Chapter 6 Summary

In the morning Billy and his puppies continue their journey. When they approach the campsite where he had first found the sportsman's magazine offering puppies for sale, he rests to contemplate his situation. He decides to simply tell his parents the truth about the whole matter, and then he realizes that he has not yet named his dogs. Seeing two names carved on a tree, he decides on "Dan" and "Ann." Suddenly Billy sees how all the pieces of the puzzle have come together at this campsite: the magazine ad, the prayer on the sycamore log, the puppies frolicking in the sun, the names on the tree, and even the generous fishermen who bought his bait and vegetables. He decides it has all been ordained by "an unseen power."

Delaying until dark, Billy finally heads home to face his parents and feed his...