Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Rab Silsbee

We've said before that Rab is the big brother Johnny never had. Rab is the one who introduces Johnny to the world of the Sons of Liberty and the Boston Observers, who gets Johnny a job as a rider and teaches him to ride a horse. He takes Johnny into his family, both at the Lornes's and at Silsbee's Cove. More importantly, he calls Johnny on his pride and his temper, encouraging him to get a handle on both. Finally, Rab provides the model for Johnny's participation in armed rebellion when he leaves Johnny his musket—this is what leads Johnny to allow Doctor Warren to operate on his hand.