The next morning at breakfast, Humphrey reports to Larsen that the fog bank is off to the north and northwest, and there is no sign of the Macedonia. Larsen leaves to talk to the hunters in the steerage; Humphrey and Maud hear his voice, but not his words, through the wall. At the end of a long speech, the hunters cheer and head onto the deck. They excitedly prepare their boats for departure and take rifles on board, which Humphrey notes as clearly not meant for seal hunting. Larsen tells Humphrey that he plans to “give that brother of mine a taste of his own medicine” (178) by disrupting the hunt.

Humphrey visits Mugridge, who is recuperating after losing his foot to the shark. Mugridge vows to see Larsen dead. With the Macedonia approaching and clearly set on monopolizing the hunt again, Humphrey joins Larsen at the wheel of the ship. The Macedonia dispatches some of its boats. Larsen sails the Ghost past their own boats and towards the first of the Macedonia’s. Larsen calls down to the men in the boat, inviting them aboard for a chat; as preparations are made to help these men aboard, Larsen orders both Humphrey and Maud to remain on deck.