Summary
In this third of the book we are introduced to a fresh new character. His name is Mr. LaBeef. He is a Texas Ranger who is also looking for Mr. Chaney. Apparently Chaney has committed a crime in Louisiana. LaBeef wants to bring him back to Louisiana so that he could be tried and hanged. Mattie completely protests because she wants to kill Chaney herself, so that he knows that he is paying for the crime of the murder of her father. LaBeef can not let this happen because for the findings of Chaney is the only way that he will get paid. the fact that both of them are boarding under the same roof makes this situation all the more worse. There is a point in the novel where Labeef watches her sleep, and confesses that he would have stole a kiss, but she is too young, sick, and unattractive. Instead he would rather give her a few licks with his belt.
He finally gets the chance to give Mattie those licks when she follows him and Rooster to find Chaney. Of course with her fresh and stubborn self she actually criticise Labeef's methods, and practically his manhood. So he gets off his horse and puts this fourteen year old girl on his lap and begins her punishment. Rooster does nothing to stop Labeef. I think it was a test to see what exactly Mattie was capable of because after the whooping does Rooster decide that Mattie can tag along.
Quote
"Yes, I heard about all them departments. What side was you on?" (Portis 158).
Reaction
I think this is an important question to ask. I think it is important because in the old west I don't think there were any sides. I think that everyone was trying to benefit themselves, and make money. This made it hard for people to be able to trust each other. For an experienced man like Rooster to travel with Mattie and LeBeef may have been a big deal because he is used to doing things on his own. That is why he did not allow Mattie to travel with him in the beginning.
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