After his near-collision with the oil tanker, David remains frustrated and despondent. He attempts to fish but catches nothing. He eats a can of beef stew, but it makes him ill because it sat out open in the heat for most of the day. As he spends time trying to “learn” or remember any information that could help him in his current situation, he finds his mind wandering. He finally decides to go to bed, but he is awakened some time later by a strange noise that he struggles to identify. He finally realizes that he is hearing the light puffing sound of wind filling the sails. The wind has returned, and David is finally able to sail. He rises from his bed and quickly gets the sails in working order. Once the Frog is ready, he sets a course eastward toward home.

David sails throughout the night, with the Frog steadily picking up speed. As dawn breaks, he finds himself surrounded by a pod of killer whales. He is initially fearful, wondering if they will capsize the boat, but he realizes that they are swimming in the same direction that he is sailing, and they only gently bump the side of the Frog.