In this chapter, we learn that the Woloofs are not allowed near the river because there are other clans that would kill them if they saw them. The only way to get to the river is to stay with one of the other clans, and this is not possible because the women are the ones leading the pack. This is because they are more logical than the men, and they destroy everything that is not like them. Araneo is the last of the men in the tribe, and he is also the last one to be killed by another tribe. The women are also the ones who destroy everything they don't like, and a man destroys everything he does not like. The females lead the pack, and it's more logical, really, to each one's own. The men destroy everything, and the women destroy everything else. They're like coyotes, fleeing like frightened coyotes. They are fleeing because they're starving, and not one lizard is in sight. The female wolo of has gone, and she's been killed by araneo. The two of them argue, and matilda tells them to stop fighting. She tells them that she is dying, and that she wants them to come down and help her. She asks if they can help her down, and if not, she'll kill him. She also tells them about her brother, alpha, who wants her to come back, and tells them not to worry about her any longer. He's worried that she will kill him if she finds out that he's followed her. He says he'll explain what happened, and then they can go.