In Chapter 7, Crane writes "He threw a pinecone at a jovial squirrel, and he [the squirrel] ran with chattering fear." What telling event had just happened before this scene? Why did Henry feel relief when the squirrel ran up into the tree to escape the

Henry was relieved because he felt the squirrel's actions justified his own flight..... nature had given him the sign that when in danger, it is only natural to run away.

The youth felt triumphant at this exhibition. There was the law, he said. Nature had given him a sign. The squirrel, immediately upon recognizing danger, had taken to his legs without ado. He did not stand stolidly baring his furry belly to the missle, and die with an upward glance at the sympathetic heavens. On the contrary, he had fled as fast as his legs could carry him; and he was but an ordinary squirrel, too--doubtless no philosopher of his race. The youth wended, feeling that Nature was of his mind. She re-enforced his argument with proofs that lived where the sun shone.