Chapter 8 Summary

As chapter eight opens, the lonely Swede is stumbling through the snowstorm toward town, battling the gusting winds, and he finally finds an open saloon in the otherwise quiet town. The Swede enters, and, glancing over the occupants, notices the bartender and the only other four men in the saloon who are quietly drinking toward the back. He orders a whiskey and finishes it almost immediately. The bartender, true to his trade, pretends not to notice the bloodstained face of the Swede, instead commenting on the nasty weather. The Swede replies that it suits him just fine, and pours himself another whiskey from the bottle. Soon after, the Swede pours himself still another glass of whiskey and asks the bartender to join him. The bartender declines, but does ask about the Swede's face. He says he's been in a fight, and when asked...