Chapter 8 Summary

Tim and Father arrive after dark to spend the night with the North Salem cousins, the Platts. It is a big, talkative family, and they want to know all the news about the Meekers and what the war is like in Redding. Father tells them about the cow-boys, and Mr. Platt tells them that thievery and hostility have taken over Westchester County. People have been attacked and houses burned, and the need for retaliation keeps the fighting going. The locals have had to form a Committee of Safety to keep things under control.

Tim and his cousin Ezekiel go out to the barn to sleep. They talk about the war. Ezekiel tells Tim that his father said Sam was too smart to join the Rebels, and they were upset when they heard. Tim wonders which side he would join if he were to...