Rowland's delirium and recovery

Rowland suffers from fever and delirium for three days, with lucid intervals during which he tends to the fire, cooks bear meat, and cares for the child. His arm swells and becomes infected. He uses the last of his matches to rekindle the fire on the evening of the third day. He regains his sanity but is weak and in pain. He contemplates their chances of rescue, realizing they are adrift on a floating iceberg far from shipping lanes. This period of suffering and recovery marks a turning point in Rowland's character, as he begins to focus entirely on the child's survival.