Chapter 5, Halfway Summary and Analysis

The journey turns into a daily routine of keeping the raft on course, Bengt reading his books on sociology, Herman taking scientific observations, Knut and Torstein working on the radio that needs constant maintenance, and Erik checking their position with a sextant. Thor keeps the logbook and takes photographs. Everybody takes turns at cooking. If some issue comes up, the entire crew talks about it before any decisions are made.

Torstein and Bengt stick to the prepackaged rations as an experiment, which is fine by them because neither cares for seafood. The other crewmembers freely partake in the different fish that the ocean provides, including barnacles that attach themselves to the raft.

Thor speculates on what the South Americans may have taken on their voyage. Gourds could have held water, as could lengths of large bamboo. More water could...