Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with William arriving for his duty to pass messages. He ends up being given the opportunity to lead a company into battle, and that’s exactly what he jumps at the chance of doing. Throughout this, we get a sense of his ability to observe what’s going on.
William isn’t stupid. He knows that the Patriots have experience in hunting. They’ll be able to take men down quickly and quietly. He also knows that they will adapt to any situation. They should all be on the lookout for things, but it seems like not everyone is. After all, a lot of people think that the Continental Army will disband and give up in six months.
We experience the battle through William’s eyes. At one point, he needs to look at the body of a fallen soldier. It’s not clear why he decides to do this, but I think this connects him to this messenger duty he is carrying out. He is also looking for anything “intelligence,” and this could be one of those important moments.
It turns out that it is. He looks at a member of Putnam’s Army, and this is important for later. Everyone has pretty much ruled out Putnam, but William doesn’t. He uses the information he knows and what he’s seen to share his concerns with General Howe.
Of course, nobody pays attention to William. He’s young, and the more experienced generals believe they know best. William doesn’t argue back too much. He has this balance of Jamie in him (the compassion for the dead and ability to observe) and Lord John Grey (knowing when not to speak out). I love that we do get to see all that in the chapter.
The next part of the chapter sees Perkins tell William that William needs to see General Howe. William has just woken from a dream and is in a fog. Then he’s literally in a fog and can’t figure out where to go to get to Howe. I feel like all this is a connection to William who doesn’t know his true identity yet.
While looking, two thieves get him. William hears the Scottish voice of one, and the other has a Dorset tone. The men but off William’s hair, giving him a sense of being demoted to a lower status. Again, it connects to William eventually learning the truth that he is Jamie’s son.
The men leave, and William is then captured by some women. It’s only after this that the fog clears and William is able to see clearly again. I almost get a sense of Jamie’s abilities to go to the future in dreams. Is this an ability William has?