel grateful when the punishment lessens. James questions Sammy while pretending he wants mud for his wounds, and he learns that Sammy is about fifteen and is actually a girl living disguised among the men. Seeing her scars and realizing Henderson already knows her sex, James understands that she is suffering not only beatings but sexual abuse. That knowledge strengthens James's resolve to flee immediately and to ask Sammy to come north with him.

Sammy agrees, and the two slip through the shed at night, carefully stepping past Luke, who sleeps in the aisle like a guard. Outside, James cannot orient himself in the dark, but Sammy leads him safely to the road and toward Bluebird Hole, where James plans to meet Norman. At dawn they hide in the woods near the rocks and the remains of James and Norman's old fire, but Norman is not there.

James asks Sammy to stay hidden while he climbs a hill to watch the town and listen for pursuit, especially dogs. As he waits, James's anxiety turns toward Norman: James wonders whether Norman betrayed him, whether the sale was a trick, or whether James has been a fool. James returns through the woods, reassured only by finding the creek, but the chapter ends as he hears screaming, signaling immediate danger.