 Why they needed to cross the river is not stated, it is just given as a further example as to the colonists lack of innovation.In the end the "authorities" revoked the franchise that had been awarded to Sims Bancorp, presumably because the colony failed to grow and expand.The above examples are disclosed to the reader in the form of "reminiscing" by the protagonist during the course of the book

The narrative concentrates on Ofelia Falfurrias.