# II explained — Shepherds of the Wild

> Chapter companion for Shepherds of the Wild by Edison Marshall.

## What happens

The Old Colonel confronts Hugh Gaylord about his dissolute lifestyle, urging him to embrace a more rugged, outdoor existence. He proposes that Hugh travel to the Smoky Land region of Idaho to hunt a notorious cougar named Broken Fang, hoping the adventure will transform him into a 'man of his hands.' Despite initial reluctance, Hugh agrees to the plan.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Transformation

The Old Colonel hopes the hunting trip will transform Hugh from a soft, dissipated young man into a disciplined, self-reliant individual.

### Civilization vs. Wilderness

Hugh's city-bred softness is contrasted with the rugged, untamed wilderness of Idaho, which the Colonel believes can restore his character.

## Character check-ins

### Hugh Gaylord

Hugh is confronted by the Old Colonel about his soft, dissipated life and agrees to go big-game hunting in Idaho.

### The Old Colonel

The Old Colonel prescribes a rugged hunting trip to Idaho as a cure for Hugh's lack of discipline and self-reliance.

### Broken Fang

Broken Fang is the giant cougar causing damage to livestock in Idaho, which the Old Colonel suggests Hugh hunt.

## Key lines

> Thus this son of cities gave his promise to go forth into a man's land: a land of trial and travail, of many perils and strong delights, a jagged mountain land where the powers of the wilderness still ruled supreme—and yet a place where miracles might come to pass.

Hugh, a city dweller, agreed to venture into a rugged, dangerous wilderness that might transform him.

_Highlights the contrast between Hugh's urban background and the wild landscape he is about to enter._

> Perhaps he lacked the basic stuff. The Old Colonel was a little despairing: he had begun to fear that in this lay the true explanation. But perhaps—and this was the old man's hope—the matter got down to a simple phrase of ancient usage: that Hugh had merely not yet learned to be a 'man of his hands.'

The Colonel worried that Hugh lacked inherent toughness, but hoped he simply hadn't yet learned self-reliance and discipline.

_Explores the theme of redemption and the Colonel's belief in Hugh's potential for transformation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se/chapters