Chapter 9, The Dark Ship Summary

Haroun's eyes adjust to the darkness as the captors drag them toward a huge black hole. When they reach the wall of night, few roots and weeds survive. Armed Chupwalas surround the party. They all have Mudra's reversed eyes but are scrawny, sniveling creatures wearing hooded black cloaks with the insignia of the "Sign of the Zipped Lips." They ride dark mechanical sea-horses. Realizing that the wall of night is a colossal ship, Haroun croaks: "Ark." The Chupwalas herd Haroun and Iff aboard and remove Butt's electronic brain. Iff hands Haroun a container of "Bite-a-Lite," which provides two minutes of bright emergency light when activated. Haroun hides it under his tongue. The Chupwalas use "darkbulbs" to help them see in the twilight. On deck, black cauldrons, piping, cranes, and personnel reveal this is a deadly factory ship...