The main characters of the story are Teunis and Gertrude Van Alstyne and their children, ten-year-old Edward and six-year-old Trudy. Although he is absent during most of the action, Teunis Van Alstyne is a vital character in the novel. A robust Dutchman, twenty-nine years old, he has an outgoing, caring manner and is described as a "lusty," "manly" man who "could roar like a bull when he wanted." Edward greatly admires his father, who is captain of the Guilderland militia. When the story begins, Teunis is preparing to fight the French and Native Americans at nearby Palatine Bridge. Edward watches his father prepare for duty and asks why Teunis never takes the matchlock gun with him. Teunis explains that the gun is impractical in battle and shows Edward how to fire the weapon. Teunis and Gertrude share a tender goodbye before Teunis departs into...