Chapter 4, Across the Pacific Summary and Analysis

On April 28, the Kon-Tiki is to be towed out to sea by a naval tug, the Guardian Rios. Somebody had given Herman a green parrot in a cage, which he sits with on the raft as Thor approaches. Herman heads into town for a last beer, and Thor waits for the arrival of the other crewmembers. The tugboat shows up early, and only Thor is on board the raft. Sailors efficiently tie up the raft and begin towing it, even though Thor protests energetically. The parrot releases itself from the cage. Thor wrestles the bird back in while being towed out to sea alone.

Finally, Thor gets his message across to the tugboat crew. They send a small motorboat out to fetch the rest of the crew, but only succeed in bringing curious women back...