Island of the Blue Dolphins

by Scott O'Dell

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Chapter 7 Summary

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The villagers had left nearly everything behind them when they left for the cliffs, so as they are packing all their belongings now there is great excitement. Nanko is walking around trying to get them all to hurry, for the wind has risen and the ship cannot wait long. Karana fills two baskets with the belongings she wants to take: three whalebone needles, an awl, a stone knife, two cooking pots, and a small box made of shells containing many earrings. Ulape is vainer than her sister and has two boxes of earrings. She also draws a thin mark across her nose and cheekbones with blue clay—the symbol of being unmarried.

Nanko and Ulape tease one another, but he is serious about rushing everybody to the ship as the winds begins to blow in fierce gusts. Ramo is far ahead of his sisters but comes back to say he has forgotten his fishing spear. Nanko is motioning them to hurry, so Karana does not allow Ramo to back for the spear. The ship is anchored as close to shore as it can get, and there are two boats on the beach, four white men standing next to them. All of the village men are already on the ship, and Nanko tells Karana her brother is already aboard the ship, too. The women are then divided into two groups and loaded into the boats.

The cove is protected, but as soon as the smaller boats move out of its shelter they are wildly tossed and wetted by the waves. Finally they arrive on the ship. As soon as everyone is aboard, the white captain instructs his men to prepare to sail. Karana calls for Ramo, since she knows he is likely to be a nuisance to the men trying to work. The ship is big and crowded, but Ramo does not answer and she walks from one end of it to the other. Karana finds Nanko, and he repeats what he told her on the beach; however, Ulape points back at the island. Ramo is running along the cliff, his fishing spear held over his head.

The sails have filled and ship is beginning to move faster, but everyone on board is watching the small boy across the water. Karana screams and Chief Matasaip grabs her arm, telling her they cannot wait for the boy or the ship will be driven into the rocks. Karana protests, but the chief is adamant: there is food and water, places to sleep, and the boy will be safe until the ship comes back for him another day. Karana will not be assuaged, and as the ship begins to circle away from the island, she flings herself into the sea despite the many hands that try to hold her back.

A wave pushes her underwater for a long time, and when she finally surfaces the ship is already far away. The basket she still has in her arms is heavy, and she realizes she has to let it sink. It is a long way to the rocks which guard the cove, but Karana is not afraid. Many times she has swum farther than this. As she swims, the girl concentrates on how she will punish her brother when she sees him again. Soon her feet touch the sand below her, and she looks up to see a forlorn little boy standing at the edge of the waves and holding his fishing spear. All her ideas for punishment are forgotten and she simply wraps him in a giant hug. There are tears in his eyes as Ramo asks when the ship will be back. Soon, she tells him. The only thing which makes Karana angry is that her beautiful skirt made of yucca fibers is ruined.

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Chapter 8 Summary