Summary

Wolf Larsen promotes Van Weyden to the rank of mate, which proves as amusing to him as to the other sailors who are aware that he is still a landlubber. But, with the continued blessings of Larsen who instructs the crew to call him "Mister Van Weyden," he picks up skills in navigation and executing orders from the captain. Larsen calls him "Hump" informally when other crewmen aren't about. He assures him that by the end of the voyage Van Weyden will be able to hire aboard any schooner as mate. Humphrey is mostly grateful that in his new position he doesn't have to wash dishes any more. But, he comes to see this period as a mere interlude between longer bouts of misery. He understands why the crew members believe the Ghost to be "a hell-ship of the worst description." The men...