How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
A mysterious communication was established already between us two—in the face of that silent, darkened tropical sea. (1.39)
It's weird, but the captain-narrator feels an instant connection with Leggatt the moment he sees him swimming in the ocean. It's almost as if the captain were waiting for the perfect friend to come along, and here he is delivered right aboard the ship, quite literally out of the blue .
Quote #2
The shadowy, dark head, like mine, seemed to nod imperceptibly above the ghostly gray of my sleeping suit. It was, in the night, as though I had been faced by my own reflection in the depths of a somber and immense mirror. (1.53)
The captain feels so close to Leggatt that he sometimes thinks they're the same person. It's strange for him to feel this kind of connection, since they've barely spoken to one another. But hey, Leggatt has come along at a very lonely time in the captain's life, so the captain might be a little desperate in the friend department.
Quote #3
He appealed to me as if our experiences had been as identical as our clothes. (1.59)
The captain doesn't seem to be the only one who thinks he and Leggatt are the same person. Leggatt also speaks to him as though they have shared the same past and understand all the same references.
Quote #4
I was extremely tired, in a peculiarly intimate way, by the strain of stealthiness, by the effort of whispering and the general secrecy of this excitement. (1.99)
It's clear that the captain-narrator is very excited to have a friend on his lonely ship. He's so excited, in fact, that he feels tired and giddy, like a kid at a slumber party…or someone who has just fallen in love.
Quote #5
I was constantly watching myself, my secret self, as dependent on my actions as my own personality, sleeping in that bed, behind that door which faced me as I sat at the head of the table. (1.111)
Okay, it's one thing to have a new friend. But things get a little creepy when the captain starts thinking that he and Leggatt are the same person. In other words, the captain wonders if he's left his own body and is watching himself from the outside. Um, yeah…that's not normal.
Quote #6
Maroon you! We are not living in a boy's adventure tale. (2.107)
Toward the end of the book, Leggatt informs the captain that he (Leggatt) will have to jump ship and swim for shore to have any chance of being free. But the captain isn't a big fan of this plan, and he criticizes it as being childish. But want to know the honest truth? He probably just doesn't want to lose his friend.
Quote #7
I felt suddenly ashamed of myself. I may say truly that I understood—and my hesitation in letting that man swim away from my ship's side had been a mere sham sentiment, a sort of cowardice. (2.111)
The captain eventually admits to himself (and to us) that he has selfish reasons for not wanting Leggatt to leave his ship. He's worried about being left again with no friends, and, you know, one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do.
Quote #8
But of course you do. It's a great satisfaction to have got somebody to understand. You seem to have been there on purpose. (2.113)
Leggatt, like the captain, is certain that some sort of fate has brought them together as friends. The captain is glad to hear this, since it makes him feel a little less crazy.
Quote #9
We remained side by side talking in our secret way—but sometimes silent or just exchanging a whispered word or two at long intervals. (2.114)
Things get pretty close between the captain and Leggatt when they go to bed. It even sounds like they sometimes lie down together, whispering to each other. Maybe they're more than friends, but the captain doesn't want to say…
Quote #10
It's the best chance for you that I can see. (2.127)
The captain eventually overcomes his selfish reasons for wanting Leggatt to stay with him and agrees to get him to a nearby island. After checking out a map, he decides that Leggatt's best chance is to sail for an island called Koh-ring. Sailing near this island will put the captain and his whole ship in danger, but he's willing to do it for Leggatt. Now that's a good friend.