Chapter 8 Summary

Almost fourteen-years-old as hunting season opens, Billy readies his gear and his dogs, planning to hunt through the nights and sleep during the day. He has a man-to-man talk with his father, which makes him feel very grown up, and he assures both his parents that he knows the hills and will be perfectly safe. Still, Mama is worried, insisting he's still a little boy.

The first night of hunting is a gorgeous Ozark night, and Billy feels exhilarated. When his hounds bay for the first time, signaling they have found a trail, he sheds tears of utter joy. Soon, however, his dogs are fooled by a coon's tricks and seem to have forgotten all their training. Just when Billy is about to despair, Little Ann remembers the lesson and begins to swim the river. As soon as she signals that she has...