Back to AtD (that anti-NYC screed. Joke) pp 1014--1015

[Markekohut]

Jesse the youngest Traverse meets his Uncle Frank. He can load and shoot.
("Not much Frank can teach him") 

But Frank says they are going to " run away" "the minute it gets dark enough."
...."Cowards run away" says young Jesse. ....." some..are just not brave enough to run (sometimes) says Frank....

But the Guardsmen's.....did their " pitiless charges ..only in the dark, and when they were sure of their victims. "......not exactly bravery as usually understood, perhaps even a counterpoint example of cowardice that kills?.....

But the Guardsman who puts a gun to Jesse's head..."You been shooting at us today, ain't you son?" 
" You been shooting at me."   
...let's him live. Why? (Thematically) 

Could this be a symbolic presentation of .....deescalation? Of being the first to ....put down his gun? If so, why is it the Guardsman, thematically? 

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