Where the Red Fern Grows

After winning the cup, Billy goes back to hunting with even more fervor. One night, Old Dan and Little Ann catch the trail of something that’s not a raccoon. Billy assumes it’s a bobcat. This doesn’t please him, for their hides have low quality fur, and the only use he can see in killing them, ironically, is “getting rid of a vicious predatory animal” (224).

The dogs finally tree the animal on top of a mountain. To Billy’s great fear, it’s a mountain lion. Little Ann is upset, but Old Dan challenges the lion aggressively. The lion attacks, and a fierce fight ensues.

Billy jumps in with his ax. The lion rears up, and Billy falls backward. Just as the lion’s about to strike, both hounds get between the lion and their master, saving his life. Billy finally gets a mortal blow in with the ax on the lion’s back. Billy starts leading the hounds home. Little Ann sustains a minor injury. Old Dan is a mass of blood and torn skin. As they’re walking back, a deep slash in Old Dan’s side opens, and his entrails fall out, getting caught on a bush. Billy puts them back in and carries Old Dan the rest of the way.