AndsoIcaughtmyselfstandingidlyandstudyinghim。cannotsayhowgreatlythemanhadcometointerestme。Whowashe？Whatwashe？Howhadhehappenedtobe？Allpowersseemedhis，allpotentialities，——why，then，washenomorethantheobscuremasterofaseal—huntingschoonerwithareputationforfrightfulbrutalityamongstthemenwhohuntedseals？
Mycuriosityburstfrommeinafloodofspeech。
\"Whyisitthatyouhavenotdonegreatthingsinthisworld？Withthepowerthatisyoursyoumighthaverisentoanyheight。Unpossessedofconscienceormoralinstinct，youmighthavemasteredtheworld，brokenittoyourhand。Andyethereyouare，atthetopofyourlife，wherediminishinganddyingbegin，livinganobscureandsordidexistence，huntingseaanimalsforthesatisfactionofwoman’svanityandloveofdecoration，revellinginapiggishness，touseyourownwords，whichisanythingandeverythingexceptsplendid。Why，withallthatwonderfulstrength，haveyounotdonesomething？Therewasnothingtostopyou，nothingthatcouldstopyou。
Whatwaswrong？Didyoulackambition？Didyoufallundertemptation？Whatwasthematter？Whatwasthematter？\"
Hehadliftedhiseyestomeatthecommencementofmyoutburst，andfollowedmecomplacentlyuntilIhaddoneandstoodbeforehimbreathlessanddismayed。Hewaitedamoment，asthoughseekingwheretobegin，andthensaid：
\"Hump，doyouknowtheparableofthesowerwhowentforthtosow？Ifyouwillremember，someoftheseedfelluponstonyplaces，wheretherewasnotmuchearth，andforthwiththeysprungupbecausetheyhadnodeepnessofearth。Andwhenthesunwasuptheywerescorched，andbecausetheyhadnoroottheywitheredaway。Andsomefellamongthorns，andthethornssprungupandchokedthem。\"
\"Well？\"Isaid。
\"Well？\"hequeried，halfpetulantly。\"Itwasnotwell。Iwasoneofthoseseeds。\"
Hedroppedhisheadtothescaleandresumedthecopying。finishedmyworkandhadopenedthedoortoleave，whenhespoketome。
\"Hump，ifyouwilllookonthewestcoastofthemapofNorwayyouwillseeanindentationcalledRomsdalFiord。Iwasbornwithinahundredmilesofthatstretchofwater。ButIwasnotbornNorwegian。IamaDane。MyfatherandmotherwereDanes，andhowtheyevercametothatbleakbightoflandonthewestcoastIdonotknow。Ineverheard。Outsideofthatthereisnothingmysterious。Theywerepoorpeopleandunlettered。Theycameofgenerationsofpoorunletteredpeople——peasantsoftheseawhosowedtheirsonsonthewavesashasbeentheircustomsincetimebegan。
Thereisnomoretotell。\"
\"Butthereis，\"Iobjected。\"Itisstillobscuretome。\"
\"WhatcanItellyou？\"hedemanded，witharecrudescenceoffierceness。
\"Ofthemeagrenessofachild’slife？offishdietandcoarseliving？ofgoingoutwiththeboatsfromthetimeIcouldcrawl？ofmybrothers，whowentawayonebyonetothedeep—seafarmingandnevercameback？ofmyself，unabletoreadorwrite，cabin—boyatthematureageoftenonthecoastwise，old—countryships？oftheroughfareandrougherusage，wherekicksandblowswerebedandbreakfastandtooktheplaceofspeech，andfearandhatredandpainweremyonlysoul—experiences？Idonotcaretoremember。
AmadnesscomesupinmybrainevennowasIthinkofit。ButtherewerecoastwiseskippersIwouldhavereturnedandkilledwhenaman’sstrengthcametome，onlythelinesofmylifewerecastatthetimeinotherplaces。
