We see in this episode the love and determination Clayt has for his family. Clayt told his twin brothers to stay in bed since they were just getting over the measles. At the same time, he warned them to stay away from wild animals since it seemed there was a bout of hydrophobia going around. But like a lot of children, the twins disobeyed and one of them got bitten.
Major Maoy and Sleeve both tried to purify the wound, being confident that the woodchuck did indeed have rabies, but when Twin came down sick they knew the dreadful thing had happened - Twin had contacted rabies! They offered Clayt no hope, stating there is no cure for rabies.
From the very first episode, we know that Clayt is pretty stubborn and makes up his own minds about things - especially when it comes to caring for his family. This time was no different. He was determined to get his brother to the doctor. His plan was to just take his sick brother and leave the rest of the family at home. Kathy, however, wouldn't hear of it. She wanted the whole family to go.
Rather Clayt made the right decision or not is a debate. I think that a responsible adult would have left the rest of the family at home. First of all, with the Wales close by I'm sure they would take advantage of the missing Monroe family and try to take the land by burning the cabin. Clayt could have asked Major Mapoy to keep an eye on them while he was gone. That way three of his members would have been safe. However, for his own reasons (mainly to make the show more interesting), Clayt took his family knowing there was a killing and raiding party of Indians on the way to the Fort.
Clayt did the best he could do, considering he was an eighteen year old inexperienced young man; and considering that his head of the household status was fairly new. We get a small surprise at the end at the doctor's announcement that makes the whole decision a miracle in itself. In the end, Major Mapoy probably has to admit that even though he's older and richer, he doesn't always hold all the answers.
Major Maoy and Sleeve both tried to purify the wound, being confident that the woodchuck did indeed have rabies, but when Twin came down sick they knew the dreadful thing had happened - Twin had contacted rabies! They offered Clayt no hope, stating there is no cure for rabies.
From the very first episode, we know that Clayt is pretty stubborn and makes up his own minds about things - especially when it comes to caring for his family. This time was no different. He was determined to get his brother to the doctor. His plan was to just take his sick brother and leave the rest of the family at home. Kathy, however, wouldn't hear of it. She wanted the whole family to go.
Rather Clayt made the right decision or not is a debate. I think that a responsible adult would have left the rest of the family at home. First of all, with the Wales close by I'm sure they would take advantage of the missing Monroe family and try to take the land by burning the cabin. Clayt could have asked Major Mapoy to keep an eye on them while he was gone. That way three of his members would have been safe. However, for his own reasons (mainly to make the show more interesting), Clayt took his family knowing there was a killing and raiding party of Indians on the way to the Fort.
Clayt did the best he could do, considering he was an eighteen year old inexperienced young man; and considering that his head of the household status was fairly new. We get a small surprise at the end at the doctor's announcement that makes the whole decision a miracle in itself. In the end, Major Mapoy probably has to admit that even though he's older and richer, he doesn't always hold all the answers.
