even boxer does not believe that snowball was always a traitor. Why is his saying so a dangerous move? What clues are given in the text?

Certainly questioning Napoleon's edict can have harsh consequences. DEspite Squealers twisted lies, Boxer argues,

"I do not believe that," he said. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle

of the Cowshed. I saw him myself. Did we not give him 'Animal Hero, first

Class,' immediately afterwards?"

Squealer runs through various lies but Boxer persists. Finally Squealer takes on a rather threatening tone,

"Our Leader, Comrade Napoleon," announced Squealer, speaking very slowly

and firmly, "has stated categorically--categorically, comrade--that

Snowball was Jones's agent from the very beginning--yes, and from long

before the Rebellion was ever thought of."