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Answer Key for Student Study Guide 

1. Draw a map of Southern Ontario and mark on the following locations: Toronto, Dundas, Burlington, Queenston, Lake Ontario and the Niagara River.
   Don't skip this step as it helps students orientate themselves with this region of southern Ontario.
2. In a brief paragraph describe Dan's situation at the beginning of the story.
   He is wounded and on the run from government troops after participating in the rebellion on Yonge Street in Toronto in 1837.  He was originally fleeing with his brother Matthew but they were separated when they encountered government troops.
3. Who is telling the story?
   The narrator (author) is telling the story in the third person.
4. Why is Dan so anxious to get to Queenston? (page 10)
   He is anxious to get to Queenston because he will be able to cross the Niagara River to the safety of the United States.
5. Why was the boy at the bridge be so anxious to capture Dan?
   No doubt he has been waiting at the bridge for just such an opportunity to catch a rebel.   He realizes that Dan will be an easy catch as he is unarmed, wounded and smaller than him.

1. Why was Deborah left the job of milking the cows?
   Normally her brother Nat did the milking but he was with his father in Toronto, fighting the rebels.
2. Why is Hezekiah restless?
   The cow is restless because she realizes someone is in the barn.
3. When is Deborah first aware that someone is in the barn?
   Initially she is suspicious when she hears a rustle.    Next she hears a loud sneeze and finally a body (Dan) rolls out of the loft and hits the floor with a thump.
4. Why does Deborah decide to help Dan?
   She feels pity for him because he is wounded and not much older than her brother Nat.    Also, he is not at all like the "monster" that the government propoganda would have you believe.

1. Why does Deborah feel guilty about hiding Dan?
   She feels guilty because at that very moment her father or brother may lie "bleeding to death from a rebel bullet".
2. Why is their dog, Rufus, chained?
   The day before he had slashed open his paw on some sharp ice and they didn't want him to use the injured paw.
3. How did Deborah and her mother learn that the rebellion was actually over?
   The saw the reward poster for William Lyon Mackenzie nailed to the church door and realized the rebels were on the run.
4. Explain the expression, "Deborah and her mother were dead shots".
   They were very good shots. (Perhaps it originated because anything they shot at was as good as dead.)
5. Why does Deborah cross her finger when speaking to her mother?
   Perhaps it was some type of superstition that meant she would be forgiven for lying or that her mother would simply not discover the lie if she did this.    Ask your students if any of them do this even today.
6. What was Dan's explanation for joining the rebels?
   Dan felt that they had been treated unjustly by the goverment and the wealthy and that they had lost their farm as a result.   He was also very upset by the earlier death of his mother.   When Mackenzie held meetings to explain how the government was stealing from them, he and his brother saw little choice but to join the rebel forces.
7. What is a tollgate?
   Tollgates would be found at the beginning or end of a road or highway.   To use the road you would have to pay a fee.   Today we usually refer to them as tollbooths.   People often tried to storm through the tollgate to avoid paying.
8. After listening to Dan's description, where does Deborah believe the boat is hidden?
   She believes the boat may be hidden a mile away, 15 minutes across the fields--due east, at the end of Crankshaw's farm lane.   
9. Why was Deborah offended when Dan was reluctant to reveal the location of the boat?
   She was willing to risk her life and the life of her family to protect him yet he was still wary of her.

1. Why did Deborah have mixed feelings about the return of her father and brother?
   She was happy to have them safe and sound but wondered how they would react to Dan if they discovered him in the barn.
2. Why were there no "regulars" in Toronto when Thaddeus and Nat arrived?
   They had been shipped off to Montreal to defend Lower Canada against possible insurrection.
3. Why was Thaddeus so disgusted with the townsfolk in Toronto?
   Thaddeus was disgusted with them because the townsfolk of Toronto complained when asked for "a bite to eat and a bed to sleep in " despite the fact that the volunteers were risking their lives to protect the people of Toronto against the rebel threat.
4. Why did the militia pin red ribbons on their shoulders?
   This measure was taken as they did not have uniforms and did not wish to be mistaken for rebel troops (friendly fire).
5. Give Thaddeus' opinion of Sir Francis Bond Head when the order is given to burn suspected rebel homes?
   Thaddeus felt it was not vengeance but rather murder, turning women and children into the cold.
6. What does Deborah's father say that causes her to drop the potholder into the fire?
   He states, "If hanging a few of them (rebels) would save just this township. . . then I say it's time we hanged a few".
7. What happens to people aiding the rebels?
   People aiding the rebels have their homes and barns burned.
8. Why does Deborah's father refuse to betray Dan's presence to Silas Hawkes? (page 47)
   He feels that Dan is too young to hang.   "I don't believe in hanging lads."

