"The gun was primed, ready to be used. Johnathan knew how. Hadn't his father taught him, drilled him, told him that everyone had to be prepared? Hadn't he said, 'We must all be soldiers now?' And hadn't Johnathan talked with his friends of war, battles old and new, strategies fit for major generals? And, having fought their wars, they had always won their glory, hadn't they?" (5)

"The boy's folks said it was an awful war, cursed it, spat on it when they could. People, hearing them, hinted they might be secret Tories. There were lots of Tories like that around, spies and turncoats all. Such folks were warned to keep their thoughts to themselves. Tories got what they deserved." (9)

"The gun was heavy. Jonathan tried throwing it over his shoulder and resting it as the others did, only to find its weight cut into this neck. He...