InthelowerbunklayLouis，grosslyfatandwarmandsweaty，asleepunfeignedlyandsleepinglaboriously。WhileWolfLarsenheldhiswristhestirreduneasily，bowinghisbodysothatforamomentitrestedonshouldersandheels。Hislipsmoved，andhegavevoicetothisenigmaticutterance：
　　"Ashilling’sworthaquarter；butkeepyourlampsoutforthruppennybits，orthepublicans’llshove’emonyouforsixpence。"
　　Thenherolledoveronhissidewithaheavy，sobbingsigh，saying：
　　"Asixpenceisatanner，andashillingabob；butwhataponyisI
　　don’tknow。"
　　SatisfiedwiththehonestyofhisandtheKanaka’ssleep，WolfLarsenpassedontothenexttwobunksonthestarboardside，occupiedtopandbottom，aswesawinthelightofthesea—lamp，byLeachandJohnson。
　　AsWolfLarsenbentdowntothelowerbunktotakeJohnson’spulse，I，standingerectandholdingthelamp，sawLeach’sheadraisestealthilyashepeeredoverthesideofhisbunktoseewhatwasgoingon。HemusthavedivinedWolfLarsen’strickandthesurenessofdetection，forthelightwasatoncedashedfrommyhandandtheforecastleleftindarkness。
　　Hemusthaveleaped，also，atthesameinstant，straightdownonWolfLarsen。
　　Thefirstsoundswerethoseofaconflictbetweenabullandawolf。
　　IheardagreatinfuriatedbellowgoupfromWolfLarsen，andfromLeachasnarlingthatwasdesperateandblood—curdling。Johnsonmusthavejoinedhimimmediately，sothathisabjectandgrovellingconductondeckforthepastfewdayshadbeennomorethanplanneddeception。
　　Iwassoterror—strickenbythisfightinthedarkthatleanedagainsttheladder，tremblingandunabletoascend。Anduponmewasthatoldsicknessatthepitofthestomach，causedalwaysbythespectacleofphysicalviolence。
　　InthisinstanceIcouldnotsee，butcouldheartheimpactoftheblows——thesoftcrushingsoundmadebyfleshstrikingforciblyagainstflesh。
　　Thentherewasthecrashingaboutoftheentwinedbodies，thelaboredbreathing，theshort，quickgaspsofsuddenpain。
　　Theremusthavebeenmoremenintheconspiracytomurderthecaptainandmate，forbythesoundsIknewthatLeachandJohnsonhadbeenquicklyreinforcedbysomeoftheirmates。
　　"Getaknife，somebody！"Leachwasshouting。
　　"Poundhimonthehead！Mashhisbrainsout！"wasJohnson’scry。
　　Butafterhisfirstbellow，WolfLarsenmadenonoise。Hewasfightinggrimlyandsilentlyforlife。Hewassorebeset。Downattheveryfirst，hehadbeenunabletogainhisfeet，andforallofhistremendousstrengthIfeltthattherewasnohopeforhim。
　　Theforcewithwhichtheystruggledwasvividlyimpressedonme；forIwasknockeddownbytheirsurgingbodiesandbadlybruised。ButintheconfusionImanagedtocrawlintoanemptylowerbunkoutoftheway。
　　"Allhands！We’vegothim！We’vegothim！"IcouldhearLeachcrying。
　　"Who？"demandedthosewhohadbeenreallyasleep，andwhohadwakenedtotheyknewnotwhat。
　　"It’sthebloodymate！"wasLeach’scraftyanswer，strainedfromhiminasmotheredsortofway。
　　Thiswasgreetedwithwhoopsofjoy，andfromthenonWolfLarsenhadsevenstrongmenontopofhim，Louis，Ibelieve，takingnopartinit。
　　Theforecastlewaslikeanangryhiveofbeesarousedbysomemarauder。
　　"Whatho！belowthere！"IheardLatimershoutdownthescuttle，toocautioustodescendintotheinfernoofpassionhecouldhearragingbeneathhiminthedarkness。
　　"Won’tsomebodygetaknife？Oh，won’tsomebodygetaknife？"Leachpleadedinthefirstintervalofcomparativesilence。