Ididreturn，notlongago，butunfortunatelytheskippersweredead，allbutone，amateintheolddays，askipperwhenImethim，andwhenIlefthimacripplewhowouldneverwalkagain。\"
\"ButyouwhoreadSpencerandDarwinandhaveneverseentheinsideofaschool，howdidyoulearntoreadandwrite？\"Iqueried。
\"IntheEnglishmerchantservice。Cabin—boyattwelve，ship’sboyatfourteen，ordinaryseamanatsixteen，ableseamanatseventeen，andcockofthefo’c’sle，infiniteambitionandinfiniteloneliness，receivingneitherhelpnorsympathy，Ididitallformyself——navigation，mathematics，science，literature，andwhatnot。Andofwhatusehasitbeen？Masterandownerofashipatthetopofmylife，asyousay，whenIambeginningtodiminishanddie。Paltry，isn’tit？AndwhenthesunwasupIwasscorched，andbecauseIhadnorootwitheredaway。\"
\"Buthistorytellsofslaveswhorosetothepurple，\"Ichided。
\"Andhistorytellsofopportunitiesthatcametotheslaveswhorosetothepurple，\"heansweredgrimly。\"Nomanmakesopportunity。Allthegreatmeneverdidwastoknowitwhenitcametothem。TheCorsicanknew。
IhavedreamedasgreatlyastheCorsican。Ishouldhaveknowntheopportunity，butitnevercame。Thethornssprungupandchokedme。And，Hump，Icantellyouthatyouknowmoreaboutmethananylivingman，exceptmyownbrother。\"
\"Andwhatishe？Andwhereishe？\"
\"MasterofthesteamshipMacedonia，seal—hunter，\"wastheanswer。
\"WewillmeethimmostprobablyontheJapancoast。Mencallhim`Death’
Larsen。\"
\"DeathLarsen！\"Iinvoluntarilycried。\"Ishelikeyou？\"
\"Hardly。Heisalumpofananimalwithoutanyhead。Hehasallmy——
my——\"
\"Brutishness，\"Isuggested。
\"Yes，——thankyoufortheword，——allmybrutishness，buthecanscarcelyreadorwrite。\"
\"Andhehasneverphilosophizedonlife，\"Iadded。
\"No，\"WolfLarsenanswered，withanindescribableairofsadness。\"Andheisallthehappierforleavinglifealone。Heistoobusylivingittothinkaboutit。Mymistakewasineveropeningthebooks。\"TheSeaWolf：Chapter11CHAPTER11
TheGhosthasattainedthesouthernmostpointofthearcsheisdescribingacrossthePacific，andisalreadybeginningtoedgeawaytothewestandnorthtowardsomeloneisland，itisrumored，whereshewillfillherwater—casksbeforeproceedingtotheseason’shuntalongthecoastofJapan。Thehuntershaveexperimentedandpractisedwiththeirriflesandshotgunstilltheyaresatisfied，andtheboat—pullersandsteerershavemadetheirspritsails，boundtheoarsandrowlocksinleatherandsennitsothattheywillmakenonoisewhencreepingontheseals，andputtheirboatsinapple—pieorder——touseLeach’shomelyphrase。
Hisarm，bytheway，hashealednicely，thoughthescarwillremainallhislife。ThomasMugridgelivesinmortalfearofhim，andisafraidtoventureondeckafterdark。Therearetwoorthreestandingquarrelsintheforecastle。Louistellsmethatthegossipofthesailorsfindsitswayaft，andthattwoofthetelltaleshavebeenbadlybeatenbytheirmates。HeshakeshisheaddubiouslyovertheoutlookforthemanJohnson，whoisboat—pullerinthesameboatwithhim。Johnsonhasbeenguiltyofspeakinghismindtoofreely，andhascollidedtwoorthreetimeswithWolfLarsenoverthepronunciationofhisname。Johansenhethrashedontheamidshipsdecktheothernight，sincewhichtimethematehascalledhimbyhispropername。ButofcourseitisoutofthequestionthatJohnsonshouldthrashWolfLarsen。
