Chapters 17 and 18 Summary and Analysis

An Uneven Battle

Lester Stilwell left his job in the factory and met his friends at the creek. Lester was floating on his back in the creek when his friend, Charlie Van Brunt saw "the biggest, blackest fish he had ever seen" (p. 96) strike his friend. The shark shook Lester like a rag doll. Lester surfaced once and screamed for help but he was dragged right back under. The boys ran into town and told Constable Mulsoff what had happened. He took a group of men to save Lester or recover what was left of him. The boys ran to Stanley Fisher, who was the best swimmer in town. Fisher immediately closed his tailor shop and ran to the creek. Fisher set up a barrier of chicken wire down creek so the boy's body wouldn't wash out to sea...