Chapter 16 Summary

Tom relates the story of when The Amberjack arrives from Miami Seaquarium in search of Snow, the albino porpoise. The entire community reacts negatively to the idea that their symbol of hope and good luck might be captured and moved from the area. Even the state legislature gets into the act, making it a crime to capture a white porpoise in South Carolina waters. The citizenry of Colleton watch the comings and goings of The Amberjack and maintain a constant radio location for the hated boat.

Once, when the Seaquarium boat is about to corner Snow, Luke leads a tomato-throwing revolt from the bridge over the wide river. The Amberjack retreats and, ostensibly, returns to Florida. That tactic is a ruse, however, and when Henry Wingo radios that he has spotted a "submerged log" in the Zajac Creek, The Amberjack arrives swiftly and...