# VI explained — The Time Traders

> Chapter companion for The Time Traders by Andre Norton.

## What happens

Ross and Ashe, wounded and hiding in a cave, struggle to survive. Ross hunts in the marsh, encounters McNeil, and later captures Lal, who had tied up McNeil. The chapter focuses on survival, trust, and the threat of enemies.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Resilience

Ross and Ashe must survive in the wilderness despite injuries and limited resources.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Ross's caution about McNeil's identity and the threat of Red agents like Kurt Vogel highlight themes of trust and betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Ross Murdock

Hunts and cares for the injured Ashe; shows humility and growing competence.

### Ashe

Wounded and directing Ross; fashions a crutch and remains alert.

### McNeil

Found by Ross in the marsh; injured and later tied up by Lal.

### Lal

Attempts to ambush Ross but is captured; had tied up McNeil.

## Key lines

> There is no way of raising our base now that Sandy’s installation is gone. I’ll have to lay up, since I can’t risk any more loss of blood.

Ashe tells Ross that their base is destroyed and he must rest due to blood loss.

_Ashe explains their dire situation and his need to recover._

> The first thing to do is get the wolf’s hide,” Ashe said briskly. “Then bury the carcass.

Ashe instructs Ross to skin the wolf and bury the remains.

_Ashe gives practical survival orders._

> I am a believer in the fire and the fashioned metal, the climbing sun, and the moving water.

Ross recites the Beaker recognition speech to identify himself.

_Ross uses the secret code to verify McNeil's identity._

> McNeil—chap with brown hair, brown eyes, a right eyebrow which quirks up toward his hairline when he smiles?

Ashe describes McNeil's distinctive features to confirm his identity.

_Ashe identifies McNeil by his appearance._

> What do you hunt here, Lal?” “Traders!”

Ross asks Lal what he is hunting, and Lal replies that he is hunting traders.

_Lal admits his hostile intent toward the traders._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters