I had already found that it was not good to be alone, and so I made companionship with what there was around me, sometimes with the universe and sometimes with my own insignificant self; but my books were always my friends, let fail all else.

...as the day wore on I watched the birds all flying in one direction, and said, Land lies there.

Nothing escapes the vigilance of the New South Wales police; their reputation is known the world over.

The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.

I once knew a writer who, after saying beautiful things about the sea, passed through a Pacific hurricane, and he became a changed man.

Remember, Lord, my ship is small and thy sea is so wide!

I was born in the breezes, and I had studied the sea as perhaps few men have studied it, neglecting all else.