# Dog Eats Dog explained — The Maid of Sker

> Chapter companion for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

## What happens

Davy accompanies Captain Rodney Bluett to confront Parson Chowne, who has been slandering the Bampfylde family. Along the way, they encounter a shipwright who identifies a boat as the Wild-Duck, built for Captain Bampfylde, and later hear a woman's screams from Chowne's house, spurring them to action.

## Themes in this chapter

### Morality and Hypocrisy

Parson Chowne's slander and cruelty contrast with his clerical role, highlighting hypocrisy.

### Truth and Narrative Reliability

Davy emphasizes the importance of multiple witnesses to establish truth, and the boat identification serves as evidence.

### Maritime Life and Adventure

The chapter features shipwrights, boat identification, and the use of a boat for smuggling, reflecting maritime culture.

## Character check-ins

### Davy Llewellyn

Narrates the chapter, accompanies Rodney Bluett to confront Chowne, and expresses reluctance and fear.

### Captain Rodney Bluett

Determined to horsewhip Parson Chowne for slandering the Bampfylde family; leads the confrontation.

### Sir Philip Bampfylde

Gazing at the ebb of the Tawe; discusses the situation with Davy and the boat identification.

### Parson Chowne

The target of the confrontation; accused of spreading lies about the Bampfylde family and causing distress.

### Captain Drake Bampfylde

Mentioned as having landed a chest of plate and linen, not an arm-chest, contrary to Chowne's slander.

## Key lines

> To a man, whose time of life begins to be a subject of some consideration to him, when the few years still in hope can be counted on a hand, and may not need a finger; and with the tide of this world ebbing to the inevitable sea⁠—to him there is scarcely any sweet and gentle pastime more delightful than to sit on a bank of ancient moss, beside a tidal river, and watch the decreasing waters, and prove his own eternity by casting a pebble into them.

For an aging man, with few years left, there is no greater pleasure than sitting by a tidal river, watching the water recede, and contemplating his own immortality by tossing a pebble into it.

_Davy reflects on Sir Philip's contemplative mood by the river._

> But out of the mouths of many witnesses shall a thing be established.

The truth is confirmed by the testimony of multiple witnesses.

_Davy emphasizes the importance of corroborating evidence._

> It is not man’s business to worry his head about righting of wrongs in this world, unless they are done to himself; and if so, revenge is its name, and an ugly one.

It is not our duty to correct every injustice in the world, only those done to us; and even then, seeking revenge is unseemly.

_Davy reflects on the futility of revenge as he approaches Chowne's house._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxvii-dog-eats-dog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters