Little Britches: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Instead of herding Mrs. Corcoran’s cows, Ralph decides to find Two Dog to save Bill. He leaves early in the morning to avoid detection and begins to ride Fanny toward the mountains where Two Dog lives. However, he discovers the distance to the mountains is greater than he imagined, with many hills in between. He does not give up, though, and eventually Ralph arrives at the mountains and enters Turkey Creek canyon. As it turns to evening, the canyon becomes dark and cold, and Ralph has trouble remembering the directions Two Dog gave him in sign language. Eventually, he remembers and resumes his journey, taking a right at a fork in the trail.

Ralph continues up the steep trail, becoming increasingly worried that Fanny will slip and fall in the dark. Suddenly, Ralph hears a wolf’s howl. He kicks Fanny with his heels, and she takes off, racing up the narrow trail. They arrive at a field and Ralph realizes the trail has ended. Without thinking, he calls out “Two Dog,” and a doorway opens in the dark. Mr. Thompson emerges and, inviting Ralph into the house, goes to put up Fanny in the corral.

The cabin is rustic, with stove and chimney and a massive, hand-cut table. Two Dog is inside, and he greets Ralph with his signature three touches on the leg. Ralph explains Bill’s condition to Two Dog, and then Mr. Thompson returns and begins questioning Ralph while he cooks. They eat, and then Mr. Thompson brings the stew pot outdoors. A large grey wolf appears to eat from the pot, and Mr. Thompson explains that Two Dog tamed the wolf. It was the wolf that howled earlier, alerting them to Ralph’s presence.  

Two Dog fetches the horses from the corral, braiding rawhide into Fanny’s mane to make it easier for Ralph to mount her. Two Leg and Mr. Thompson bring Ralph home, riding all night. Ralph’s mother cries when they arrive, and Ralph apologizes. Ralph goes to bed and is soon woken by his father, who scolds him and explains that “every man in the neighborhood” had been out looking for him. Before putting him back to bed, Ralph’s father kisses him goodnight, the only time Ralph can remember him doing so. When Ralph wakes up Mr. Thompson and Two Leg are gone, but Bill is all better.