　　Thenumberoftheassailantswasacauseofconfusion。Theyblockedtheirownefforts，whileWolfLarsen，withbutasinglepurpose，achievedhis。Thiswastofighthiswayacrossthefloortotheladder。Thoughintotaldarkness，Ifollowedhisprogressbyitssound。Nomanlessthanagiantcouldhavedonewhathedid，oncehehadgainedthefootoftheladder。Stepbystep，bythemightofhisarms，thewholepackofmenstrivingtodraghimbackanddown，hedrewhisbodyupfromthefloortillhestooderect。Andthen，stepbystep，handandfoot，heslowlystruggleduptheladder。
　　Theverylastofall，Isaw。ForLatimer，havingfinallygoneforalantern，helditsothatitslightshonedownthescuttle。WolfLarsenwasnearlytothetop，thoughIcouldnotseehim。Allthatwasvisiblewasthemassofmenfasteneduponhim。Itsquirmedabout，likesomehugemany—leggedspider，andswayedbackandforthtotheregularrollofthevessel。Andstill，stepbystep，withlongintervalsbetween，themassascended。Onceittottered，abouttofallback，butthebrokenholdwasregainedanditstillwentup。
　　"Whoisit？"Latimercried。
　　IntheraysofthelanternIcouldseehisperplexedfacepeeringdown。
　　"Larsen，"Iheardamuffledvoicefromwithinthemass。
　　Latimerreacheddownwithhisfreehand。Isawahandshootuptoclasphis。Latimerpulled，andthenextcoupleofstepsweremadewitharush。
　　ThenWolfLarsen’sotherhandreachedupandclutchedtheedgeofthescuttle。
　　Themassswungclearoftheladder，themenstillclingingtotheirescapingfoe。Theybegantodropoff，tobebrushedoffagainstthesharpedgeofthescuttle，tobeknockedoffbythelegswhichwerenowkickingpowerfully。
　　Leachwasthelasttogo，fallingsheerbackfromthetopofthescuttleandstrikingonheadandshouldersuponhissprawlingmatesbeneath。WolfLarsenandthelanterndisappeared，andwewereleftindarkness。TheSeaWolf：Chapter15CHAPTER15
　　Therewasadealofcursingandgroaningasthemenatthebottomoftheladdercrawledtotheirfeet。
　　"Somebodystrikealight，mythumb’soutofjoint，"saidoneofthemen，Parsons，aswarthy，saturnineman，boat—steererinStandish’sboat，inwhichHarrisonwaspuller。
　　"You’llfinditknockin’aboutbythebitts，"Leachsaid，sittingdownontheedgeofthebunkinwhichIwasconcealed。
　　Therewasafumblingandascratchingofmatches，andthesea—lampflaredup，dimandsmoky，andinitsweirdlightbare—leggedmenmovedabout，nursingtheirbruisesandcaringfortheirhurts。Oofty—OoftylaidholdofParsons’sthumb，pullingitoutstoutlyandsnappingitbackintoplace。InoticedatthesametimethattheKanaka’sknuckleswerelaidopenclearacrossandtothebone。Heexhibitedthem，exposingbeautifulwhiteteethinagrinashedidsoandexplainingthatthewoundshadcomefromstrikingWolfLarseninthemouth。
　　"Soitwasyou，wasit，youblackbeggar？"belligerentlydemandedone，Kelly，anIrish—Americanandalongshoreman，makinghisfirsttriptosea，andboat—pullerforKerfoot。
　　AshemadethedemandhespatoutamouthfulofbloodandteethandshovedhispugnaciousfaceclosetoOofty—Oofty。TheKanakaleapedbackwardtohisbunk，toreturnwithasecondleap，flourishingalongknife。
　　"Aw，golaydown，youmakemetired，"Leachinterfered。Hewasevidently，forallofhisyouthandinexperience，cockoftheforecastle。"G’wan，youKelly。YouleaveOoftyalone。Howinhelldidheknowitwasyouinthedark？"
