Refer to your Expeditions in Reading book for a complete version of this text.

Read the excerpt from “A Ride in the Night.”

Will could hardly swallow the plate of ham and eggs that the innkeeper brought him. This man, too, gave him a keen look that did nothing to relieve his uneasiness. Could he be the Mr. Coleman of whom his father had spoken? It didn’t seem so from the way he scowled. He didn’t look friendly at all.

As soon as Will had finished, he laid a coin on the table and stole out the door. Once astride his mare, he turned her head toward the woods.

“That’s not the road to Williamsburg,” a voice growled from the doorway.

The boy looked down to meet the scowling eyes of his enemy. “I was only getting my bearings. I know the road to Williamsburg.”



He galloped off in the opposite direction of the one he wanted to take. York must wait with the horses. Will hoped with all his heart that the boy would remain hidden in the woods.

Based on the details in the excerpt, which inference can be made?


A Will must change his plans to be sure he does not lead the soldiers to the hidden horses.

B Will intends to go all the way to Williamsburg to make certain the soldiers do not find York.

C Will wants to ride away as far as possible to avoid further mistreatment from the soldiers.

D Will pretends to be confused to make the soldiers believe he is not bright enough to transport horses.