Part 2, Chapters 20-23 Summary

In chapter twenty, winter wears on, and Hawthorn becomes increasingly frustrated with Charlie. The boy will not talk or do anything around the cabin. One day Charlie let the fire go out. Hawthorn returns to the cabin and an argument ensues. Hawthorn learns that Charlie feels useless because Hawthorn does everything. From that moment on, Charlie starts helping with everything around the cabin and the relationship improves dramatically.

To pass the time, the boys read Scientific American. A conversation about the cabin's owner turns into a story about Henderson and Carmack, the one who found the first gold in the region. Carmack and Henderson had been partners. Carmack took the gold for himself and left Henderson high and dry.

In chapter twenty-one, Hawthorn tries to hide the fact that the food supply is frighteningly scarce. Charlie discovers it however...