She is saying that Sylvia is very compassionate and attached to nature.
Answer:
I racked a shotgun, two rifles, and a couple of fishing rods in my truck. . .
Explanation:
In this passage, the author warns us of a potential danger related to "moving about the country." The author tells us that someone travelling in this way would most likely raise questions. The solution that the author finds for this is getting a shotgun, two rifles and a couple of fishing rods. The implication is that these items will help him defend himself if the need arises.
Answer: Because if you are uncertain of what's happening then you don't know how to deal with the situation. So in order to compensate for that not knowing, you take a risk.
