The End of the Tether · Character

the Serang

The Sofala's barefooted Malay boatswain, loyal and silent, who keeps the watch and answers his captain's anxious questions without ever asking why.

supporting

Also known as Serang, the barefooted Serang

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in The End of the Tether, the Serang is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

An elderly, alert Malay who serves as the ship's Serang, murmuring orders to the helmsman and keeping the captain's watch.

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See the Serang in I Book page

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By custom the Serang holds the deck for the captain on easy stretches, but Whalley cannot stay below, and so the two men trade low words in the dark: 'You are watching the compass well?' 'Yes, I am watching, Tuan.' His…

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The fuller portrait of the Serang sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See the Serang in I

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how the Serang sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Sofala's crew and antagonists
Protagonist
Whalley's personal and social circle

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the psychological reversal where Mr. Van Wyk’s long…

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Relationships

Captain Whalley
professional · positive
The Serang is the loyal and competent Malay boatswain who respects Whalley and serves him… How this plays out →
Mr. Sterne
professional · negative
Captain Whalley
professional · positive
The Serang is the loyal and competent Malay boatswain who respects Whalley and serves him… How this plays out →
Mr. Sterne
professional · negative

Captain Whalley
The Serang is the loyal and competent Malay boatswain who respects Whalley and serves him faithfully.
Mr. Sterne
Sterne attempts to manipulate the Serang for information, but the Serang remains aloof and loyal to Whalley.
Captain Whalley
The Serang is the loyal and competent Malay boatswain who respects Whalley and serves him faithfully.
Mr. Sterne
Sterne attempts to manipulate the Serang for information, but the Serang remains aloof and loyal to Whalley.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See the Serang in I

In the story

the Serang appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
An elderly, alert Malay who serves as the ship's Serang, murmuring orders to the helmsman and keeping the captain's watch.
VI
The old Malay serang on the Sofala, assists Whalley by watching for landmarks and giving bearings.
VII
Stands beside Whalley, muttering navigation instructions in quiet tones, assisting with the bar crossing.
VIII
Quietly observes the ship's position and corrects the helm. He is certain the Sofala is off course but does not question his captain's actions, trusting in his own senses and Whalley's judgment.
Chapter X
The Serang is closely attending Whalley on the bridge, prompting Sterne's comparison to a pilot-fish.
XIII
Revealed to be the one actually navigating the ship under Whalley's guidance, trained to handle the vessel despite Whalley's blindness. He is unaware of the captain's condition.
XIV
Heaves the lead to determine depth after the ship strikes the reef, reporting eight fathoms.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for the Serang unlock in the free preview.

See the Serang in I