Summary

This chapter begins with Xavier's first person narration while he is lying by the fire. He is not hungry and his guts are cramped. The mist over the water reminds him of France and Xavier knows the day will be warm. Niska nudges him, telling him that they will take their time on the river today. She then asks if his ears are troubling him, Xavier nods yes and thinks to himself that his hearing is gone more often than it is present. While Niska loads the canoe, Xavier injects more morphine into his system and as they turn with the current of the river Xavier slips back into his memories from the war.

The mist has not lifted and McCaan says that is a good thing. Fat and Sean Patrick are in front of Xavier as they move along the communication trench...