# V: Now They Come to a New Land explained — The Wood Beyond the World > Chapter companion for The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris. ## What happens After three days of sailing before the wind, the crew of the Katherine sights a new land—a shore of rocks and mountains with a green plain and a river. They anchor and tow the ship upriver, where they meet an old man living alone in a small house. He tells them he is the only inhabitant between the sea and the dwellings of the 'Bears,' a nation of half-wild men who worship a woman. The old man offers hospitality, and the crew goes ashore to feast and refresh themselves. ## Themes in this chapter ### Journey and Transformation The crew's arrival in a new, unknown land marks a significant stage in their voyage, symbolizing discovery and change. ### The Other and Aliens The old man's description of the Bear-folk as 'half wild men' who worship a woman introduces a theme of encountering alien cultures and the unknown. ## Character check-ins ### Golden Walter Walter is present with the crew, speaking with the old man and advising caution. ### The Shipmaster The shipmaster leads the crew, negotiates with the old man, and orders the landing. ### The Old Man The old man is the sole inhabitant of the land, living alone and trading with the Bear-folk. ## Key lines > Wherefore it is sweet to me to hear your voices. The old man expresses joy at hearing human voices after long solitude. _Highlights the old man's isolation and his welcoming nature._ > There is no house save this betwixt the sea and the dwellings of the Bears, over the cliff-wall yonder, yea and a long way over it. The old man explains that he is the only inhabitant between the coast and the territory of the Bear-folk. _Establishes the geography and the presence of the Bear-folk as a neighboring group._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/v-now-they-come-to-a-new-land - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters