Section Twelve Summary and Analysis

Canessa and Parrado awoke after a rest of many hours. Their malnourished bodies had digested their previous meal and required more. Armando and Enrique were happy to supply them with more food and pleasant conversation. Canessa and Parrado learned that they were a two day ride (on horseback) from the nearest town called San Fernando. They were nervous and wanted the news to travel faster for the sake of their friends still stranded in the Fairchild. They didn't have to wait long. Ten carabineers arrived and asked for directions to the plane. They were prepared only to retrieve survivors by foot. Hearing that this was not possible, the captain ordered two men to return to the post and request a helicopter from Santiago. The men shared dinner with the carabineers and went to bed excited at the prospect of...