Dark Water Rising

Mama runs down to meet Seth when he returns. Everyone gathers around so he can tell them what happened. Seth updates them about his father’s choice to rebuild the bridge and passes on Papa’s message to Mama. Aunt Julia asks for news; Seth apologizes and tells her he’ll search again in the morning. Aunt Julia tells him no more searching. Seth goes outside to see Ezra’s progress on the new outhouse. He asks Ezra about Aunt Julia, Andy, and Will; Ezra says they’ll all be alright and tells Seth he’s going to build the boys a new treehouse.

Andy and Will ask Seth to tell them what he thinks happened to their father (Uncle Nate) and Ben. Seth tells them he thinks Nate and Ben worked hard to save the business but may have stayed too late. He tells them it’s possible the men drowned. The boys say that because their bodies weren’t found yet, they may be safe somewhere else. All three agree not to give up hope. The boys thank Seth for his honesty. Seth notices Aunt Julia is just inside and must have overheard.

That evening, Seth takes Matt to the rail yard. He wishes he could protect Matt from the trauma of seeing the bodies, wreckage, and searching for survivors.