To construct her fence, Karana uses the ribs of two whales that washed ashore years before. She plants them in the ground and ties them together with kelp. The house takes longer to build, partially because there are so few trees on the island that grow straight or tall enough to make poles.

Karana decides to spend some of her time during the winter making a special type of spear she has seen people of her tribe use to catch devilfish. Karana happily stores her canoe for the winter thinking of the spring when she can bring it back to the cave.

Karana and Rontu stay in the cave as night falls. The waves washing against the walls sound like the music of a flute. When morning comes, Karana paddles straight out of the cave and names it “Black Cave.” She says that they’ll “never in all our days go there again” (20.17).

While rowing, Karana sees a hawk fly out of the cave and goes in to explore. Inside, she and Rontu find a row of figures made from reeds and clothed in gull feathers. Their eyes are made from abalone shells and glitter eerily.

It seems, then, that Karana does not kill Rontu because he is helpless. She is unable to kill a defenseless creature, even if it has done her a grievous wrong. Karana’s decision to bring Rontu back to her house is almost as mysterious as her decision not to kill him.

Aleut dog

Rontu Becomes a Friend Each day when Karana leaves to gather food, she provides Rontu with food and water. Since she is afraid of him, she sleeps on a high rock for four nights, leaving the fence open so that he can leave, but he stays. After the fourth night, Karana names him Rontu, which means ‘Fox Eyes. ‘