　　Kellysubsidedwithsomemuttering，andtheKanakaflashedhiswhiteteethinagratefulsmile。Hewasabeautifulcreature，almostfeminineinthepleasinglinesofhisfigure，andtherewasasoftnessanddreaminessinhislargeeyeswhichseemedtocontradicthiswell—earnedreputationforstrifeandaction。
　　"Howdidhegetaway？"Johnsonasked。
　　Hewassittingonthesideofhisbunk，thewholeposeofhisfigureindicatingutterdejectionandhopelessness。Hewasstillbreathingheavilyfromtheexertionhehadmade。Hisshirthadbeenrippedentirelyfromhiminthestruggle，andbloodfromagashinthecheekwasflowingdownhisnakedchest，markingaredpathacrosshiswhitethighanddrippingtothefloor。
　　"Becauseheisthedevil，asItoldyoubefore，"wasLeach’sanswer；
　　andthereathewasonhisfeetandraginghisdisappointmentwithtearsinhiseyes。
　　"Andnotoneofyoutogetaknife！"washisunceasinglament。
　　Buttherestofthehandshadalivelyfearofconsequencestocomeandgavenoheedtohim。
　　"How’llheknowwhichwaswhich？"Kellyasked，andashewentonhelookedmurderouslyabouthim——"unlessoneofuspeaches。"
　　"He’llknowassoonaseverheclapseyesonus，"Parsonsreplied。"Onelookatyou’dbeenough。"
　　"Tellhimthedeckfloppedupandgougedyerteethoutivyerjaw，"
　　Louisgrinned。Hewastheonlymanwhowasnotoutofhisbunk，andhewasjubilantinthathepossessednobruisestoadvertisethathehadhadahandinthenight’swork。"Justwaittillhegetsaglimpseivyermugsto—morrow，thegangivye，"hechuckled。
　　"We’llsaywethoughtitwasthemate，"saidone。Andanother，"IknowwhatI’llsay——thatIheeredarow，jumpedoutofmybunk，gotajollygoodcrackonthejawformypainsandsailedinmyself。Couldn’ttellwhoorwhatitwasinthedarkandjusthitout。"
　　"An’’twasmeyouhit，ofcourse，"Kellyseconded，hisfacebrighteningforthemoment。
　　LeachandJohnsontooknopartinthediscussion，anditwasplaintoseethattheirmateslookeduponthemasmenforwhomtheworstwasinevitable，whowerebeyondhopeandalreadydead。Leachstoodtheirfearsandreproachesforsometime。Thenhebrokeout：
　　"Youmakemetired！Anicelotofgazabasyouare！Ifyoutalkedlesswithyermouthanddidsomethingwithyerhands，he’da—bendonewithbynow。Whycouldn’toneofyou，justoneofyou，getmeaknifewhenIsungout？Youmakemesick！A—beefin’andbellerin’’round，asthoughhe’dkillyouwhenhegetsyou！Youknowdamnwellhewon’t。Can’taffordto。Noshippingmastersorbeachcombersoverhere，andhewantsyerinhisbusiness，andhewantsyerbad。Who’stopullorsteerorsailshipifhelosesyer？
　　It’smeandJohnsonhavetofacethemusic。Getintoyerbunks，now，andshutyerfaces；Iwanttogetsomesleep。"
　　"That’sallrightallright，"Parsonsspokeup。"Mebbehewon’tdoforus，butmarkmywords，hell’llbeaniceboxtothisshipfromnowon。"
　　AllthewhileIhadbeenapprehensiveconcerningmyownpredicament。
　　Whatwouldhappentomewhenthesemendiscoveredmypresence？IcouldneverfightmywayoutasWolfLarsenhaddone。AndatthismomentLatimercalleddownthescuttles：
　　"Hump！Theoldmanwantsyou！"
　　"Heain’tdownhere！"Parsonscalledback。
　　"Yesheis，"Isaid，slidingoutofthebunkandstrivingmyhardesttokeepmyvoicesteadyandbold。
　　Thesailorslookedatmeinconsternation。Fearwasstrongintheirfaces，andthedevilishnesswhichcomesoffear。
　　"I’mcoming！"IshouteduptoLatimer。
　　"Noyoudon’t！"Kellycried，steppingbetweenmeandtheladder，hisrighthandshapedintoaveritablestrangler’sclutch。"Youdamnlittlesneak！I’llshutyermouth！"
　　"Lethimgo，"Leachcommanded。
　　"Notonyerlife，"wastheangryretort。