LouishasalsogivenmeadditionalinformationaboutDeathLarsen，whichtallieswiththecaptain’sbriefdescription。WemayexpecttomeetDeathLarsenontheJapancoast。\"Andlookoutforsqualls，\"isLouis’sprophecy，\"fortheyhateoneanotherlikethewolf—whelpstheyare。\"DeathLarsenisincommandoftheonlysealing—steamerinthefleet，theMacedonia，whichcarriesfourteenboats，whereastherestoftheschoonerscarryonlysix。Thereiswildtalkofcannonaboard，andofstrangeraidsandexpeditionsshemaymake，rangingfromopiumsmugglingintotheStatesandarmssmugglingintoChina，toblack—birdingandopenpiracy。YetIcannotbutbelieveLouis，forhaveneveryetcaughthiminalie，whilehehasacyclopaedicknowledgeofsealingandthemenofthesealingfleets。
Asitisforwardandinthegalley，soitisinthesteerageandaft，onthisveritablehell—ship。Menfightandstruggleferociouslyforoneanother’slives。ThehuntersarelookingforashootingscrapeatanymomentbetweenSmokeandHenderson，whoseoldquarrelhasnothealed，whileWolfLarsensayspositivelythathewillkillthesurvivoroftheaffair，ifsuchaffaircomesoff。Hefranklystatesthatthepositionhetakesisbasedonnomoralgrounds，thatallthehunterscouldkillandeatoneanothersofarasheisconcerned，wereitnotthatheneedsthemaliveforthehunting。Iftheywillonlyholdtheirhandsuntiltheseasonisover，hepromisesthemaroyalcarnival，whenallgrudgescanbesettledandthesurvivorsmaytossthenon—survivorsoverboardandarrangeastoryastohowthemissingmenwerelostatsea。Ithinkeventhehuntersareappalledathiscold—bloodedness。Wickedmenthoughtheybe，theyarecertainlyverymuchafraidofhim。
ThomasMugridgeiscur—likeinhissubjectiontome，whileIgoaboutinsecretdreadofhim。Hisisthecourageoffear，——astrangethingIknowwellofmyself，——andatanymomentitmaymasterthefearandimpelhimtothetakingofmylife。Mykneeismuchbetter，thoughitoftenachesforlongperiods，andthestiffnessisgraduallyleavingthearmwhichWolfLarsensqueezed。OtherwiseIaminsplendidcondition，feelthatIaminsplendidcondition。Mymusclesaregrowingharderandincreasinginsize。Myhands，however，areaspectacleforgrief。Theyhaveaparboiledappearance，areafflictedwithhang—nails，whilethenailsarebrokenanddiscolored，andtheedgesofthequickseemtobeassumingafungoidsortofgrowth。Also，Iamsufferingfromboils，duetothediet，mostlikely，forIwasneverafflictedinthismannerbefore。
Iwasamused，acoupleofeveningsback，byseeingWolfLarsenreadingtheBible，acopyofwhich，afterthefutilesearchforoneatthebeginningofthevoyage，hadbeenfoundinthedeadmate’ssea—chest。IwonderedwhatWolfLarsencouldgetfromit，andhereadaloudtomefromEcclesiastes。
Icouldimaginehewasspeakingthethoughtsofhisownmindashereadtome，andhisvoice，reverberatingdeeplyandmournfullyintheconfinedcabin，charmedandheldme。Hemaybeuneducated，buthecertainlyknowshowtoexpressthesignificanceofthewrittenword。Icanhearhimnow，asIshallalwayshearhim，theprimalmelancholyvibrantinhisvoiceasheread：
\"Igatheredmealsosilverandgold，andthepeculiartreasureofkingsandoftheprovinces；Igatmemensingersandwomensingers，andthedelightsofthesonsofmen，asmusicalinstruments，andthatofallsorts。
\"SoIwasgreat，andincreasedmorethanallthatwerebeforemeinJerusalem；alsomywisdomremainedwithme。
