The Water Dancer

The narrative shifts back to the immediate aftermath of the accident. Hiram believes he has drowned and is headed into the afterlife, but when he comes to, he is back on Lockless Plantation, on the ground beside the stone monument to the Walker ancestors. At first, he thinks he is in a special hell designed for slaves, but he regains consciousness three days later when the sound of Sophia singing wakes him. Hiram is in Maynard’s room, and one of his first encounters after regaining consciousness is with Howell, who is so devastated by Maynard’s death that he whitewashes Maynard’s character. Howell has convinced himself that Maynard died to save Hiram from drowning.

Eager to escape Maynard’s room, Hiram descends to the Warren as soon as he can stand. Thena grudgingly tells him she is glad to see him, and Sophia tells Hiram that the story is that Hawkins found Hiram face-down in the muck along the banks of the Goose. This story doesn’t match with Hiram’s memory, however, and he has a moment of deep panic when he leaves the Warren to step outside. He goes down to the Street, where he ends up visiting with Sophia.