Part 3/8:

Determined to find a new route, the narrator decides to cut through the middle of an island, hoping this choice will hasten their journey. However, the struggle to control the canoe becomes a symbol of their growing frustration and isolation. Hours pass, and as the physical exertion mounts, their hope of rendezvousing with safety diminishes.

The Turning Point

At the brink of defeat, just as morale begins to wane, a small victory emerges: spotting markers that signify progress. Yet, each attempt to plot the next course around the island leads to further confusion and exhaustion. The solitude becomes profound as the narrator senses the vast emptiness of the wilderness, a stark contrast to their initial expectations of isolation.