Summary

Chapter 18. In “Man’s Way”, Jane’s worries about Joe and the horse lead her to the steps of Madame Gautier, a hoodoo woman from New Orleans. She explains to Jane that men often unnecessarily expose themselves to ruin in the pursuit of being “men.” Jane receives powder from the woman to sprinkle around the bed so that Joe will not attempt to break the horse. Jane also attempts to release the stallion from the corral before Joe can break him, but she is discovered by her husband, who rides off to recapture the horse. The following morning the ranch hands return with both the stallion and Joe’s dead body, which had been recovered after being dragged through the swamp in a failed attempt to bring in the horse. Joe is mourned by the entire ranch, and...