1. Why was Dan placed in the cubbyhole?
   It is upstairs and out of the way should anyone, including Silas Hawkes, come searching for rebels.
2. What did the family do before they placed him there?
   They cleaned, treated and bandaged his wound.
3. How does Deborah defend her actions?
   She argues that she couldn't possibly "turn another human being out to be starved or hanged".
4. How does the author make use of Rufus in this chapter?
   She uses the barking dog to alert the reader that danger is imminent

1. Who arrived at the Wallbridge home that evening?
   Silas Hawkes, his son Jed Hawkes and Alex Hamilton
2. Why did Mrs. Wallbridge heat up the poker?
   It was a common practice to stick the hot poker in the drinks to make mulled ale.
3. Who is Alex Hamilton?
   He is the sheriff of Niagara.
4. How does the author create suspense in this chapter?
   The author creates suspense by initially having the sheriff and deputy sheriff in the Wallbridge house while Dan is concealed upstairs. The suspense is added to by Jed Hawkes' anger and the concern on various members of the Wallbridge family that they will in their words or actions accidentally reveal Dan's whereabouts. The climax comes at the end of the chapter when there is a loud commotion and the sheriff is called away to Queenston.
5. Why do you think the sheriff is needed at Queenston?
   Answers will vary as students attempt to predict. It could be fighting has broken out or suspected rebels have been seen or captured. However, we learn on page 78, chapter 7, that new orders have arrived at Queenston on a steamer from Sir Francis and that only the sheriff is allowed to open them.

1. What is Deborah doing as she talks to Dan?
   She was spinning wool.    This was often the job of the unmarried woman in a family. Thus the origin of the word "spinster"--spinner actually being the masculine form of the word and spinster the feminine form.  You might ask the students to think of other words that follow this rule.  For example, baker and baxter as well as brewer and brewster.
2. How had Deborah planned on covering Dan's tracks in the snow?
   She was planning to make snow angels to cover the tracks.
3. Why was it unnecessary?
   By early morning snow had covered Dan's tracks.
4. Why did Deborah almost cry when Dan said he "must get away"?
   She had started to like him and realized that once he left, she might never see him again.
5. Who does she see stealing out of the woods?
   She sees the bulky figure of Jed Hawkes.

1. Add the following locations to the map of Southern Ontario (Chapter One): Hamilton, Navy Island, Chippewa and St. David's.
   Students are expected to add to the same map used in chapter one.
2. Who arrives unexpectedly at the Wallbridge home?
   Isabella and her father Ezekiel arrive unexpectantly.
3. What is the reason for their visit?
   They warn the Wallbridges that a band of young "bucks" (men) are riding around the township harrassing families suspected of sympathizing with the rebels.
4. Why does Deborah hesitate when her friend asks to stay?
   She is worried that Isabella will discover Dan who is concealed in their home.
5. Why does Mary Wallbridge feel that Silas Hawkes is a "wicked, wicked" man? (page 97)
   Silas Hawkes went to the Taylor home and threatened to hang Cal Taylor for sympathizing with William Lyon Mackenzie.    Mrs. Taylor faints when she hears the threat and as a result of her fall loses her baby.
6. Why was Silas so anxious to seek revenge against Thaddeus?
   He held a grudge against Thaddeus who had been a fenceviewer.    Silas' cow had been straying and he was fined by Thaddeus for not putting a blinder on the cow.

1. What does Thaddeus wonder about when he learns that the boat is located on Ezekiel's land?
   He wonders if the boat is there with or without Ezekiel's consent.
2. What does Dan reveal about his brother Matthew that explains the mystery?
   He suspects that his brother has made money by smuggling goods between Canada and the United States.
3. Give Nat's account of the boat's location.
   He tells them that it is near an outcropping of rock near a lone pine.  It would be difficult to launch it as it must be lowered four feet into the water.
4. How does Deborah try to convince her father that Dan should stay?
   She tells him that Dan is still in too weakened a condition to row across the river.   She pleads with her father to let him stay and pretend that he is a hired hand who has just arrived.
5. What is her father's response?
   He argues that it would be too dangerous as they are already suspected of harbouring a rebel.  Furthermore, the sheriff would be very suspicious if he saw someone new arrive on their doorstep that he had never seen before.

1. What does the author mean by a "meaningful look directed at her father"?
   Mrs. Wallbridge was conveying a message to her husband that she thought it improper for Deborah to be left alone with Dan at the house.
2. What horrible deed had Jed Hawkes committed against Tom Hinks?
   Tom Hinks' puppy had ended up in a spring trap set for rabbits because he had made the mistake of laughing at Jed Hawkes when he couldn't spell the word melancholy at the spelling bee.   Although no one had been able to prove it, they all suspected it was Jed Hawkes as he had gone around for a week with a smug look on his face.
3. Explain the phrase "If I had the second sight like my Highland granny".
   It may be referring to someone who is able to foretell or predict the future.   It also appears to be someone who is able to cast a spell or curse.
4. Why does Deborah ending up walking home by herself?
   Deborah accidentally cut the horses' hoof when she attempted to pry a stone loose and the horse began to limp.   Deborah was concerned and persuaded Isabella to go straight home. Meanwhile Deborah felt it would only take her ten minutes to walk home.
5. Why does Deborah think that she is being stalked?
   At first Deborah gets a feeling between her shoulder blades as though someone were following her.   Next she hears a twig snap and finally she detects the soft, steady crunching of footsteps in the underbrush on the opposite side of the road

