The goatwoman's medicine heals Inman's physical wounds, but his thoughts remain painful. He runs out of food and finds no game. Ravenous, he eats wild cress. Seeing his reflection in a pool, he breaks up the alien image. He wishes he could become a bird and soar to a distant perch. A wet crow stares at him and Inman strikes off down a little-used track. Next day, Inman realizes he is being followed, and confronts a little hog-eyed man in overalls and a black suit coat, who flees into the forest. Inman fears he will alert the Guard, so he threatens to shoot. The man gives the hand signals of a secret society that Inman learns in the hospital. He gives the countersign and the man continues the code but.....
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