The Aleuts never return to the island, although every summer Karana watches for them and prepares for the day when they return. Two winters after they were last there, she makes new weapons to store beneath the headland, ready to move quickly. The otters have now learned that summers are a dangerous time and lead their herds away, out past Tall Rock until winter.
The summer that Rontu dies the otters do not leave and Karana knows that the ones that lived through the Aleut hunts are no longer alive. She does not think of the White Men anymore who had promised to return. She has stopped keeping track of the moons since she has been alone. It is nearing fall when Rontu dies.
Karana remembers the day Rontu stood at the fence and barked.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 363 words. This
study guide contains 25,060 words (approx. 84 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Island of the Blue Dolphins Access Pass.