Nova

I like the way you were able to connect the book to an experience you have in your own life. You're right, you can relate to Timmy!

Mr.Meeker has a point when he says that you never get rid of injustices by fighting. He must have seen the terrible effects of war,and doesn't want his sont to go through that. He is a loving father and cares for his son and doesn't want him to be killed in th war. Against war in general there are better ways to settle things than fighting. There is the solution of negotiating such as the Olive Branch Petition for example. This chapte had a lot of drama and I can't wait to see how things turn out!

If I were in Tim's place I wouldn't tell my father that Sam was coming back to Redding, because I would want to remain trustworthy to Betsy and Sam. If I did tell father then he would go and see Sam. If he went to visit Sam there would be a
slight chance of him convinceing Sam to stay. Freedom wouldn't be gained if Sam didn't go off to fight.
Betsy's role in the story so far is a messanger. She found out when Sam was coming back, and reported it to Tim. My opinion of her is that she is very secretive but also helpful. She was able to tell Tim the news of Sam coming back
without revealing anything to Mr.Meeker. If I was in the time of the American Revolution I think I would fare alright.

When the officers were "interacting" with Mr.Meeker I had a couple of things going through my mind. Basically a half one way and half of the other way feeling. I was greatly furious with their harsh actions, and terrified that they were going to kill Timmy's father. If I was Tim my actions would be slightly different. I think I would have found some beer mugs and smashed them over their heads to knock them out. Then, I would find some ropes and tie them up.I felt relieved when Sam took the gun back, because Timmy is too young to be handling a gun and could get hurt. After Father yelled, "Sam. Come back Sam," if Sam had stayed Mr.Meeker might have said; "The family loves you and they don't want you to go. Please come back and stay with us. Son, we all need you to carry on the family name." Tim called Sam a coward because he wouldn't go home to see if his father was unharmed. To also give them the Brown Bess. I don't think Sam is a coward at all because he had good reasons to not go to the house. Plus, he eventually went to the Tavern. Leaving home to fight in a war, it takes a lot of courage..

In the quote:
Borders are scratched across the hearts of men,
By strangers with a calm, judicial pen.
And when the borders bleed, we watch with dread.
The lines of ink across the map turn red.
--Mayra Mannes
When the rebel officers came to the town, and messed with Mr. Meeker it seemed to Tim that the war wasn’t so far away now. Tim’s feelings changed when these shocking events hit him. That it was closer than it appeared. War was in the hearts of men, and it led them to bloodshed. The lines on the map turning red are the result of the borders bleeding. The “strangers” are the British who set up the borders. When the borders bleed and the people revolt they watch with dread as the ink turns red as blood.
My opinion of Mr. Heron is that he is a very disrespectful man. He shouldn’t have let Tim go off to deliver the letter. Mr. meeker said no to Mr. Heron. He doesn’t want his son to go all the way to Fairfield with a war raging. I think he should have left Tim and his Father alone, and should have found someone else to do the job.

My opinion of Tims actions is that I don't think he was doing something glorious like he thought he was. I think he was just involving himself in matters that dont concern him,and he should listen to his Father because he knows what hes talking about. He's lived longer so he knows whats best. I don't trust Mr.Heron. I think he's up to no good and could cause trouble for Sam. I think Betsy is a real brat and is not acting her age. She shouldn't have had that fight with Tim, and Tim should have at least gave her a good slap across the face. On the other hand if Tim had really gave that letter then it could have resulted in terrible things for Sam. Something else I think I should say is that I hope sam doesn't die too soon.

The war is building a wall between mother and father, brick by brick. They argued relentlessly on whether they should reply to Sam's letters. Mother won out and Sam was going to receive a letter. What's going on in the Middle-East is affecting our family, because its very worrisome of whether or not there will be a reoccorance of 9-11. There also could be the possibility of a draft which would be very devastating for families having to lose there loved ones to war. I was disgusted with the cattle thieves's rude behavior. They should have more respect towards a fellow person. All turned out well at the end when the horsemen came and put out the fire. They chased away the cattle thieves, and bandaged the cut on father's forehead.

Tim hasn't really made up his mind concerning the war. When his father and Sam explain there different perspectives of what side is best they both sound right.Tim thinks that Life doesn't really care about the different sides. Overall He is just plainly against wars. Who wouldn't be? Tim assumes that he would be on the Loyalist side, but isn't too sure about. If he werem to be aiming his gun at the opposing force and Sam was there he wouldn't be able to shoot his own brother. I'm looking foward to finding out whether or not they'll reach Ridgebury. Will the cattle thieves strike again? Hopefully they'll have an escort and be out of harms way, but I'm not too positive about that. In the next chapter I'll see whether or not my prediction is correct or not.

