Summary

Wolf Larsen and Van Weyden become engaged in a philosophical conversation after Humphrey reads him the poem, "Caliban Upon Setepos" by Robert Browning. Larsen calls for a card game known as Nap, which he plays with the seal hunters and Thomas Mugridge, the Cockney cook. Mugridge has been polishing his apple with Larsen and has fallen under the delusion that he's become close to this feral creature. Cooky bets all of his money—including $185 belonging to Van Weyden—and loses it all to Larsen. Humphrey asks Larsen whether he has any compunctions about taking all of Cooky's money, and the captain answers no. Larsen then barks orders at Cooky to prepare dinner for himself, the hunters, and Van Weyden. Cooky is to wait on them and clean the dishes afterwards—which adds insult to injury. Mugridge shows his pain by shuffling listlessly back...