Summary

Chapter Eleven begins with detailed descriptions of how quickly Jack and Wynn find the rhythm and pace of the paddling. These descriptions include references to Jack and Wynn again hearing loons calling, “the rising wail that crack[s] the afternoon with irrepressible longing and seemed to darken the sky” (116) and how they stay in the middle of the river to lessen the likelihood of being shot by Pierre. Wynn thinks that it is “more likely that the man need[s] helpers, not adversaries” (117), but trusts in the instincts of Jack, whom narration describes as a hunter. Wynn also keeps a close eye on “the woman” (119), who seems to drift out of consciousness and awareness. At one point he speaks to her and believes he gets a response before she once again seems to lose consciousness.

After several hours of paddling, Jack...