Summary

Chapter 32

As Puck follows the other riders in the disorganized parade in Chapter 32, Elizabeth joins her and guides her to the cliffs where the riders gather, objecting that the race is dangerous enough when she sees Puck looking at Sean. At the third bonfire, Frank Eaton speaks for the man who will not ride, Each rider steps up to declare their intent to ride and cuts their hand to drip blood on the rock. Peg Gratton explains, "if you feed the island blood before the race, maybe she won't take as much during it" (page 190), and she warns Puck not to expect the men to be friendly since they view a girl on the beach as bad luck. When Puck's turn to declare her intent to ride, Eaton objects that no woman has ever ridden in the races and that will not...