The Courage of Sarah Noble

Sarah and her father are in the woods, trying to get some sleep. The tree canopy is so thick that Sarah can see only one star, and she covers herself in her warm cloak, which her mother wrapped around her before Sarah and her father began their journey. Mrs. Noble told her to keep up her courage as she, her father, and their horse, Thomas, travel into the Connecticut wilderness to build a home for the family. The animals’ noises scare her, but her father, John, reassures her. When they hear a wolf howl, he reminds her that he is awake and has his musket to protect them.

John encourages Sarah to remember the day he told her mother about the land he bought. Her mother said they could not take the baby on such a long journey yet, so Mrs. Noble could not go either. None of Sarah’s sisters would go, but Sarah volunteered to accompany her father and cook for him. He is grateful God gave him daughters and sons; the Nobles are Christians. Sarah misses her siblings, and she worries about her cooking skills. Clutching her cloak, she nods off. John wonders if he has done the right thing in bringing her into the wilderness, and he stays awake all night.