Summary

This chapter switches to Niska's first person narration as she gathers the materials she needs from the bush in order to help heal Xavier. She begins to wonder where he went when she returns to camp and does not see him. Niska finds him in the canoe and she thinks that he wants to die now. She leaves him to build up a fire to heat rocks with as it will take hours. Niska then carefully constructs a skeleton of a small shelter and digs a pit for the rocks in the center. She places canvas from the canoe over the shelter and arranges it so that no heat will escape. Niska then collects some spruce boughs and twists of sweet grass.

When Xavier is calmer and more conscious, Niska carries him to a blanket by the fire. Niska has...