The Boatman’s Anger

Across the River and into the Trees

This flow traces the boatman’s hostility toward Cantwell, from a tense working relationship to an explanation rooted in wartime violence.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Cold Welcome A Cold Welcome from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Cold Welcome Hostility at the blind The boatman responds tersely when Cantwell asks about water and the shooting location.

A Cold Welcome from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Cold Welcome Hostility at the blind The boatman responds tersely when Cantwell asks about water and the shooting location.

A Cold Welcome Hostility at the blind The boatman responds tersely when Cantwell asks about water and the shooting location. His anger is visible in the way he breaks ice and scatters decoys. Misread motives Cantwell thinks the man is simply surly and tries to keep the day from being spoiled. He has not yet learned what the Allied uniform means to the boatman.

A Boundary Broken A Boundary Broken from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Boundary Broken The forbidden shot The boatman fires at ducks heading toward Cantwell’s blind, a serious breach of their shared sporting arrangement.

A Boundary Broken from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Boundary Broken The forbidden shot The boatman fires at ducks heading toward Cantwell’s blind, a serious breach of their shared sporting arrangement.

A Boundary Broken The forbidden shot The boatman fires at ducks heading toward Cantwell’s blind, a serious breach of their shared sporting arrangement. Cantwell recognizes the act as deliberate and personal. Anger contained by distance Cantwell fires warning shots because he cannot reach the boatman with a shout. The confrontation remains unresolved while both men stay at their posts.

A Bitter Exchange A Bitter Exchange from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Bitter Exchange Few words The boatman remarks that Cantwell shot few ducks, and Cantwell replies that the man helped ensure it.

A Bitter Exchange from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Bitter Exchange Few words The boatman remarks that Cantwell shot few ducks, and Cantwell replies that the man helped ensure it.

A Bitter Exchange Few words The boatman remarks that Cantwell shot few ducks, and Cantwell replies that the man helped ensure it. Their exchange is brief but plainly accusatory. A changed manner By the return trip, the boatman’s anger has given way to satisfaction. Cantwell does not demand an explanation yet, leaving room for a different account of the hostility.

The Story of the Family The Story of the Family from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Story of the Family An explanation from Alvarito Alvarito tells Cantwell that Moroccan troops raped the boatman’s wife and daughter when they passed…

The Story of the Family from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Story of the Family An explanation from Alvarito Alvarito tells Cantwell that Moroccan troops raped the boatman’s wife and daughter when they passed…

The Story of the Family An explanation from Alvarito Alvarito tells Cantwell that Moroccan troops raped the boatman’s wife and daughter when they passed through the area. The man’s reaction to the Allied uniform becomes intelligible. No easy defense The explanation does not erase the harm done to Cantwell’s hunt, but it makes his grievance seem small beside the boatman’s trauma. Cantwell answers by asking for a drink.

A Shared Drink A Shared Drink from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Shared Drink An offered flask Earlier on the return journey, Cantwell offers the boatman grappa, and the man accepts it.

A Shared Drink from "Across the River and into the Trees". A Shared Drink An offered flask Earlier on the return journey, Cantwell offers the boatman grappa, and the man accepts it.

A Shared Drink An offered flask Earlier on the return journey, Cantwell offers the boatman grappa, and the man accepts it. They speak about the shooting without escalating the dispute. A fragile human contact The drink does not solve their conflict, but it creates a brief moment of mutual courtesy. The later explanation shows how little either man could know about the other’s wounds during the hunt.

Before daylight on the first hunt

Later in the same morning’s hunt

As the boatman rows Cantwell back through the ice

After the hunt, inside the lodge

During the boat ride back from the blind