ATDTDA (2): Back where we began, 54-56

[Paul Nightingale]

Ch6 ends with departure and includes recognition of loss. Lew and the Chums
separate, and the Chums receive "orders delivered silently in the night"
(55). Lew heads west to Denver, the Chums go off in the opposite direction,
although their orders are less than clear, as Randolph notes "in quiet
consternation". It seems They undermine his authority.

Cf the opening page (3): the optimism that accompanies certainty. The Chums,
at the end of Ch6, are no longer actively pursuing their future (an
observation underscored by the final section, 55-56, featuring the aftermath
to the Fair's closure).

We have already seen that much of the narrative featuring the Chums
describes hierarchical relations, the confirmation of Randolph's and
Lindsay's authority. The text has carefully differentiated the Chums one
from the other, using Darby and Miles to comment on the status of Lindsay in
particular. It is noticeable, then, that the closing pages of this chapter
(concluding a narrative sequence that has seen the Chums forced to share the
stage with other characters/narrative lines) refuse to identify by name any
individual other than Randolph. They are "the boys": "They began to imagine,
jointly and severally ..." etc (55). The "rescuer" who will "bring them back
each to his innocence" is one who will restore them to the opening pages of
the novel.

One can, going further, juxtapose this loss of individuality to the sombre
note on which the possibility of mutiny or suicide is raised (54). Conflict
is featured in earlier passages, and will reappear later on; for now, it
seems, conflict can only be spoken by Randolph, who can speak for all when
he insists they are "all friends and brothers". That is to say, no one can
speak against him, even though Lew's gift has left them "argu[ing] late".

Single up all lines?