Victory · Chapter
VII explained
Ricardo explains their harrowing journey to Heyst, detailing how they drifted due to light winds and currents, and how one water jar contained salt water, nearly killing them.
What happens
Ricardo explains their harrowing journey to Heyst, detailing how they drifted due to light winds and currents, and how one water jar contained salt water, nearly killing them. He boasts of beating Pedro to prevent him from drinking seawater. Mr. Jones, weakened, finally speaks with a ghostly voice. Heyst offers them accommodation in the abandoned countinghouse bungalow, and they move ashore as twilight falls.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Detachment
Heyst's solitary life on Samburan is contrasted with the sudden arrival of the strangers, highlighting his detachment from the world.
Evil and Predation
Ricardo's violent treatment of Pedro and the predatory undertones in his interactions with Heyst suggest a lurking menace.
Characters to notice
- Axel Heyst
Heyst listens to Ricardo's account, observes the newcomers, and offers them lodging in the countinghouse bungalow.
- Martin Ricardo
Ricardo narrates their ordeal at sea, boasts of beating Pedro, and tries to gauge Heyst's character.
- Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones, weak and soaked, speaks in a languid, lifeless voice, showing concern for appearances.
- Pedro
Pedro is beaten by Ricardo for trying to drink seawater; he is described as tough and animalistic.
- Wang
Wang follows Heyst's orders, operates the water tap, and later runs the trolley for luggage.
Key passages
“The explanation lay in the two simple facts that the light winds and strong currents of the Java Sea had drifted the boat about until they partly lost their bearings; and that by some extraordinary mistake one of the two jars put into the boat by Schomberg’s man contained salt water.”
Their boat was carried off course by winds and currents, and one of the water jars was mistakenly filled with salt water.
Ricardo explains the cause of their near-fatal voyage.
“I had to waste my fainting strength in beating their servant about the head with a stretcher. The fool had wanted to drink sea water, and wouldn’t listen to reason.”
Ricardo beat Pedro with a stretcher to stop him from drinking seawater, which would have driven him mad.
Ricardo justifies his violence as necessary to prevent Pedro's insanity.
“I am alone here—practically alone; but several empty houses are still standing. No lack of accommodation.”
Heyst tells them he is nearly alone on the island, but there are empty houses they can use.
Heyst offers the strangers shelter in the abandoned settlement.