The Reluctant has orders to make contact and maintain good relations with the natives of Namu atoll whose young men were taken away by the Japanese. Captain Morton angrily orders them off the ship but then sends Roberts, Doc and Pulver to make amends. Doc and Roberts treat the Chief's stomach ailment with the last bottle of Captain Morton's medicine, which the Chief keeps. Pulver brought trinkets to trade with the natives and ends up engaged to eight girls.

The crew returns to the island of Namu to take a survival test.