　　Leachneverchangedhispositionontheedgeofthebunk。"Lethimgo，Isay，"herepeated；butthistimehisvoicewasgrittyandmetallic。
　　TheIrishmanwavered。Imadetostepbyhim，andhestoodaside。WhenIhadgainedtheladder，Iturnedtothecircleofbrutalandmalignantfacespeeringatmethroughthesemi—darkness。Asuddenanddeepsympathywelledupinme。IrememberedtheCockney’swayofputtingit。HowGodmusthavehatedthemthattheyshouldbetorturedso！
　　"Ihaveseenandheardnothing，believeme，"Isaidquietly。
　　"Itellyer，he’sallright，"IcouldhearLeachsayingaswentuptheladder。"Hedon’tliketheoldmannomorenoryouorme。"
　　IfoundWolfLarseninthecabin，strippedandbloody，waitingforme。
　　Hegreetedmewithoneofhiswhimsicalsmiles。
　　"Come，gettowork，Doctor。Thesignsarefavorableforanextensivepracticethisvoyage。Idon’tknowwhattheGhostwouldhavebeenwithoutyou，andifIcouldonlycherishsuchnoblesentimentsIwouldtellyouhermasterisdeeplygrateful。"
　　Iknewtherunofthesimplemedicine—chesttheGhostcarried，andwhileIwasheatingwateronthecabinstoveandgettingthethingsreadyfordressinghiswounds，hemovedabout，laughingandchatting，andexamininghishurtswithacalculatingeye。Ihadneverbeforeseenhimstripped，andthesightofhisbodyquitetookmybreathaway。Ithasneverbeenmyweaknesstoexalttheflesh——farfromit；butthereisenoughoftheartistinmetoappreciateitswonder。
　　ImustsaythatIwasfascinatedbytheperfectlinesofWolfLarsen’sfigure，andbywhatImaytermtheterriblebeautyofit。hadnotedthemenintheforecastle。Powerfullymuscledthoughsomeofthemwere，therehadbeensomethingwrongwithallofthem，aninsufficientdevelopmenthere，anunduedevelopmentthere，atwistoracrookthatdestroyedsymmetry，legstooshortortoolong，ortoomuchsineworboneexposed，ortoolittle。
　　Oofty—Ooftyhadbeentheonlyonewhoselineswereatallpleasing，while，insofarastheypleased，thatfarhadtheybeenwhatIshouldcallfeminine。
　　ButWolfLarsenwastheman—type，themasculine，andalmostagodinhisperfectness。Ashemovedaboutorraisedhisarmsthegreatmusclesleaptandmovedunderthesatinyskin。Ihaveforgottentosaythatthebronzeendedwithhisface。Hisbody，thankstohisScandinavianstock，wasfairasthefairestwoman’s。Irememberhisputtinghishanduptofeelofthewoundonhishead，andmywatchingthebicepsmovelikealivingthingunderitswhitesheath。Itwasthebicepsthathadnearlycrushedoutmylifeonce，thatIhadseenstrikesomanykillingblows。Icouldnottakemyeyesfromhim。stoodmotionless，arollofantisepticcottoninmyhandunwindingandspillingitselfdowntothefloor。
　　Henoticedme，andIbecameconsciousthatIwasstaringathim。
　　"Godmadeyouwell，"Isaid。
　　"Didhe？"heanswered。"Ihaveoftenthoughtsomyself，andwonderedwhy。"
　　"Purpose——"Ibegan。
　　"Utility，"heinterrupted。"Thisbodywasmadeforuse。Thesemusclesweremadetogrip，andtear，anddestroylivingthingsthatgetbetweenmeandlife。Buthaveyouthoughtoftheotherlivingthings？They，too，havemuscles，ofonekindandanother，madetogrip，andtear，anddestroy；
　　andwhentheycomebetweenmeandlife，Ioutgripthem，outtearthem，outdestroythem。Purposedoesnotexplainthat。Utilitydoes。"
　　"Itisnotbeautiful，"Iprotested。
　　"Lifeisn’t，youmean，"hesmiled。"YetyousayIwasmadewell。Doyouseethis？"
