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The Narrator
The young, unnamed boy who serves as the story’s protagonist. He is infatuated with adventure stories, which provide an escape from his monotonous existence, and he concocts a plan to skip school and find an adventure of his own.
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Mahony
The narrator’s friend who accompanies the him on his adventure. He is a wild boy who is prone to raucous outbursts and excessive slang.
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The Old Man
The strange and perverted old man whom the narrator and Mahony meet on their journey. He goes on many long-winded monologues about girls, books, and how much he enjoys whipping boys who misbehave.
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Joe Dillon
The older boy in the neighborhood who introduced the narrator and the rest of the boys to Wild West games.
Leo Dillon
Joe’s timid younger brother. Leo is supposed to skip school with the narrator and Mahony but he backs out at the last minute, afraid of getting into trouble.
Father Butler
The teacher at the narrator’s school who admonishes the boys for reading low-brow adventure stories.
