Wednesday, August 21—Sunday, August 25, 1776
- Isabel goes to the Tea Water Pump to get fresh water and encounters a dozen or so slaves arguing about the war. Apparently, the British Lord Dunmore of Virginia has offered freedom to any slave who will fight for the British army.
- Some say this is an offer worth considering, but others say it's a political maneuver to ruin the Virginia plantations—no slaves plus no harvest equals a major blow to one of the most profitable rebel colonies. They argue that the British don't care anymore about the slaves than their masters do. Still, many of the slaves gathered there believe that the British will free them if they win the war.
- In the midst of the British rumors, Curzon steps forward and declares that he is now an American soldier—Bellingham has agreed to free him if Curzon fights in his place. The other slaves tell him that Bellingham is lying; if Curzon doesn't die, he'll be right back under Bellingham's thumb the minute the war ends.
- Grandfather, the old man who works the Tea Water Pump, calms everyone and tells them that the war is not the slaves' fight; rather than argue about choosing the British or American side, then, they must focus on finding their own way through the conflict and surviving their own fight for freedom. He tells Isabel in particular that the scar on her face isn't a sign of shame—it means she has strength and the ability to live through her difficulties.
- As everyone disperses, Curzon picks up Isabel's water buckets and carries them back to the Locktons' house for her. Right now, it seems like Isabel's resistance to him is one of his own difficulties—and he's not giving up on her that easily.