Chapter 28 Summary

During a mild January, the Baxters reflect on the riotous dealings they have had with folks along the river, but those memories recede into the quiet life on Baxter Island. The Forresters never ride by anymore, convincing Penny of their guilt in the house-burning, and he is saddened. Jody now thinks of the Huttos like characters in a fairy tale, beyond his reach. Penny plows in the mild weather and plans to plant by early March, focusing his efforts now on corn. Penny and Jody work to create a ginger bed for Ma, promising her ginger root when next they go to town. The bear are ranging far now, preparing for hibernation, and deer are still scarce since the plague. Bringing in timber and splitting wood is the main task now, and Jody loves to roam with Flag, seeking suitable trees and branches...