Chapter 18 Summary

When Charlotte reaches the deck, she sees that Jaggery has set it up to look like a courtroom. The crew is in two rows, positioned as the jury, and Jaggery has each man and Charlotte swear on the Bible to tell the truth. The trial begins with Jaggery stating the charges again Charlotte. She pleads innocent. Jaggery offers her a choice: she can avoid the trial by using her father as an excuse, or she can remain on trial as part of the crew. She chooses to remain on trial. Jaggery questions her and limits her answers to only what he wants to hear. The crew stays quiet, unable to make eye contact or speak up in Charlotte's defense. Jaggery questions her about the knife, and crewmembers claim to have seen her with it. He addresses the fact the she is the owner...