That night, after Crabbe’s parents leave for the club, Crabbe packs his canoe and supplies into the family station wagon. It takes him so long to pack that his parents arrive home before he can finish. He hides under his car and overhears a conversation his parents are having about him. They leave, and Crabbe begins his journey to the northern wilderness of Canada, saying that he feels “sort of free” and “almost happy” (44).

Just before dawn, Crabbe arrives at the town of Noelville, in northern Ontario. He leaves the main road to head toward the French River. He finds a hiding place for the car along the riverbank, then takes his canoe and supplies out of the car. After taking a nap, he clumsily puts the canoe afloat on the river and loads his supplies. He remembers that he forgot to bring a life jacket. With some difficulty, he steers the canoe down the river until the tributary feeds into the lake, bringing him closer to his eventual destination. He feels a “sense of accomplishment” and “officially free” (50).