Do you know why ?" "No.

Unless," with sarcasm, "it was because I wa'n't around." "It ain't that.

It's because, Emeline, it's because down here I'm nigher bein' where I belong than anywheres else but one place.

That place is at sea.

When I'm on salt water I'm a man--you don't believe it, but I am.
On land I--I don't seem to fit in right.