the novel is narrated by mattie ross, churchgoing elderly spinster distinguished by intelligence, independence, and strength of mind. she recounts the story of her adventures many years earlier, at 14, when she undertook a quest to avenge her father's death at the hands of a drifter named tom chaney. she is joined on her quest by marshal reuben j. "rooster" cogburn and a texas ranger named laboeuf (pronounced "la-beef").