Chapter 10, "The Lost Message" Summary

At 1600, all minesweepers form a slanting line and launch their sweep gear. Willie sees only confusion and panic. Captain De Vriess criticizes the launching for taking 45 minutes and wants it done in 30 minutes. Willie watches the sailors haul in the paravane under Maryk's supervision. A crew member drops a little red float which bobs away from the ship. Maryk swims and retrieves it. Willie, now soaked, is handed a message to decode, which he sticks in his soggy pocket and forgets. The next day they practice with dummy mines and return to Pearl. Willie visits Keggs on the Moulton, which, to Willie, looks like a ship should. The sailors wear clean uniforms and the decks are clean and painted. His friend Keggs is now extremely thin and pallid with gray in his hair. He cannot...