Part 2, Chapter 17 Summary

Tom escapes from the school two days later and heads back to the mountains. It is October, with frosty nights. Using his 'old ways' knowledge and skills, he survives along the three day trail back to his lodge on Bald Mountain. Tom hopes to run into the bear cub, but he does not find him. The jays and chipmunks run and hide from him. Tom finds his lodge and it has been looted and burned completely. It is as though he had never been there. Tom gives in to despair. There is no song left in his soul. Tom cannot even sing the song for bathing, the new day, or even for sorrow. The next day, he sets off back down the mountain.

Part 2, Chapter 17 Analysis

Tom still possesses the 'old ways' knowledge, but he has been tainted by his time...