\"ThenIlookedonalltheworksthatmyhandshadwroughtandonthelaborthatIhadlaboredtodo；andbehold，allwasvanityandvexationofspirit，andtherewasnoprofitunderthesun。
\"Allthingscomealiketoall；thereisoneeventtotherighteousandtothewicked；tothegoodandtotheclean，andtotheunclean；tohimthatsacrificeth，andtohimthatsacrificethnot；asisthegood，soisthesinner；andhethatsweareth，ashethatfearethanoath。
\"Thisisanevilamongallthingsthataredoneunderthesun，thatthereisoneeventuntoall；yea，alsotheheartofthesonsofmenisfullofevil，andmadnessisintheirheartwhiletheylive，andafterthattheygotothedead。
\"Fortohimthatisjoinedtoallthelivingthereishope；foralivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion。
\"Forthelivingknowthattheyshalldie；butthedeadknownotanything，neitherhavetheyanymoreareward；forthememoryofthemisforgotten。
\"Alsotheirlove，andtheirhatred，andtheirenvy，isnowperished；
neitherhavetheyanymoreaportionforeverinanythingthatisdoneunderthesun。\"
\"Thereyouhaveit，Hump，\"hesaid，closingthebookuponhisfingerandlookingupatme。\"ThePreacherwhowaskingoverIsraelinJerusalemthoughtasIthink。Youcallmeapessimist。Isnotthispessimismoftheblackest？——`Allisvanityandvexationofspirit，’`Thereisnoprofitunderthesun，’`Thereisoneeventuntoall，’tothefoolandthewise，thecleanandtheunclean，thesinnerandthesaint，andthateventisdeath，andanevilthing，hesays。ForthePreacherlovedlife，anddidnotwanttodie，saying，`Foralivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion。’
Hepreferredthevanityandvexationtothesilenceandunmovablenessofthegrave。AndsoI。Tocrawlispiggish；buttonotcrawl，tobeastheclodandrock，isloathsometocontemplate。Itisloathsometothelifethatisinme，theveryessenceofwhichismovement，thepowerofmovement，andtheconsciousnessofthepowerofmovement。Lifeitselfisunsatisfaction，buttolookaheadtodeathisgreaterunsatisfaction。\"
\"YouareworseoffthanOmar，\"Isaid。\"He，atleast，afterthecustomaryagonizingofyouth，foundcontentandmadeofhismaterialismajoyousthing。\"
\"WhowasOmar？\"WolfLarsenasked，andIdidnomoreworkthatday，northenext，northenext。
InhisrandomreadinghehadneverchancedupontheRubiyt，anditwastohimlikeagreatfindoftreasure。MuchIremembered，possiblytwo—thirdsofthequatrains，andImanagedtopieceouttheremainderwithoutdifficulty。
Wetalkedforhoursoversinglestanzas，andIfoundhimreadingintothemawailofregretandarebellionwhich，forthelifeofme，Icouldnotdiscovermyself。Possiblyrecitedwithacertainjoyousliltwhichwasmyown，for，——hismemorywasgood，andatasecondrendering，veryoftenthefirst，hemadeaquatrainhisown，——herecitedthesamelinesandinvestedthemwithanunrestandpassionaterevoltthatwaswell—nighconvincing。
Iwasinterestedastowhichquatrainhewouldlikebest，andwasnotsurprisedwhenhehitupontheonebornofaninstant’sirritability，andquiteatvariancewiththePersian’scomplacentphilosophyandgenialcodeoflife：——
\"What，withoutasking，hitherhurriedWhence？
And，withoutasking，Whitherhurriedhence！
Oh，manyaCupofthisforbiddenWineMustdrownthememoryofthatinsolence！\"
\"Great！\"WolfLarsencried。\"Great！That’sthekeynote。Insolence！Hecouldnothaveusedabetterword。\"
InvainIobjectedanddenied。Hedelugedme，overwhelmedmewithargument。
