Book 6: Chapter 24 Summary

Sloop Atlanta, off the Shive

Sir Isaac, Daniel, Colonel Barnes and Bob Shaftoe abandon the sloop and chase the ship they have been following aboard a long boat. The ship soon runs aground in an abnormally low tide off the Shive Tor. As the men approach the ship, two infernal devices explode on the tor and it is engulfed in flames.

Book 6: Chapter 24 Analysis

This confusing chapter offers no answers to previous questions. Instead, it leaves the reader asking more questions. Is Jack responsible for the infernal devices? What is the purpose of the internal devices? Stephenson's descriptions of the surroundings and characters' actions are often long-winded and tend to detract from the plot. It seems that the judgment of Sir Isaac, Daniel and Colonel Barnes has been impaired and they are all guilty of making bad decisions that become costly...