Chapter 4 Summary

The next morning Riley and Collin awaken early, climb down from the tree without waking the others, and head toward the river for some morning fun. Riley invites Collin onto a houseboat where Riley spends much of his time away from town. The two boys spend the morning swimming and fishing. When Collin catches a fish with his bare hands, Collin feels catapulted into Riley's universe of apparent self-assuredness and feels that the two will be good friends.

Unbeknownst to Collin and Riley, the sheriff has returned to the China tree accompanied by deputies and an arrest warrant. As Collin and Riley walk back to the tree, they are startled by Catherine's piercing screams. Running now toward the China tree the two boys encounter a frantic Catherine running toward them, her dress practically ripped off in front. The sheriff's deputies apprehend the struggling...