\"It’snotthenatureoflifetobeotherwise。Life，whenitknowsthatitmustceaseliving，willalwaysrebel。Itcannothelpitself。ThePreacherfoundlifeandtheworksoflifeallavanityandvexation，anevilthing；
butdeath，theceasingtobeabletobevainandvexed，hefoundanevilerthing。Throughchapterafterchapterheisworriedbytheoneeventthatcomethtoallalike。SoOmar，soI，soyou，evenyou，foryourebelledagainstdyingwhenCookysharpenedaknifeforyou。Youwereafraidtodie；thelifethatwasinyou，thatcomposesyou，thatisgreaterthanyou，didnotwanttodie。Youhavetalkedoftheinstinctofimmortality。
Italkoftheinstinctoflife，whichistolive，andwhich，whendeathloomsnearandlarge，masterstheinstinct，socalled，ofimmortality。
Itmastereditinyou（youcannotdenyit），becauseacrazyCockneycooksharpenedaknife。
\"Youareafraidofhimnow。Youareafraidofme。Youcannotdenyit。
IfIshouldcatchyoubythethroat，thus，\"——hishandwasaboutmythroatandmybreathwasshutoff，——\"andbegantopressthelifeoutofyou，thus，andthus，yourinstinctofimmortalitywillgoglimmering，andyourinstinctoflife，whichislongingforlife，willflutterup，andyouwillstruggletosaveyourself。Eh？Iseethefearofdeathinyoureyes。Youbeattheairwithyourarms。Youexertallyourpunystrengthtostruggletolive。Yourhandisclutchingmyarm，lightlyitfeelsasabutterflyrestingthere。Yourchestisheaving，yourtongueprotruding，yourskinturningdark，youreyesswimming。`Tolive！Tolive！Tolive！’youarecrying；andyouarecryingtolivehereandnow，nothereafter。Youdoubtyourimmortality，eh？Ha！Ha！Youarenotsureofit。Youwon’tchanceit。Thislifeonlyyouarecertainisreal。Ah，itisgrowingdarkanddarker。Itisthedarknessofdeath，theceasingtobe，theceasingtofeel，theceasingtomove，thatisgatheringaboutyou，descendinguponyou，risingaroundyou。Youreyesarebecomingset。Theyareglazing。Myvoicesoundsfaintandfar。Youcannotseemyface。Andstillyoustruggleinmygrip。Youkickwithyourlegs。Yourbodydrawsitselfupinknotslikeasnake’s。Yourchestheavesandstrains。Tolive！Tolive！Tolive——\"
Iheardnomore。Consciousnesswasblottedoutbythedarknesshehadsographicallydescribed，andwhenIcametomyselfIwaslyingonthefloorandhewassmokingacigarandregardingmethoughtfullywiththatoldfamiliarlightofcuriosityinhiseyes。
\"Well，haveIconvincedyou？\"hedemanded。\"Here，takeadrinkofthis。
Iwanttoaskyousomequestions。\"
Irolledmyheadnegativelyonthefloor。\"Yourargumentsaretoo——
er——forcible，\"Imanagedtoarticulate，atcostofgreatpaintomyachingthroat。
\"You’llbeallrightinhalfanhour，\"heassuredme。\"AndpromiseI
won’tuseanymorephysicaldemonstrations。Getupnow。Youcansitonachair。\"
And，toythatIwasofthismonster，thediscussionofOmarandthePreacherwasresumed。Andhalfthenightwesatupoverit。TheSeaWolf：Chapter12CHAPTER12
Thelasttwenty—fourhourshavewitnessedacarnivalofbrutality。Fromcabintoforecastleitseemstohavebrokenoutlikeacontagion。Iscarcelyknowwheretobegin。WolfLarsenwasreallythecauseofit。Therelationsamongthemen，strainedandmadetensebyfeuds，quarrels，andgrudges，wereinastateofunstableequilibrium，andevilpassionsflaredupinflamelikeprairie—grass。
