I had just finished sweeping the cabin, and had been inveigled by Wolf Larsen into a discussion of Hamlet, his favourite Shakespearian character, when Johansen descended the companion stairs followed by Johnson.

The latter's cap came off after the custom of the sea, and he stood respectfully in the centre of the cabin, swaying heavily and uneasily to the roll of the schooner and facing the captain.
"Shut the doors and draw the slide," Wolf Larsen said to me.
As I obeyed I noticed an anxious light come into Johnson's eyes, but I did not dream of its cause.

I did not dream of what was to occur until it did occur, but he knew from the very first what was coming and awaited it bravely.

And in his action I found complete refutation of all Wolf Larsen's materialism.

The sailor Johnson was swayed by idea, by principle, and truth, and sincerity.