Ammm tells Molly that her father will arrive the next day, although “the Porpoise language is vague about time” (341). Ammm also tells Molly that a “bad man” has the trunk, who Molly assumes is Black Stache. Ammm offers to lead Molly and the others to the trunk. The group follows Ammm along the shore, but the way is rocky and difficult. Peter separates from the group to find a shortcut over land.

The mermaids return the trunk of starstuff to their lagoon. The lead mermaid, called Teacher by the others, smiles at her group; all the mermaids have human teeth now, due to their prolonged exposure to the starstuff. The mermaids refer to the trunk as their creator. As a huge shadow sweeps overhead, the mermaids scatter; however, Teacher stays with the trunk.

The shadow is Slank and Little Richard flying in the longboat toward the lagoon: Slank’s locket also contains starstuff. Slank knocks Teacher unconscious as they land and pulls her into the longboat. The mermaids attack, trying to protect the trunk and rescue Teacher. In the fight, Teacher slips back into the water and the trunk floats out to sea.