Why does Half Arrow watch quietly while the guard binds True Son's arms in Chapter 4 of The Light In The Forest?

In the story, John Butler was only four years old when he was abducted by Delaware Indians. Renamed True Son by his adopted Indian father, Cuyloga, John comes to love and to respect the Indian way of life. So, he is resentful when a new treaty between the Americans and Delaware Indians calls for the return of white captives.

In Chapter 4, all the white captives are on the march back to Fort Pitt in...

In the story, John Butler was only four years old when he was abducted by Delaware Indians. Renamed True Son by his adopted Indian father, Cuyloga, John comes to love and to respect the Indian way of life. So, he is resentful when a new treaty between the Americans and Delaware Indians calls for the return of white captives.

In Chapter 4, all the white captives are on the march back to Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. True Son is so disheartened at this state of affairs that he tries to get a hold of the poisonous roots of the May apple, thinking that he will be better served by committing suicide. However, he is not successful and must march on to what he thinks is his doom. His cousin and friend, Half Arrow, marches alongside him. Another Indian friend, Little Crane, marches along to be near his white squaw.

When the captives approach the river near to Fort Pitt, the guard orders Half-Arrow to leave, citing safety issues. He warns that Half Arrow's life may be in danger, as they are very near the white settlements. To reiterate his order, he points his rifle at Half Arrow in order to force him out of the marching line. At the guard's directive, True Son is so upset that he lunges at the soldier. Because of his violent action, the guards bind his arms. In the meantime, Half Arrow watches impassively; he does nothing to help True Son but only asks for permission to give True Son some words of wisdom from his Indian father. With the guard's permission, he tells True Son that he must bide his time and move with wisdom if he is to win the war against the white settlers.

It is better to wait for your cause to be ripe like a persimmon on the snow before you fight back, True Son. It is wiser to be willing and be alive than be defiant and be dead so your father and mother and sisters have to mourn you.

True Son realizes that he must bear his disgrace with dignity and wait patiently until a favorable moment presents itself for success. In keeping with the wisdom of waiting until the right moment to rebel, Half Arrow displays little emotion when True Son's arms are bound. He realizes that to fight at such a moment, when he can have no victory, will prove a foolish waste of his time and life.