Rescue on the Oregon Trail (Ranger in Time, #1)

The final chapters add tension and drama to the story as Ranger and the Abbott family navigate new hazards on their journey. The plot continues to unfold in real-life places and depicts realistic dangers on the Oregon Trail, including the treacherous Three Island Crossing in Idaho. These additions make the Abbotts a believable family and provide young readers with opportunities to research these aspects of the pioneer journey. To further engage readers, the book depicts Oregon Trail landmarks from both a human and canine perspective. For instance, Sam focuses on the Snake River’s width and speed, since he understands that the powerful current is the greatest danger to his father: “Sam wasn’t sure if it was last night’s rain or the fact that his father had to cross soon that made the river look so swollen and fast and hungry today” (92). However, Ranger has a different perception of the river as he tries to rescue Pa Abbott: “The air was wet and full of smells—horse sweat and river plants and fish. Ranger caught the scent of death, too, rising from the water. There were bodies down there. But Pa was still alive. Ranger could smell him” (105).

These scenes deepen Ranger’s characterization as a selfless dog who feels called to help Abbotts and help develop the theme of The Dog-Human Bond. Ranger risks his own life to rescue Pa Abbott from drowning in the Snake River, making him even more heroic. This event underscores the depth of Ranger’s commitment to the Abbott family. The Abbotts are likewise attached to Ranger, and the book shows how Ranger’s continued companionship especially affects Sam: “‘You’re such a good boy.’ Sam put his face close to Ranger’s. ‘I love you, Dog’” (110). However, Ranger still feels loyal to his original family, and his homesickness reflects dogs’ intelligence and deep emotional bonds with their owners: “He’d rescued Pa. Would Luke come and take him home now? But when he heard the words ‘Good job,’ it was Sam’s voice—not Luke’s” (110).

By including a new dog character, Finnegan, the story implies that the Abbott family is in need of canine companionship and that Finnegan will now take Ranger’s place in their family. Only when Sam meets Finnegan does Ranger feel that he can use the First Aid box to leave Sam and go home to Luke: “Ranger sniffed Finnegan. He was a good dog. He would take care of Luke…Ranger licked Sam’s hand once more and turned away” (120).

These chapters resolve the theme of Courage in the Face of Uncertainty. Despite losing members of their group to disease, the Abbott family courageously forges ahead, not knowing exactly what challenges they’ll face next. Lizzie, the eldest of the Abbott children, takes a stoic approach to the trail and reassures Sam about the river crossing: “‘What if it’s dangerous?’ Sam’s voice was full of worry. Ranger trotted closer and nudged his hand. ‘Everything’s dangerous out here,’ Lizzie said. ‘But we’ll be fine. Ma frets too much’” (91). Lizzie also urges Sam to stay positive when he’s sick with mountain fever: “Ranger heard Lizzie say that they were almost to the Oregon Territory. Any day, Uncle Thomas would come down the river to meet them […]. Sam had to get better; he’d waited so long to see this new country” (114).

Perhaps the most courageous of the travelers is Ranger, who is willing to take great risks to use his rescue training and help the Abbotts. When Ranger sees that Pa Abbott is drowning, he doesn’t hesitate to act: “Ranger took the end in his mouth, leaped from the wagon, and ran for the riverbank […] With the rope in his teeth he swam past Mr. Harrigan and Bess, toward the place where he’d last seen Pa” (105). By detailing the characters’ courageous actions and attitudes, the book captures the bravery of real-life pioneers while making the characters more compelling.