In Chapter XXXVII, the scene changes to a farmhouse in the Midwest, where the slave-catcher Tom Loker is being cared for by an elderly Quaker woman. Although sullen and bad-tempered, he knows that, if it weren’t for the kindness of the fugitives, he would still be lying in the road, and so he reveals that George and Eliza and the others are being watched for in Sandusky (Ohio) and that Eliza should disguise herself. In accordance with Loker’s advice, the fugitive party splits up, Eliza dresses like a man, and they dress Harry up like a little girl. In this way, they are able to safely make their crossing into Canada and freedom.
Chapter XXXVIII returns to Legree’s plantation, where Tom has gone back to work in the fields long before his wounds are healed. As day after grueling day passes, he becomes more and more discouraged. Tom feels his faith sorely tested, and although he prays, he has begun to feel that prayer is of no help. This is Tom’s lowest moment, as he feels his faith slipping away from him. Suddenly, though, he is granted a vision of Christ, and his faith is restored.
One night, Cassy comes to Tom and says she has drugged Legree’s brandy and asks him to kill Legree with an axe; she would do it herself, she says, but she feels she hasn’t the strength. Tom refuses and tells her she must not kill Legree, for to do so would be to sell her soul to evil. Instead, he encourages her to take Emmeline and run away.
In Chapter XXXIX, we learn that Cassy has been storing provisions as well as clothes for Emmeline and herself in the garret of Legree’s house, which is reputedly haunted by the ghost of a slave woman who had died there after being locked up by Legree. Cassy has also arranged some things in the garret to make odd noises when the wind comes through openings. Legree, who is very superstitious, becomes more and more uneasy about the garret, and Cassy continues to encourage this. When Cassy and Emmeline finally make their escape into the swamp, pursued by Legree and others, the two circle back to the house and hide in the garret. There they plan to stay until Legree has exhausted the search for them in the surrounding country.
Legree’s hunt, naturally, is unsuccessful and, believing that Tom knows where the women went, sends Quimbo to drag Tom to him. Tom, although he knows that he is facing death, refuses to tell what he knows about the escape. At Legree’s command, Sambo and Quimbo beat Tom until he is nearly dead. Weakly, he says that he forgives Legree; then he faints. After Legree leaves, the two overseers are finally sorry for what they have done. When Tom regains consciousness, he tells them weakly that he forgives them, too, and they both break down and weep.
Chapter XLI sees the arrival of young George Shelby at Legree’s estate. He has arrived to buy Tom back, but he has come too late: Tom is dying. George begs Tom to live, but Tom says the Lord is taking him home—and Heaven is better than Kentucky—and he makes George promise not to tell Chloe how he has died. Then, secure in the love of Christ, Tom dies.