1. Describe the incident with Jed Hawkes and his friends that evening?
   Jed Hawkes had followed Deborah home with five companions who were armed with clubs.   Jed demanded they be allowed entry into the Wallbridge house to search for the rebel.   Deborah's mother recognizes a couple of the young men and admonishes them for their behaviour and informs them that she intends to report them to their fathers.
2. How does Deborah prevent them from entering the house?
   She fires only a couple of inches from Jed's foot.
3. Why is the Wallbridge family so anxious to plan Dan's escape?  
   They are anxious to plan Dan's escape as they are afraid Jed and his companions or someone else might return looking for a rebel.

1. Why is Deborah dressed in Nat's trousers?
   The escape plan called for Dan to going to the barn in women's clothing hoping that Jed and his companions would mistake Dan for Deborah. However, Deborah had her own plans to go and help Dan with the boat.   Dressed in boy's clothes, she could move faster and be less conspicuous and neither Jed nor his companions would be as suspicious if they happened to spot her.
2. Describe the emerging relationship between Dan and Deborah.
   Dan and Deborah are beginning to grow very fond of one another.    This is obvious by the way they speak to each other. For example, Dan tells Deborah he has never met anyone like her and Deborah has tears in her eyes which Dan brushes away.    He also takes her hand as they descend the staircase for the last time.   Towards the end of the chapter Deborah asks him to write to her and he promises to write once he has arrived at his destination.
3. How does Barbara Greenwood create suspense at the end of this chapter?
   As they approach the river bank someone tells them to identify themselves or be shot.   Deborah believes they are talking to Dan and her but suddenly she hears Ezekiel Crankshaw identify himself to an armed guard patrolling the riverbank.   Those two men have only just departed when Deborah is grabbed from behind and a hand is clasped over her mouth to prevent her from screaming a warning to Dan.

1. Find Lewiston and Buffalo in an atlas.
   Students should merely add these two locations to the map they worked on in chapters one and eight.
2. How did Matthew know about the Wallbridges?
   Ezekiel (Zeke) Crankshaw had spotted Dan's mother's brooch and realized it was identical to Matthew's.   
3. Where has Matthew been living?
   He has spent some time at the hotel in Queenston and according to Ezekiel also took a room for himself in Chippewa.
4. Why had Matthew gone to look for the boat?
   He figured that if the boat was missing, it would mean that Dan had already crossed to the United States and he would begin tracking his brother there.
5. Why did farm families seldom miss church during the winter months?
   In winter the roads were hard enough for easy travel and farm work had slackened.
6. What good news does Ezekiel bring to Deborah?
   Ezekiel Crankshaw informs her that Dan has crossed safely to the United States--"Your wee man is safe across".

1. Why have Jed and Silas Hawkes arrived at the Wallbridge home?
   They believe that the Wallbridge family still have a rebel on their property.
2. What proof do they give that Thaddeus and his family have been harbouring a rebel?
   Jed Hawkes discovered a clasp knife with the initials D.P. (Dan Peterson), blood from a wound, and a spot packed down indicating that someone had been sleeping there.
3. What do the dogs uncover?
   The dogs uncover nothing.
4. What does Tom Jameson threaten to do to Silas Hawkes the next time he lies?
   He threatens to set loose his dogs on him.
5. Why is Silas Hawkes so disturbed by the piece of paper that Ezekiel has in his possession?
   The paper is a ledger signed by Silas Hawkes and therefore incriminating him for selling smuggled goods including tea and tobacco, in the area.
6. How does Jed save his father?
   Jed snatches the paper from Ezekiel Crankshaw's hand and tosses it into the fire thus destroying the evidence.

1. Describe the setting at the beginning of this chapter.
   It is 1843, six years after Dan fled to the United States.   He is standing on the deck of a ferry waiting to cross the short distance from Lewiston to Queenston in Upper Canada where he hopes to be reunited with Deborah.
2. What has happened to William Lyon Mackenzie?
   He is living under very austere conditions in New York City waiting to be pardoned by the government.
3. Why is Dan allowed to return to Canada?
   General amnesties had been discussed for all those who participated in the rebellion of 1837. However, Dan had petitioned for and been granted a personal pardon. He was carrying this document with him as he prepared to make the crossing.
4. Why is Dan feeling so nervous about his return to Upper Canada?
   He hasn't seen Deborah in six years and isn't sure how she will react when he asks for her hand in marriage.

Research the origin of Canadian place names.

Created by Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO