Chapter Twelve - Fourteen Summary

Will stretches out on his belly to watch the water through the trestles. Will thinks that T.R. acts like he hears the train, but it couldn't be time. He puts his ear to the trestle, and sure enough, he can hear it, too.Just in time, Will decides to fall.

Falling works. He is partially deafened due to the noise, and burned from the hot cinders, but he is alive. The train comes to a stop about a hundred yards away. T.R. immediately runs onto the trestle to Will, and Lightfoot McLendon appears to help Will off the trestle.

Will realizes that Lightfoot is crying. She tells him that she left her almost-full bucket in the berry patch. Will knows that this was probably to be supper but doesn't let her know that he knows...