Suttree is unlucky in his next fishing morning; most of the fish he catches are dead. He takes his flimsy catch to a man named Ab to sell them. After, Suttree strolls the streets and runs into J-Bone’s friend Hoghead. Suttree tells Hoghead that all of them have been released from jail for their public inebriation. Suttree buys dinner from a man named Oceanfrog. He spends some time in a bar, taking in the night and the people around him.

Harrogate finds Suttree in his boathouse, waking Suttree up from a nightmare. Harrogate needs a place to live, and Suttree recommends several meager shelters around the area. Harrogate finds a spot to camp, where he catches pigeons to eat and sell. When Suttree visits Harrogate, he marvels at Harrogate’s creatively built dwelling.

Suttree sails the river. He chats with a boy who is hunting turtles. He watches birds hunt for their food, too. He watches a preacher dip a girl into the river for her baptism. Her granduncle, an elderly man, watches on. He asks Suttree if Suttree is saved and reminds him that it’s never too late to get baptized. He invites Suttree to that night’s meeting at the Gospel tent.