(1)confronts : To come face to face with, especially with defiance or hostility

(2)skirmish : A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict.

(3)disgruntled : to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction; make discontent.

(4)slinking : to walk or move in a slow, sinuous, provocative way.

One important aspect of Karana is her resilience.Though The White Men's Ship doesn't return for her for eighteen years, and though her efforts to establish a comfortable life on the island are repeatedly thwarted, she never shows signs of despair. Karana is often sad, as when her brother was killed, or frightened, as when she was injured by the sea elephant and stalked by wild dogs, but she never gives up. She is always looking ahead to her next task on the island.

(1)http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/dolphins/canalysis.html
(2)http://www.sanedraw.com/NOTEBOOK/ISLANDBD.HTM
(3)http://teacherweb.com/NC/LJCDS/Amber/h0.stm