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“And that,” he said, “is the Path, laid by Time Safari for your use. It floats six inches above the earth. Doesn’t touch so much as one grass blade, flower, or tree. Its purpose is to keep you from touching this world of the past in any way. Stay on the Path. Don’t go off it. I repeat. Don’t go off. For any reason! If you fall off, there’s a penalty. And don’t shoot any animal we don’t okay.”
On their arrival, immediately after Travis waxes philosophical about where they are in time—before Christ, before Moses, before the pyramids, before Alexander, Ceasar, Napoleon, and Hitler—he says these words. They reflect his sense of responsibility and demonstrate his understanding of the seriousness of the expedition, including how its protocols ensure safety.
His job is to provide a thrilling experience to his clients, but he is also responsible for their lives and for the future, so he is firm in establishing the first and primary rule governing their behavior. Travis’s tone and unambiguous use of imperatives demonstrate his confidence and experience as a leader. He is straightforward and unapologetic, knows that he needs the group to follow the rules, and reminds them of the personal consequences of their violation. In this way, Travis is very practical in his approach to leadership, determined to meet his client’s expectations yet unwilling to compromise on safety.
"Go out on that Path alone," said Travis. He had his rifle pointed, "You're not coming back in the Machine. We're leaving you here!"
Following the hunt, which nearly costs the lives of the hunting party, they return to the time machine and discover Eckels sitting on the floor, shivering. He apologizes without clarifying why, but Travis tells him to get up and orders him out at gunpoint. This illustrates Travis’s moral ambiguity. His strictness as a leader propels him into immediate anger and compels him to take drastic measures, even if it means abandoning or killing another human being. Travis, it can be assumed, is well aware of the dangers that await Eckels if he is left in the past, but he is uncompromising in his attitude.
On the one hand, Travis’s decision to punish Eckels can be seen as a response to his commitment to the safety and integrity of the time-traveling expedition. He knows the cost of Eckels’s mistake. On the other hand, even if he abandons Eckels, he cannot prevent the disastrous consequences of what has happened. To leave Eckels there is simply cruel and, for all Travis knows, might lead to additional effects on history. His desire to punish Eckels is motivated by anger, rather than a dedication to his responsibilities or understanding of the protocols meant to protect the future.
