Chapter 24 Summary

The Forresters' poisoning plan has reduced the wolf pack to about a dozen. When that pack invades the Forrester corral, the family kills another six, but they lose a calf and two dogs in the effort. Penny agrees to help trap and shoot the rest.

One evening Buck comes to the Baxters to ask Penny to join in a hunt for the wolves early the next morning. They have been heard at a nearby watering hole. The plan is to possibly bag some venison or bear meat at the same time, the effects of the plague having now disappeared. Jody will be allowed to go too, and he knows the neighbors value Penny's hunting wisdom.

The entire family rises before daybreak and Jody shares a rare moment of affection with his mother. He ties Flag in the shed and then they eat a...