In May of 1937, Jayber is settling into life in Port William. Burley invites him to a gathering of men from town at the Grandstand. They call it a “water drinking party,” which is code for moonshine drinking party. The Grandstand is just a high spot in the woods where the men sit around the fire drinking, playing cards, frying fish, and swapping stories. They listen to dogs fox hunting in the woods nearby. In attendance are Rufus Brightleaf, Wisely Jones, Big Ellis, Roy Overhold, River Bill Thacker, Grover Gibbs, Martin Rowanberry, Webster Page, Uncle Isham Quail, Julep Smallwood, and Burley. The men welcome Jayber by offering him fried fish, cornbread, and Burley’s moonshine.

Everyone drinks from the same bottle, and the gulps are counted by the word “good” as Burley hears it coming from the jug. Jayber enjoys listening to the men share their stories, some of which have becomes legends. The men get more intoxicated as the night goes on and the stories get more convoluted. Most fall asleep sitting around the fire. Burley disappears into the night. Jayber is startled awake the next morning by Roy Overhold’s wife Cecelia. She smashes the bottles and rages at the drunken party.