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。