Summary

Chapter 24 is told from Rill's perspective. She wakes up from a dream that her whole family, including Queenie and Cammelia are on the Arcadia with her. She and Fern have been back home for three weeks, living with Briny who has become an alcoholic. Arney has been living with Zede. Zede tells Rill that in a few days, they will move down river where the weather is warmer and the fishing is better. But Briny will not leave without Queenie. Zede says that if he refuses to go, he will take Fern and Rill with him.

One stormy evening, Rill wakes up in the middle of the night, feeling the shantyboat swaying. She instantly knows that it has gotten loose and is no longer tied up. Soon, they are frantically riding the wakes of large boats. Rill falls into the river and is...