Chapter 7, Through the Ironwood Curtain Summary and Analysis

Early in the morning, the Dressers aid McCain and Richardson in preparing for their journey. The men launch out in the boat while the women stay safely behind at the house in Pirmapun. It takes three days for the small boat to reach the mouth of the Kronkel. Two years after the first boats startled the Sawi, the missionaries chart the same course. As they pass the first three Sawi villages, Richardson deciphers a few words in the Sawi language from the men that remained to greet the strangers. When they find an empty village, Richardson leaves gifts, assuring the tribesmen of his good will.

The next day, they leave the larger boat behind and strike out in the smaller and faster skiff. As they pass tributaries that lead to other villages, Richardson...