The discovery of treasure, adventures, and the forming of new bonds make Clare’s life increasingly dynamic. Encounters with the police, the magistrate, and the workhouse confront him with institutions and authority, after which he returns to the road. Among caravans, wanderers, and animals, he experiences a life that crosses the boundaries between nature and society. The circus and wild beasts, especially his connection with the puma, reveal a unique bond where fear and understanding coexist. This section captures the middle stage of Clare’s growth as he learns courage and responsibility in a world of freedom and danger.
