comment on structure

The novel is divided into sixteen chapters. The storyline follows when Old Yeller first comes into Travis's family's life through to when Old Yeller dies. The first and the last chapters frame the story with Papa leaving and then returning from the cattle drive to Abilene, Kansas. The novel moves along at a quick pace due to the easy language, excitement and tension. Gipson sometimes leaves off a chapter with a glimpse as to what will happen next, leading the reader along.