Far North

Gabe and Raymond decide to leave the cabin. They create a toboggan to carry most of their supplies and food. During their last night in the cabin, they hear a raven outside, which Raymond says is a bad sign. In the morning, they pack up as much as they can and leave. Gabe looks back at the cabin and thinks “about all that had happened there” and realizes that Raymond is also looking back at the cabin as they walk away (133). They walk on the frozen Nahanni River towards the canyon ahead. On their journey, they encounter a spot in the canyon where all the ice is melted so they cannot get across except for a small ice bridge. Gabe tests out the ice bridge on his own, but it cracks, and he becomes submerged in water. Raymond pulls him out of the water, but Gabe is in danger from being wet. Raymond quickly builds a fire, strips Gabe of his wet clothes, and provides an extra set of warm clothes. When Gabe thanks Raymond for saving his life, Raymond brushes it off and says, “Oh, I just didn’t want to go back to Deadmen Valley by myself” (139).