ThomasMugridgeisasneak，aspy，aninformer。Hehasbeenattemptingtocurryfavorandreinstatehimselfinthegoodgracesofthecaptainbycarryingtalesofthemenforward。Heitwas，Iknow，thatcarriedsomeofJohnson’shastytalktoWolfLarsen。Johnson，itseems，boughtasuitofoilskinsfromtheslop—chestandfoundthemtobeofgreatlyinferiorquality。Norwasheslowinadvertisingthefact。Theslop—chestisasortofminiaturedry—goodsstorewhichiscarriedbyallsealingschoonersandwhichisstockedwitharticlespeculiartotheneedsofthesailors。
Whateverasailorpurchasesistakenfromhissubsequentearningsonthesealinggrounds；for，asitiswiththehunterssoitiswiththeboat—pullersandsteerers——intheplaceofwagestheyreceivea\"lay，\"arateofsomuchperskinforeveryskincapturedintheirparticularboat。
ButofJohnson’sgrumblingattheslop—chestIknewnothing，sothatwhatIwitnessedcamewiththeshockofsuddensurprise。Ihadjustfinishedsweepingthecabin，andhadbeeninveigledbyWolfLarsenintoadiscussionofHamlet，hisfavoriteShakespeariancharacter，whenJohansendescendedthecompanionstairsfollowedbyJohnson。Thelatter’scapcameoffafterthecustomofthesea，andhestoodrespectfullyinthecentreofthecabin，swayingheavilyanduneasilytotherolloftheschoonerandfacingthecaptain。
\"Shutthedoorsanddrawtheslide，\"WolfLarsensaidtome。
AsIobeyedInoticedananxiouslightcomeintoJohnson’seyes，butIdidnotdreamofitscause。Ididnotdreamofwhatwastooccuruntilitdidoccur，butheknewfromtheveryfirstwhatwascomingandawaiteditbravely。AndinhisactionIfoundcompleterefutationofallWolfLarsen’smaterialism。ThesailorJohnsonwasswayedbyidea，byprinciple，andtruth，andsincerity。Hewasright，heknewhewasright，andhewasunafraid。
Hewoulddiefortherightifneedsbe，hewouldbetruetohimself，sincerewithhissoul。Andinthiswasportrayedthevictoryofthespiritovertheflesh，theindomitabilityandmoralgrandeurofthesoulthatknowsnorestrictionandrisesabovetimeandspaceandmatterwithasuretyandinvinciblenessbornofnothingelsethaneternityandimmortality。
Buttoreturn。InoticedtheanxiouslightinJohnson’seyes，butmistookitforthenativeshynessandembarrassmentoftheman。Themate，Johansen，stoodawayseveralfeettothesideofhim，andfullythreeyardsinfrontofhimsatWolfLarsenononeofthepivotalcabinchairs。AnappreciablepausefellafterIhadclosedthedoorsanddrawntheslide，apausethatmusthavelastedfullyaminute。ItwasbrokenbyWolfLarsen。
\"Yonson，\"hebegan。
\"MynameisJohnson，sir，\"thesailorboldlycorrected。
\"Well，Johnson，then，damnyou！CanyouguesswhyIhavesentforyou？\"
\"Yes，andno，sir，\"wastheslowreply。\"Myworkisdonewell。Themateknowsthat，andyouknowit，sir。Sotherecannotbeanycomplaint。\"
\"Andisthatall？\"WolfLarsenqueried，hisvoicesoft，andlow，andpurring。
\"Iknowyouhaveitinforme，\"Johnsoncontinuedwithhisunalterableandponderousslowness。\"Youdonotlikeme。You——You——\"
\"Goon，\"WolfLarsenprompted。\"Don’tbeafraidofmyfeelings。\"
\"Iamnotafraid，\"thesailorretorted，aslightangryflushrisingthroughhissunburn。\"IfIspeaknotfast，itisbecauseIhavenotbeenfromtheoldcountryaslongasyou。YoudonotlikemebecauseIamtoomuchofaman；thatiswhy，sir。\"
\"Youaretoomuchofamanforshipdiscipline，ifthatiswhatyoumean，andifyouknowwhatImean，\"wasWolfLarsen’sretort。
