Steelkilt’s Banter
While working at the pump, Steelkilt noticed Radney approaching and pretended not to see him, continuing with gay banter about the leak, joking that a swordfish had returned with ship-carpenters to finish the job and that Rad’s investment was at stake.
Radney’s Insulting Command
Radney, pretending not to hear, barked at Steelkilt to keep pumping. Later, in a fury after the pumping, the mate ordered Steelkilt to fetch a broom and shovel and sweep the deck—menial work that was the customary province of boys and beneath a gang captain like Steelkilt, making the insult unmistakable.
The Confrontation at the Windlass
Steelkilt at first restrained himself, noting Radney’s seething rage and the powder-casks nearby, sensing the dangerous provocation. He quietly refused the order and pointed to three younger lads as the proper sweepers, but Radney repeated the command in an outrageous manner, advancing on him with an uplifted cooper’s club hammer snatched from a nearby cask.
The Hammer and the Blow
Though heated, Steelkilt remained seated and silent, but when Radney shook the hammer within inches of his face, he slowly retreated around the windlass, warning Radney with a twisted hand gesture to back off. When Radney persisted, Steelkilt declared he would not obey and threatened to murder him if the hammer so much as grazed his cheek. The hammer then struck his cheek, and Steelkilt instantly stove in the mate’s lower jaw, sending him crashing to the hatch spouting blood.
Steelkilt Calls His Comrades
Before the alarm cry could spread aft, Steelkilt ran aft to the backstays where two of his comrades were stationed at the mastheads—both Canallers whom he called to his aid.
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