For not only do fabulous rumors naturally grow out of the very body of all surprising terrible events, but in maritime life, far more than in that of terra firma, wild rumors abound, wherever there is any adequate reality for them to cling to.

• 因为一切无稽的谣言不但由各种惊人可怖的事件本身自然而然地产生出来，而且，海上生活远跟陆上生活不同，只要稍有根据，流言便满天飞。