　　Hebracedhislegsandfeet，pressingthecabinfloorwithhistoesinaclutchingsortofway。Knotsandridgesandmoundsofmuscleswrithedandbunchedundertheskin。
　　"Feelthem，"hecommanded。
　　Theywerehardasiron。AndIobserved，also，thathiswholebodyhadunconsciouslydrawnitselftogether，tenseandalert；thatmusclesweresoftlycrawlingandshapingaboutthehips，alongtheback，andacrosstheshoulders；thatthearmswereslightlylifted，theirmusclescontracting，thefingerscrookingtillthehandswereliketalons；andthateventheeyeshadchangedexpressionandintothemwerecomingwatchfulnessandmeasurementandalightnoneotherthanofbattle。
　　"Stability，equilibrium，"hesaid，relaxingontheinstantandsinkinghisbodybackintorepose。"Feetwithwhichtoclutchtheground，legstostandonandtohelpwithstand，whilewitharmsandhands，teethandnails，Istruggletokillandtobenotkilled。Purpose？Utilityisthebetterword。"
　　Ididnotargue。Ihadseenthemechanismoftheprimitivefightingbeast，andIwasasstronglyimpressedasifIhadseentheenginesofagreatbattleshiporAtlanticliner。
　　Iwassurprised，consideringthefiercestruggleintheforecastle，atthesuperficialityofhishurts，andIpridemyselfthatIdressedthemdexterously。Withtheexceptionofseveralbadwounds，therestweremerelyseverebruisesandlacerations。Theblowwhichhehadreceivedbeforegoingoverboardhadlaidhisscalpopenseveralinches。This，underhisdirection，Icleansedandsewedtogether，havingfirstshavedtheedgesofthewound。
　　Thenthecalfofhislegwasbadlylaceratedandlookedasthoughithadbeenmangledbyabulldog。Somesailor，hetoldme，hadlaidholdofitbyhisteeth，atthebeginningofthefight，andhungonandbeendraggedtothetopoftheforecastleladder，whenhewaskickedloose。
　　"Bytheway，Hump，asIhaveremarked，youareahandyman，"WolfLarsenbegan，whenmyworkwasdone。"Asyouknow，we’reshortamate。Hereafteryoushallstandwatches，receiveseventy—fivedollarspermonth，andbeaddressedforeandaftasMr。VanWeyden。"
　　"I——Idon’tunderstandnavigation，youknow，"Igasped。
　　"Notnecessaryatall。"
　　"Ireallydonotcaretositinthehighplaces，"Iobjected。"Ifindlifeprecariousenoughinmypresenthumblesituation。Ihavenoexperience。
　　Mediocrity，yousee，hasitscompensations。"
　　Hesmiledasthoughitwereallsettled。
　　"Iwon’tbemateonthishell—ship！"Icrieddefiantly。
　　Isawhisfacegrowhardandthemercilessglittercomeintohiseyes。
　　Hewalkedtothedoorofhisroom，saying：
　　"Andnow，Mr。VanWeyden，goodnight。"
　　"Goodnight，Mr。Larsen，"Iansweredweakly。TheSeaWolf：Chapter16CHAPTER16
　　Icannotsaythatthepositionofmatecarriedwithitanythingmorejoyfulthanthattherewerenomoredishestowash。Iwasignorantofthesimplestdutiesofmate，andwouldhavefaredbadlyindeedhadthesailorsnotsympathizedwithme。Iknewnothingoftheminutiaeofropesandrigging，ofthetrimmingandsettingofsails；butthesailorstookpainstoputmetorights，——Louisprovinganespeciallygoodteacher，——andIhadlittletroublewiththoseunderme。
　　Withthehuntersitwasotherwise。Familiarinvaryingdegreewiththesea，theytookmeasasortofjoke。Intruth，itwasajoketome，thatI，theveriestlandsman，shouldbefillingtheofficeofmate；buttobetakenasajokebyotherswasadifferentmatter。madenocomplaint，butWolfLarsendemandedthemostpunctiliousseaetiquetteinmycase，——
