Survival Challenges in the West

Francis Tuckett, a 15-year-old boy, leads two children, Lottie and Billy, across a barren plain, facing the threat of the Comancheros. They struggle with exhaustion and thirst, but hope arises when they spot trees, indicating water. As danger looms with riders approaching, a storm offers salvation by erasing their tracks and providing much-needed rain. The narrative highlights themes of survival, resilience, and the unpredictability of nature.

What certainty does Francis Tuckett have at the beginning of the story?

• That they will find water soon

• That death is close to taking them

• That they will be rescued by Grimes

• That the Comancheros will not find them

How did Francis come to be with Lottie and Billy?

• They joined him after escaping a storm

• They were rescued from the Comancheros

• He found them abandoned on the prairie

• They were part of his original family

What role did Jason Grimes play in Francis's life?

• He taught Francis how to survive in the West

• He was a family member who reunited with them

• He was a rival who tried to capture them

• He was a trader who sold them supplies

What was the main challenge Francis and the children faced while traveling on foot?

• Navigating through a dense forest

• Lack of food and water

• Avoiding wild animals

• Finding a safe place to sleep

What did the sighting of trees signify for Francis and the children?

• A new path to follow

• A place to hide from the Comancheros

• The presence of water

• A sign of civilization nearby

Why was the approaching storm both a threat and a potential savior?

• It could wash away their tracks and provide rain

• It could bring more Comancheros

• It could lead them to a new path

• It could destroy their supplies

What was Francis's main concern as they raced to the trees?

• Getting lost in the storm

• Running out of food

• Finding a place to rest

• The Comancheros catching up

How did the storm impact Francis and the children?

• It destroyed their shelter

• It provided much-needed water and erased their tracks

• It brought more danger from wild animals

• It caused them to lose their way