He had gloomy presentiments; perhaps his next journey might be his last.
"You are going to die!" cried an anguished voice in his brain.

"You'll die very soon if you do not retire from the sea." And to Ferragut the queerest thing about the warning was that this counselor had the voice of the one who had always egged him on to foolish adventures,--the one that had hurled him into danger for the mere pleasure of discounting it, the one that had made him follow Freya even after knowing her vile profession.
On the other hand the voice of prudence, always cautious and temperate, was now showing an heroic tranquillity, speaking like a man of peace who considers his obligations superior to his life.
"Be calm, Ferragut; you have sold your person with your boat, and they have given you millions for it.

You must carry through what you have promised even though it may send you out of existence....

The _Mare Nostrum_ cannot sail without a Spanish captain.

If you abandon it, you will have to find another captain.