The Sea-Wolf

In his new position as mate, Humphrey finds support from the sailors. They help him to understand Larsen’s orders, and Humphrey quickly begins to learn the intricacies of sailing. Larsen is proud of his handiwork and says that Humphrey has “discovered your [legs] and learned to stand on them” (115). Humphrey himself is proud of his progress, but he tempers this with a reminder that the Ghost is “a hell ship of the worst description” (115) for the sailors. As punishment for the attack on his life, Larsen works the sailors exceedingly hard with few breaks and broken sleep. Johnson’s spirit seems broken completely, but Leach actively continues to combat Larsen.

Instead of killing Leach, Larsen claims that it amuses him to keep the man in suspense; he desires extremes of emotion, “of exciting Leach’s soul to a fever pitch” (117) that will inspire Leach to live to the fullest. Humphrey disagrees with this, to which Larsen responds that Humphrey is only trying to “compromise with [his] conscience” (118) for failing to live up to gentlemanly moral standards.

Near Wainwright Island to refill their water casks, the sailors Harrison and Kelly attempt escape. However, Larsen had ordered the hunters Henderson and Smoke to watch out for such occurrences.