Chapter Six

Well, this is a picture of the Ft. Gibson Road, a famous part of what's called the Texas Trail. Much of this part of the story today takes place on this road. There are, evidently, several interesting places along the road--Limestone Gap, for instance. We get a real sense of the country riding with Mattie and Rooster and LaBoeuf. The weather kind of surprises me. The snow in particular. It adds lots to the story though. The fog, the snow, the cold.

We see acts of kindness--well, in a gruff sort of way--from Rooster in setting the mule free. Is this the influence of Mattie? She would say so. But it's also indicative, perhaps, that Rooster doesn't like to see anything abused.

The thing that strikes me most about the chapter--and there is much here, of course--is the amount of storytelling they do. This chapter is chock full of action, but there's also lots of talking: Mattie gives us more of her religious opinion, which is the only thing she has more opinions on than . . . well, she has lots of opinions about everything. On page 110, she just comes right out and address the reader as "you" and tells us that the Doctrine of Election was good enough for Paul and Silas and so it's good enough for "you," too, dear reader. Well, ok, Mattie. All through this chapter, which obviously contains lots of action, they tell stories and tell tales. Rooster's are the "stretchiest" of course and he almost gets into with LaBoeuf over Quantrill.

There's lots of conversation going on in this chapter about "bushwacking" and "jayhawking." When LaBoeuf says that Quantrill and his gang were bushwackers, Rooster claims not to know what the term means. In fact, they're pretty much planning to bushwack the outlaws. Rooster, in defending his time with Quantrill, uses the term "jayhawkers" to describe the Union soldiers. It's all the same, folks. Bushwacking and jayhawking are both terms used to describe guerrilla warfare. Interesting.

Great scene crossing the river in the fog, riding miles in the cold and the snow. Does Mattie have the grit for it? You bet. They camp. Good descriptions of the the camp food, corn dodgers in particular. And of course we have lots of fun with the corn dodgers later in the chapter. Details, details, details. The rope loop to keep the snakes away, the pale yellow dawn, stopping to water the horses by the San Bois mountains.

More great language: "I wish he was in hell with his back broke!" Mattie sees Quincy and Moon as "theives" in a cave. Hmm. She stands up to Quincy and won't take any bullying. Grit. She gathers firewood and hauls water in the dark. Grit. It makes Rooster and LaBoeuf care for here. After the shooting the first thing they do is check on her, even before they see if the thieves are dead. Grit is contagious. Mattie and Rooster and even LaBouef start showing their grit.

Great exchange with Rooster and Moon after Quincy is killed. "Don't be looking for Quincy (in heaven)." Moon responds "He never played me false until he killed me." Ha.

Rooster and LaBoeuf take turns standing up to each other for Mattie. Fun. She's won them both over. Grit.

Well, it's hard to believe there's only one chapter left. Must be a doozy. I'll find out tomorrow.