Summary

This chapter returns to Xavier's first person narration as he decides whether or not to take the rest of the morphine he has to end his life. Xavier decides not to but as his aunt Niska is paddling, he takes out the needle to inject just enough morphine to take some of the pain away. He feels Niska's eyes on him and feels like a criminal even though he knows that she does not judge him. Xavier wants to talk to Niska and he knows that he must do it soon but as of now he finds comfort in older memories.

The memory Xavier goes back to is the day before the soldiers are supposed to move up the trenches. McCaan comes to Elijah and informs him that in Thompson's absence, Elijah will be the new acting Corporal. Elijah tells Xavier that new...