Chapter 11, The Flood and Chapter 12, Snaring a Grizzly Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 11, the Koyukuk River ice begins to break up in mid-May, 1928, and the unusually deep ice jams in the river, making a dam. The family quickly moves from the cabin, stashing items on the roof, in a bear-proof platform in a large spruce, and in Sidney's boat before the icy water rises up to rush by the cabin. The family climbs on the roof, but the water rises to the roof, as well. In Sidney's boat and a canoe, they paddle away, knowing their house will soon be afloat. After the flood, they find their cabin and bear-proof cache tree have disappeared. All their supplies and possessions are gone, and they have only the money from the furs sold earlier in Tanana.

The family travels down...