Chapters 16-17 Summary

The men come to Reading, an unattractive place, and J. provides a brief history. They meet some friends of theirs by chance in a steam launch, and ask for a tow. J. enjoys being towed, moving along at a brisk pace, but complains - with tongue in cheek - that the only problem with it is that so many smaller boats are always getting in the way. Ten miles past Reading, they cast off from the steam launch and J. claims his turn at rowing is over, since they are now past Reading. The others do not agree with his assessment and he takes the oars.

After a short time, they see something black floating in the water and approach it to see what it is. They are startled to find it is the body of a woman. Some men on...