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Chapter Summaries & Analyses
The Woodsman spots a raven acting as a scout for the wolves, and he kills it with his bow. As night approaches, David and the Woodsman reach a chasm, and David notices harpies— winged creatures from Greek mythology—flying in the canyon, snatching and eating anything that falls into the canyon. David and the Woodsman come to the only way across the chasm: two bridges guarded by trolls. Based on a riddle from the trolls, David quickly realizes that only one bridge will provide safe passage across the chasm, while the other will lead to their deaths. The riddle from the trolls sounds familiar to David, and after a few moments, he remembers the proper question to ask to evaluate which bridge is safe. Just as they begin to cross the bridge, the wolves appear behind them. David crosses the bridge and must cut the ropes to avoid being pursued by the wolves. The Woodsman stays behind to guard the bridge entrance, and the wolves drag him into the forest.
David dries his tears over the Woodsman’s death and knows he must continue walking to distance himself from the wolves. He meets a group of seven dwarves who are humorously outspoken about their communist political beliefs and rights as dwarves.