\"IknowEnglish，andIknowwhatyoumean，sir，\"Johnsonanswered，hisflushdeepeningatthesluronhisknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguage。
\"Johnson，\"WolfLarsensaid，withanairofdismissingallthathadgonebeforeasintroductorytothemainbusinessinhand，\"understandyou’renotquitesatisfiedwiththoseoilskins？\"
\"No，Iamnot。Theyarenogood，sir。\"
\"Andyou’vebeenshootingoffyourmouthaboutthem。\"
\"IsaywhatIthink，sir，\"thesailoransweredcourageously，notfailingatthesametimeinshipcourtesy，whichdemandedthat\"sir\"beappendedtoeachspeechhemade。
ItwasatthismomentthatIchancedtoglanceatJohansen。Hisbigfistswereclenchingandunclenching，andhisfacewaspositivelyfiendish，somalignantlydidhelookatJohnson。Inoticedablackdiscoloration，stillfaintlyvisible，underJohansen’seye，amarkofthethrashinghehadreceivedafewnightsbeforefromthesailor。ForthefirsttimeI
begantodivinethatsomethingterriblewasabouttobeenacted，——what，Icouldnotimagine。
\"Doyouknowwhathappenstomenwhosaywhatyou’vesaidaboutmyslop—chestandme？\"WolfLarsenwasdemanding。
\"Iknow，sir，\"wastheanswer。
\"What？\"WolfLarsendemanded，sharplyandimperatively。
\"Whatyouandthematetherearegoingtodotome，sir。\"
\"Lookathim，Hump，\"WolfLarsensaidtome，\"lookatthisbitofanimateddust，thisaggregationofmatterthatmovesandbreathesanddefiesmeandthoroughlybelievesitselftobecompoundedofsomethinggood；thatisimpressedwithcertainhumanfictionssuchasrighteousnessandhonesty，andthatwillliveuptotheminspiteofallpersonaldiscomfortsandmenaces。Whatdoyouthinkofhim，Hump？Whatdoyouthinkofhim？\"
\"Ithinkthatheisabettermanthanyouare，\"Ianswered，impelled，somehow，withadesiretodrawuponmyselfaportionofthewrathIfeltwasabouttobreakuponhishead。\"Hishumanfictions，asyouchoosetocallthem，makefornobilityandmanhood。Youhavenofictions，nodreams，noideals。Youareapauper。\"
Henoddedhisheadwithasavagepleasantness。\"Quitetrue，Hump，quitetrue。Ihavenofictionsthatmakefornobilityandmanhood。Alivingdogisbetterthanadeadlion，sayIwiththepreacher。Myonlydoctrineisthedoctrineofexpediency，anditmakesforsurviving。Thisbitofthefermentwecall`Johnson，’whenheisnolongerabitoftheferment，onlydustandashes，willhavenomorenobilitythananydustandashes，whileIshallstillbealiveandroaring。\"
\"DoyouknowwhatIamgoingtodo？\"hequestioned。
Ishookmyhead。
\"Well，Iamgoingtoexercisemyprerogativeofroaringandshowyouhowfaresnobility。Watchme。\"
ThreeyardsawayfromJohnsonhewas，andsittingdown。Ninefeet！Andyetheleftthechairinfullleap，withoutfirstgainingastandingposition。
Heleftthechair，justashesatinit，squarely，springingfromthesittingposturelikeawildanimal，atiger，andlikeatigercoveredtheinterveningspace。ItwasanavalancheoffurythatJohnsonstrovevainlytofendoff。
Hethrewonearmdowntoprotectthestomach，theotherarmuptoprotectthehead；butWolfLarsen’sfistdrovemidwaybetween，onthechest，withacrushing，resoundingimpact。Johnson’sbreath，suddenlyexpelled，shotfromhismouthandassuddenlychecked，withtheforced，audibleexpirationofamanwieldinganaxe。Healmostfellbackward，andswayedfromsidetosideinanefforttorecoverhisbalance。
Icannotgivethefurtherparticularsofthehorriblescenethatfollowed。
