nature-as-adversary

In this chapter, Gordon, Johnny, and two women attempt a dangerous river escape using a fragile homemade canoe during spring thaw, facing perilous rapids and ultimately capsizing. Johnny successfully kills a Holnist sentry but loses a critical mail packet to the river's currents, which he and Gordon fail to recover. The chapter highlights the harsh realities of survival, the emotional toll of violence, and the desperate measures taken to evade pursuit.