Literature, 8th Grade

1. Tim tells his cousin that he'd probably fight for the British. What would Tim do if he ran into Sam in battle,
and they were on opposite sides?
2. If Tim is so concerned about the way, why doesn't he at least try and talk to his father about it?
3. What do you think Father would say if Tim told him he was a Patriot?
4. What side do "you" think Tim is on? Do you think Tim is changing his mind at all?
5. If you were in Tim's position, would you be a Loyalist or a Rebel?
6. Do you think Mr. Meeker feels differently about Tim than he does about Sam?
7. Why didn't Father buy a new rifle when he sold the cattle and the hogs? Sam had his only rifle. Why didn't
Father replace it, especially when he knew the Cowboys could ambush them?

1. What makes Tim start worrying about Father's safety? Does he immediately know something is wrong?
2. Tim sees the ambush site in the snow and instantly knows the Cowboys have attacked Father. What does
the reader notice about the way Tim is thinking as he senses there may be trouble with Father?
3. Tim has to decide what to do when he realizes that Father is in trouble. He considers what Sam would do
(track Father down and rescue him) and what Father would do (get the oxen and goods back home). Why
do you think Tim decided to choose the second solution rather than the first?
4. Tell about a time when you had to make a very difficult choice in your own life. What did you have to
consider to make your decision. Was it the right choice?
5. Tim starts to think about what he will tell the Cowboys if they come upon him and the wagon. How are
Tim's actions changing in this chapter?
6. Tim runs into the Cowboys. He asks them, "Are you the escort?" He then says, "Am I ever glad to see
you . . . I thought there'd be more of you, though." What is the author trying to show us about Tim?
7. Does the reader begin to feel any differently about Tim in this chapter?