How does Chaney's fate conclude in the pursuit?

• A. He is killed by the end of the pursuit.
• B. He escapes and is never captured.
• C. He dies in a shootout with Mattie later.
• D. He surrenders and is imprisoned.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how the pursuit resolves for Chaney. Mattie Ross, driven by the murder of her father, teams with Rooster Cogburn to track him down, and the story builds toward a climactic confrontation. In that moment, Chaney is killed, bringing the pursuit to a decisive end. This outcome reflects the story’s emphasis on determination and justice—the pursuit is about bringing Chaney to justice through a hard-won, in-the-field ending, not about escape, a later shootout, or surrender. So, the ending aligns with Chaney dying during the pursuit, rather than surviving or being imprisoned.