The Sea-Wolf Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 12 Summary

Chapter 12 Summary

Johnson buys some oilskins from the slop chest and finds them to be inferior articles. He complains about their quality and price. Mugridge carries the news of Johnson's dissatisfaction to Larsen. Hump is in Larsen's cabin when Johansen brings Johnson abaft and below. Larsen instructs Hump to shut and bolt the cabin door. After a brief confrontation, Larsen and Johansen severely beat Johnson until he falls unconscious. They then throw him up the companionway and onto the deck. Leach tends to Johnson's injuries. When Larsen emerges on deck, Leach launches into a prolonged verbal assault that astounds the entire crew. Larsen quietly regards Leach's continuing insolence with passive disinterest until Mugridge comes on deck. Mugridge expects to see Larsen beat Leach, but instead Leach lashes out at Mugridge and delivers a terrific beating to the cook. Over the course of the day, various other sailors settle their differences and arguments...
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