The Sea Wolf

Humphrey Van Weyden and Ruth Webster survive the ferry collision and are plucked from the water by the Ghost. The rescue marks the beginning of a brutal, power-driven world under Wolf Larsen. The rescued pair must quickly adapt to life at sea and the ship's harsh discipline.

Larsen refuses to return to port and orders Van Weyden to work in the kitchen, supervised by Cooky. The arrangement traps Van Weyden in close proximity to the captain, setting the tone for the psychological games to come. The crew follows Larsen's will, and Van Weyden loses his former identity aboard the Ghost.

Larsen spends time with Van Weyden alone in his cabin, where they discuss philosophy and the nature of humanity. Larsen argues that man is essentially an amoral animal and that morality is a human construct on board the ship. He predicts Van Weyden's character will change as he adjusts to life among the lawless crew.

Prescott asserts Ruth needs a transfusion and Larsen arranges for Leach to donate, regardless of compatibility testing. The transfusion succeeds and Ruth recovers, increasing her reliance on Leach for protection. In retaliation for the humiliation, Prescott reveals that Larsen is hunted by his brother Death, which drives Prescott to commit suicide.

Fear of being hunted drives Leach to lead a mutiny against Larsen. They ambush Larsen and his first mate and throw them overboard in an attempt to seize control. Larsen clings to a rope, climbs back aboard, and quickly asserts his authority, foiling the mutiny.

Larsen exposes informant Cooky, who is dropped into the water as punishment. Cooky clings to a rope as a shark bites off one of his legs, and the crew drags him back aboard, saving his life. The incident demonstrates Larsen's capricious use of fear to control the crew.

Leach, Webster, Van Weyden, and Johnson escape in a dory and discover that the Ghost has replaced their water with vinegar. The group debates survival and the need to ration water. Johnson sacrifices himself by going overboard to conserve their remaining water.

Larsen suffers severe headaches and temporary blindness, which he hides from the crew. When his brother Death's pursuit culminates in cannon fire, the Ghost sinks and the crew must take to lifeboats. Larsen's debility becomes apparent as the ship disappears into a fog bank.

Van Weyden, Leach, and Webster reboard the Ghost after spotting it in the fog, only to find it seemingly deserted. Leach goes below for provisions and is ambushed by Larsen, who locks him in a storage compartment. Van Weyden attempts to intervene as the captain tightens his trap.

Van Weyden is fatally shot by Larsen during a struggle over the key to Webster's safety. He hides the wound from Larsen and tricks him into handing over the key by promising to stay with him to the bitter end. This act unsettles Larsen, forcing him to confront the possibility that his philosophy may fail in the face of mortality.

With Van Weyden's sacrifice, Leach and Webster escape in the dory and head toward a nearby island. They navigate danger at sea, relying on Leach's protection and Webster's survival instinct. The escape marks a turning point away from Larsen's dominion.

As Leach and Webster set a course for land, Larsen remains aboard the doomed Ghost, intent on going down with it and taking as many others as he can. The story ends with the ship dissolving into the fog and the survivors steering toward safety, leaving Larsen’s ultimate fate open to interpretation.