Chapter 19 Summary

In early September, the heat persists, but many of summer's fruits have long since stopped producing, and fall's fruits are not yet ripe. The deer are scavenging for food in the boggy areas, making it difficult to hunt them, and the bears are killing the palmettos in their quest for food. Now the shoats, or baby pigs, are at risk, since the bears are hard pressed to find food, and Penny warns that Flag is at risk also. Jody needs to keep him nearby.

The scarcity of rain is an issue now. Suddenly the animals are all behaving peculiarly, with sea birds flying overhead. Penny predicts very bad weather. Jody looks forward to a storm, recalling how cozily the family waits out the rain in their tiny cabin with syrup candy and tall tales. He even states his wish for a "pure hurricane...