Master Huckaback Comes In explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family and Loyalty

  John Ridd rescues his great-uncle Reuben, and the family cares for him despite his grumbling, highlighting familial duty.

• Justice and Revenge

  Uncle Reuben is outraged at being robbed by the Doones and insists on seeking redress, reflecting the theme of justice.

Characters to notice

• John Ridd

  Narrator and rescuer; carries Uncle Reuben home on his back after finding him tied to a wild horse.

• Uncle Reuben Huckaback

  Wealthy shopkeeper from Dulverton, robbed and tormented by the Doones; brought to Plover's Barrows and cared for.

• Annie Ridd

  Helps mother care for Uncle Reuben after his rescue.

• Mistress Ridd

  John's mother; presses Uncle Reuben to visit and tends to him after his ordeal.

• Ruth Huckaback

  Uncle Reuben's granddaughter; mentioned as a potential bride for John.

Key passages

• “I cut the thongs that bound him, and set him astride on the little horse; but he was too weak to stay so. Therefore I mounted him on my back, turning the horse into horse-steps, and leading the pony by the cords which I fastened around his nose, set out for Plover's Barrows.”

  John frees Uncle Reuben and, finding him too weak to ride, carries him home on his back while leading the horses.

  Demonstrates John's strength and compassion in rescuing his relative.

• “He shall marry Ruth, he said by-and-by to himself, and not to me; he shall marry Ruth for this, and have my little savings, soon as they be worth the having.”

  Uncle Reuben mutters to himself that John should marry his granddaughter Ruth and inherit his savings.

  Foreshadows a potential romantic and financial arrangement between John and Ruth.