- For some reason, Naomi is still hanging out with this Kenji kid. We don't think this is a good idea. They are alone this time, and near a beach. Kenji is paddling on a log raft, but Naomi isn't supposed to play on rafts since she can't swim. Do you feel danger? We do.
- She and Kenji are making sand castles and picking weeds. You know, kid stuff. Then suddenly Rough Lock Bill appears: tall, skinny, and he definitely isn't from the city. It almost seems like he's a character from one of those old tall tales.
- Bill tells Kenji and Naomi a story. It's about a Native American child whose tribe is dying. He goes in search of a new place to live, and after a while finds Slocan. It's perfect. So he goes back to his home and tells everyone to start moving. It takes a long time to get there. But he says you can get there if you go slow. Get it? Slocan. Slow can go. That's how Slocan got its name.
- After the story Bill goes back to his porch and sits in his rocking chair. We guess he's tuckered out.
- Left alone, Kenji starts playing in the water again. He encourages Naomi to come play with him, but the raft drifts far away from the shore. Kenji falls into the water, but at least he can swim. Naomi , if you remember, isn't so lucky. The raft goes over a drop-off and when Kenji realizes, he runs away.
- There is nothing for Naomi to do but jump. You should read this section, because it really gives you the feeling of being a little girl afraid of drowning in a river. The next thing that Naomi knows, she's on the shore. Bill saved her.