The Journey Begins
This character begins coughing in the wagon, worrying the farmer and signaling the danger of disease.
Grandfather
On September 8th, Matilda and Grandfather rest under this while making plans to survive.
A tree
Matilda attempts to catch this for food using a net made from her petticoat.
Fish
Matilda wakes up in this place surrounded by victims of yellow fever.
Hospital
While recovering, Matilda overhears stories about the effects of this on the city.
Yellow fever
Matilda convinces this person that Grandfather is healthy enough to continue traveling.
The farmer
Matilda finds this natural resource to fill their canteen and gathers edible fruits for survival.
Water from a stream and berries
Most farmers refuse to help Matilda because they fear this could happen to them.
This woman explains to Matilda that she has been taking care of her while she was sick.
Mrs. Flagg
A clerk suggests that Matilda go to this place since her father is dead and her mother cannot be found.
Orphan house
When the wagon is stopped by four men, the initial fear is that they might be doing this illegal activity.
Robbing them
Despite being weak, Grandfather admits this about his own behavior that may have put them in danger.
He was foolish
On her way back to Grandfather, Matilda collapses after experiencing this symptom, a sign that she is also vulnerable.
Disorientation
While Matilda recovers, she learns that Grandfather does not have yellow fever but suffered from this condition caused by heat.
Heart problems and heart strain
Grandfather refuses to let Matilda go to the orphan house, insisting that he will do this.
Take care of her
The four men are actually concerned about controlling who enters their town to prevent this from spreading.
Yellow fever
Matilda realizes that she must do this after Grandfather admits his mistake.
Despite her exhaustion, Matilda continues searching for this type of help in the countryside.
Food or shelter from farmers
Grandfather searches for this person while Matilda is sick, hoping to explain their situation.
Mother
Matilda wonders about the safety of these two family members while she recovers.
Mother and Nathaniel
After the doctor examines Grandfather, the farmer and his wife leave Matilda and Grandfather here, far from their intended destination.
On the road, miles from Philadelphia
The survival challenges they face in the countryside teach Matilda that being self-reliant requires these two things.
Resourcefulness and courage
Matilda’s struggle in the wilderness highlights the harsh reality of 1793 Philadelphia during the epidemic: that survival often depended on this.
Perseverance and ingenuity
Matilda realizes that hospitals during the 1793 epidemic were often this type of environment, where death and recovery existed side by side.
Overcrowded and chaotic
The events of the epidemic teach Matilda that even at a young age, a person must sometimes do this to protect loved ones.
Take responsibility or make adult decisions