Chapter 8 Flight and a Follower Summary

Will does not tell Henry or Beanpole about Eloise or the tournament's change of events. Will acts as though his intention all along was to rejoin Henry and Beanpole in the quest. Will is not trying to fool himself but does not want to listen to Henry's teasing. Will does tell them about his encounter with the Tripod and all three boys are perplexed and confused about the Tripod's behavior. They set Will's horse free and continue on foot. Henry does tease Will, who is sad and somewhat depressed.

The boys eventually come to an unnaturally straight river, which has large mechanical dams at uneven intervals. Beanpole realizes the dams are locks, which would allow boat traffic to move along the canal against the steep incline. Beanpole refers to the canal as an aquatic Shmand-Fair...