Cold Mountain: Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

The chapter begins with Stobrod, Pangle, and another friend walking through the mountain. The other friend is a young boy from Georgia, who’s no more than seventeen years old. The trio is headed for Ada’s farm. Stobrod explains to the Georgia boy that Ada has finally convinced Ruby to take care of her father. Ruby has agreed to let Stobrod and his friends stay on the farm, provided that they work and don’t eat too much.

The trio comes to a fork in the road. They decide to rest there and eat and drink. They take swigs of whiskey they’ve stolen, and eat beans. The Georgia boy, whose stomach is very upset, stumbles off to vomit and take care of himself. While he’s away, the Home Guard—led by Teague—ambushes Stobrod and Pangle.

Teague, grinning fiercely, tells Stobrod that he’s heard rumors of a gang of outliers hiding out in the mountains and robbing innocent people. He tells Stobrod that he and his Home Guard will be joining Stobrod around the fire. The horsemen dismount and begin cooking their food over the fire—sausage. Teague orders Stobrod to play his fiddle. Stobrod and Pangle begin playing a tune, largely improvised. They’re shaky at first, but gradually they settle into a pattern. The music is “direful and elegiac.” When the song is over, Birch, one of Teague’s followers (and a very young man), whispers to Teague that Stobrod and Pangle are “holy men.”

Teague pauses for a long time. Then he stands up and orders Stobrod and Pangle to stand against the tree. They do so, still clutching their instruments like weapons. Teague pulls out his rifle and points it at the two friends. He orders the musicians to take off their hats and cover their faces. When Stobrod and Pangle have both done so, Teague and his followers fire.