# XXXVIII explained — Gallions Reach > Chapter companion for Gallions Reach by H. M. Tomlinson. ## What happens Colet wakes to find Mat grave and Parsell missing from camp. Mat explains that Parsell left during the night, taking his pack, compass, and staff. Colet, despite Mat's advice to eat and rest, sets out to find him. He follows the trail into a forbidding valley, struggling through dense forest and encountering supernatural dread. He gets lost, trapped in a rotten tree, and bitten by ants. As night falls, a violent storm erupts, filling the valley with fire and chaos. Colet survives the ordeal and emerges the next day, finding Mat preparing to abandon camp. Colet reassures him that he is not a ghost. ## Themes in this chapter ### Nature and the Sublime The valley is depicted as an overwhelming, inhuman force, with 'rocks and tree-trunks' like 'shapes at the bottom of the sea' and a storm that brings 'skeletons of fire'. ### Fate and Destiny Colet feels compelled to find Parsell, believing 'This was his own particular job, anyhow. He had asked for it.' He also reflects that 'You are only lost if you think you are.' ### Human Connection and Loneliness Colet is isolated in his search, with Mat vanishing and the forest feeling hostile. His determination to find Parsell underscores his sense of duty and connection to his companion. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Colet Wakes to find Parsell missing and takes charge of the search, venturing alone into the forbidden valley. ### Mat Reports Parsell's disappearance and warns Colet of the mountain's dangers. He later prepares to abandon camp, fearing Colet is lost. ### Parsell Disappears from camp during the night, taking his pack and compass, and is the object of Colet's search. ## Key lines > Mat ought to have called him; but Mat never would. That funny Malay would never waken him, of course; a very dangerous thing to do; the wandering soul might not have time to get back and reenter the body; his soul then would be lost. Colet reflects that Mat would never wake him, as the Malay believes it's dangerous to disturb a sleeping person's wandering soul. _Highlights cultural beliefs and Mat's character._ > He was up against it. They would find him. After all, the old fellow could not travel far. Not alone. Not in that place. But how far need he travel to get lost? You just turned your head in the woods, lost it entirely, and there you were till domesday; and the camp about five minutes away. Colet realizes the danger of the forest, where one can get lost just by turning their head, even near camp. _Shows Colet's initial concern and the forest's treacherous nature._ > The mountains did not care. They had all the time they wanted. Colet feels the indifference of the mountains, which are eternal and unconcerned with his urgency. _Emphasizes the sublime and uncaring nature of the landscape._ > His job was not to get lost, but to find the old man. You are only lost if you think you are. Colet reminds himself that losing his way is a state of mind, and his purpose is to find Parsell. _Reflects a theme of mental resolve against a hostile environment._ > If the old man had a faith which could turn the apparition of hell into a forecourt to be walked through with a visiting card, it would be worth knowing. He could do with a pennyworth of it now, to be going on with. Colet wishes he had Parsell's faith to face the terrifying valley, which he sees as a hellish place. _Contrasts Colet's lack of belief with Parsell's apparent conviction._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gallions_reach_se/chapters/xxxviii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gallions_reach_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gallions_reach_se/chapters