When Mr. Meeker was knowhere to be found I assumed that the cowboys had captured him. I guess I was wrong, because he wasn't with the cowboys when Tim met up with them. I'm assuming that he was either caught by Rebels or something. Maybe he lost his way and is now wandering aimlessly in the woods. Or Bandits could have appeared and kept him prisoner. I really have no idea what happened to him. I think Tim will be very distressed on what to do. I mean it is his father thats missing. I'm sure it had a very strong impact on him. I'm surprised that he could pull himself together that quickly. If it were me I would have cried to tell the truth. Its amazing how clever of a plan that was when he had to fool the cattle thieves. They are so dumb though. I can't believe they were actually tricked by that. My opinion on Tim has changed. Now I think he is very smart and a quick thinker in tough situations.

Tim's statement: "I still hadn't figured out what he was fighting for. It seemed to me that we'd been free all along." When Tim says this statement he really means that he doesn't understand what the King did that was wrong. The adults and people who know his wrong doings are against it, because they have to pay high taxes and be ruled by someone who doesn't even know whats going on because he's so far away. The rebels want their independense. They want their own government, and they do'nt want anyone ruling them but themselves.The British troops are rough and brutal. I think that Tim might be a little troumatized after seeing such a violent beheading. I don't blame him for being a doughtful of whether he should be a Tory or not. The Redcoats are evil and sickminded. I don't think they should have done that cruel action. Its just wrong.

When Tim says that Sam thinks he is part of "something big" he means that Sam thinks he's doing something heroic and brave. Brave people don't just go off and die. Thats not being brave. Brave people actually fight for what they believe in and try their best to succeed. It's similar to what veterans do. Veterans don't ahve to die to be what they are. A veteran can be working to help people such as the job of a vet or fireman, and they don't have to be in a war. So when Sam thinks he's doing somethink big he is, just in a different way. He made the choice that he would be a soldier and stuck to it. I don't think he'll be giving up anytime soon. He won't be going home to Mrs. Meeker and Tim.

The statement: "In war the dead pay the debts for the living." The "dead" is the sodiers who fought in the war. The "debts" they paid were dying in order for the "living", us, to have our freedom. The fight with their hearts set on having the freedom to govern their own country and make the laws. Their independense, even if it means death, is what they will acomplish. Troops sacraficed their lives for us in the past and now.

Patrick Henry was determined to have his liberty so he faught for it. He rather have fredom than anything. If he had no freedom he would accept death. His bravery and courage towards the war to acieve his goal inspired many soldiers. They wer affected by his words so they were comforted of knowing they could have their liberty if they try hard enough. Its possible to achieve what they were fighting for. Patrick Henry contributed a great deal to their fighting spirit.

Patric Henry Limerick:

He strongly believed.
That liberty would be achieved.
The solgiers were brave.
Their spirits were saved.
And freedom was received.

The irony of Sams pending execution was that he was killed by his own side, and they didn't believe that he was innocent. The ironic thing is that he served in the war for three years and this is what comes from it...death. Its similar to Mr. Meeker's death, because he was also killed by his own side too. He became sick in a prison cell of the British! Its very unfair as to how things turned out, but as always replyed to this statement...life is unfair. The emotional reactions to this chapter is that I'm very angry with what the commanders said to Tim. The rebel troops turned from beasts into men. The hardtimes converted them to it. The stealing of the cattle and the excuse they came up with were all planned and turned against Sam. Its really all rather foolish, because why would Sam steal his own family's cattle. I feel great pity for Tim's mother. She lost both her husband and son. It sure was hard for her.Sam's death was brutal and harsh. It was wrong of them to kill an inocent man.

The statement: "But somehow, even fifty years later, I keep thinking there might have been amother way, besides war, to achieve the same end." To me this statement means that maybe they all could have worked this out by nagotiating, but I guess this wouldn't have happened. Violense ever present in history of course they would have been effected and it would lead to war. I hope that in the future that if there is another major disagreement that it would be settled with no killing. I don't think the United States could have become a nation without the Revolutionary War. The war caused all the nations to be solidified and united. It joined all the states together and made our freedom posible. Overall I think this novel was pretty good. The author is very good and gave me a better understanding of the hardships of war. The book had its bad parts where I just about hated it, but therewere also some good parts where I was captivated of how interesting it could be. It doesn't make my favorite top books, but I believe it was worth reading.