It is a very little world, a mote, a speck, and I marvel that men should dare to venture the sea on a contrivance so small and fragile.
Wolf Larsen has, also, a reputation for reckless carrying on of sail.

I overheard Henderson and another of the hunters, Standish, a Californian, talking about it.

Two years ago he dismasted the _Ghost_ in a gale on Bering Sea, whereupon the present masts were put in, which are stronger and heavier in every way.

He is said to have remarked, when he put them in, that he preferred turning her over to losing the sticks.
Every man aboard, with the exception of Johansen, who is rather overcome by his promotion, seems to have an excuse for having sailed on the _Ghost_.

Half the men forward are deep-water sailors, and their excuse is that they did not know anything about her or her captain.