　　farmorethanpoorJohansenhadeverreceived；andattheexpenseofseveralrows，threats，andmuchgrumbling，hebroughtthehunterstotime。Iwas"Mr。VanWeyden"foreandaft，anditwasonlyunofficiallythatWolfLarsenhimselfeveraddressedmeas"Hump。"
　　Itwasamusing。Perhapsthewindwouldhaulafewpointswhilewewereatdinner，andasIleftthetablehewouldsay，"Mr。VanWeyden，willyoukindlyputaboutontheporttack。"AndIwouldgoondeck，beckonLouistome，andlearnfromhimwhatwastobedone。Then，afewminuteslater，havingdigestedhisinstructionsandthoroughlymasteredtheman渦vre，Iwouldproceedtoissuemyorders。Irememberanearlyinstanceofthiskind，whenWolfLarsenappearedonthescenejustasIhadbeguntogiveorders。Hesmokedhiscigarandlookedonquietlytillthethingwasaccomplished，andthenpacedaftbymysidealongtheweatherpoop。
　　"Hump，"hesaid，"Ibegpardon，Mr。VanWeyden，Icongratulateyou。
　　Ithinkyoucannowfireyourfather’slegsbackintothegravetohim。
　　You’vediscoveredyourownandlearnedtostandonthem。Alittlerope—work，sail—making，andexperiencewithstormsandsuchthings，andbytheendofthevoyageyoucouldshiponanycoastingschooner。"
　　Itwasduringthisperiod，betweenthedeathofJohansenandthearrivalonthesealinggrounds，thatIpassedmypleasantesthoursontheGhost。
　　WolfLarsenwasquiteconsiderate，thesailorshelpedme，andIwasnolongerinirritatingcontactwithThomasMugridge。AndImadefreetosay，asthedayswentby，thatIfoundIwastakingacertainsecretprideinmyself。Fantasticasthesituationwas，——alandlubbersecondincommand，——Iwas，nevertheless，carryingitoffwell；andduringthatbrieftimeIwasproudofmyself，andIgrewtolovetheheaveandrolloftheGhostundermyfeetasshewallowednorthandwestthroughthetropicseatotheisletwherewefilledourwater—casks。
　　Butmyhappinesswasnotunalloyed。Itwascomparative，aperiodoflessmiseryslippedinbetweenapastofgreatmiseriesandafutureofgreatmiseries。FortheGhost，sofarastheseamenwereconcerned，wasahell—shipoftheworsedescription。Theyneverhadamoment’srestorpeace。WolfLarsentreasuredagainstthemtheattemptonhislifeandthedrubbinghehadreceivedintheforecastle；andmorning，noon，andnight，andallnightaswell，hedevotedhimselftomakinglifeunlivableforthem。
　　Heknewwellthepsychologyofthelittlething，anditwasthelittlethingsbywhichhekeptthecrewworkeduptothevergeofmadness。IhaveseenHarrisoncalledfromhisbunktoputproperlyawayamisplacedpaint—brush，andthetwowatchesbelowhaledfromtheirtiredsleeptoaccompanyhimandseehimdoit。Alittlething，truly，butwhenmultipliedbythethousandingeniousdevicesofsuchamind，thementalstateofthemenintheforecastlemaybeslightlycomprehended。
　　Ofcoursemuchgrumblingwenton，andlittleoutburstswerecontinuallyoccurring。Blowswerestruck，andtherewerealwaystwoorthreemennursinginjuriesatthehandsofthehumanbeastwhowastheirmaster。Concertedactionwasimpossibleinfaceoftheheavyarsenalofweaponscarriedinthesteerageandcabin。LeachandJohnsonwerethetwoparticularvictimsofWolfLarsen’sdiabolictemper，andthelookofprofoundmelancholywhichhadsettledonJohnson’sfaceandinhiseyesmademyheartbleed。
　　WithLeachitwasdifferent。Therewastoomuchofthefightingbeastinhim。Heseemedpossessedbyaninsatiablefurywhichgavenotimeforgrief。Hislipshadbecomedistortedintoapermanentsnarl，which，atmeresightofWolfLarsen，brokeoutinsound，horribleandmenacing，and，Idobelieve，unconsciously。IhaveseenhimfollowWolfLarsenaboutwithhiseyes，likeananimalitskeeper，thewhiletheanimal—likesnarlsoundeddeepinhisthroatandvibratedforthbetweenhisteeth。
