<P> Rubin Pritchard is the older brother of Rainie Pritchard . He has a very bad reputation; he is known for stealing, fighting, and causing trouble with Rainie . Rubin is two years older than Billy . He is a big boy with mean eyes . He bets Billy two dollars that Old Dan and Little Ann can't tree the ghost coon, one the Pritchards have attempted to catch many times and seems to always trick their dog, Old Blue . Their dog showed up and Little Ann and Old Dan started attacking him to make sure he does not try to steal their raccoon . In an attempt to save him Rubin runs at them with an axe . At first, Billy can't see what happened, but then he sees that he tripped and the axe plummeted into his stomach, killing him . After he is lying on the ground, Billy takes it out of him and is distraught at his death . Billy then runs back home and tells his parents immediately about the bad news . Rubin's family is very upset when they hear about the death of their son but does not show it when Billy's father goes to tell them . </P> <P> Rainie Pritchard is the younger brother of Rubin Pritchard . He is about Billy's age and known for causing trouble wherever he goes . He is a nervous boy, and is not liked by anyone . Billy says that he has the meanest disposition out of any boy he has ever known . He always wanted to make bets with other people . When his brother Rubin dies, he goes into a state of shock and their father tells Billy's that he will have to be brought to a doctor in town . Mama says he can't help being the way he is . </P> <P> The Marshal of Tahlequah is a minor character who rescues Billy after he gets in a fight with a group of rude children in the town of Tahlequah and buys strawberry soda pop for Billy after saving him . In the movie, he also collects the prize money for the winner . </P> <P> Old Man Hatfield is a neighbor of Billy's . His dog is having collie puppies . Billy's parents offer to get one of them . Billy refuses because he only wants Redbone Coonhounds . </P>

Where the red fern grows old dan and little ann characteristics