Chapter 26 Summary

As Christmas approaches, the mood is festive among the Baxters. Trixie bears a heifer calf, which will replace the one killed by the wolves and also take care of the milking during the trip to Volusia. In addition, Ma bakes the biggest fruitcake Jody has ever seen. Penny presents his wife with the black fabric, to her great delight, and now she sews furiously. Four days before Christmas Buck arrives to say that Old Slewfoot has killed one of their 250-pound hogs, but only after a serious battle. This might be the time to track him, when he is battle-weary. He adds that the Forresters will not be going to the Volusia Christmas party. Jody fashions a pipe for his father as a Christmas gift and decides to make Flag a halter of mistletoe and holly.

In the morning, the calf is gone...