Hilltop swims to Freestone Island, noticing the difference in water levels since the end of the monsoon. He loves Freestone Island and feels comfortable in the untamed jungle. He also reflects on the guilt he feels about bringing Sonji and Colonel Nagayoshi to the plantation. He had met the men in Japan before the war and mentioned the plantation to them: “Hilltop blamed himself for what had happened on his beloved plantation [...] The least he could do was make certain that Mya and Nick reached safety” (209). Hilltop finds the elephants eating bamboo. Hannibal is many feet taller than the other elephants. Hilltop ends a squabble between Hannibal and another young bull, before commanding Hannibal to kneel. Hilltop climbs aboard Hannibal, and their adventure begins. 

Two days later, Hilltop meets Nick and Mya in the passageways in the evening. He informs them that the Colonel has called off the search, and they will leave the next evening. Nick refuses to go, informing both Hilltop and Mya of his plan to turn himself in, in exchange for the release of his father. Hilltop is skeptical, but Nick won't give in.