CHAPTER TWO.

This chapter begins at the same camp they were located at in chapter one. There's a lot of tension because it turned out that Jim's fact about them leaving for battle turned out to be false. A man from Chatfield Corners was especially mad, and Jim beat him. A lot of people were very upset about not going to battle, but Henry, in a sense, was relieved. He it still battling himself about whether or not he will run away from battle. Soon after though, he decides that he can not sit still much longer and he needs to go battle. Although the rumor is proven to be false, it still gives everyone a reason to talk and be excited. Because Henry is so unsure of himself, he's sure that others are too and that most of them have to be lying when they say they are ready for battle. Finally a man came on a horse and had a very short, straight to the point conversation with the commander at the camp. They were, in fact, going to go in behind the enemy and fight. While the army was marching to get where they were going, a fat soldier tried to steal a horse. The woman who lived at the house grabbed the horse by its mane and stood her ground. The others soldiers made fun of the fat one and supported the maiden, saying to "hit him with a stick." While the army was setting up camp and still had excitement about them, Henry had to go out on his own and be isolated from everyone, for he was still doubting whether or not he really had it in him to be a soldier. He thought back to his days on the farm with him mother and wished he was there again. Henry feels as if he is an outcast because no one else seems to have the same doubts about running from battle.

Motifs:

• Noise and Silence: Henry is having an internal battle, doubting himself. He is very quiet, but everyone else continues to talk and noise continues on around him.
  
• Youth and maturity: Henry and the others at camp seem to be fairly young. They are very mature to just pick up everything and go to war for what is right.

Question:

• What does "the youth" mean? Just Henry? Or multiple youths?