William Hope Hodgson

“ Even the first mate, inspired by his example and encouragement, made a brave attempt to follow in his wake. As the second mate put it, "Sweat the flesh off their bones, and they'll be too tired to use their dirty brains." ”

“ He made an expressive gesture.
"I wish to God we were home!" said the mate fervently.
"You cheer up, mister!" replied the big officer. "If you have any trouble with your lot, don't stop to talk--shoot!"
"It's an awful thing to take a life."
"It is a necessary thing sometimes. And, besides, you have only to bang on the deck for me, and I'll be up in a brace of shakes."
And so, after a few more words of encouragement to the frightened man, the second left him in charge, and went below for a sleep.
True to his word, the second mate kept the mutinous crowd of sailormen hard at it from dawnto dusk. ”

“ Thus, at last, matters seemed in a fair way to tend to a happy ending of the troubles that had beset them so far. Yet of one person this could not be said; for the mental condition of the captain's wife showed no signs of improvement. Fortunately, she was in no way violent and gave little trouble, her state being that of one suffering from melancholia in one of its quieter forms. ”