　　Irememberonce，ondeck，inbrightday，touchinghimontheshoulderaspreliminarytogivinganorder。Hisbackwastowardme，andatthefirstfeelofmyhandheleapeduprightintheairandawayfromme，snarlingandturninghisheadasheleaped。Hehadforthemomentmistakenmeforthemanhehated。
　　BothheandJohnsonwouldhavekilledWolfLarsenattheslightestopportunity，buttheopportunitynevercame。WolfLarsenwastoowiseforthat，and，besides，theyhadnoadequateweapons。Withtheirfistsalonetheyhadnochancewhatever。TimeandagainhefoughtitoutwithLeach，whofoughtback，always，likeawildcat，toothandnailandfist，untilstretched，exhaustedorunconscious，onthedeck。Andhewasneveraversetoanotherencounter。AllthedevilthatwasinhimchallengedthedevilinWolfLarsen。
　　Theyhadbuttoappearondeckatthesametime，whentheywouldbeatit，cursing，snarling，striking；andIhaveseenLeachflinghimselfuponWolfLarsenwithoutwarningorprovocation。Oncehethrewhisheavysheath—knife，missingWolfLarsen’sthroatbyaninch。Anothertimehedroppedasteelmarlinspikefromthemizzencrosstree。Itwasadifficultcasttomakeonarollingship，butthesharppointofthespike，whistlingseventy—fivefeetthroughtheair，barelymissedWolfLarsen’sheadasheemergedfromthecabincompanionwayanddroveitslengthtwoinchesandoverintothesoliddeck—planking。Stillanothertime，hestoleintothesteerage，possessedhimselfofaloadedshot—gun，andwasmakingarushforthedeckwithitwhencaughtbyKerfootanddisarmed。
　　IoftenwonderedwhyWolfLarsendidnotkillhimandmakeanendofit。Butheonlylaughedandseemedtoenjoyit。Thereseemedacertainspiceaboutit，suchasmenmustfeelwhotakedelightinmakingpetsofferociousanimals。
　　"Itgivesathrilltolife，"heexplainedtome，"whenlifeiscarriedinone’shand。Manisanaturalgambler，andlifeisthebiggeststakehecanlay。Thegreatertheodds，thegreaterthethrill。WhyshouldI
　　denymyselfthejoyofexcitingLeach’ssoultofever—pitch？Forthatmatter，Idohimakindness。Thegreatnessofsensationismutual。Heislivingmoreroyallythananymanfor’ard，thoughhedoesnotknowit。Forhehaswhattheyhavenot——purpose，somethingtodoandbedone，anall—absorbingendtostrivetoattain，thedesiretokillme，thehopethathemaykillme。Really，Hump，heislivingdeepandhigh。Idoubtthathehaseverlivedsoswiftlyandkeenlybefore，andIhonestlyenvyhim，sometimes，whenIseehimragingatthesummitofpassionandsensibility。"
　　"Ah，butitiscowardly，cowardly！"Icried。"Youhavealltheadvantage。"
　　"Ofthetwoofus，youandI，whoisthegreatercoward？"heaskedseriously。
　　"Ifthesituationisunpleasing，youcompromisewithyourconsciencewhenyoumakeyourselfapartytoit。Ifyouwerereallygreat，reallytruetoyourself，youwouldjoinforceswithLeachandJohnson。Butyouareafraid，youareafraid。Youwanttolive。Thelifethatisinyoucriesoutthatitmustlive，nomatterwhatthecost；soyouliveignominiously，untruetothebestyoudreamof，sinningagainstyourwholepitifullittlecode，and，iftherewereahell，headingyoursoulstraightforit。Bah！
　　Iplaythebraverpart。Idonosin，forIamtruetothepromptingsofthelifethatisinme。Iamsincerewithmysoulatleast，andthatiswhatyouarenot。"