Itwastoorevolting。Itturnsmesickevennowwhenthinkofit。Johnsonfoughtbravelyenough，buthewasnomatchforWolfLarsen，muchlessforWolfLarsenandthemate。Itwasfrightful。Ihadnotimaginedahumanbeingcouldenduresomuchandstillliveandstruggleon。AndstruggleonJohnsondid。Ofcoursetherewasnohopeforhim，nottheslightest，andheknewitaswellasI，butbythemanhoodthatwasinhimhecouldnotceasefromfightingforthatmanhood。
Itwastoomuchformetowitness。IfeltthatIshouldlosemymind，andIranupthecompanionstairstoopenthedoorsandescapeondeck。
ButWolfLarsen，leavinghisvictimforthemoment，andwithoneofhistremendoussprings，gainedmysideandflungmeintothefarcornerofthecabin。
\"Thephenomenaoflife，Hump，\"hegirdedatme。\"Stayandwatchit。
Youmaygatherdataontheimmortalityofthesoul。Besides，youknow，wecan’thurtJohnson’ssoul。It’sonlythefleetingformwemaydemolish。\"
Itseemedcenturies——possiblyitwasnomorethantenminutesthatthebeatingcontinued。WolfLarsenandJohansenwereallaboutthepoorfellow。Theystruckhimwiththeirfists，kickedhimwiththeirheavyshoes，knockedhimdown，anddraggedhimtohisfeettoknockhimdownagain。
Hiseyeswereblindedsothathecouldnotsee，andthebloodrunningfromearsandnoseandmouthturnedthecabinintoashambles。Andwhenhecouldnolongerrisetheystillcontinuedtobeatandkickhimwherehelay。
\"Easy，Johansen；easyasshegoes，\"WolfLarsenfinallysaid。
Butthebeastinthematewasupandrampant，andWolfLarsenwascompelledtobrushhimawaywithabackhandedsweepofthearm，gentleenough，apparently，butwhichhurledJohansenbacklikeacork，drivinghisheadagainstthewallwithacrash。Hefelltothefloor，halfstunnedforthemoment，breathingheavilyandblinkinghiseyesinastupidsortofway。
\"Jerkopenthedoors，Hump，\"Iwascommanded。
Iobeyed，andthetwobrutespickedupthesenselessmanlikeasackofrubbishandhovehimclearupthecompanionstairs，throughthenarrowdoorway，andoutondeck。Thebloodfromhisnosegushedinascarletstreamoverthefeetofthehelmsman，whowasnoneotherthanLouis，hisboat—mate。
ButLouistookandgaveaspokeandgazedimperturbablyintothebinnacle。
NotsowastheconductofGeorgeLeach，theerstwhilecabin—boy。Foreandafttherewasnothingthatcouldhavesurprisedusmorethanhisconsequentbehavior。HeitwasthatcameuponthepoopwithoutordersanddraggedJohnsonforward，wherehesetaboutdressinghiswoundsaswellashecouldandmakinghimcomfortable。Johnson，asJohnson，wasunrecognizable；andnotonlythat，forhisfeatures，ashumanfeaturesatall，wereunrecognizable，sodiscoloredandswollenhadtheybecomeinthefewminuteswhichhadelapsedbetweenthebeginningofthebeatingandthedraggingforwardofthebody。
ButofLeach’sbehavior——BythetimeIhadfinishedcleansingthecabinhehadtakencareofJohnson。Ihadcomeupondeckforabreathoffreshairandtotrytogetsomereposeformyoverwroughtnerves。WolfLarsenwassmokingacigarandexaminingthepatentlogwhichtheGhostusuallytowedasternbutwhichhadbeenhauledinforsomepurpose。SuddenlyLeach’svoicecametomyears。Itwastenseandhoarsewithanovermasteringrage。Iturnedandsawhimstandingjustbeneaththebreakofthepoopontheportsideofthegalley。Hisfacewasconvulsedandwhite，hiseyeswereflashing，hisclenchedfistsraisedoverhead。
