第7章

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。