CHAPTER XI 

The _Ghost_ has attained the southernmost point of the arc she is describing across the Pacific, and is already beginning to edge away to the west and north toward some lone island, it is rumoured, where she will fill her water-casks before proceeding to the season’s hunt along the coast of Japan. The hunters have experimented and practised with their rifles and shotguns till they are satisfied, and the boat-pullers and steerers have made their spritsails, bound the oars and rowlocks in leather and sennit so that they will make no noise when creeping on the seals, and put their boats in apple-pie order—to use Leach’s homely phrase. 

His arm, by the way, has healed nicely, though the scar will remain all his life. Thomas Mugridge lives in mortal fear of him, and is afraid to venture on deck after dark. There are two or three standing quarrels in the forecastle. Louis tells me that the gossip of the sailors finds its way aft, and that two of the telltales have been badly beaten by their mates. He shakes his head dubiously over the outlook for the man Johnson, who is boat-puller in the same boat with him. Johnson has been guilty of speaking his mind too freely, and has collided two or three times with Wolf Larsen over the pronunciation of his name. Johansen he thrashed on the amidships deck the other night, since which time the mate has called him by his proper name. But of course it is out of the question that Johnson should thrash Wolf Larsen. 
Who was beaten? Which one is a boat-puller? What has he been doing that has caused problems with his mates? Who has he tussled with multiple times? How many times? What were they fighting over? On what vehicle does this story take place? Is it crossing an ocean? Which one? Word has it, they're going where? To fill what? Before heading to what event? Where will that be? Is someone's arm better after an injury? What will have forever from it? Who is far to scared to be on deck at night? Who knows the gossip and relays it? What did the hunters spend time perfecting their use of? Are they happy with their skills? What's bound in leather?
Two of the telltales Johnson Speaking his mind too freely Wolf Larsen Two or three times The pronunciation of his name. The _Ghost_ Yes The Pacific Toward some lone island Her water-casks The season’s hunt Along the coast of Japan Yes The scar Thomas Mugridge Louis Their rifles and shotguns Yes The oars and rowlocks