Man versus Nature

The four men are constantly with odds with their surroundings while on the river. The current could sweep them into the river at any moment, the air is hot and muggy, and full of mosquitoes. The canoes themselves are uncomfortable and very difficult to manage. The four men are hopelessly stuck along the river once they set out. They cannot turn back because the river is too fast. Once they enter the river, they have to see the trip through until they reach Aintry.

The climate is bad enough, but there are also dangerous animals along the way, most notably snakes, which hang along the trees as they make their way down the river. These snakes are called water-moccasins, and are extremely poisonous. Lewis also sees an owl land on their tent in the night. The wilderness, as Lewis sees it, is a place to test...