Chapter 5 Summary

Chapter 5 shows Jethro's growth as he travels 15 miles into town on his own. With Jethro's brothers off to war, Matt tends to the farm while Jethro and Jenny care for the ailing Ellen - who suffers from a headache because the family had run out of the precious commodity of coffee.

Preparations are extensive as the family makes sure Jethro is protected in all ways (clothing, firearms, knowledge) and is well-supplied (food, money, goods to be traded). This is a "sizeable job" for Jethro as he has never (1) gone to town on his own before, (2) bartered or bought supplies, or (3) handled the wagon and team on his own.

He waves to people as his father had, talks to those wanting to know whatever news they could find out, maneuvers through wagon ruts and mud, and apprehensively drives past Dave Burdow's house, whose ne'er-do-well...