Chapter 16 naught and grief Summary Stobrod, Pangle and a boy from Georgia are walking in the cold to find the hiding place where Ruby had agreed to leave food. They are able to find the food, but donÂ’t know which way to go from there. They make a fire and sit for a while. The Georgia boy walks off to relieve himself and Stobrod falls asleep.

Teague, the young boy who travels with him and a bunch of Home Guard ride up. Teague asks Stobrod if he knows anything of the outliers who have been robbing farmers. Stobrod says he may have heard of them but thinks they live on the opposite side of the mountain. Pangle appears perplexed at StobrodÂ’s response. Teague repeats the question to Pangle who gives the real answer and directions to the outliers cave. Teague thanks him and calls his men over to join them at the fire.

They all have breakfast together and share a drink. Teague asks Stobrod and Pangle to play some music. They make music such as the Guard had never heard before. When they finish, Teague stands them in front of a tree and has them shot.

This is a short chapter and the only one that is not about Inman or Ada. The characters here, Stobrod and Pangle, likely stem from a double grave the author came upon during his own walk through the Smoky Mountains. The grave Frazier found is said to contain a fiddler and a retarded boy killed by TeagueÂ’s Confederate Home Guard. (See Historical Background) Much of the characterization of the novel is based on fact, like the bushwhacking outliers who rob farmers. Stobrod and Pangle add color and evoke pathos. They are used to illustrate the senselessness of the killing that historically occurred.

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