The scene is set on a sunny morning in September, where the protagonist encounters two indigenous women on a beach in Canada.
Intrigued by their unfamiliar language, looks, and especially a pair of shell earrings one woman is wearing, he attempts to make conversation by greeting them.
One woman responds politely, while the other, marked by smallpox scars, remains silent. The protagonist feels unnerved by her indifference.
He considers discussing his thoughts on colonization with them, but ultimately decides against it, believing his words would lack sincerity given his current setting.
Feeling uncomfortable under their gaze, he chooses to divert his path into the forest, despite his fear of predators within.
He sets a goal of venturing a hundred paces into the forest, hoping the act of counting will calm him down and prevent him from getting lost.
The last part of the chapter paints the forest as an indifferent entity, emphasizing its neutrality towards his existence--a realization which leaves him feeling deranged.