Chapter 17 Summary

Waking the next morning, Matt looks around inside of the hut where he spent the night. It is disorganized, with pots, pans and other items hung about carelessly. The smoke from the small fire during the night chokes him, and he goes outside into the bright sunlight. Attean arrives with some cold cornbread, and the boys make their way through the village toward the canoe at the river. Matt wants to linger, taking in all the reality that the previous night had hidden. The village consists mostly of poorly built huts. Fish hang on lines throughout the camp, and fish bones, seashells and animal bones are discarded everywhere. The glamorous dress of the night before has given way to drab dress on all those who wear any clothing at all. The men, he learns, have gone to hunt deer.

Attean seems to be...